Clemson Elopement | Jenna & Chris

Jenna and Chris decided to elope in South Carolina Botanical Gardens on Star Wars Day, May the 4th.

They knew they liked the idea of eloping in a garden because they like spring scenery and colors. After looking through some pictures on my blog, they determined that they could see themselves getting married in the South Carolina Botanical Gardens. When we had our Zoom call, I walked them through what the scenery might look like at that time of year and some possible places to have their ceremony.

It started pouring rain right before we arrived, but we all had clear umbrellas. Jenna and Chris chose the pavilion at the duck pond for their ceremony, which is covered. The rain also drove away all the people who came to the gardens to take prom photos, so we almost had the garden to ourselves, and didn't hear much besides the rain and waterfalls.

There were so many wonderful smells in the garden, from the herbs to the flowers. We couldn't pinpoint what smelled like bubblegum and what smelled like fruity candy. Jenna and Chris heard that smell is an important trigger for wedding day memories, so Jenna picked out a cologne for Chris, and Chris picked out a perfume for Jenna. They also picked out each other's rings. Chris's was galaxy-inspired and can glow in the dark if it's had enough sun exposure!

Since Jenna and Chris like ice cream more than they like cake, they decided to get a bowl of "wedding ice cream" to share. We stopped at Andee's Ice Cream in downtown Clemson, where everyone was so excited to see newlyweds buying ice cream together. They shared a bowl of ice cream outside the shop before we headed to Lake Hartwell for sunset.

"Clemson sunset" was a big buzzword while I was a student because orange is a special color to the community and we like to see it in the sky. Lake Hartwell is one of the best places to see a Clemson sunset, and even though it was so rainy when we met up, we had the most beautiful orange sky over the lake!

They haven't lived in South Carolina for very long, but they knew they wanted to elope in a garden. This was their first time visiting Clemson and the South Carolina Botanical Gardens, and they're already planning a trip back to see more of it! I hope you enjoy my photos of Jenna and Chris's elopement at Clemson!

If you want a Clemson elopement too, check out where to elope at Clemson and ideas for what to do in Clemson on your elopement day!

Shoutout to everyone who helped make Jenna and Chris’s elopement day so wonderful!

Locations: South Carolina Botanical Gardens and Lake Hartwell

Officiant: Debbie Eliopulous

Hair and makeup: Meg and Jake with Cotton Rouge and Company

Dress: Evelyn's Bridal

Ice cream: Andee's Ice Cream

Photography: Christine Scott Photography

Ready for your best day ever?

Photo by Shehzad Ziaee

My name is Christine (Scott) Gow and I’m an elopement photographer based out of Greenville, South Carolina. I’m a wife and a beagle mom. The three of us have visited beautiful places in every corner of South Carolina, to include all 48 of our state parks. We love finding new outdoor places to visit, but we also love hanging out on the couch and watching Pixar movies.

One thing I love about South Carolina is that it’s not just the beaches and colorful houses that you imagine when you picture it. Whether you’re looking for mountains, beaches, or anything in between; I can help you find the perfect place for the two of you and make it as smooth of a day as possible. No matter how you two choose to spend your day, I’m happy you’re doing it the way that you want.

I can’t wait to meet you!

Planning Resources

More From Clemson

Intimate Wedding at Bent Creek Farm | Ashley and David

I met Ashley and David in June for their engagement photos in the South Carolina Botanical Gardens, so I was excited to see them again for their December wedding!

Ashley and David were married on a 70-degree day in December at Bent Creek Farm with about 20 family members and friends. Since they met while playing World of Warcraft, they walked down the aisle to World of Warcraft music, and they quoted it in their vows.

Ashley opted for a green dress instead of a typical white one, and I’m not sure whether she looked more like she belonged in a Disney movie or in White Christmas. She paired it with a burgundy cloak, which made me think of Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas. Thankfully, both of them have seen that movie and knew what I meant when I said it!

David chose to wear a kilt to honor his Scottish heritage. He chose a tartan to fit the color scheme they chose, rather than the tartan for one of the clans his ancestors belonged to. He had a cane with a sword in it, which was super cool.

They kept their reception pretty low-key since it was only about 20 people. I loved watching their nieces and nephew dance around together. Ashley made the party favors and table decor herself, including the same fabric she used as a scarf during the engagement photos. The red and green decor paired so well with everything they chose to wear, and it fit the Christmas scheme so beautifully.

Enjoy some of my favorite photos from Ashley and David’s December wedding at Bent Creek Farm!

Venue: Bent Creek Farm

Photography: Christine Scott Photography

Hair and makeup: Collective Beauty

Officiant: Evan Welcher

Bride’s attire: Amazon

Groom’s attire: Kilt Renal USA

Catering: Laurenda’s

Desserts: Publix and Whimsy Cookies

Invitations: Truly Engaging

For more information about photos for intimate weddings and elopements in upstate South Carolina, read about my elopement experience and where to elope in upstate South Carolina!

Ready for your best day ever?

My name is Christine (Scott) Gow and I’m an elopement photographer based out of Greenville, South Carolina. I’m a wife and a beagle mom. The three of us have visited beautiful places in every corner of South Carolina, to include all 48 of our state parks. We love being outside just as much as we love hanging out on the couch together and watching Pixar movies or Back to the Future.

One thing I love about Greenville is that it’s everything you DON’T think about when you picture South Carolina, but it’s still picturesque. Whether you’re into mountains, waterfalls, lakes, or anything in between; I can help you find the perfect place for the two of you and make it as smooth of a day as possible. No matter how you two choose to spend your day, I’m happy you’re doing it the way that you want.

I can’t wait to meet you!

Planning Resources

Elopement at Lake Jocassee | Tabitha & Mike

Tabitha and Mike eloped in front of one of my favorite places in South Carolina: Lake Jocassee!

