You may be wondering… how in the heckkkk does one start planning an elopement – in Turkey Run State Park nonetheless! Well don’t you fret! We have got you all covered and we are going to give you the ins and outs – a complete rundown of HOW TO: Elope in Turkey Run State Park.
Can I get married at Turkey Run State Park?
Abso-freaking-lutely! This is like THE place to get married in Indiana. An elopement in Turkey Run is definitely something unique and memorable, something you will never regret or forget! The opportunities this location provides for people looking into getting married are endless!
Couples wishing to get married at Turkey Run can rent the Log Church, rent a shelter, or get married at the Inn.
Why should we elope at Turkey Run?
WHY NOT?! That is our best answer, but sure, we’ll elaborate 😉 First of all, the photos are something out of this world. The locations at Turkey Run provide a leafy backdrop that looks a little more like a beautifully done painting through the camera lens. If you want to see one of our other recent elopements done here to see JUST what we’er talking about, click here.
This location makes eloping easy and so worth the consideration. There is something magic about being at the back of the trails, in a private spot, just your lover (and photographer – heyyyy there!) sharing your vows and love for each other. It’s intimate, and put simply, iconic.
How do you have an elopement here?
- Hair and makeup artist!
- A cake!
- Flowers, of course!
- An officient!
- Your marriage license!
- A permit for the park!
- Witnesses!
And where can you find these things? Stay tuned for all of the next sections of this blog… we have got you covered babe!
When should I get married at Turkey Run State Park?
This depends entirely on the kind of couple you are…
Maybe you’re a light, pastel color kinda person. You love the smell of flowers and the feeling of wind in your hair. Lower temperatures are your vibe, but you still love a clear sky and a good sunrise/sunest. If this sounds like you, get married in the spring!
If you’re perfect day sounds like Taylor Swift’s RED album, an episode or tow of Gilmore Girls, a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks, and smells like cinnamon, fall may be the season for you. Colors on the trees there during fall are incomparable.
Warm, bright days and cool nights with clear skies calling your name? Tank tops and Levi Jean shorts… a dip in the pool, lake, ocean? Green trees and bright flowers everywhere? If you’re loving the sound of this, elope to Turkey Run State Park in the summer.
Are you someone who loves high socks, sweaters, coffee by the fire, and a night cuddled up watching movies? Whatcha watching? Harry Potter marathon? Twilight series? Whatever it is… if this sounds like something you’d enjoy, maybe elope in the winter! The snow will be the perfect background to your elopement day photos. Plus the frozen waterfalls are epic!
Where should I stay?
Lucky, lucky you… Turkey Run State Park is basically an all inclusive elopement jackpot! Turkey Run has cabins and a hotel on site for you to stay at within park limits. Enjoy the entire Turkey Run experience this way! Stay on the grounds, eat at their restaurant in the bottom of the hotel, hike by day and stargaze by night! And somewhere in-between all that… have an epic elopement! UGH! Can’t think of anything better than this. Wellll actually there is ONE more thing. A Yurt.
Yep you heard us. A YURT. In the nearby town of Crawfordsville sits a cute little yurt just waiting for you to rent it! As you see in the photos below, it provides a beautiful and private spot for couples who wish to have some seclusion after their elopement. Or you can be just like these two and say your vows here too!
How do I get to Turkey Run State Park?
Again, you lucked out. Turkey Run’s website has a whole navigation section. Find that little hidden gem here; if you’re directionally challenged like us – you will more than appreciate this feature. Turkey Run State Park is about 69 miles west of Indianapolis, Indiana via I-74 West. It is located on State Road 47, about 2 miles east of US 41.
Are there places to get ready at Turkey Run?
Absolutely!! Turkey Run, again, has a marvelous venue on site to stay at and enjoy. Rent one of their many rooms in the hotel to have a cute little country decorated space, OR rent one of their cabins out on the edge of the property for something a little more quiet, secluded, and personal. Either are fantastic options, just chose what fits you and your lovers vibes best!
How do I avoid crowds?
We highly suggest eloping on a week day or in the morning! Trails at Turkey Run can be incredibly crowded on the weekend and holidays. Plus the light in the morning is so beautiful!
What could your day look like? Imagine This..
Imagination time! Put on your thinking caps and close your eyes visualize this with us. You wake up, it’s your wedding day. You’re eloping at Turkey Run State Park, there is no place you could imagine better to celebrate your love on this crisp, fall day. The leaves are changing, the birds and flying and chirping all around your windows. You and your lover take the morning slow. You drive a couple miles to a coffee shop. On the way there, you throw your hands out the window. The wind is blowing in both of your hair while you listen to songs that mean a lot to both of you. This is a beautiful, beautiful beginning.
