adventure elopement shenandoah valley

Elope in the Blue Ridge Mountains

SKIP THE STRESS AND EMBRACE THE INTIMACY

When you elope with The Indigo House, we handle logistics so you can focus on the vibes.

Imagine just you, your pup(s), an officiant, and your photographer settled atop a cliff in Shenandoah National Park or the Blue Ridge Parkway. Of course, you can invite a few of your favorite people to witness this chapter in your love story. 

Elopements with The Indigo House are for couples who value experiences more than things. This authentic wedding day fully embraces elements of your relationship — travel, adventure, and a connection with nature.

 

Your most memorable adventure yet!

micro wedding

Elope in the Blue Ridge Mountains

SKIP THE STRESS AND EMBRACE THE INTIMACY

When you elope with The Indigo House, we handle logistics so you can focus on the vibes.

Imagine just you, your pup(s), an officiant, and your photographer settled atop a cliff in Shenandoah National Park or the Blue Ridge Parkway. Of course, you can invite a few of your favorite people to witness this chapter in your love story. 

Elopements with The Indigo House are for couples who value experiences more than things. This authentic wedding day fully embraces elements of your relationship — travel, adventure, and a connection with nature.

 

Your most memorable adventure yet!

Opened in 2023, the Indigo House is a modern bed & breakfast and private event space nestled on a hilltop with an enchanting grove and sprawling mountain views, outside of Charlottesville, Virginia.

Our pet-friendly elopement packages are perfect for couples who wish to celebrate with immediate family at a simple ceremony held Sunday-Thursday. 

Whether you elope on top of a mountain, at the courthouse, or here at the Indigo, we help with some of your logistics to make the day smooth and fun. With the Indigo House as your basecamp, you are ensured the peace and delight every wedding deserves. 

We’re proving that big things really do come in small packages. 

micro wedding in the blue ridge mountains

Elope in the Blue Ridge Mountains

HOW IT WORKS

Our weekday elopement packages are designed for you to enjoy a leisurely wedding day with your favorite person. Arrive at the Indigo on your first night, get unpacked, and then pop out to a brewery for dinner. On your wedding day, wake up slowly and enjoy coffee room service or breakfast in bed. Get ready here at the Indigo or drive into town for a salon experience. Once you’re both dressed, take pictures and exchange vows. 

After your ceremony, enjoy a 4-course wine-paired dinner or grab a pizza to go. Wake up in the morning as official newlyweds!

Some couples choose to invite close family or friends, while others want to keep it private. Choose the True Elopement Package if it’s just you and your fiancé at the wedding. Select the Intimate Ceremony Package if you plan to invite a few people. Consider the All Inclusive Elopement Package if you want to save time and bundle vendor services. All elopement packages include two nights of lodging for the couple, so you can get settled and enjoy a mini honeymoon.

TRUE ELOPEMENT PACKAGE

This package is most popular with couples who want an Adventure Elopement in Shenandoah National Park or the Blue Ridge Parkway. Enjoy a casual dinner at one of the local restaurants. This package is available Sunday-Friday. It includes:

Lodging: A two-night stay for the couple with complimentary coffee room service one morning and breakfast daily

Florals: Locally grown, whimsical arrangements from a local florist

Celebratory drinks: A bottle of local sparkling wine or cider

Cake: Choose from a variety of flavors and styles for a four-inch cake from a local bakery

Picnic Lunch: A gourmet Mediterranean tapas-style picnic or gourmet sandwiches and chips

INTIMATE CEREMONY PACKAGE

This package is ideal for couples who want to elope but also include a small number of guests at their special day. You can exchange vows here at the Indigo or at one of the many gorgeous mountain overlooks. Dinner can be held at one of the local restaurants. This package is available Monday-Thursday. It includes:

Lodging: Two nights of lodging for 8 adults, which includes breakfast and coffee daily

Florals: Locally grown, whimsical arrangements from a local florist

Cake: Choose from a variety of flavors and styles from a local bakery for your eight-inch cake

Celebratory drinks: A bottle of local bubbly to kick off the festivities

ALL INCLUSIVE ELOPEMENT PACKAGE

This package is ideal for couples who want to show up and get married without having to do a lot of planning. You can exchange vows at one of the many gorgeous mountain overlooks in Shenandoah National Park or the Blue Ridge Parkway and return to the Indigo for a delicious dinner under the stars. This package is available Monday-Thursday. It includes:

Lodging: Two nights of lodging for eight adults, which includes breakfast and coffee daily.

Florals: Locally grown personal arrangements to match your dinner florals.

Cake: An eight-inch cake from a local bakery; choose from a variety of flavors and styles.

Photography: Four hours of photography coverage and a high-res gallery of your images. Photographer Aimee is part documentary photographer and part guide, helping you choose the perfect location, plan your timeline, and have fun. She sends you sneak peeks 48 hours after your elopement!

Dinner at the Indigo House: A three-course plated dinner for up to 10 people (includes table decor, flowers, and dishes). Chef Josh customizes the menu to your needs. Cocktails/Mocktails and apps are available for an additional fee. 