Tabitha and Mike knew for a long time that they wanted to get married. They also knew that they didn’t want their wedding to be a huge event or a courthouse ceremony. When Tabitha was googling what the options were for something in between, she came across my blog post about where to elope in South Carolina. She and Mike were so excited at the thought of getting married in a beautiful place by themselves!

When Tabitha reached out to me, I asked her when would be a good time for a Zoom call. She said that they could drive to Greenville the next day to meet me in person. They made the drive from Florence and we met up at Spill the Beans to talk about their options. They told me they liked water and mountains, and that they were willing to go check some places out after leaving our meeting. I told them that Lake Jocassee was probably the best combination of water and mountains, and they liked the pictures I showed them. Later that night, Tabitha texted me and told me that they visited a few places, but they knew as soon as they got to Lake Jocassee that it was the place for them.

Tabitha picked out a white dress and ordered a fall-colored bouquet, where she hung a small picture of her mom, who is no longer with us. Tabitha and Mike ordered a small cake from Publix with flowers that matched her bouquet. They stayed at Sunrise Farm, the same bed and breakfast where Dan and I stayed after our wedding. They made a dinner reservation at The Lighthouse, where Dan and I had our rehearsal dinner.

We met on the beachy area of Devils Fork State Park, the only public access point to Lake Jocassee. Ken of Upstate Wedding Officiant put together a beautiful ceremony for them in front of the water and mountains. Tabitha and Mike read the vows they had written for each other and sealed the deal! It was cloudy the entire time we were there, but we saw the sky change colors a few times, which was pretty cool. We took some photos at the beach, the docks, and the trees. We hardly saw any people, making for a quiet, private, and peaceful wedding day.

Enjoy some of the photos from Tabitha and Mike’s fall elopement at Lake Jocassee!

Venue: Lake Jocassee at Devils Fork State Park

Photographer: Christine Scott Photography

Officiant: Ken at Upstate Wedding Officiant

Cake: Publix

Does this look like the perfect way to get married? Read about Devils Fork State Park, other places to elope in South Carolina!

Ready for your best day ever?

Photo by Shehzad Ziaee

My name is Christine (Scott) Gow and I’m an elopement photographer based out of Greenville, South Carolina. I’m a wife and a beagle mom. The three of us have visited beautiful places in every corner of South Carolina, to include all 48 of our state parks. We love being outside as much as we love being on the couch and watching Pixar movies.

One thing I love about Greenville is that it’s everything you DON’T think about when you picture South Carolina, but it’s still picturesque. Whether you’re into mountains, waterfalls, lakes, or anything in between; I can help you find the perfect place for the two of you and make it as smooth of a day as possible. No matter how you two choose to spend your day, I’m happy you’re doing it the way that you want.

I can’t wait to meet you!

Planning Resources

Intimate Wedding at Callaway Gardens | Natalie & Evan

Natalie and Evan were married on a cool November evening at Calloway Gardens with their families and a few of their friends!

Natalie and Evan have the classic Hollywood story of two strangers bumping into each other in a crowded place and building a relationship. In this case, it was a bar in Athens, Georgia, home of the University of Georgia. These two were married at Calloway Gardens in southern Georgia, a place Natalie went to a lot as a child. The gardens are about the size of a state park, with beautiful and unique spots all over to take pictures. As we took the shuttle through the gardens after dark, we saw some of the Christmas light exhibits that had already been set up.

Natalie got ready in the bridal suite in the lodge, which had three balconies overlooking the fountain outside. Even though they chose not to have bridesmaids and groomsmen, Natalie’s mom and two best friends helped her get ready. After Natalie and Evan did their first look in front of the fountains, we did their family photos in the butterfly exhibit, which was a greenhouse full of butterflies and the plants that they like!

With about 30 guests at their wedding, Natalie and Evan were married in the garden’s tiny chapel in the woods with stained glass windows. We came back to the lodge for the reception in the ballroom. Evan’s mom made their wedding cake. We ended the night with a sparkler exit outside of the lodge.

Check out some of my favorite photos from Natalie and Evan’s intimate wedding at Calloway Gardens!

Venue, catering, and bartending: Callaway Gardens

Coordinator: Magnolia Lane’s Polished Events

Photographer: Christine Scott Photography

Florals: Evan Bloodworth

DJ: Crash Boat Sound

Cake: Evan’s mom, Jenny

Dress: David’s Bridal

Officiant: Chuck Shaheen

Does this look like the small wedding you had in mind? I’d love to help you make that happen! Read more about my photography services for small weddings and then we can talk!

Ready for your best day ever?

My name is Christine (Scott) Gow and I’m an elopement photographer based out of Greenville, South Carolina. I’m a wife and a beagle mom. The three of us have visited beautiful places in every corner of South Carolina, to include all 48 of our state parks. We love being outside just as much as we love being on the couch and watching PIxar movies.

One thing I love about Greenville is that it’s everything you DON’T think about when you picture South Carolina, but it’s still picturesque. Whether you’re into mountains, waterfalls, lakes, or anything in between; I can help you find the perfect place for the two of you and make it as smooth of a day as possible. No matter how you two choose to spend your day, I’m happy you’re doing it the way that you want.

I can’t wait to meet you!

Planning Resources

Table Rock Wedding | Danielle and Jamie

Danielle and Jamie were married on a perfect fall day at the Gaines Lodge at Table Rock State Park!

Danielle and Jamie wanted mountains to be part of their wedding day, and the Gaines Lodge had everything they were looking for. I was so excited to be part of a wedding here because Table Rock is one of my favorite state parks, but I’d never been to the Gaines Lodge. This beautiful lodge has a porch that overlooks Table Rock Mountain, Pinnacle Mountain, and Pinnacle Lake. The fall colors were just starting to change here, so we had a good mix of green and yellow leaves.

