FAQs
It’s your wedding day, and we are certain you have many questions! We have walked thousands of couples through the process of eloping, and so we have the experience necessary to make this an easy, stress-free process for you. Below are our most Frequently Asked Questions so that you can better understand the whole process of getting married with Elope Asheville.
Marriage License/Legal
You may obtain your marriage license at any county clerk’s office in Kentucky. The Fayette County Clerk’s office is conveniently located at 162 E. Main Street, Room 132. For your convenience, you can apply online. Most of the state’s County Clerk’s offices are open from Monday through Friday from 8:00 until 4:30. However, we recommend you contact the office you plan to use and confirm their hours and location.
You can simplify the process by applying online at this link within 30 days of your wedding day. When you arrive in Lexington, you will need to go to the Fayette County Clerk, located at 162 E. Main Street, Room 132. You will both need to provide valid photo identification.
There is a $50.00 fee for the license. Cash, in-state check made payable to Fayette County Clerk, or credit card (minimal processing fee) are accepted.
You will receive your license immediately, and you can marry immediately after receiving your license.
You will both have to be present when getting your marriage license. You both must be 18 years old or older. Both must present an acceptable form of ID, such as a drivers’s license, government issued picture ID, original birth certificate, or passport.
Your license will expire 30 days from the date it is issued. In other words, your ceremony must take place within 30 days of obtaining the license.
You do not have to be a previous or current resident of Kentucky to obtain a marriage license that is valid statewide.
No blood test or physical exam is required.
You must be 18 years old or older to marry without parental consent. A birth certificate may be necessary to show proof of age.
Nope! You need only to bring your government-issued ID.
Absolutely! Just let us know ahead of time, and we will provide witnesses for you at no additional cost.
We will ensure it is filled out correctly and will file it within 10 days of the wedding date, according to Kentucky state law. However, we try to file it within 1-2 business days of your wedding day so that you can have your official marriage certificate as quickly as possible.
Logistics
You must bring your marriage license. As well as your soon-to-be spouse!
We keep a close eye on weather, and we have multiple options for inclement weather – from braving the rain with an umbrella, to changing locations, to changing the date and/or time of your wedding (with your approval of course).
We ask that couples, family, and friends arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before the agreed-upon start time. Arriving earlier may cause additional charges to be incurred against Elope Lexington that would unfortunately have to be passed along to you. We will be waiting for you at each venue’s parking area. If you run into any issues finding us, you can always give us a call or send a text message to 859-492-0502.
All of our wedding events are an hour in length unless otherwise specified. This amount of time covers the wedding ceremony, photo session, and lots of celebratory hugs and kisses by the two of you and your guests (if attending).
For most of our weddings, seating is not necessary. Some of our venues have limited seating available on-site, so please ask about your venue of choice when booking if seating is needed. If additional seating is necessary, you can rent seats from us for $6 per chair, which includes delivery, set-up, and break-down. It will be on-site waiting for you when you arrive!
Venues
- The Jockey
There are several places to choose from. The Starting Gate, Clubhouse, Paddock, and The Stable.
This is a restaurant and bar so there likely will be patrons during business hours. You are likely to get congratulated by bar patrons and passerby’s walking through the downtown area.
8 guests (10 total, including the couple) are included in any of our package prices.
The restrooms on site are SUPER cute but there is not enough room to get ready here. Staged “getting ready” photos are an option though.
If you would like to eat before or after your ceremony, you are welcome to do so independently of Elope Lexington. They offer food in the restaurant and after the kitchen is closed you are welcome to bring in any food you like.
Table top decorations are allowed and must be brought it and removed by the couple of their guests. Elope Lexington and The Jockey are not responsible for any left items.
There is ample seating throughout the space. Deep green velvet booths, tan leather booths, high top chairs and iron outdoor patio furniture. Elope Lexington asks that all guests be respectful of patrons at the restaurant/bar that are already seated.
Your ceremony can take place any day of the week. The latest possible start time for your event is an hour before sunset, which varies seasonally. The Jockey opens at 11am.
Yes! The couple and their guests are welcome to stay and enjoy libations until closing time at 2am.
We can always keep an eye on the weather but The Starting Gate and The Stable are indoors. The Clubhouse is the rooftop that is mostly covered. Rain won’t be stopping the ceremony at this venue!
Absolutely!!! Please feel free to stop by and check out the place! Elope Lexington wants to make sure the couple finds the right venue for them!
- Buffalo Trace Distillery
- Stony Point Botanical Gardens (only location available after 5pm)
- Outside of Single Barrel Warehouse (Warehouse V)
- Outside of Visitors Center, including Maxine’s Garden located along the side
- Outside of Warehouse C
The distillery is open to the public and has frequent tours. If you want to enter the giftshop, check in with the Freehouse Welcome Center for ID check and wristbands.
Your ceremony can take place any day of the week. The earliest time is 9am with the latest possible start time for your event being an hour before sunset, which varies seasonally.