Officiant: A personalized, legal ceremony that’s as unique and special as your love story. 

POPULAR ADD ONS

The following customizations are available to add to your package:

Early Check-In/Late Check-Out: Extend your stay just a little bit.

Additional Lodging: Additional nights can be booked if desired. We can also provide a list of nearby Airbnbs for family-friendly lodging. 

Florals: Additional florals, dog collars, and corsages are available. 

Lunch: Because the wedding day can get away from you, we’ll pick up lunch for your guests and set it up for the group. 

Additional Vendors: We have a list of amazing local vendors if you need them!

TRUE ELOPEMENTS START AT

$1,200

INTIMATE CEREMONIES START AT

$2,800

ALL INCLUSIVE COSTS

$9,295

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

A 50% nonrefundable retainer is required to hold your date. Elopements are available on weekdays to avoid crowds and provide a more intimate experience.

Except for the Inclusive Package, elopements do not include photography, an officiant, a reception, taxes or fees, gratuity, permits, event rentals, or decor. 

adventure elopement shenandoah national park
adventure elopement shenandoah national park
adventure elopement shenandoah national park
adventure elopement shenandoah national park
adventure elopement shenandoah national park
adventure elopement shenandoah national park
adventure elopement shenandoah national park
adventure elopement shenandoah national park
adventure elopement virginia
adventure elopement shenandoah national park

Choose Your Path

Because most of our couples plan their ceremony from a distance, we have two options for you to learn more about eloping with The Indigo House. 

Contact us to discuss pricing and availability. We can help you line up a date and get started with vendors and a rough timeline. 

Hate the phone? As an operating B&B, book a stay with us, and we’ll discuss logistics and locations over a cup of coffee.

dog-friendly trails near the Blue Ridge Mountains

Deciding on an elopement package can feel overwhelming. Feel free to email us with any questions you have. We’re happy to help!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Adventure Elopement?

The inspiration behind these packages! An adventure elopement is typically a wedding ceremony that takes place outside of a traditional venue, and often, it is literally outside. They’re like the modern, nature-inspired version of a courthouse wedding.

Part of the experience is the journey to your beautiful ceremony location. Some couples choose to hike to a summit while others prefer a roadside overlook. Typically, an Adventure Elopement Photographer can help location scout and build a timeline for your day. 

Whether you keep your vows private or invite a few family members, we’re happy to help you choose the right location and package for your big day!

Our elopement packages are considered adventure elopements because couples get married offsite at one of the epic overlooks.

Where can we have our ceremony?

If there is a location that is meaningful to you, plan your ceremony there! If not, here are some of our favorite viewpoints:

Ravens Roost Overlook

Perfect for couples who want an epic sunset backdrop with zero hiking. Bonuses: there’s public parking, three lookout spots, and it’s only 20 minutes away from the Indigo House. Because of its convenience, it is a very popular place. View more info here. 

Greenstone Overlook

This overlook delivers the same view, parking, and convenience (only 20 minutes away) as Ravens Roost, but often with a reduced crowd! There are multiple boulders that you can stand on for your vows. There’s even an easy one-mile nature trail you can walk around for pictures, but it may not accommodate a large group of witnesses. View more info here. 

Blackrock Summit

Located inside Shenandoah National Park, Blackrock offers incredible sunrise or sunset views after a one-mile, easy walk. There are plenty of ceremony locations, public parking (Blacrock Summit Parking lot), and optional rock scrambling. This location is about 45 minutes away from the Indigo House and is moderately trafficked. View more about the summit here.

Dripping Rock (South)

Perfect for couples who want an epic sunset backdrop after walking an easy, wooded trail. With similar views to Ravens Roost, this trail has two overlooks, one within a half mile of the trailhead called Cedar Cliffs. There is space to accommodate witnesses, and this is not a highly trafficked trail. It’s about 30 minutes from the Indigo House and has minimal parking (so make sure you carpool). 

If you need a handicap accessible location, you can also get married at our bestie property, Lovingston Winery.

Where can we have dinner?

CLOSE TO THE INDIGO

The local breweries (Blue Mountain, Three Knotch’d, and Devil’s Backbone) are all great options for a casual meal 7 days a week and are within a 10-minute drive. If you’re looking for something a little more special, check out:

The Farmhouse at Veritas

Farmhouse dinners are offered Tuesday through Saturday nights at 6:30 pm. They serve a four-course, wine-paired meal featuring homegrown and house-made farm-to-fork menus, prepared by their Chef in a traditional dining room for $140/person plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

Basic Necessities

Basic Necessities celebrates the European mentality, which values thoughtful food preparation, conversation, and relaxation. It’s a cozy and eclectic restaurant, serving leisurely meals with floor-to-ceiling wine and insanely good cheeses. It’s the perfect lunch spot to celebrate and linger if you choose a sunrise ceremony in the mountains.