Danielle and Jamie were married in front of about 60 friends and family members, plus their dogs, Phoebe and Guinness. Danielle and Jamie did a first look (having photos together before the ceremony), which helped them feel more at ease going into the ceremony. I loved that Danielle had a color palette for her bridesmaids’ dresses instead of having all of them wear the same color. Jamie rocked the galaxy cat socks. One of the bridesmaids arranged wooden flowers into bouquets, boutonnières, and corsages, so they will look exactly the same years down the line. At the reception, Danielle changed into a lighter dress. There was pumpkin beer at the bar and a beautiful fall-themed cake with cupcakes! The temperature was perfect and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky all day long.

Enjoy some of my favorite photos from Danielle and Jamie’s wedding at Table Rock State Park!

Venue: Gaines Lodge at Table Rock State Park

Coordinator: Jessica Innes of Social Events Design

Photographer: Christine Scott Photography

Caterer: Larkin’s Catering

Hair and makeup: Trisha and Staci with Cotton Rouge

Dress: Elizabeth Cole Bridal

Cake: Bonnie Bundt Cakes

For more information about Table Rock State Park, check out this post, and check out my info for elopement and engagement photos!

Ready for the best day ever?

Photo by Shehzad Ziaee

My name is Christine (Scott) Gow and I’m an elopement photographer based out of Greenville, South Carolina. I’m a wife and a beagle mom. The three of us have visited beautiful places in every corner of South Carolina, to include all 48 of our state parks. Sometimes we wear hiking boots, sometimes we wear dress shoes, and sometimes we’re barefoot in the surf.

One thing I love about South Carolina is that it’s not just the beaches and colorful houses that you imagine when you picture it. Whether you’re looking for mountains, beaches, or anything in between; I can help you find the perfect place for the two of you and make it as smooth of a day as possible. No matter how you two choose to spend your day, I’m happy you’re doing it the way that you want.

I can’t wait to meet you!

Planning Resources

Vow Renewal at Lake Jocassee

Melissa and Hunter were married 17 years ago. They had been thinking for a long time about renewing their vows and decided to take a trip by themselves to somewhere new!

Melissa and Hunter live in Louisiana and had never been to South Carolina before. When Melissa’s friend showed her a photo from a wedding she went to at Pretty Place, Melissa became intrigued with the idea of visiting South Carolina. She came across my blog post about places to elope in South Carolina and emailed me about coming in October. She told me that they both love mountains and water, so I showed her some photos I’d taken at Lake Jocassee, and she loved it!

Lake Jocassee is accessible through Devils Fork State Park, one of my favorite state parks in South Carolina and the best combination of water and mountains you’ll get in this state. Some of the scenery in this park reminds me more of the west coast than South Carolina—it’s so hard to believe that this is the same state that gives us places like Charleston!

The day we met was a perfect fall evening. Melissa wore a white dress and Hunter wore a dress shirt with suspenders. A friend made them a bouquet and a boutonnière. Melissa makes cakes professionally, so she wanted a small cake to bring. She made a cookie cake because it would last better during the long car ride.

We took some photos in the shade at the beginning of the Oconee Bell Trail, but we didn’t get photos with the Oconee Bells because they only bloom in the spring. We did find an American Beauty Berry bush, which has lime-green leaves and bright purple berries in the fall. As the sun got lower, we moved towards small beachy area that faces the lake. We tried to chase the buzzards away, but a random dog showed up to do it for us. Aside from that, it was a pretty quiet evening, making a pretty intimate experience in nature.

I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect fall evening to show Melissa and Hunter how beautiful this side of South Carolina is. They’re already talking about when to come back to show this place to their boys! Enjoy some of my favorite photos from Melissa and Hunter’s vow renewal at Lake Jocassee!

If this looks like the kind of wedding day you want, I’d love to help you make that happen!

Ready for the best day ever?

Photo by Shehzad Ziaee

My name is Christine (Scott) Gow and I’m an elopement photographer based out of Greenville, South Carolina. I’m a wife and a beagle mom. The three of us have visited beautiful places in every corner of South Carolina, to include all 48 of our state parks. We love being outside just as much as we love being on the couch and watching Pixar movies.

One thing I love about South Carolina is that it’s not just the beaches and colorful houses that you imagine when you picture it. Whether you’re looking for mountains, beaches, or anything in between; I can help you find the perfect place for the two of you and make it as smooth of a day as possible. No matter how you two choose to spend your day, I’m happy you’re doing it the way that you want.

I can’t wait to meet you!

Planning Resources

Intimate Wedding at Skylight Chapel | Katie and Jeremy

Katie and Jeremy were married at Skylight Chapel in Taylors, South Carolina, with just a few friends and family members as their witnesses.

On the day of Katie and Jeremy’s wedding, the forecast was calling for thunderstorms and wind. The ceremony location changed at the last minute from Lake Robinson to just down the road at Skylight Chapel, a small and beautiful space that’s perfect for an intimate wedding like this one. When the storms died down for a few minutes, we went outside to take some photos on the stairs and at the gazebo. After the ceremony, there was a table with some of the most beautiful, colorful, and awesome flavored macarons.

With a combined total of six kids, this was a day that was truly about two families coming together. Katie, Jeremy, and each of their kids had a different colored bottle of sand to pour into a jar during the ceremony, making for a rainbow-looking sand bottle when they had all finished. Katie’s daughter was her maid of honor and Jeremy’s brother was his best man. Aside from the couple, the star of the show was Ivy, a gorgeous and friendly giant schnauzer who looks like a model in every photo I have of her. She wore a custom bandana to celebrate her parents coming together.

After the ceremony, Katie and Jeremy drove off to Brevard together to spend some time in the mountains before taking a honeymoon later this year.

Check out some of my favorite photos from Katie and Jeremy’s micro wedding at Skylight Chapel!

Coordinator and officiant: Magnolia Elopements and Microweddings

Venue: Skylight Chapel

Florals: Urban Petals

Macarons: Macarons by Renée

Dress: David’s Bridal

Photographer: Christine Scott Photography

Looking for an elopement photographer in Greenville? Read more about my elopement services!

