Your Guide to the Best Places to Elope in Oklahoma

As much as I’ve traveled, I will always love my home state of Oklahoma. This underrated state contains some amazing hidden gems, unique landscapes, and beautifully serene locations to say your wedding vows.

For Oklahoma couples wanting to ditch the traditional wedding route but still have a beautiful, meaningful elopement close to home, look no further! Whether you’re wanting to get married in the woods, in the mountains, on a lake, or maybe even in the middle of salt plains, Oklahoma has it all!

I love helping my Oklahoma clients choose their perfect location and start planning their elopement. Check out these stunning locations all within a couple hours of Oklahoma City, and let’s get started!

Gloss Mountains State Park

The Gloss Mountains are one of the most underrated areas in Oklahoma. Located in the northwest corner of the state, the Gloss Mountains feature incredible textured landscape, stunning plateaus, and an amazing sunset view. Because of its remote location, it is not a highly trafficked park, making it the perfect setting for a private, serene elopement. View a sunrise elopement at the Gloss Mountains here!

Tips:

• Permits are not required for an elopement or photography.

• No “hiking” is required, but you do have to climb quite a short, but steep staircase to get to the top of the mesa.

• The parking lot gate is locked at 9pm and is strictly enforced. So just make sure you’re out before 9 or you’ll get to stay there for the night.

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Ahhh, the crown jewel of Oklahoma. Less than an hour and a half from Oklahoma City, the Wichita Mountains contain some of the most beautiful landscapes in the state. Stunning overlooks, huge boulder formations, vast fields of wildflowers, blue lakes, amazing sunsets. It’s one of my absolute favorite places to shoot. I grew up visiting this place dozens of times every year, so I know it like the back of my hand.

Tips:

• Your photographer must have a photography permit.

• Though portraits can be taken anywhere, ceremonies of any kind are prohibited in the refuge, even elopements. However, there are nearby places just outside the refuge or in the nearby town of Medicine Park that are perfect for a ceremony, and then you can explore and take portraits inside the refuge!

• Plan your elopement on a weekday, as the weekends can get busy!

Spain Ranch

The only traditional venue on this list, and it well deserves to be here. With their striking black barn, Spain Ranch is one of the most unique wedding venues in the state. The black barn is famous for hosting elopements, with its intimate setting and nontraditional modern spin on the typical barn venue. See a gallery from the black barn here!

Tips:

• Find out all the info regarding Spain Ranch black barn elopements here!

Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge

This place does not feel like it belongs in Oklahoma, rather the middle of the Utah desert. The bright white landscape is wild, romantic, and completely otherworldly. If you’re looking for a minimal backdrop for your elopement, the salt plains are perfect for you! View a modern engagement session at the Salt Plains here!

Tips:

• Some areas of the refuge are closed from October 16 to March 31. Ask the office for details on which areas are available for use!

• Photography and wedding permits are required.

Broken Bow/Beaver’s Bend State Park

This place is a pure oasis. Tucked in the southeastern corner of the state, Broken Bow is every nature-lover’s dream, with towering trees, a shimmering lake, and beautiful hikes. After posting the photo below from a Broken Bow elopement, I had several people ask me if this was taken in Hawaii! Nope, not Hawaii, just humble ol’ Oklahoma.

Tips:

• Broken Bow features endless large cabin rental + Airbnb options, so you can bring your family or closest friends with you!

Red Rock Canyon State Park

Red Rock Canyon is another one of those places that just doesn’t seem like it should be in Oklahoma. The towering red canyon walls would seem more at home in the Arizona desert. Spend your elopement day hiking the canyon ridge, camping, or even rappelling!

Tips:

• If you’re eloping in the summer, be sure to reserve your entry ticket online ahead of time, as the park quickly gets full during busy season!

• The park recently set up a beautiful glamping tent available for rent! It’s the perfect place to get ready for your elopement!

Chickasaw National Recreation Area

With plenty of hiking trails and gorgeous blooming redbud trees in the springtime, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area is the perfect backdrop for a relaxed elopement day. Find a quiet spot along the river bank or in front of one of the small waterfalls, and it’s the perfect place to say your vows!

Tips:

• A $30 wedding permit is required, but the photography permit is included in the wedding permit.

Downtown Oklahoma City

Why fix what’s not broken? Sometimes a classic courthouse elopement is all you need, but rather than just signing the papers and going home, why not make a day of it? Oklahoma City is home to some of the best coffee shops, bars, scenic streets (even a couple with NYC vibes if you know where to look), gardens, and rooftop city views. Maybe spend the day exploring the art museum, designing your own wedding bouquet from Flower and Flour while also grabbing a coffee, taking some iconic wedding portraits in Midtown, sipping on an espresso martini from Bar Arbolada, book shopping at Commonplace, and cap it off with an idyllic rooftop picnic watching the sunset. Whatever your dream day consists of, spend your wedding day doing what you love most together.