Thinking about eloping in Austin? Great call. Whether you're locals ready to skip the chaos or visitors drawn to Austin’s energy, eloping here is easy, cool, and way more memorable than you might think.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to legally, beautifully, and stress-freely elope in Austin in 2025 — with or without a plan.

💌 Step 1: Get a Marriage License in Travis County

First things first: make it legal. To get married in Austin, you need a Texas marriage license. Here’s how it works:

Where to go: Travis County Clerk’s Office
What to bring: Valid photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.)
Cost: ~$81 (cash, credit, or debit)
Waiting period: 72 hours (unless waived)
Expiration: Valid for 90 days

Cakewalk couples — we’ll guide you through it and send you all the reminders.

🎤 Step 2: Choose an Officiant (or Let Us Do It)

In Texas, your officiant must be ordained — but you’ve got options.
You can bring a friend who’s certified, hire someone you love, or let Cakewalk provide a warm, modern, professional officiant who’ll keep it real and legal.

📍 Step 3: Pick a Location

This is where it gets fun. You can get married just about anywhere in Austin — on a pedestrian bridge, by the lake, in a vintage bar courtyard, or on a mural-lined alley.

Some of our go-tos:

Mueller Lake Park – romantic, walkable, and photo-ready
The Boardwalk – stunning skyline views at sunset
East Austin alleys – bold, colorful, and undeniably “you”
Pease Park – peaceful, tree-lined, and full of charm

Cakewalk couples get help scouting the perfect spot for their vibe — no pressure, no Pinterest rabbit hole required.

📸 Step 4: Plan the Photos (Don’t Overthink It)

One of the best parts of eloping in Austin? The city looks good. You don’t need a big setup or styled shoot — just an hour of editorial-style, candid coverage with someone who gets the vibe.

You’ll end up with:

Gorgeous portraits
A few just-married candids
Group shots with your tiny crew (or just your dog)

🥂 Step 5: Celebrate — However You Want

Go get tacos. Hit a dive bar. Toast champagne in the park. Or just wander downtown in your wedding fits and soak it all in. Elopement = freedom.

Some Cakewalk couples have dinner plans after. Others hit the dance floor. Others take a nap. You do you.

✨ Why Eloping in Austin Just Works

It’s chill — no huge planning checklist
It’s beautiful — whether you love grit or green space
It’s local — support small businesses instead of big wedding factories
It’s personal — without feeling performative

And honestly? It's just more fun this way.

💍 Cakewalk Austin: Your Elopement, Made Easy

We’ll help you:

Get legally married in Texas
Find a ceremony location that fits you
Match you with a local officiant + photographer
Handle the paperwork, the timing, and the details
Make it look and feel good

Start planning your Austin elopement → right here.

How to Elope in Austin, Texas (2025 Edition)