Whether you choose to exchange vows on-site for an intimate wedding in The Gaston Garden or at a nearby location, such as the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden or Bella Donna Chapel, or even in a more low-key atmosphere with a judge downtown, the unique suites at our romantic hotel in Dallas will make your first nights together as a married couple extra special.
All the Dallas Elopement Details, From Logistics to Locations
After you’ve proposed and put your Dallas elopement plans in motion, the first step is to apply online for a Dallas County marriage license. After being approved, you’ll get an appointment time to go in person to the Dallas County Clerk’s Office, at which point you’ll be issued your license. After receiving it, there is a 72-hour waiting period until you can have the ceremony, and your wedding must happen within 90 days. Helpful hint: the state-run “Twogether in Texas” pre-marriage counseling class allows you to waive the 72-hour waiting period and reduces the marriage license fee by $60.
After getting the logistics squared away, it’s time to get to the exciting part and pick where you want to exchange your vows. For the most simplified route, Dallas Judge Steve Seider marries couples for $100 by appointment or on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday at the North Dallas Government Center, in a second-floor courthouse with many windows, making the ambiance more memorable than your average government building. Seider does ceremonies in English and Spanish and is highly regarded for his experience and professionalism, having officiated countless ceremonies over the years.
Where Elegance Meets Romance – Exchange Your Vows at The Gaston
With a dedicated event coordinator (contact at events@thegaston.com) and endless options for shaping your intimate ceremony to be just right, we’d love to host your Dallas elopement here at our boutique bed & breakfast. Whether it’s just you and your special someone or you’re inviting friends and family, our private and beautiful garden space is perfect for exchanging your vows and allows for up to 80 guests, followed by a celebration outdoors or in our speakeasy lounge. Texas law requires that you have an officiant for the ceremony, which can be a friend or family member ordained online. Another option is Put A Ring On It – local non-denominational and LGBTQ+-friendly minister Latrice Roman will work with you on a pre-written presentation of your choice, exchange your vows, and officiate the wedding wherever you’d like, in this case, at The Gaston.
Nearby Venues For a Larger Group
It’s hard to imagine a more picturesque place for your Dallas elopement than the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, a verdant oasis just 5 miles from our location on the banks of White Rock Lake. Thirteen different spots within their 66-acre property are available to rent out for your gathering, with rates higher during the busy season and less during non-peak times (Jan-Feb and July-Aug). Along with a dedicated wedding manager, you’ll get an hour for setup and breakdown, an hour for the ceremony, and a scheduled weekday for a self-guided rehearsal. For small elopement ceremonies, two of the best locations are the “Poetry Garden,” which has a stairway leading down to a private garden with ivy-colored walls and rows of flowers, and the “Orchid Hollow,” which is tucked away in the shade near a mini waterfall.
If you’re looking for a more traditional church setting, the Bella Donna Chapel (35 miles north of the city in McKinney) is often written about as one of the most gorgeous churches in the state. The classic high arched ceiling, stained-glass windows, and old-world stone masonry set a unique atmosphere, with small elopement ceremonies (up to 5 people) available Monday through Thursday.
Planning a Romantic Dallas Elopement Night
© La Boutique Photography
For your first nights together after saying “I do,” choose from the JFK-inspired Dealey suite, the rustic Old West charm of the Adair suite, or the chic black-and-white motif of the Eastham suite. Spend your evenings together exploring the city’s hip nightlife and incredible restaurants, and take a romantic ride hand-in-hand up to the top of the Reunion Tower, where you can share a newlywed kiss 470 feet above the Dallas skyline.
Stay with us and start planning the Dallas elopement of your dreams!
