Cloudland Canyon State Park Wedding: Emily & Tyler

Water-carved canyons and caves and over 3500 acres of beauty, Cloudland Canyon State Park in North Georgia is more than just a natural preserve. The state park is a stunning natural backdrop for intimate weddings or elopements. I love photographing outdoor weddings and capturing the beauty of my couples in nature. Cloudland Canyon definitely did not disappoint – perfectly picturesque!

Having vacationed at the park for years, Emily & Tyler already knew this about Cloudland Canyon State Park. So, they decided to have their micro wedding hosted at the main overlook! The fog was gorgeous and lifted JUST in time for their bride and groom portraits! Having their reception at one of the group shelters was wonderful! At first I was a little hesitant about what to expect. But truthfully, the shelter looked similarly to other wedding venues we’ve shot at! All the natural light of the many windows made for great shots!

Cloudland Canyon State Park is located on the western edge of one of my favorite mountains I often photograph, Lookout Mountain. The park itself is located 30 minutes from the nearest major city, Chattanooga, Tennessee. But guests won’t miss their city accommodations once they are caught up feeling literally in the land of clouds or hunting one of the multiple waterfalls!

If you aren’t planning an elopement, and are inviting a small group of guests to celebrate your wedding day, they will arrive at the parking lot which is situated above the falls. It is only $5 to park, aside from letting the park know you are planning to wed on-site. No other permits or fees are required – a huge win!

Cherokee Falls and Hemlock Falls are two of the most popular falls at Cloudland Canyon State Park. Both are just a short hike from where guests arrive. Both offer peaceful sounds and backdrops for the sweetest ceremonies. If you’re opting for a ceremony with sweeping views of the canyon, some brides find that the main overlook is a perfect spot to gather with their spouse to be wed together in front of family and friends. You’ll get canyon and mountain views from the overlook, which is stunning!

The views are breathtaking. Whether you are overlooking the miles of hiking and biking trails from the main overlook or staring down a canyon. The state park is uniquely different from most wedding venues. You can embrace nature and your surrounding elements rather than a building or barn.

While I think Cloudland Canyon is beautiful any time of year (because when are waterfalls and views not amazing!), I especially love fall and winter weddings as well as springtime weddings in the park. The colors of the foliage constantly change from one shade of stunning to another. The foliage colors also make for a breathtaking backdrop for first looks and wedding portraits. Also, YES please to a sunset wedding on the main overlook! The sun dips perfectly behind the canyon and golden hour has never looked so good! Seriously, brides need to know about Cloudland Canyon!

To celebrate after you say, ‘I do’, Cloudland Canyon has several outdoor reception sites to rent. From pavilions to cabins to picnic areas, you can reserve a campground area directly with Cloudland Canyon to host your reception.

Cloudland Canyon has plenty to offer for guests who want to explore the park even more. Multiple hiking trails totaling 64 miles are available. There are more than 30 miles of bike trails, and out-of-town guests can rent bikes from the park. Cloudland Canyon offers horseback riding as well.

I am constantly exploring the natural preserves near my home because I just love to hike, but I love even more photographing couples in these spots because it is unique and so intimate – exactly how wedding photos should be!