After coffee and a bite to eat, you head back towards the park. You take a good, calming walk around the nature together before the big day ahead truly starts rolling. Again, the trees in full autumn color surround you.
Back at the cabin, you begin to get ready. You meet up with your photographers (heyyyy!) and you begin documenting your day. Getting ready together and listening to music brings nothing but good tears, belly laughs, and good vibes. You’re getting married today!!!!
Keep it going
Along with your photographers, any witnesses you may bring, and your photographers… you start your “hike” to the spot where you will trade vows and begin to celebrate what today is all about. You’ve picked the perfect spot! A pull off from one of the many trails this magical place has to offer. You can see for what feels like forever! The rocks and trees around you create quite the backdrop. You share your vows, you kiss your lover, it’s official! You’re married!
You and your photographers now embark on the photo journey. You find many spots around this gorgeous place where your portraits are taken – candid… posed… whatever photos you take, you can bet they’re full of love. It’s a GOOD day.
After ceremony and pictures, the day is alllllll yours. It’s an evening for you and your lover to do what you love most. Catch a movie you’ve been dying to see, go out to a fancy candle lit dinner, take a longer hike now that you have no obligations, because it’s just that! You have NO obligations! The rest of the day is yours to sent however you would wish. That’s the beauty of elopements.
It’s anything you could imagine.
Sample Timeline for Turkey Run elopement
Before
8:00 AM – Wake up in your comfy cabin at the Yurt and put on a cozyyy outfit!
8:30 AM – Travel to brunch spot of choice with your loverrrr! Coffee and breaky, baby.
8:45 AM – Eat all your heart desires.
10:30 AM – Leave and head back to your airbnb to start getting ready with your photogs documenting it all.
11:30 AM – Jam out to music, dance a lil, and enjoy moments of helping each other get ready.
12:00 PM – Help each other into your attire, while we capture a few sweet photos!
12:30 – Head to the park from your cabin.
1:15 PM – Hike and explore Turkey Run, taking in the day and all it has to offer with your lover.
1:30 Charcuterie board lunch in a secret spot off the beaten path!
2:15 Continue Exploring & Hiking, creating memories of the adventure with your lover! Have your first dance amongst the trees, read a few letters from your family, etc.
During
5 PM – Head back to the airbnb.
5:45 PM – Elopement time!! Exchange vows, have a unity ceremony, and kiss your now-spouse!!
6:00 CELEBRATE BABY! Turn that music uppp! Pop the champagne!
6:15 PM- Enjoy a beautiful, fantastic, fancy meal of your choosing under the twinkle lights.
7:00 PM – Start a campfire, snuggle together, enjoy some cake watch the sun go down behind the trees at your cabin.
After
7:30 PM – Enjoy the stars with your lover while you sit beside the campfire.
10 PM – Do something you both LOVE. Head to a bar, get matching tattoos, you name it… DO IT! Today is all about you two and what you want to do.
What should I wear?
Ooooohhhh baby. We cannot stress this and say this enough – This. Day. Is. About. You.
Wear what you feel the most comfortable in. If you want to elope in a wedding dress or a tux, but still want to hike to your spot.. we will make sure this happens! When you elope in Turkey Run, you can wear whatever you want!
If you want to elope and get married in more casual attire, y’all we are so down for the plan.
Whatever you are most comfortable in, whatever your dream elopement looks like, it is our passion to make it happen.
Video Footage of Turkey Run
What can we do after our elopement?
Don’t you worry, we are here to help. This is your go to list for what to do after you Turkey Run elopement.
Sugar Valley Canoe Trips – “Enjoy the scenery of Turkey Run, including two covered bridges and one suspension bridge, and the quiet lower section of Sugar Creek. Wander through Turkey Run State Park under two covered bridges and one suspension bridge.”
Covered Bridge Festival – “Every fall, starting on the 2nd Friday in October, visitors to Parke County can enjoy the 10-day Covered Bridge Festival. Touted as Indiana’s largest festival, this huge event showcases Parke County’s 31 covered bridges and 9 unique communities.”
Rockville, Indiana – “Located just 10 miles south of Turkey Run State Park is the charming town of Rockville. Known for its many antique shops, the town is also home to several restaurants, boutiques, a winery, historical museum and more.”
Historic Mansfield Roller Mill – “Built in 1819 on the banks of Big Raccoon Creek, this grist mill was the first in Parke County to convert to the roller technology that is still used by mills today.”
The end.
SO! There you have it y’all. This was our How To: Elope in Turkey Run… we hope you find this enlightening, maybe found yourself some inspiration, and ugh we just hoped you enjoyed reading along with us!
So what are your waiting for?! Grab your lover and elope at Turkey Run! Ready to book us? Click HERE!
XOXO
Sam + Bryt
