Where History Meets Wilderness: A Romantic Micro Wedding in Elizabethtown & the Shawnee

From the historic Rose Hotel to the cliffs of Garden of the Gods, this Southern Illinois micro wedding was an absolute dream. Many couples don’t realize you can say “I do” overlooking the beautiful Ohio River in Elizabethtown and then head into the Shawnee National Forest for breathtaking golden hour photos among the iconic rock formations of Garden of the Gods.

These are the kinds of intimate Southern Illinois elopements I love to photograph, where couples focus on their connection, their vows, and the people who matter most. If you’re dreaming of a romantic and scenic Shawnee Forest elopement surrounded by nature and history, the Rose Hotel and Garden of the Gods make the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable day.