Ready for the best day ever?

Photo by Shehzad Ziaee

My name is Christine (Scott) Gow and I’m an elopement photographer based out of Greenville, South Carolina. I’m a wife and a beagle mom. The three of us have visited beautiful places in every corner of South Carolina, to include all 48 of our state parks. We love being outside just as much as we love hanging out on the couch together and watching Pixar movies or Back to the Future.

One thing I love about South Carolina is that it’s not just the beaches and colorful houses that you imagine when you picture it. Whether you’re looking for mountains, beaches, or anything in between; I can help you find the perfect place for the two of you and make it as smooth of a day as possible. No matter how you two choose to spend your day, I’m happy you’re doing it the way that you want.

I can’t wait to meet you!

Planning Resources

Where to Elope in South Carolina

Devils Fork State Park/Lake Jocassee in Salem, South Carolina

Want to elope in South Carolina?

You’re in the right place if you don’t feel like a big wedding is the right fit for you and your partner, but you want the day to be a little more exciting than signing papers at the courthouse and calling it a day.

If you’ve read my post on how to elope in South Carolina, you already know that eloping doesn’t have to be at a courthouse or in Las Vegas, and you have multiple options for how to become legally married. A wedding without guests, or with only a few guests, still deserves to be the most beautiful day for you and your partner. Part of that involves setting the scene—where is the best place for YOU to elope in South Carolina?

If you’re looking for places to elope in upstate South Carolina, check out my post for where to elope near Greenville!

Skylight Chapel in Taylors, South Carolina

In this post, I’ll be talking about places to elope in South Carolina, including:

• Wedding Venues in South Carolina

• Hotels, Inns, and Rental Properties

• Parks

• Mountains

• Beaches

• Gardens

• Lakes

• Downtown

• Waterfalls

• Somewhere that’s special to you

• And of course, the classic places: churches, courthouses, the post office, or your house!

What would your perfect day look like? Read about the elopement experience to get some ideas and see how I can help!

Old Sheldon Church Ruins in Yemassee, South Carolina.

Elopement Venues in South Carolina

Why would you rent a whole venue if you’re eloping?

1. It can ensure that nobody else is around.

2. You have a solid plan for a place to go, and you won’t show up and have it be closed.

3. A venue will have bathrooms and usually better accessibility, like ramps for wheelchairs. 

4. There are usually designated places within a venue, like a place to get ready and a place to eat, so you can keep your whole day in one place and between the two of you.

If there’s a wedding venue that you love, see if they offer an elopement package!  Some venues only offer this package during certain days or times of the week, and some allow a small number of guests. Here are a few pretty venues in South Carolina for an elopement:

Pretty Place Chapel in Cleveland, South Carolina

• Pretty Place (pictured above):  Fred W. Symmes Chapel at YMCA Camp Greenville, or “Pretty Place,” is one of the most popular wedding venues in South Carolina, and one of the most popular places in South Carolina for an elopement. One of the most beautiful sunrises I’ve ever seen was at this open-air chapel in the mountains, right on the border between the Carolinas, and it gets some of the best fall foliage in the whole state.  Explore other parts of Mountain Bridge Wilderness as you head back towards Greenville, then stop for a nice meal in Greenville or Travelers Rest to celebrate!

• Cypress Gardens:  If you’re looking for places to elope near Charleston, it doesn’t get more picturesque than Cypress Gardens. You can even ask the staff to take you to where some of your favorite movies were filmed, like where Allie and Noah take a rowboat through the cypress trees and Spanish moss in The Notebook.

• Cliffs at Glassy Chapel:  This chapel is in a private living community in Landrum, in northern Spartanburg County. The view from the top of the mountain is one thing, but the stone chapel is one of the prettiest I’ve seen in South Carolina.

• Hewitt Oaks:  When you picture a wedding in lowcountry South Carolina, this is basically as romantic-looking as you can imagine. These live oak trees in Beaufort are just dripping with Spanish moss!

• View Point at Buckhorn Creek:  A garden venue with Japanese vibes in Greenville where you can see the mountains in the distance.  Honestly, I can’t get over how many colors are here in the spring and how big the fish in the pond are. There’s a getting ready area and plenty of space for you and any guests to have a catered dinner. Paris Mountain State Park is right down the road.

• Old Sheldon Church or Chapel of Ease:  Both of these historic chapel ruins in lowcountry South Carolina are hundreds of years old with no shortage of Spanish moss and southern mystique. They are both part of St. Helena Parish.

• Bent Creek Farm: This venue in Anderson offers multiple ceremony spaces, a getting-ready area, and a covered indoor area as a rain plan or a space for a small reception.

• River Road and Jasmine Houses and Gardens:  These two houses in Columbia have plenty of beautiful garden space in between them, full of pretty flowers, bushes, and Palmetto trees.  There’s plenty of space for getting ready and you can pivot to an indoor space if you need to.

• Skylight Chapel:  A small chapel in Taylors with both indoor and outdoor ceremony options. This is just a few minutes from Lake Robinson.

• Palmetto Bluff: Want to get married in one of the places where Justin and Hailey Bieber got married? Well, here it is! This resort and spa offers white chapels and views of the South Carolina marshlands. This is in Bluffton, near Hilton Head.

• Heyward Manor: In the quiet of Iva, South Carolina; you can choose between getting married in or outside a white barn, among the flowers, or in a rowboat on the lake!

• Belle Tesoro: the name combines the French word for “beautiful” and the Italian word for “treasure.” This beautiful house near Spartanburg has Tuscan-inspired scenery, a gazebo for an outdoor ceremony, and gorgeous staircases for photos!

• Ballenger Bridge: There are so many options here for where to elope, from mountains to a creek to a gazebo over the water. This is in Landrum, about 45 minutes from Greenville.

