Elopement at The Point Overlook in Shenandoah National Park
Maria and Ben’s April elopement in Shenandoah National Park was the quintessential example of planning your elopement day to be on your own terms. Time spent with their dogs, each other, canoeing the river, exploring skyline drive, and ending with their ceremony at the Point Overlook - it was stress free, fun and beautiful!
Exploring Shenandoah River State Park
We started their elopement day at Shenandoah River State Park, where the trails were alive with blooming bluebells! Prime time to be there! It was such a peaceful way to begin, just the two of them walking with their pups and enjoying the views! Once we’d gotten a good dose of the beautiful wildflowers, Maria’s sister + brother in law joined us at the park to sign their paperwork and officially pronounce them married!
A Forest Picnic and Canoe Adventure
As we moved through the day, Maria and Ben had a beautifully styled luxury picnic tucked away in the woods. Complete with all of their favorite snacks and food, laughter, and tossing grapes into each others mouths, it was such a relaxed and grounding pause in their day!
Then came one of my favorite parts - canoeing on the river!! When Maria and Ben shared they wanted to do this, I couldn’t have been more excited! Ben was able to borrow canoes through his work, so they brought them over on their van and we got them in the water! There was a perfect little inlet that let them paddle peacefully together and explore down the river!
Elopement Photos on Skyline Drive
As the afternoon turned to evening, we headed up into Shenandoah National Park! We built in some time for portraits along Skyline Drive before heading to the Point Overlook for their ceremony. Rolling mountain views and soft golden light, it was a stunner!
Ceremony at The Point Overlook
Maria and Ben chose to end their day with their ceremony and private vow reading at The Point Overlook. Watching the sun sink low over the Blue Ridge Mountains as they shared their vows was absolutely magical. And even more fun was the fact that they could actually see their house down in the valley when standing on the Point Overlook! We spent
Getting Married at the Point Overlook
If you’re drawn to the Point Overlook for your own elopement, you’ve made a great choice! The Point Overlook is a beautiful spot, especially for sunset, as the sun dips below the mountains. Here are a few tips for getting married at the Point Overlook!
Plan for Sunset - The Point Overlook faces west, making it one of the best spots in Shenandoah National Park to catch golden hour and sunset. Plan your ceremony or portraits for that time of day to take advantage of the incredible light!
Keep it Intimate - The overlook is a small space, so it’s best suited for just the couple and a few guests. If you want a bigger group, consider using a different ceremony site in the park and then heading to The Point for portraits!
Bring Layers - Even in April or early summer, temperatures can drop quickly in the mountains. Pack a jacket or blanket so you can stay cozy after the sun sets!
Leave No Trace - Shenandoah is a protected national park, and it’s so important to care for the land. Skip confetti or anything that could be left behind, and stick to the paved overlook areas to protect plants and wildlife.
Choose a Weekday - If privacy is important to you, consider eloping on a weekday. Skyline Drive tends to be quieter, and you’re more likely to have the overlook to yourselves. Especially with the Point Overlook being a smaller place, this can be extra important.
Combine It With Adventure - Make your elopement a full-day experience like Maria and Ben did—start with a hike, a picnic, or exploring the rivers and trails before heading up to The Point Overlook for your vows!
Best Time of Year for a Point Overlook Elopement
One of the best parts of eloping in Shenandoah is how much the landscape changes with the seasons. Each season at The Point Overlook offers something different:
Spring: Wildflowers and blooming trees bring color to the valleys, and temperatures are mild. It’s a beautiful time if you want a fresh, vibrant backdrop, and to avoid the summer crowds!
Summer: The park is lush and green, with long days and warm evenings. Summer sunsets from the overlook can be breathtaking, but expect more visitors on weekends.
Fall: This is the most popular season for a reason as the mountains come alive with fiery reds, oranges, and golds. If you’re dreaming of fall colors, plan early and aim for late October to early November.
Winter: Crisp mountain air, quiet overlooks, and the chance of snow make winter incredibly peaceful. It’s chilly, but if you don’t mind bundling up, you’ll likely have The Point almost to yourselves.
No matter the season, the Point Overlook is it’s best at sunset!
Planning Your Own Elopement at the Point Overlook
If you’re dreaming of an elopement at the Point Overlook in Shenandoah National Park, you can craft a day as unique as Maria and Ben’s! From hiking or canoeing to picnics, stargazing, or simply soaking in the views, there are endless ways to make your day feel like you, which is what we’re all about over here!
If you’re wanting to plan your elopement in Shenandoah National Park, reach out below and let’s get the conversation started!
Other Shenandoah National Park Elopements
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Full Day Adventure Elopement in Shenandoah National Park