Elope in Richmond, Virginia
Virginia Elopement Packages
Our Tiny Chapel in Richmond · Shenandoah · Blue Ridge · Virginia Beach · Anywhere You Choose
Get married in our intimate non-denominational chapel in Richmond, Virginia — or take us anywhere across the state. Mountains, waterfalls, beaches, vineyards, your backyard. No waiting period. From $500.
LGBTQ+ friendly · Tourists welcome · No waiting period · Same day available · From $500
The Chapel O' Love — Richmond, Virginia
Our tiny timber chapel in Richmond is one of a kind. Non-denominational, intimate, and genuinely charming — it seats around 10 people and has received national attention including a feature on Good Morning America. This is not a generic wedding venue. It is a character-filled, cosy little marvel tucked away in Hanover County in the Greater Richmond region.
Drive up, step inside, and get married in a space that feels like it was built exactly for this moment. Whether it is just the two of you or a handful of your closest people, the chapel holds the ceremony perfectly. Small, warm, completely yours.
✓ Non-denominational chapel
✓ Intimate timber interior
✓ Seats around 10 people
✓ As seen on Good Morning America
✓ Hanover County, Greater Richmond
✓ Available 7 days a week
✓ LGBTQ+ fully welcome
✓ Officiant included from $500
Or Take Us Anywhere in Virginia
The chapel is our home base — but Virginia is a big, beautiful state and we will go wherever you want to be. The Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge Mountains, misty waterfalls, vineyards, the Virginia Beach coastline, a mountain cabin, your own backyard. No waiting period means you can get your licence in the morning and be married by the afternoon.
Virginia's official state slogan has been "Virginia is for Lovers" since 1969. We are here for all of them.
Where We Will Marry You in Virginia
Start with our chapel in Richmond, or choose any of these locations across the state — or suggest your own.
Our Chapel — Richmond
A tiny, non-denominational timber chapel in the Greater Richmond region — intimate, warm, and completely one of a kind. It seats around 10 people making it ideal for the two of you plus a handful of the people you love most. No big wedding energy, no impersonal venue hall. Just a beautiful little space that was made for exactly this kind of moment. Drive up, step inside, and get married. It is that simple.
Mountains & Wilderness
200,000 acres of protected wilderness. Cascading waterfalls, panoramic mountain overlooks, quiet forest hollows, and Skyline Drive winding along the ridge. Ceremonies with under 15 people require no permit — just show up and say your vows in one of the most beautiful places on the East Coast.
469 miles of scenic highway along the Appalachian ridge. Pull over at any overlook and the view is extraordinary. A permit is required ($100 total) but the results — mountain ranges stretching to the horizon — are genuinely worth it. We coordinate the permit when you book.
Dark Hollow Falls, Overall Run, Lewis Falls — Shenandoah alone has dozens of spectacular waterfalls. The sound of falling water, the light through the forest canopy, the feeling of complete wilderness. Some of the most extraordinary elopement photography happens at Virginia waterfalls.
High alpine meadows with wild ponies roaming free at elevation. One of the most unique and photographically extraordinary locations in the entire state. Genuinely unlike anywhere else on the East Coast. Expect to feel very far from everyday life.
Coast, City & Wine Country
35 miles of Atlantic coastline. Sunrise ceremonies on the beach are extraordinary — the light, the sound, the feeling of being the only people in the world. Virginia Beach is also very accessible from the Northeast making it popular for couples driving down for a weekend elopement.
Libby Hill Park with its panoramic city views. Brown's Island on the James River. Maymont gardens. Shockoe Slip cobblestones. Richmond is a genuinely beautiful city with incredible ceremony spots, great restaurants for after, and a personality all its own.
The Loudoun and Charlottesville wine regions have hundreds of vineyards set against rolling Blue Ridge foothills. A vineyard ceremony followed by a private tasting is one of the most quintessentially Virginia elopement experiences you can have.
A mountain cabin in the Shenandoah foothills. A Blue Ridge retreat. Your own porch with a valley view. Your officiant comes to you — no permit, total privacy, the cosiest ceremony setting imaginable. One of our personal favourites.
Getting Married in Virginia — The Licence Process
Where: Any Virginia Circuit Court Clerk's Office — no appointment usually needed
Cost: $30 to $50 depending on the county
Waiting period: None — you can get your licence and get married the same day
Valid for: 60 days from issue date
ID required: Valid government-issued photo ID — a foreign passport is accepted
Both partners: Must apply together in person
Residency: Not required — tourists and international couples welcome
Witnesses: Virginia does not require a witness at the ceremony — though your photographer can serve as one if you want
Virginia does not recognise online ordinations (such as the Universal Life Church) as valid officiant credentials. This means not just anyone can legally marry you in Virginia. Our I Do Drive Thru USA officiants are fully authorised under Virginia law to perform legal marriage ceremonies across the state. When you book with us you do not need to worry about this — it is completely sorted.