15 total guests (including the couple, the officiant, and photographer) are allowed. Meaning 11 additional guests may attend. Parking is limited at the Botanical Garden so we suggest a car pool!
The visitors center does have a bathroom but is located way down the hill from the gardens. They also have set hours of operation and close at 5pm. We do not suggest counting on this as a getting ready location.
If you would like to have a picnic before or after your ceremony, you are welcome to do so independently of Elope Lexington.
No decorations are allowed.
There are some built in stone seats as well as some benches. Depending on where you want the ceremony to be, there may be seats nearby for a few of the guests. If additional seating is necessary, you can rent seats from us for $6 per chair, which includes delivery, set-up, and break-down. It will be on-site waiting for you when you arrive!
We can always keep an eye on the weather and make last-minute adjustments as available. For example, we might suggest an earlier or later ceremony time depending on our availability and the weather forecast.
Absolutely! You are welcome to visit on your own to be sure it’s the right spot for your elopement.
- Waveland State Historic Site
Anywhere outside on the grounds! There are numerous locations to choose from.
Yes, a fee of $250 (plus 6% tax) along with a contract between the couple and Waveland. The contract basically sums up that the property won’t be damaged, as well as no fireworks or open flames, etc. The couple would need to reach out [email protected] for contract details and signing.
This is a public state park so you should expect to see kids playing on the playground and families having picnics.
15 total guests. Including the couple, officiant, and photographer.
Technically, yes. The women’s restroom has two stalls and the men’s has one stall along with a urinal. The bathrooms can be used to get ready in but Waveland also offers a room they call “Bride’s Room” for $25 that can be reserved. If that is something that is of interest, be sure to mention it when emailing [email protected] regarding the contract.
Absolutely! Bring a cake or pack a basket for a picnic! Alcohol is also allowed but a waiver needs to be signed with Waveland at no additional charge. Again, reach out to [email protected] for this waiver.
Sure thing! Placement and breakdown will be the guests responsibility. Nothing with tacks or nails or similar are allowed on trees and they do not allow confetti.
Outdoor seating is not included in any of our packages. If you would like to provide seating to your guests, chairs may be rented for $6 per seat (15 is the max guest count and therefore the max rental) including setup and delivery at Waveland.
Your ceremony can take place any day of the week. The park opens at dawn with the latest possible start time for your event being an hour before sunset, which varies seasonally.
Of course! The historic site is open form dawn till dusk.
The Mansion has two side porches and a front porch that would do well as rain cover. But, we can always keep an eye on the weather and make last-minute adjustments as available. For example, we might suggest an earlier or later ceremony time depending on our availability and the weather forecast.
Sure can! The park is open from dawn to dusk daily!
- (Not a) Courthouse Wedding
We have select spots available for (Not A) Courthouse weddings depending on our availability and other locations on your chosen day. We will make sure to find somewhere lovely to meet you!
Two guests are included in the package (not including the couple). We allow up to four more guests for $15/guest.
You will need a valid Ky marriage license. For details on how to do this, look at the above section in the FAQ list.
You must arrive ready for your ceremony, as our locations do not have facilities available.
- The Burl
Atop the storage container bar overlooking the railroad tracks and Distillery District is a picturesque place for a ceremony. For colder months, inside the vintage style brewery is an option. As well as the Arcade that features pinball machine and a vintage TV wall.
It is open to the public during business hours to expect to get congratulations by patron and visitors.
8 guests (10 total, including the couple) are included in any of our package prices.
The restrooms on site are SUPER cute and there is room in them to change outfits. Staged “getting ready” photos are an option.
The Burl offers a food through Lucy’s. Feel free to check out the menu on their website. The Burl does allow outside food if you wanted to grab a pizza from Goodfella’s across the street too. Drinks will be provided by The Burl. A small cake to celebrate is okay too.
Table top decorations are allowed and must be brought it and removed by the couple of their guests. Elope Lexington and The Burl are not responsible for any left items.
There is ample seating on the storage container bar top, the brewery, and some tables outside of the arcade as well as booths inside the arcade.
Your ceremony can take place any day of the week. Although, the weekdays are best because there aren’t as many patrons about. The latest possible start time for your event is an hour before sunset, which varies seasonally. The arcade opens at 4pm on weekdays and 1pm on weekends. The brewery opens at 11am everyday but Monday when they open at 2pm. The arcade is closed on Monday.
Yes! The couple and their guests are welcome to stay and enjoy libations and games until closing time!
We can always keep an eye on the weather but the arcade and brewery are indoors. Rain won’t be stopping the ceremony at this venue!
Absolutely!!! Please feel free to stop by and check out the place! Elope Lexington wants to make sure the couple finds the right venue for them!
- Arboretum
Absolutely!!! Please feel free to stop by and check out the place! Elope Lexington wants to make sure the couple finds the right venue for them!