Iron & Ale

Iron & Ale offers a casual dining experience with a well-rounded menu (seriously- they have everything). It’s also our only cocktail bar! From their thoughtfully crafted menu to a diverse selection of beverages, they aim to make you feel right at home. They offer dinner Tuesday-Saturday nights and views of the golf course and mountain range. 

CHARLOTTESVILLE

An easy 30-minute drive, Charlottesville is a charming college town with great dining options. 

Oakhart Social

This is our favorite spot for date night or a festive meal. Open Tuesday to Saturday, they serve eclectic flavors and a shared experience. The last seating is 8:30 pm, and reservations are highly recommended.

Tavola

Tavola offers private dining events with menus personally crafted by their chef. It’s situated in the cutest little neighborhood and serves Italian food with an excellent wine menu. Private dining is available for dinner six days a week.

Smyrna

Eclectic dishes influenced by Aegean Mediterranean cuisine. They have a private events room with a three-course menu starting at $75 per person.

Black Cow Chophouse

Best steaks in Charlottesville! They also have incredible cocktails and a lovely outdoor patio. Open Wednesdays-Sundays.

Public Oyster House

The ambiance is energetic and warm. The sounds of conversations, the clinking of glasses, and the aroma from their kitchen all combine to create an experience that is both cozy and memorable. We love to order a lobster roll and an Old Fashioned, but the oysters are also incredible.

Duner’s

About 30 minutes away in Ivy, Duner’s is a long-standing restaurant whose mission is to honor time spent preparing and serving delicious meals and cultivating healthy relationships. Their menu changes daily to reflect the best in local produce and fine dining. Closed on Mondays. 

What officiant can we use?

You have a few options for how to legally get married in Virginia.

    • Hire an officiant for your ceremony. Our couples loved working with K Scarry, Vanessa Waters, and Sacred Ground.
    • Go to the Courthouse. Since you’ll be legally married at the courthouse, a loved one can “officiate” the public ceremony. 

Juliana Wall has a great blog on how to legally elope in Virginia.

Do we need a permit?

For Shenandoah National Park, check out Weddings and Ceremonies for the latest on permit requirements.

For Blue Ridge Parkway elopements, you need a permit.

What photographers do you recommend?

Eilish Bailey has crafted a special elopement photography offering just for Indigo couples! Packages include both film and digital images, time on location, travel, a timeline, and location scouting. Pricing starts at $1,000. Learn more here. 

Additionally, we love recommending these photographers because of their professionalism and expertise in adventure elopements and intimate ceremonies!

What happens if the weather is bad?

The nature of an outdoor ceremony is that it takes place in nature, which we know is a little unpredictable. Take notes from one of our favorite outdoorsy photographers, Matt Schmachtenberg, for how you can maintain a positive attitude, flexibility, and an open mind for your elopement in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Overall, flexibility and awareness that the weather can be unpredictable in the mountains is key. It can often be clear and beautiful down in the valley, but when you go up in elevation, you’ll be in a cloud. Checking a forecast can be helpful, but it won’t necessarily tell the whole story. An open mind and appreciation of the different types of beauty in the mountains are key on days like this. If your photographer (and officiant, if you have one) are open to returning on a different day or time, this can work too, but it is often really hard to know what conditions will be like until you’re there, so sometimes taking the chance is worth it. It will be beautiful no matter how it turns out!

If inclement weather is predicted on your wedding day, we can provide a weather-protected space for your ceremony. We also have a bunch of clear umbrellas you can borrow for your guests. 

Choosing the right time of year for your wedding can feel like a difficult decision, so we’ve rounded up pictures and advice to help make planning a breeze. View weddings throughout the seasons.

Can I have more guests?

If your ceremony is held off-site from the Indigo House, you can have as many guests as that location permits. For example, the Blue Ridge Parkway may allow a different number of people than if you rented a location in Shenandoah National Park.

The Indigo House sleeps 8 adults and is “open” to those who are staying on the property.

Can children come?

All the overlooks are family-friendly.

While The Indigo House is an adults-only property, we can help you with nearby (even walkable) house rentals that are family-friendly for any guests who need accommodations.

About the Owners

After traveling the country, Stephanie noticed so many couples out West eloping in nature. 

These majestic “I Dos” are growing in popularity on the East Coast as more and more couples want to reallocate wedding money to epic honeymoons, a down payment on a house, or paying off debt. 

We help you plan the elopement of your dreams by connecting you with an incredible team of professionals in the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

pet friendly bed and breakfast charlottesville virginia

About the Property

The Indigo House comes stocked with all the essential items for an enjoyable stay. With three living rooms, a beautiful kitchen, plenty of outdoor patio space (including a fire pit), and a private trail, there’s plenty of space to relax. Each of our four national park-inspired guest rooms is thoughtfully designed with comfort in mind. The house sleeps eight adults.

When you elope here, you have private access to a room and bathroom. You’re welcome to photograph a first look on the grounds. 

Dogs stay for free!

As a pet-friendly property, we welcome your dog(s) as flower pups, ring bearers, and really the most honored guest. 

pet friendly elopement