Hey, engaged people! We see you. We know you’re not only living through a global pandemic, unprecedented unemployment, a much-needed and beautiful racial justice revolution AND the worst president in U.S. history, but you’re also trying to figure out what to do about your wedding. Is it time to postpone your wedding? Cancel it? Or reimagine your giant celebration into something more…intimate? It might not be the blowout bash you imagined, but small celebrations can be just as beautiful, enjoyable, and meaningful. You can always have a big party later; we promise your friends and family will still come and party hard even though you’re already technically married! We’ve seen this firsthand: K + R’s VMFA Elopement + Fancy Lunch , David + Juana’s Clocktower Elopement + Reception, A + R’s DC Monument New Year’s Eve Elopement + Reception, Emily + Sam’s Scuffletown Park Mini Wedding, Cassie + Mark’s Libbie Hill Park Elopement and more on our blog!

If you’re an engaged couple trying to revise your wedding plans to better fit into the COVID chaos, but don’t know where to start, hopefully this guide will help. We’ve put together the most up-to-date information about venues (official and less-than-official), planners, and other vendors who are all pivoting to create beautiful elopements and mini weddings here in Richmond. And of course, because we are who we are, most of these companies are run by womxn/POC.

As always, if you have any questions or want to know about our elopement pricing, please reach out!

VMFA Elopement

Polegreen Church Elopement

OFFICIANTS

Lots of folks think they can just go down to Richmond City Hall and get hitched, but be warned: they do NOT have a Justice of the Peace on Staff, so if you’d like to elope at City Hall you must bring your own officiant! Our favorites are Reverend Hollie, Reverend Lisa, and Casey Dokoupil.

OFFICIAL VENUES

We’ve partnered with radical community art space Studio Two Three to offer a very special all-inclusive package: $1500 gets you the industrial chic space for two hours, two hours of photography coverage by yours truly, a funky backdrop, and chairs.

The Virginia House is offering elopement packages starting at $250/hour with a two-hour minimum. This fee gives you access to the gardens, the house, and bridal suite area. The guest capacity for this special is 40 people. Book by emailing events@virginiahistory.org

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is offering a micro-wedding package now through October for a small ceremony and reception event for 15 to 24 guests for $850.00 plus catering ($110.00 pp + tax). Fridays Saturday or Sundays only. This includes a one hour rehearsal the day before, and a 4 hour rental time frame (6 - 10 pm) with additional setup and breakdown time. It also includes a family membership for the couple! Perfect for: Getting those lush, garden photos on a weekend (and the 4 hour rental time means TONS of photo time)

Maymont offers microwedding ceremony packages that allow you to have two hours of access to the grounds with 50 or less guests. The prices is $250 during the week and $500 on a Friday. Perfect for: Getting those lush, garden photos on a weekday.

VCU is planning to open their campus in August which means the Institute for Contemporary Art will open their doors again. Their normal wedding rate will run you $4000, but you could rent the Thinking Field, terrace, or 2nd floor landing for much less ($250 - $500). Perfect for: Couples who love photogenic architecture

Virginia Museum of Fine Art is opening back up to the public and offers several event rentals to the public. Their conference suite is the most budget-friendly option ($750 for 4 hours). You could also upgrade to the Atriurm, Amuse, or Best Café and ask about their catering services. If you don't want to do all that, consider getting eloped in the sculpture garden with an officiant and photographer for $0 and put that money towards a big meal with your loved ones in the future (see below for more outlaw/freebie options)

If you were planning to do a whole church wedding but that's not in the cards for this year, you could hire Tiny Chapel for a micro church wedding experience. Packages start at $180 to have an officiant and a customized ceremony for 20 or less guests. If you want Tiny Chapel to come to you and your backyard, packages start at $650. Perfect for: Appeasing parents who really wanted you to get married in a church

Dover Hall has created an elopement package through the end of July 2020, offering a two-hour elopement session for $500 including use of the estate for a small ceremony and photography (does not include photographer); total guest counts must land at 10 persons or less, including participating vendors. Elopements are available on select weekend and weekday dates. Add-on options include a petite dining experience, lodging on the night of your elopement, and/or additional hours for the ceremony and photography. Perfect for: Anyone who wants castle-elopement vibes

If you want to enjoy your elopement over a glass of cider, Blue Bee Cider will include that (along with cheese and charcuterie from Truckle Cheesemongers) for you and your guests. You also don't need to worry about an officiant because they'll provide that too. For 10 guests, it will cost you around $380. Note: this will fluctuate depending on your group size. Perfect for: Something small, simple, and delicious.

Historic Polegreen Church is free and open to the public. However, they do reserve and rent out their (non-denominational in any way) church area, so we don’t recommend guerrilla-ing this lovely venue if you plan to use the church area.

Mini Wedding at Libbie Hill Park

Mini Wedding at Maymont Park

OUTLAW STYLE VENUES

There are several local parks that are free and open to the public. IF you’re up for some guerrilla matrimony, these public parks could be the perfect place to elope without needing to book a venue or ask for permission. You WILL need to bring an officiant, though! Check out our favorites, above!

Pumphouse Park
Be aware: the only bathroom in this location is a single port-a-potty!

Libby Hill Park
This spot is popular even in non-COVID times so a permit is recommended to help ward against being not-the-only-couple there.

Scuffletown Park (or other pocket parks in the Fan!)
Scuffletown is another semi-popular spot so we recommend doing your event anytime but prime Saturday evenings!

Pocohontas State Park
A photographer’s dream because there is SO much space and different landscapes to enjoy!

Midlothian Mines Park
A lush park with a side of building ruins if you’re into that (we are)

Forest Hill Park
This Southside park features a beautiful stone gazebo on the lake which is the perfect spot to get married!

Mini Wedding at Forest Hill Park

Mini Wedding at Scuffletown Park

PLANNERS

Our friends at The Hive Wedding Collective have designed and produced some of our favorite events and are part of our wedding vendor Dream Team. They are the perfect blend of professional, creative, and get-shit-done.

The team at Glint Events has created an entire new set of offerings specifically for intimate weddings and elopements. They specialize in creative design and are super nice. Tell them we sent you!

Ever since we worked with Swoon Soiree on an impeccable Indian wedding at Dover Hall (the venue’s second Indian wedding ever), we’ve been obsessed with them.