If you’re planning a wedding in the Blue Ridge Mountains, you might absolutely LOVE to elope at Ravens Roost Overlook! This stunning overlook, along the Blue Ridge Parkway, gives scenic views of the Shenandoah Valley and Torry Mountain, with such beautiful lighting. 

You would love this location for their Blue Ridge Parkway elopement — think easy access, beautiful photos, and some fun breweries and wineries nearby. What’s not to like? This location is perfect if you love the mountains and want an intimate elopement experience. 

I’m here with all the info on how to plan an epic elopement at Ravens Roost Overlook!

Do We Need A Raven’s Roost Overlook Elopement Permit?

OK first things first, the legalities. The Blue Ridge Parkway is part of the National Park Service, and they do require a permit for weddings. It’s super easy to get, but it needs to be applied for at least 30 days in advance! Of course, with all State and National Parks, the permits do not give you exclusive right to use the space, so there will likely be other people visiting the park depending on time of day, day of the week, and season you elope.

How much does it cost to elope at Ravens Roost Overlook? The wedding permit fee is $60, which also covers your photography permissions. Weddings are capped at 25 people, including your officiant and photographer, but Ravens Roost is a small space anyway, so you wouldn’t want to bring many more guests than that. 

As for making your elopement legal, I gotchu — my guide on eloping in Virginia has everything you need to know about applying for a marriage license. 

What To Know When Planning Your Ravens Roost Overlook Wedding

Ravens Roost Overlook will definitely deliver on your mountain wedding dreams! However, when planning your day, know that this location is actually on the side of the road, just at milepost 10.7, as it’s a scenic overlook. 

There’s a large parking lot, but it can sometimes get busy, so encourage your guests to carpool! The entire Blue Ridge Parkway is pet-friendly too, as long as they’re leashed, which is great news if you want to include your pup in your elopement — just think how adorable he’ll look in a bow tie!

There are picnic tables at the overlook if you want to bring along some food to celebrate and don’t want to sit on the ground! Or, there are lots of places nearby where you can plan on hosting your reception. 

Ravens Roost Overlook is easy to access but can be rocky, so keep this in mind when choosing your wedding attire — it’s totally ok to bring a change of clothes too, if it helps! However, no hiking is required as overlook access is just steps from the parking lot. 

Oh, and just to be extra safe, consider a backup plan, just in case of rain or terrible weather. This could be a local restaurant or Airbnb, but I’m also happy to give you a few suggestions. 

When To Plan A Ravens Roost Overlook Elopement

You can elope year-round at Raven’s Roost, but snow or ice means that some sections of the Parkway can be temporarily closed at times. This location is most popular in spring and fall, but fall is really such a special time here, thanks to the vibrant autumn foliage. Think gorgeous red, orange, and yellow hues that really make your elopement photos POP!

Weekdays can be a bit less busy than weekends, but in terms of timing, I HIGHLY recommend you elope at sunrise! That way, we’ll have fewer crowds, but you’ll also love the soft golden light at this time of day, so completely magical. I promise it’s worth the early start!

Elopement Photos At Ravens Roost Overlook 

One of the most popular reasons to elope at Ravens Roost is the stunning natural beauty, which will play out so well in your elopement photos! 

As your Virginia elopement photographer, I know this location well and can ensure we plan your photos to capture the best possible lighting, depending on the time of year. 

There’s a beautiful, iconic tree at Ravens Roost, standing out on its own, which is a top location for photos, but there are also other angles we can shoot from, showcasing the views of the mountains, valley, and treetops below. We’ll take candid, natural images that are all about showcasing the love of your elopement, framed by the stunning views of nature all around us.

I can’t wait to meet you and learn all about your awesome elopement plans! If you’re ready to take the next step in planning your perfect elopement then let’s get to planning!