Eloping in Providence Canyon State Park | Georgia Elopement Location

Are you considering Eloping in Providence Canyon State Park! Between farmlands and trees lies this amazing Georgia Elopement Location you’ll want to check out in person as it’s truly a unique experience.

Elopement Inspiration at Providence Canyon State Park

Michael & Victory started the day off with some hot drinks, music, and finally began to get ready together. While getting ready separately is perfect if you don’t want your partner to see you in your attire until a First Look, spending those moments together can be equally special. This day was relaxed, matching their laid back personalities, and even included a fast game of Call of Duty before heading down into the canyon. I can’t wait to show you all the fun we had!

In between these fun elopement inspiration photos, I’m including tips and tricks for getting married at Providence Canyon State Park so keep reading if you’re ready to say yes to this Georgia Elopement Location!

Where to Stay

Columbus, GA is the closest city and really has some incredible small town vibes going on that will make you glad you stayed there. Tasty local restaurants and vintage architecture make you want to explore what each new corner has to offer. Columbus is also a great place to stay because of the variety of rental houses available (like the one you see in these photos!) to make sure your getting ready photos are captured in a stunning location that fits your decorating style.

Park Hours

Because the gate to the park does close, backcountry camping might be a great option if you’re wanting to be there past dark. The times the gate closes does change based on the season so be sure to check with the park ahead of time.

September 15 - April 14: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

April 15 - September 14: 7:00 am - 9:00 pm

Permits & the Surrounding Parks

A permit is needed to elope at Providence Canyon and may or may not incur a fee. The park staff is wonderfully helpful so give them a call to learn about the permit process. If you hire me, I’ll help walk you through it, too!

Not too far west is Florence Marina State Park (along the Chattahoochee River) so if you want to incorporate some water into your day (Georgia does get rather hot after all!), plan to head over there! As a marina, the best way to enjoy it is by boat. The park staff oversee both locations so they’re a great resource to speak with about the permit process.

Trails & Ceremony Locations

Since the trail head is at the overlook, there’s a bit of hiking involved to reach the canyon floor. Depending on where you start from, you’re looking at around a 2.5 mile loop (or in and out if you choose to come back the way you came.) Each canyon is a little different with some being better for photography than others based on their direction and popularity. Because of this, having a photographer who has scouted the area ahead of time is important so you don’t have to worry about figuring it out by yourself.

Depending on if you’re Eloping in Providence Canyon State Park during the busy season, finding a more secluded location might be necessary. Be flexible, knowing other park guests are enjoying the unique scenery, too! I have a couple favorite spots for the ceremony (one popular and the other somewhat hidden) that I share with my couples when eloping here and sometimes it might be a day of decision for them where they end up deciding they’d like to hold their ceremony.

Weather & The Best Season to Elope

Since Providence Canyon State Park is a Georgia Elopement Location, picking the right season is important! I suggest anything but the hottest months of the year (June, July, & August) with the end of April and beginning of September being the best (due to when the park gates open and close.) A winter elopement here might not be a bad idea either as you’d likely have the fewest crowds!

Be prepared for muddy weather! Unlike the canyons of the West, this canyon is anything but dry! Red sandy-mud can be found in most pathways so while you can avoid getting completely dirty, expect the train of your dress to come back with a reddish hue.

Eloping in Providence Canyon State Park can be perfect for your Georgia Elopement Location! It truly is a hidden gem of the south and nothing else is quite like it. I’d love to photograph you for your elopement in Georgia, so if you’re looking for someone who will match your excitement and cheer you on at every stage in the wedding process, shoot me a message and let’s start talking about the amazing adventure you have ahead of you!