How It Works
Book your I Do Drive Thru USA officiant first. Tell us where in Virginia you want to get married and we will advise on the nearest Circuit Court Clerk's office, any permit requirements for your location, and the best season and time of day for your ceremony.
Visit any Virginia Circuit Court Clerk's Office together with valid photo ID. No appointment usually needed. The licence costs $30–$50 by county. There is no waiting period — you can get married the same day. Your licence is valid for 60 days.
Your I Do Drive Thru USA officiant meets you at your chosen location. The ceremony takes 2–7 minutes. You sign the licence. You are legally married in Virginia. Your official marriage certificate is filed with the circuit court and mailed to you.
When to Elope in Virginia
Virginia is beautiful in every season but each is distinctly different. Here is what to expect:
Wildflowers, waterfalls at full flow, bright green forests. Comfortable temperatures. One of the best times to visit Shenandoah.
Lush and green but hot and humid in the valleys. Mountains are cooler. Virginia Beach is peak season. Early morning or evening ceremonies recommended.
Spectacular fall foliage — reds, oranges, and golds across the Blue Ridge. The most popular season. Book well ahead and arrive early at mountain overlooks on October weekends.
Snow-dusted mountains and peaceful quiet. Fewer crowds. Some high-elevation roads close but many locations remain stunning. The most intimate time to be there.
Virginia Elopement Pricing
Most Virginia elopement photographers charge $4,400 and up — and that often does not include an officiant. We charge $500 for a registered officiant and $500 for a photographer. That is it.
Love Always Wins
Virginia has been a marriage equality state since 2014 and we have always celebrated love in every form. We marry couples of all genders, orientations, cultures, religions, and backgrounds. No exceptions, no qualifications, no judgements.
Virginia is for lovers. We are for all of them.
We Also Cover
Looking to get married in New York City, New Jersey, Las Vegas or Los Angeles instead? We are there too.
Get Married in Virginia — Your Location, Your Day
Registered Virginia officiants available 7 days a week across the whole state. Mountains, waterfalls, beaches, vineyards, cabins. Any location. Any time. No waiting period.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Chapel O' Love is our own tiny non-denominational timber chapel located in Hanover County in the Greater Richmond region of Virginia. It seats around 10 people — perfect for an intimate elopement with just you two or a small group of your favourite people. The chapel has received national attention including a feature on Good Morning America. It is available 7 days a week with one of our registered officiants from $500. No waiting period — you can get your Virginia marriage licence and be married in the chapel the same day.
No — Virginia has no waiting period. You can get your marriage licence and have your ceremony the same day. Your licence is valid for 60 days from issue date.
Your Virginia marriage licence costs $30–$50 from any Circuit Court Clerk's Office. An I Do Drive Thru USA officiant starts from $500. Add a photographer from $500. Total for a complete elopement with officiant and photographer from around $1,030. Most Shenandoah National Park locations require no permit for groups under 15.
Yes — there is no residency requirement to get married in Virginia. Tourists and international visitors can obtain a Virginia marriage licence using a foreign passport as ID from any Circuit Court Clerk's Office. No waiting period means you can be married the same day.
For ceremonies with fewer than 15 participants and no physical setup, most Shenandoah National Park locations require no permit at all. For larger groups or the Blue Ridge Parkway, a permit is required ($100 total). We advise on and coordinate all permit requirements when you book.
No — unlike most US states, Virginia does not recognise online ordinations such as those from the Universal Life Church. Our I Do Drive Thru USA officiants are fully authorised under Virginia law to perform legal marriage ceremonies. You do not need to worry about this when you book with us.
Spring (March–May) for wildflowers and waterfalls in full flow. Autumn (September–November) for spectacular fall foliage — reds and golds across the Blue Ridge. Both are extraordinary. Summer is lush but hot and humid. Winter is peaceful with snow in the higher elevations and very few crowds.
Completely and enthusiastically. We marry couples of all genders, orientations, cultures, and backgrounds. Virginia has been a marriage equality state since 2014 and we celebrate every couple without exception.
For mountains: Shenandoah National Park overlooks, Blue Ridge Parkway, Grayson Highlands, Virginia waterfalls. For coastal: Virginia Beach sunrise, Chincoteague Island. For city and culture: Richmond's Libby Hill Park and Maymont, Charlottesville vineyards. For cabins and privacy: Blue Ridge foothills Airbnbs and mountain retreats.
