Old Mill Park, along Vickery Creek in downtown Roswell, is one of our favorite spots for a Roswell elopement or a small, non-traditional wedding. We have photographed elopements and micro weddings here in a few different ways: couples who marry privately nearby and walk over for portraits, couples who hold their ceremony right in the park, and couples who marry at the courthouse and come here just for photos afterward. It works well whether you are eloping later in life or simply want an intimate day at any age. Here is what we have learned from real experience at this location, and what to consider if you are planning something similar.
What Makes This Location Right for a Small Wedding
Old Mill Park packs a lot of variety into a small area. The creek, the covered bridge, the old brick ruins, and the wooded pathways all sit close together, so you are not losing daylight or portrait time traveling between backdrops. Because it is a public park rather than a private venue, it also suits an intimate day without the cost or planning of booking a full venue. That said, it is a real public park, not a rented space, so timing, crowds, and permits are worth planning around rather than assuming.
Ways Couples Have Married Here
Every elopement at Old Mill Park looks a little different. Here are three real approaches we have photographed at this location.
A Private Ceremony, Then Portraits in the Park
One couple rented a private residence in downtown Roswell and held their ceremony indoors, with just one or two witnesses that grew into a small family gathering. It was a rainy day, so we started with a first look and the ceremony inside as the weather cleared. Once the clouds parted, we moved outdoors for family portraits, then crossed the street to Old Mill Park for the rest of the couple’s portraits.
A Ceremony Held Right in the Park
Another couple, both in their late forties and early fifties, chose to exchange vows in the park itself rather than hold a separate ceremony space. We photographed portraits in and around the park before the ceremony, then documented the vows and the portraits that followed. It is a good option if you want the whole day, ceremony included, to happen in one relaxed, scenic spot.
Courthouse Vows, Portraits Here Afterward
A third couple, younger and at a more typical marrying age, married at the courthouse and came to Old Mill Park just for portraits afterward. This is one of the more common ways couples use this location: a simple courthouse ceremony, then a scenic backdrop for the photos that follow. If you are planning something similar, our courthouse wedding photography guide covers what a courthouse-to-portraits day usually looks like.
Choosing a Non-Traditional Look
Some brides skip the traditional white dress altogether in favor of a color that feels more like them. One bride we photographed at Old Mill Park wore burgundy instead of white, and it made for some of the most striking portraits we have taken at this location, the deep color standing out beautifully against the greenery and the old brick. If you are considering something similar, do not talk yourself out of it.
This location also works at any age or stage of a relationship. We have photographed couples eloping in their twenties and couples marrying decades into knowing each other, and the park photographs beautifully either way. Small and non-traditional does not mean less meaningful.
Timeline and Logistics for a Small Wedding Here
Plan for at least an hour between your ceremony and portraits so neither feels rushed. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter than weekends, which matters if you would like the park mostly to yourselves. Because Old Mill Park is a public space rather than a private venue, always confirm current permit and reservation requirements directly with the City of Roswell before finalizing your date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we get married in Old Mill Park itself?
Yes. Some couples hold their full ceremony in the park, while others prefer a private ceremony nearby and use the park just for portraits. Either way, confirm current permit requirements with the City of Roswell before you plan around it.
Can we come just for portraits after a courthouse wedding?
Yes, this is one of the more common ways couples use this location. See our courthouse wedding photography guide for what a courthouse-to-portraits day usually looks like.
What if it rains?
Have an indoor backup for your ceremony if you can. We have photographed a ceremony that started indoors as the rain cleared, then moved outdoors for portraits once the sun came back out. A little flexibility in the timeline goes a long way here.
How many guests can we bring?
Intimate weddings at this location have ranged from just one or two witnesses to a small family gathering. The park suits both comfortably.
Is this a good fit if we are eloping later in life?
Yes. Some of our favorite weddings at this location have been couples marrying later in life, often choosing a non-traditional dress or a smaller guest list. It suits any age or stage of a relationship.
Ready to Plan Your Own Elopement?
If you are considering an elopement or micro wedding of your own, our elopement collections and micro wedding collections have more on what to expect from working with us. And if you want the full rundown of what Old Mill Park itself has to offer for photos, our Old Mill Park and Vickery Creek guide covers the covered bridge, the waterfall, and the other spots in the park in more detail.