Ballenger Bridge in Landrum, South Carolina

Hotels, Inns, or Rental Properties

First things first: make sure the manager or the owner of the rental property knows you’re planning to get married here. Some AirBnBs specifically don’t allow weddings, so you’ll need to be on the same page with the owner about what’s happening, even if you’re not planning to have guests. Here are some hotels and inns that would be great places in South Carolina to elope:

This couple eloped in front of the mountains at the Red Horse Inn in Landrum, South Carolina. See more

Red Horse Inn (pictured above):  Red Horse Inn is in northern Spartanburg County along Scenic Highway 11. Coming up the stairs and seeing this patio just about took my breath away! You can see some of the private cottages in the background, where you and your dogs can spend the night.  Also, you could have a mini-pig as your witness. Campbell’s Covered Bridge is just a few minutes down the road, too. This couple had their elopement photos taken in both places!

Inn at Folly Beach: You can elope on the beach, at the Morris Island Lighthouse, or anywhere in between! The inn also offers services like cake and florals.

Bleckley Inn: One of my favorite venues is right in the middle of downtown Anderson. There are multiple spaces here that can be used for an elopement or a small wedding, even if there’s another wedding happening in the main courtyard that day.  You, and any guests you invite, can stay there the night before and after the wedding. This couple was married in one of the smaller dining rooms with a few family members and friends, then we took some photos outside.

Hotel Domestique: a small European-style inn north of Travelers Rest that overlooks the mountains.  The inn is small enough that you and a handful of guests can have it all to yourselves. Treat yourselves to dinner afterwards at their restaurant, Restaurant 17

Westin Poinsett: Another one of my favorite venues is the Westin Poinsett, or the Poinsett Hotel, right in the heart of downtown Greenville! This 1920s hotel has multiple ballrooms and some beautiful staircases, windows, and floor tiles. If you think the word “Poinsett” looks like “poinsettia,” they’re both named for the same person, and there are plenty of poinsettias in there near Christmastime! The Westin Poinsett is almost right across the street from Falls Park.

Grand Bohemian Lodge: This gorgeous hotel is right at the end of Liberty Bridge and has one of the best views of Falls Park. If the hotel itself didn’t already have enough scenery, you’re close enough to walk all around downtown Greenville.

Intimate wedding at Bleckley Inn in Anderson, South Carolina.

South Carolnia State Parks

While a few state parks have actual wedding venues (like the Table Rock Lodge, Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach, and the Legare-Waring House at Charles Towne Landing), you can also call the office at your favorite park to get information about eloping there! For more popular parks, you can avoid crowds by getting married on a weekday or during the winter. If you have a small number of guests, you can ask about renting a picnic shelter with a view.

I’ve been to all 48 state parks in South Carolina and can help you choose the perfect spot to get married. Waterfalls, beaches, mountains, marshes, a castle, a lighthouse - the state parks have it all! While I think all of them have the potential to be an amazing place to elope, here are some of the ones that stand out to me:

• Table Rock (pictured above):  This park in Pickens County has something for everyone, whether you want to hike for days or just drive to a pretty view.  For an elopement, I’d recommend a short waterfall hike and watching the sunset over the mountains from the pier.

• Caesars Head:  One of my favorite views in the state is sunset over the mountains from the Caesars Head overlook in northern Greenville County.  The overlook can be reserved during non-peak times so that you can have some privacy.

• Devils Fork:  This park in Oconee County is the only public access point to Lake Jocassee, one of my favorite places in the state.  Say your vows on the shore or take a boat to some of the islands and waterfalls!

• Hunting Island:  There’s a driftwood beach here that’s perfect for a sunrise ceremony.  Walk back to the rest of the park through a trail that feels like a jungle. You’ll be able to see for miles from the inside of the lighthouse!

• Myrtle Beach:  Myrtle Beach State Park is a relief from the crowds and litter that you’d find in other parts of Myrtle Beach.  If you spend the night in the park, you can easily get to the beach for sunrise, when not as many people are awake.

• Huntington Beach:  Just south of Myrtle is Huntington Beach, which is also beautiful.  There are lots of overlooks over marshes and if you like birds, you’ll probably see some cool ones.  Atalaya Castle, a Spanish moor-style mansion, is also available to rent as a wedding venue.

• Charles Towne Landing:  One of the prettiest tree tunnels I’ve seen is the one in front of the Legare-Waring house, which is available to rent as a venue.  There’s also a small zoo here if you want to see some animals afterwards.

• Edisto Beach:  This island is basically the epitome of lowcountry South Carolina scenery.  Not only can you have a sunrise ceremony at the beach here, our randomly chosen campsite had a gorgeous view of the marsh at sunset.

• Santee:  Stay in a cabin that “floats” over Lake Marion and get married on the porch, overlooking the lake.

• Jones Gap:  Most of the scenery here involves a little hiking, which can vary from an easy trail to some of the hardest in the state.  I’d choose Jones Gap Falls because the trail isn’t too hard, so you won’t be exhausted by the time you say your vows.  The fall colors here are so beautiful!

• Keowee-Toxaway:  There’s a beautiful little overlook here that requires a little bit of hiking.  Stay a while to have a picnic and watch the sunset!

• May Forest: South Carolina’s newest park is still in its “soft-open” phase, but it would be a great spot for an elopement! It used to be a convent, so there’s a pink chapel surrounded by garden scenery and a perfect view of the Charleston Harbor and skyline.

If you want to know more about each park from someone who’s visited every single one, you can read about all of them or reach out to me if you have questions!

Elopement at Devils Fork State Park on Lake Jocassee (Salem, South Carolina).

