September is the most underrated month for a fall Shenandoah Park wedding. In this blog post are all the reasons why September vs. October (when “everyone” wants to elope at Shenandoah) is the best month for your elopement or intimate wedding. As we walk through the events of Savannah and Matthew’s September wedding, discover if September is the perfect month for your elopement, too.
Why September is the Best Fall Month for Your Shenandoah Park Wedding
In September, you get the perks of having a beautiful fall wedding in the park without the added stress of tourist season, permit restrictions, and cold weather! September is the perfect month for eloping in Shenandoah because it’s usually cooler after the hot summer months. The trees are typically still lush and green with a hint of fall colors starting to come through. It’s before the crazy fall season, so there’s fewer crowds and fewer restrictions for your Shenandoah Park Wedding.
Avoiding the Busy Months (October and November)
The best part of having your Shenandoah Park Wedding in September is avoiding the busy season. October and November are the busiest tourist season months for Shenandoah National Park! As a Shenandoah elopement photographer, I get elopement inquiries for October all of the time. October is THE busiest and most in-demand month for both big and small weddings as well as elopements!
But, if you’re planning on getting married then, this is my biggest piece of advice:
Book your vendors EARLY for that month period!
(I can also help with vendor recommendations!)
A Few Workaround Rules for Your October Wedding:
1) You either do a sunrise/early morning ceremony with a brunch celebration with guests.
This will allow you to enjoy the location and views before the majority of tourists visit!
Plus, the park requires all wedding ceremonies to be completed by 10:00 AM on Saturdays and Sundays during October and November. They typically don’t issue permits at all for weddings during those months.
2) Choose a weekday!
I’ll always suggest choosing a weekday for your elopement any time of year, but especially for the fall if you can! The overlooks and popular trails can get super crowded at sunset and on the weekends.
3) Find an Airbnb (that allows events) or a VRBO with a mountain view to host your ceremony and celebration.
After your intimate wedding, head off into Shenandoah National Park at sunset for epic mountain wedding photos. Then, you can go back to your Airbnb and continue celebrating with your wedding guests!
The third option is exactly what Savannah and Matthew did for their September intimate wedding! Instead of getting a permit to approve their wedding guests, they held their ceremony at a VRBO with a mountain view and then went to Shenandoah National Park for wedding photos. It worked out perfectly!
Select Savannah and Matthew’s September Shenandoah Park Wedding to jump down and view their wedding day timeline.
How to Get Your Permit for Your Shenandoah Park Wedding
Permit processes can get confusing, so I’m going to lay it out simply below. If you have any questions about what the permit process looks like as you plan your Shenandoah Park wedding, let me know! I am here to help.
You DO NOT need a permit for portraits!
This includes engagement sessions, proposals, or wedding couple photos.
For weddings and elopements with under 16 people, you DO NOT need a permit year-round.
This is really awesome! However, during the high tourist season (October and November), your ceremony with under 16 people has to happen before 10:00 AM on the weekends.
For weddings and elopements with 16+ people, you DO need a permit.
To include more guests at your Shenandoah Park wedding, you can apply for your permit and learn more about what the permit process looks like here. For October and November, due to the high tourist season, they don’t issue ANY permits for larger weddings at all. This is why September is a great month for your Shenandoah Park wedding if you want more than 16 people!
These are rules you really want to abide by since it would be awful if a ranger stopped your ceremony or asked you to leave. Permit applications should be requested at least 6 weeks in advance, and there are multiple overlooks or designated areas, such as the amphitheaters, where larger ceremonies can take place.
Want to get married at the Blue Ridge Parkway instead?
Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway are the same mountain range, but they are two different national parks! Because they are two different parks, they have different rules for weddings and elopements. You can see what regulations there are to get married at the Blue Ridge Parkway here.
But if you’re trying to escape the crowds, you won’t have much luck in October and November. The Blue Ridge Mountains are also busy during this time as people come from all over to see the fall colors! Either attempt the October workarounds from above or plan your intimate wedding or elopement for September like Savannah and Matthew.
Savannah and Matthew’s September Shenandoah Park Wedding
This amazing couple planned to get married at their VRBO with their guests, get adventurous wedding photos as a couple at Shenandoah National Park, and then celebrate with everyone back at the VRBO. At the VRBO, they had enough rooms for some family members to stay with them and others traveled in that day. Their family members were able to all help the couple get ready separately, so they could do a first look in front of the cabin.
The Wedding Ceremony
Their wedding ceremony was out in the yard with a beautiful mountain view. Family members made the arch for Savannah and Matthew, so it made the ceremony even more special. Everyone took their seats as they waited for Matthew to walk down the aisle, followed by Savannah and the people she chose to walk her down (you can also make this tradition your own too!).
It was a lovely ceremony led by the wonderful Pamela Mann of Heart Star Ceremonies as their officiant. Virginia does have semi-strict marriage laws, so make sure you know them as you’re planning your Virginia elopement. For more resources, you can check out my blog post, How to Legally Elope in Virginia.
The Family Photos
After the wedding ceremony, I captured family photos before we left for Shenandoah National Park. I had a list printed with people’s names and photo combinations as I always ask couples for it. This allows us to get through these photos quickly and efficiently!
Mountain View Wedding Couple Portraits
We took advantage of the gorgeous mountain views to take a few newlywed couples portrait on the property before getting ready to leave and head into Shenandoah National Park.
I always encourage couples to have some portion of the day where it’s just the two of them alone, so they can get away from guests and truly enjoy their time together. This day is about you! This usually looks like doing a private adventure with me, and we take unique wedding photos in cool locations.
Couple Portraits in Shenandoah National Park
We drove into the park and stopped at a few overlooks before doing a short hike with amazing sunset mountain views. It’s important to partner with a photographer who really knows the area and can recommend the right locations and trails for you. Most of my couples want “easy” hikes, so I make it my mission to know a variety of options to narrow down and let them decide which one(s).
Because it was September, the ferns were still lush and green, and with the light coming in behind them, it looked like a scene from the Pacific Northwest part of the US. Isn’t it amazing?
Sunset Photos in Shenandoah National Park
We made our way up the trail to the peak of the mountain for an amazing sunset. Doing this with a group of wedding guests would have been really difficult, so I suggest if you want to do a hike, do it by yourselves and not with everyone. You might see other hikers on the trail or at the top, but people tend to respect each other and share the public space.
The Wedding Celebration to End the Perfect Day
Before it got too dark, we made our way back to the cars to then drive back to the VRBO for dinner and cake! Their families had made dinner themselves while we were gone, so it was perfect to come back to fresh food and more celebration. They cut their cake, opened a few gifts, and then we took a few sparkler photos outside with the two of them.
To end the night, they jumped in the hot tub in their wedding attire! What a fun way to relax!
Do you want to book your Shenandoah Park Wedding for September?
I would be honored to document your wedding! I know it’s not just about the photos – it’s about planning and capturing an experience that’s uniquely you. Whether you want your wedding ceremony or just wedding photos at Shenandoah National Park, I know the best locations for intentional memories and breathtaking photos. Ready? Let’s get started!
The Wedding Vendors for this Shenandoah Park Wedding
Dress: Azazie
Shoes: Kelly & Katie
Venue: VRBO
Venue: Shenandoah National Park
Officiant: Pam Mann at Heart Star Ceremonies
