Alabama Elopement Packages: What's Included and What to Ask Before You Book
- mistletoeboughband
- Jul 27
- 7 min read
So you're thinking about eloping in Alabama — smart move. An Alabama elopement package typically includes your ceremony, a licensed officiant, a beautiful setting, and (if you pick the right venue) a few romantic extras thrown in to make the day feel like more than just a courthouse visit. At Mistletoe Bough, our elopement packages start at $500 and go up to $1,125 for the full luxury experience, and I'm going to walk you through exactly what that gets you, what questions you should be asking any venue you're considering, and why so many couples from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and beyond are driving into Alexander City to say "I do."
Why Couples Are Choosing to Elope in Alabama
Here's the thing about eloping — it used to carry this idea that you were "settling" for less. Running off to city hall because a big wedding wasn't in the cards. That is not what eloping looks like anymore, and honestly, it's my favorite trend in the wedding world right now.
Modern couples are choosing to elope because they want the marriage without the three-ring circus. No seating charts. No arguing over whether Great Aunt Linda gets a plus-one. Just the two of you, your favorite people (or nobody at all), and a setting gorgeous enough that you don't need 150 guests to make the day feel like a wedding.
And Alabama, specifically, has become a bit of a sleeper hit for this. Couples are searching "how to elope in Alabama" from all over the Southeast because we've got the trifecta: gorgeous scenery, a much lower cost of living than Atlanta or Nashville venues, and — at least here at Mistletoe Bough — a genuinely historic backdrop that photographs like a dream. We're just about two and a half hours from Atlanta, under two hours from Birmingham, and close to Auburn, too!
What's Actually Included in an Alabama Elopement Package
This is where things vary wildly from venue to venue, so pay attention here, because this is the part that trips couples up the most.
At Mistletoe Bough, our elopement packages range from Basic to Luxury, priced between $500 and $1,125, and here's the general breakdown of what that spread covers:
On the simpler end, you're looking at just the ceremony — your vows, a gorgeous setting on our property, and the peace of mind that comes with getting married somewhere with real history behind it. Our home isn't just old — it's a historic mansion built between 1890 and 1895 for Reuben Herzfeld, a German-born immigrant, designed in the Queen Anne architectural style, officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. That's not marketing flourish — it's a matter of federal record. Wikipedia
On the luxury end, your elopement package can include:
An overnight stay in one of our five uniquely decorated rooms
A three-course romantic dinner with wine
Fresh Flowers, Chocolate-covered strawberries and wine waiting in your room
A couples massage
The option to add a sunset cruise on Lake Martin
That last one, by the way, is a huge draw, and for good reason — Lake Martin isn't a small pond. It's a 44,000-acre reservoir with over 750 miles of wooded shoreline, which means there's no shortage of quiet coves and golden-hour views to exchange vows near, or cruise past that evening with a glass of champagne in hand. If you're planning a Lake Martin elopement as part of a longer romantic getaway, this is the move.
The Alabama Elopement Package Checklist: What to Ask Before You Book
Okay, this is the part I really want you to bookmark. Whether you book with us or another venue, here's what you need to ask before you hand over a deposit:
1. Is the officiant included, or are we sourcing our own?Some venues include a licensed officiant in the package price. Others expect you to find and pay for one separately. Ask upfront so it's not a surprise line item later. At Mistletoe Bough, the officiant is included.
2. What happens if it rains?If your ceremony is outdoors (ours is), ask about the backup plan. A good venue has one. A great venue has one that doesn't feel like a consolation prize.
3. Is lodging included, or is that an add-on?This one matters more than people think. If you're driving in from out of state, you want to know whether your wedding night accommodations are baked into the package or booked separately.
4. Can guests attend, and if so, how many?"Elopement" doesn't always mean "just us two" anymore. Some couples bring a handful of close family or friends. Ask what the venue's guest cap is for elopement-tier packages, since it's usually much smaller than their full wedding capacity.
5. What's the actual marriage paperwork process in Alabama?This one trips people up constantly, and it's genuinely different than most states, so listen up. Alabama did away with the traditional marriage license back in 2019. Instead, couples complete an Alabama Marriage Certificate form and deliver it to a county probate court for recording, and once it's properly completed and recorded, the marriage is legal. Even better for elopement planning: a wedding ceremony is no longer required by law for a marriage to be legally recognized in Alabama — though obviously, you're here because you want one anyway. The form does need to be signed in front of an Alabama notary, so out-of-state couples should plan to handle that paperwork once you've arrived, not before. You can find the official form and full instructions on the Alabama Department of Public Health's website. StateEtowah County
6. Are add-ons a la carte or bundled?Ask whether things like flowers, photography, or a dinner package can be added individually, or if you're locked into tiers. Flexibility here can save (or cost) you a few hundred dollars.
7. Is the property exclusively ours for the day, or shared with other guests?If you're staying at a working B&B, ask whether your elopement means the whole property is yours, or if other guests will be coming and going during your ceremony.
Micro Wedding or Elopement? How to Know Which One You Actually Want
I get this question a lot, so let's clear it up. An elopement is typically just the two of you. A micro wedding, on the other hand, usually caps out around 25 guests and includes more of the traditional wedding elements: a ceremony and a reception, often with dinner and dancing.
If you're torn between the two, our micro wedding packages start at $1,795 and include an outdoor ceremony, indoor reception, and overnight accommodations for the couple — a nice middle ground if you want a few more of your people there without planning a 150-guest affair. We break down that comparison in more detail in a one on one phone call if you want to see everything side by side.
Making a Weekend of It: Turning Your Elopement Into a Getaway
Here's my honest opinion as an innkeeper: an elopement shouldn't be a one-and-done, in-and-out kind of day. You're already making the trip to Alexander City — stay a night or two and make it a proper romantic Alabama getaway.
Lake Martin is ten minutes from our front porch, and with that much shoreline to explore, it's genuinely one of the prettiest lakes in the Southeast for a sunset cruise or a lazy morning on the water the day after your ceremony. Pair that with a Southern, made-from-scratch breakfast the next morning (yes, there's bacon, and yes, it's a big deal), and you've turned an elopement into a genuine honeymoon weekend. If you want more ideas on stretching an elopement into a full romantic weekend, check out our post on romantic getaways near Lake Martin — it pairs nicely with this one.
What Elopements at Mistletoe Bough Actually Look Like
I don't want to just talk in generalities, so here's the real picture: our property is a Queen Anne-style mansion built between 1890 and 1895, sitting on the National Register of Historic Places in the heart of Alexander City. When couples say their vows here, they're not standing in front of a rented arch in a hotel ballroom — they're getting married on a genuine piece of Alabama history, with details like our grand staircase and original architecture doing most of the visual heavy lifting for your photos. Wikipedia
We've had couples elope here from Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and all over Alabama, and the thing I hear most often afterward isn't "that was easy" (though it is). It's "that felt like us." That's really the whole point of eloping, isn't it? Not less of a wedding — just an intimate one.
Ready to Start Planning Your Alabama Elopement?
If you're ready to get serious about planning your elopement in Alabama, the best next step is to reach out and let us know what you're picturing — whether that's the simplest ceremony-only option or the full luxury package with dinner, flowers, and a sunset cruise on Lake Martin. We'll walk you through pricing, availability, and help you figure out which package actually fits your vision (and your budget).
You can reach us directly at (256) 329-3717 or through our contact form, and we'd genuinely love to help you plan a day that feels like the two of you — no seating chart required.
Sources: Alabama Department of Public Health, Marriage Certificate Information · Reuben Herzfeld House, National Register of Historic Places · Lake Martin, Alabama
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