Gardens

One great thing about gardens is that they’re made to look beautiful at any time of year. In the “pretty” times of year, you’ll have a wider window for when you’ll get spring or fall scenery. Here are some gardens in South Carolina where you can elope:

• South Carolina Botanical Gardens (pictured above in the winter):  This is part of Clemson University, which has strong roots in agriculture and tons of people who are passionate about plants.  There’s endless scenery from around the whole state of South Carolina.  There are also venues and ceremony spaces to rent if you’re planning to have guests.

• Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens:  Get married, then walk around the zoo!  There multiple venues and ceremony spaces here that can be rented, with scenery inspired from all over the world.

• Brookgreen Gardens:  Just south of Myrtle Beach, Brookgreen Gardens has some beautiful garden scenery, sculptures, and Spanish moss.  You will have to become a member of Brookgreen Gardens to get married here.

South Carolina Botanical Gardens

Downtown in Your Favorite City

If you don’t mind a crowd, or if urban scenery is your vibe, you can elope downtown in your city! As a resident of the Greenville area, I’m partial to Greenville’s downtown, which has a waterfall and a beautiful little park right in the heart of downtown, so you don’t have to choose between a place with urban or natural scenery.  But downtown in any city could give you the option for renting a patio space, amphitheater, restaurant, or rooftop.  You can also hop from your ceremony to dinner to anything else that excites you there:  live performances, festivals, ice skating, or just a hotel to relax afterwards.

Here’s what an elopement in Greenville could look like!

Liberty Bridge in Downtown Greenville, South Carolina.

Mountains

Should you hike to a summit with a gorgeous view, or make it an easy day at a restaurant, inn, or venue? Up to you!

A small part of the Blue Ridge crosses into South Carolina, giving similar scenery to western North Carolina or northern Gerogia.

While I’ve already mentioned some venues in South Carolina with mountains, you can also find a view from a few different summits.  Catch the sunset at Bald Rock or Caesars Head, or trek up to Sassafras Mountain for a 360 view while one of you stands in North Carolina and the other stands in South Carolina.  Some of these views require hiking, so check out some of my suggestions for finding a trail.
To learn more about choosing a hiking trail for your photos, see what I look for in a trail.

More places to elope in the mountains of South Carolina

Pretty Place Chapel in Cleveland, South Carolina

Waterfalls

Whether you’re looking for a hiking adventure or an easy walk from your car, you have plenty of waterfalls to choose from in South Carolina. Waterfalls are a little tricky because they can either be difficult to get to or they can have a lot of people. Here are a few not-so-secret ones that I’d be happy to use for an elopement, but you can see more here.

Oconee County alone has over 150 named waterfalls.

Station Cove Falls (pictured above): This is one of my favorite waterfalls. It’s an easy trail with plenty of scenery along the way. It’s in Oconee County, close to some other cool natural scenery, like Oconee Station and Stumphouse Tunnel. This couple chose Station Cove because they had about 10 family members they wanted to join them and they wanted a trail that wasn’t very difficult.

Reedy River Falls: This is the most famous one, right in the middle of downtown Greenville, but there are other smaller waterfalls within walking distance of it. There are plenty of restaurants around it if you want to celebrate afterwards! For more ideas on having a reception after your elopement, click here.

Rock Quarry Garden: It’s easy to drive right past Rock Quarry Garden without realizing it’s there. It’s in downtown Greenville, below two streets. It has a small waterfall at one end of the garden.

Wildcat Wayside: This is a one-mile trail in northern Greenville County with 3 waterfalls. The first one is a 10-foot waterfall that you can see from the road. The second is a smaller, wide waterfall up a set of steps. The third one is the biggest, but it looks more like a little trickle on a rock to me, so I’d stick with the two at the bottom.

Table Rock State Park: There’s a dam near the visitor center, but there are also 3 waterfalls of varying sizes along the 2-mile Carrick Creek Trail.

Lake Jocassee: There are at least 5 waterfalls on Lake Jocassee that are only accessible by boat.

Jones Gap: While Rainbow Falls is one of my favorite places in the state, it’s a difficult trail for only being 4 miles. I’d suggest Jones Gap Falls, which is a little shorter and not as difficult.

Reedy River Falls in Falls Park, downtown Greenville

Beaches

Everyone thinks of Myrtle Beach and Charleston when they think of South Carolina. Even though MOST of the state isn’t actually beaches, the coast does have some really pretty spots, and it’s no wonder people visit there so much, but you can find plenty of beaches that aren’t as crowded. For a more private ceremony, get married close to sunrise, when the sun is over the water, and enjoy the rest of the day on the beach as a married couple!

Since South Carolina beaches tend to get a lot of tourists, I’d recommend either choosing a beachfront venue with an elopement package, finding a rental property along the beach, or reaching out to a park office to see if they can find a private place for you.

The four South Carolina State Parks along beaches are Myrtle Beach State Park, Huntington Beach State Park, Edisto Beach State Park, and Hunting Island State Park. Each has its own unique scenery!

Myrtle Beach Wedding Chapel: There is a small wedding chapel on Myrtle Beach with a reception hall area, providing an indoor option for bad weather.

Inn at Folly Beach: Get married in front of the best surfing waves in South Carolina or the Morris Island Lighthouse! The inn also offers services such as cake and florals.

Palmetto Dunes at Hilton Head: This resort provides space for up to 50 guests and has the option to add decor, such as an arbor to go with the ocean backdrop.

If you’re in the Upstate, but still like the look of the beach, Devils Fork State Park might be the place for you!

Devils Fork State Park - not on the ocean, but still has some beautiful beachy scenery.

Lakes

If you love water but you don’t live near the beach, we have plenty of lakes in South Carolina to have your wedding!

The lakes in the upstate along Highway 11 have some gorgeous views of the mountains. This couple got married at Lake Keowee with just a few family members!

I’ve mentioned Lake Jocassee a lot in this post, since it’s my favorite lake, but there are several in South Carolina. I was married at Clemson in front of Lake Hartwell, one of the biggest lakes east of the Mississippi River. Lake Keowee (pictured above) has multiple access points, but there are also lots of lake houses available for rent. Several of the South Carolina State Parks serve as a public access point to a lake, and you can ask the park staff what their policies are for weddings.

