Free Places to Get Married (Don’t Go Into Wedding Debt!)

Free Wedding Venues for a Small Wedding or Elopement Without the Debt!

 

Want to save money on a wedding or elopement? Start with the venue! Since venues take up a big chunk of most wedding budgets, cutting costs there can make a huge difference. To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of free places to get married – to help you say ‘yes’ to love, and ‘no way’ to wedding debt! 

 

Related: How Much Does the Average Wedding Cost?

 

For most of the locations below, your only guaranteed wedding expense is your marriage license, which must be purchased at a local county clerk’s office, registrar’s office, or city hall. Other expenses, such as equipment rentals, wedding photographer, or formal wedding attire are optional. 

 

You'll also need a wedding officiant, but there's a low-cost option: 

 

In most states you’ll also need an authorized wedding officiant to perform the wedding ceremony. You can hire a professional officiant, or have a friend or family member officiate your wedding for free.

 

Having having a friend officiate your wedding is easy – they can get ordained online in seconds with a nondenominational church like American Marriage Ministries (AMM). AMM ordains people from all backgrounds and beliefs for just this reason! In most states, that’s all your friend will need, though a few require additional paperwork with the local clerk’s office. Click the links below to get started: 

 

• Get Ordained Online in Seconds to Officiate a Wedding
• Check Which States Require Minister Registration Before a Wedding
• Propose to Your Wedding Officiant with the 'Will You Marry Us?' Gift Box

 

Note: The locations listed below are generally free to visit if you are eloping – meaning a simple ceremony with no equipment and no additional guests besides you, your wedding officiant, and necessary witnesses. Larger groups or groups with equipment will almost always cost a rental fee and require additional permits, and receptions are generally not allowed.

 

Related: What Does It Mean to Elope & Is It Right for You?

 

 

National park weddings and elopements are a beautiful, low-cost option for nature lovers. Hike to your favorite lookout, take your vows, and start a brand new adventure together -- without going into debt on the wedding day. (Photo: Cavan / Adobe Stock)

 

 

Free Places to Get Married in a Small Wedding or Elopement Ceremony

 

• In a Backyard 

 

Transforming a backyard into the perfect free wedding venue is easier than you think! Just add a few chairs, some simple decor, and twinkling strands of lights to create a magical event space. Best of all, you’ll be close to all the comforts of home, including changing rooms, real bathrooms, and a kitchen to store food and beverages for the reception.

 

 

• At Home 

 

Getting married at home is easy, low-stress, and you won’t have to spend a penny on venue rentals! This leaves more money for other things you might want to include in your big day, or put those savings toward an unforgettable honeymoon or vacation.

 

• How to Get Married at Home (for a Sweet & Easy Wedding Day)

 

 

Plan a beautiful backyard wedding or get married at home to save money on your wedding day! The perfect option for a private, small wedding with your closest family and friends.  (Photo:  halcon1 / Adobe Stock)

 

 

• In a Public Park (National Park or City Park)

 

Public parks can be the dreamiest free outdoor wedding venues — as long as you follow the local guidelines closely. Most parks have strict rules on gatherings, and you’ll likely need a permit for larger weddings or if you bring in extras like tables or chairs. But you can sometimes elope for free, if you keep it simple — just you, your officiant, and a witness or two — and don’t bring additional equipment. (Receptions are usually only allowed in designated areas for a fee.)

 

Find information about a specific national park on NPS.gov, or contact a park directly to learn about guidelines for gatherings.

 

 

• At the Beach

 

Some public beaches allow couples to hold small elopement ceremonies for free, as long as you follow the local guidelines closely. Like other public parks, beaches have rules for gatherings, and you might need to apply for a special events permit for larger weddings or if you bring in extras like chairs or stereos. But if you keep the guest list small – just you, your officiant, and a witness or two — and don’t bring additional equipment, you might not need to pay a fee at all. (Receptions are usually only allowed in designated areas for a fee.)

 

Contact your local parks department to learn about permit requirements for a beach wedding.

 

• How to Plan a Beach Wedding for Any Time of Year

 

 

Are beach weddings free? They can be -- some beaches are free to use for small gatherings if you follow the local guidelines. Larger events, reserving space, and bringing in equipment like chairs or a wedding arch usually require a special events permit for a small fee. (Photo:  Frank Simonetti / Adobe Stock)

 

• Courthouse

 

Some courthouses provide free marriage ceremonies for couples who have purchased a marriage license. 

 

Contact your local city hall or courthouse to learn more; or plan a courthouse-style 'sign and go' marriage license signing ceremony with a friend as your wedding officiant! 

 

• Courthouse Wedding vs Sign and Go Wedding: Comparing the Benefits
• A Courthouse Style Wedding Ceremony Script

 

 

• At a Public Library

 

What library lover hasn’t imagined taking their wedding vows amongst the stacks? Many libraries have conference rooms which members can reserve for free, and some offer special event spaces which are available to rent for a fee. And remember, eloping in the romance or mystery section with just your wedding officiant and a witness with you? That’s free, and oh so sweet!

 

Always ask for permission and clarify local guidelines before planning an event at your local library.  

 

Related: Wedding Inspiration from TODAY’s Jill Martin & Erik Brooks’ New York Public Library Celebration

 

 

• At a School or College

 

Are you two teachers in love? High school sweethearts? Or maybe a grad school romance that stood the test of time? If so, what could be sweeter than saying ‘I do’ on the campus that brought you together! Even better, some schools and colleges allow alums to use their facilities for free (or for a steep discount), or will have beautiful common areas that are perfect for a short, simple elopement at no cost. Ask your favorite professor to get ordained online with AMM to perform your wedding ceremony!

 

Contact your campus to ask about discounted or free wedding locations on site.

 

 

Get married on the campus of your alma mater & honor the place that brought you together. Even better? Ask your favorite professor to get ordained online with AMM to perform your wedding ceremony! (Photo: Bogdan Kurylo / iStock)

 

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More Wedding Planning Tips

 

• What to do After Getting Engaged in 20 Simple Steps
   
• 10 Unusual & Unique Places to Get Married in the U.S.
   
• The Ultimate Wedding Emergency Kit Checklist: 45 Essential Items

 

Click the article linked above to read 45 Things You Need to Include in a Wedding Emergency Kit. 

 

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