Lake Oolenoy at Table Rock State Park

Courthouse or Post Office

A post office? Hear me out on this one:

First of all, one venue in upstate South Carolina actually is an old post office that was converted into a wedding venue, but kept the aesthetic of a 1940s post office.

Second of all, a post office can provide a notary public, who can take care of the paperwork for you to become legally married.

A courthouse could also be where you sign the papers saying that you’re legally married so that you don’t have to worry about that on the actual wedding day. That gives you the rest of the day to adventure together as a married couple!

Churches

This is a great option for couples who want intimacy for their ceremony, but still like the idea of a church wedding. One good thing about getting married in a church is that it comes with officiants!

If you don’t want to get married at the church you attend, you can ask your pastor to come with you to a chapel that isn’t affiliated with a parish, like Pretty Place, Cliffs at Glassy Chapel, or the chapels at Palmetto Bluffs.

Private Property

You could even get married at your own house! If a family member or friend has a beautiful house or land that you love, you could ask them to be a witness to your wedding.

A backyard wedding doesn’t sound glamorous, but using your home as your wedding venue can be really special. Make it as pretty as you want, and you can even keep it decorated if you want!

Somewhere that’s Special to You

If it’s just the two of you, the sky is the limit for where to get married! For this couple, it was the amphitheater at Clemson University. Let’s face it, that amphitheater is a gorgeous place to get married, and they’ve been there so many times together.

At the end of the day, it’s about you two. It doesn’t matter how crazy your ideas sound to anyone else, especially if you’re not having guests.

Read more about the elopement experience to get some ideas, then we can start planning together!

How do you want to remember your wedding day?

Ready for the best day ever?

Photo by Shehzad Ziaee

My name is Christine (Scott) Gow and I’m an elopement photographer based out of Greenville, South Carolina. I’m a wife and a beagle mom. The three of us have visited beautiful places in every corner of South Carolina, to include all 48 of our state parks. We love being outside as much as we love being on the couch and watching Pixar movies together.

One thing I love about South Carolina is that it has just about everything in terms of scenery. Whether you’re looking for a mountaintop, a lake, or a beach; I can help you find the perfect place for the two of you and make it as smooth of a day as possible. No matter how you two choose to spend your day, I’m happy you’re doing it the way that you want.

I can’t wait to meet you!

Planning Resources

Ideas for Elopement Receptions

If your wedding ceremony is just the two of you, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a reception. It’s your wedding day, and you still deserve to celebrate it!

Elopement Reception Ideas:

1. Have a meal catered for two at your ceremony site.

Some caterers will deliver and set it up, just like they would for a traditional reception. A local restaurant might offer this as well. Eat some good food, cut your cake, pop some champagne, and enjoy the rest of your wedding day!

2. Make a dinner reservation.

You can celebrate at one of your favorite places to eat together, or you can treat yourselves to a new restaurant that’s a higher-end dining experience than what you’d normally choose.

3. Bring your own food to have a picnic with a view.

Make your own food, order takeout, or use a picnic service! Yes, picnic services are a thing—check out one service based out of Greenville!

4. Have a big reception with your family and friends on a different day.

It might seem counter-intuitive, but there are three reasons that come to mind for why someone might want to do it this way:

1. You like the idea of celebrating with other people, but still want the privacy and intimacy of an elopement ceremony.

2. It’s hard to get both of your families together. For example, my cousin married someone whose family lived overseas, so they had one reception with her family and one reception with his.

3. I’ve seen some couples who have a smaller ceremony before their planned wedding date to accommodate extenuating circumstances, like military deployment or to include a relative who is terminally ill.

Ready for the best day ever?

Photo by Shehzad Ziaee

My name is Christine (Scott) Gow and I’m an elopement photographer based out of Greenville, South Carolina. I’m a wife and a beagle mom. The three of us have visited beautiful places in every corner of South Carolina, to include all 47 of our state parks. Sometimes we wear hiking boots, sometimes we wear dress shoes, and sometimes we’re barefoot in the surf.

One thing I love about South Carolina is that it’s not just the beaches and colorful houses that you imagine when you picture it. Whether you’re looking for mountains, beaches, or anything in between; I can help you find the perfect place for the two of you and make it as smooth of a day as possible. No matter how you two choose to spend your day, I’m happy you’re doing it the way that you want.

I can’t wait to meet you!

Planning Resources

Greenville, SC Wedding | Mary Jane and Joey

Mary Jane and Joey were married at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Greenville, South Carolina!

I met them at their beautiful house in Greenville, where we took their husband-and-wife portraits. We lucked out with a cool fall day with a little bit of foliage around their house. They showed me some of the parts of their house that they loved and we took their photos there. I loved that their photos were taken in the place they call home! 

There were 8 guests at Mary Jane and Joey’s wedding ceremony. The ceremony was held in the smaller chapel at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Greenville. The pastor arranged for all of the guests to stand in a circle around the couple at the altar. It was really special that everyone in attendance could stand beside them as they said their vows, and they got to have pictures with everyone who was there! 

Enjoy the photos from Mary Jane and Joey’s beautiful intimate wedding!

If you’re looking for an elopement photographer in Greenville, read more about the experience!

Photo by Shehzad Ziaee

My name is Christine (Scott) Gow and I’m an elopement photographer based out of Greenville, South Carolina. I’m a wife and a beagle mom. The three of us have visited beautiful places in every corner of South Carolina, to include all 48 of our state parks. Sometimes we wear hiking boots, sometimes we wear dress shoes, and sometimes we’re barefoot in the surf.

One thing I love about South Carolina is that it’s not just the beaches and colorful houses that you imagine when you picture it. Whether you’re looking for mountains, beaches, or anything in between; I can help you find the perfect place for the two of you and make it as smooth of a day as possible. No matter how you two choose to spend your day, I’m happy you’re doing it the way that you want.

I can’t wait to meet you!

South Carolina Mountain Elopement | Heather and Scott

Heather and Scott were married in an intimate ceremony on a perfect fall day in front of the South Carolina mountains!

These days, there’s a lot of chaos and uncertainty that comes with planning a wedding with a large group of people, so Heather and Scott decided to embrace the idea of an intimate ceremony with just each other. Their ceremony took place on the veranda of the Red Horse Inn in Landrum—right off of Scenic Highway 11. I had seen photos of the inn on Instagram, but when I walked up to the ceremony site, I couldn’t believe how beautiful the view from the mountains was.  Their voices were the only sound breaking the silence around us. 

After they signed the marriage license, we got to meet Phinney, the venue’s mini pig. We were given Cheerios to feed him and his tail wagged just like a dog’s! After we took some photos around the venue, we went to their cabin, where they cut their beautiful cake. One of their cake flavors was almond, which is one of my favorites, and a flavor I never see anyone else have at their wedding. We had to take a few photos with their dogs, Brie and Beamer, who were waiting for them at the cabin. 

To finish, we drove about 5 minutes down the road to take some more of their wedding photos at Campbell’s Covered Bridge. This beautiful red bridge is the only remaining covered bridge in the state, and there’s some beautiful tall grass nearby. After we said goodbye, Heather and Scott had dinner together and enjoyed the rest of the perfect fall weather with each other and their dogs. 

Check out some of my favorite photos from this beautiful South Carolina mountain elopement! 

Vendors:

Venue and florals: Red Horse Inn

Officiant: Raya Jackson

Hair and Makeup: Kapelli Salon

Cake: All Good Things

Photo: Christine Scott Photography

Ready for your best day ever?

Photo by Shehzad Ziaee

My name is Christine (Scott) Gow and I’m an elopement photographer based out of Greenville, South Carolina. I’m a wife and a beagle mom. The three of us have visited beautiful places in every corner of South Carolina, to include all 47 of our state parks. Sometimes we wear hiking boots, sometimes we wear dress shoes, and sometimes we’re barefoot in the surf.

One thing I love about Greenville is that it’s everything you DON’T think about when you picture South Carolina, but it’s still picturesque. Whether you’re into mountains, waterfalls, lakes, or anything in between; I can help you find the perfect place for the two of you and make it as smooth of a day as possible. No matter how you two choose to spend your day, I’m happy you’re doing it the way that you want.

I can’t wait to meet you!

Elopement Planning Resources

Citrus Wedding Styled Shoot at Heyward Manor

Vendors:

Venue: Heyward Manor
Design: Corey Johnson
Planning\design: McKee Events
Florals/design: Your Special Day
Balloons: Pinch Twist Balloons
Hair and makeup: Julia and Rachel at Collective Beauty
Gowns: Katharine Marie Weddings
Rentals: BBJ Linen, Professional Party Rentals, Tri-County Event Rentals
Cake: Holly's Cakes
Models:Katherine and Tyler

Photo by Shehzad Ziaee

My name is Christine (Scott) Gow and I’m an elopement photographer based out of Greenville, South Carolina. I’m a wife and a beagle mom. The three of us have visited beautiful places in every corner of South Carolina, to include all 48 of our state parks. Sometimes we wear hiking boots, sometimes we wear dress shoes, and sometimes we’re barefoot in the surf.

One thing I love about South Carolina is that it’s not just the beaches and colorful houses that you imagine when you picture it. Whether you’re looking for mountains, beaches, or anything in between; I can help you find the perfect place for the two of you and make it as smooth of a day as possible. No matter how you two choose to spend your day, I’m happy you’re doing it the way that you want.

I can’t wait to meet you!

Planning Resources

You May Also Like…

What if You Elope?

Madison and Clay’s Star Wars Wedding

Where to Take Engagement Photos in Upstate SC

What to Know about Digital Files, Prints, and Albums

Furman University Wedding | Tina and Brad

Tina and Brad were married at Furman University on a beautiful spring day! 

We did their first look along the lake. Even though there was construction and a little bit of chaos as people came by, they got to have a moment together beside the bell tower. We took a few pictures over by Daniel Chapel, then at some of the fountains across the street. 

Their ceremony was at pavilion of the Younts Center, with their children by their sides. Tina’s son, Will, walked her down the aisle, which I thought was so special. During the ceremony, their officiant told how they described each of their children. 

Tina and Brad had a sweet choreographed first dance. At their reception, the kids brought so much energy to the dance floor! There were glow sticks for everyone to wear, swing around, and throw back and forth. 

Check out some of my favorite photos from this wonderful day!

The vendors that made this day possible:

Venue: The Younts Center at Furman University 

Dress: The Dress, Morilee

Hair and Makeup: Ali and Leah at Cotton Rouge

Cake: The Bakery Off Augusta

Florals: Costco

DJ: Greenvillian DJs

Officiant: Tom Wood⠀⠀

Catering: Furman

Photographer: Christine Scott Photography (shoutout to Dan for second shooting during the ceremony)

If you’re getting married and you like what you see, you can click here to send me a message, or view some of my other work below!

My name is Christine (Scott) Gow and I’m an elopement photographer based out of Greenville, South Carolina. I’m a wife and a beagle mom. The three of us have visited beautiful places in every corner of South Carolina, to include all 48 of our state parks. Sometimes we wear hiking boots, sometimes we wear dress shoes, and sometimes we’re barefoot in the surf.

One thing I love about South Carolina is that it’s not just the beaches and colorful houses that you imagine when you picture it. Whether you’re looking for mountains, beaches, or anything in between; I can help you find the perfect place for the two of you and make it as smooth of a day as possible. No matter how you two choose to spend your day, I’m happy you’re doing it the way that you want.

I can’t wait to meet you!