Where To Elope on the Indy Canal Walk!
One of the most popular places for a quick, informal elopement in Indianapolis is on the Indy Canal Walk. Maybe you went there on your first date or maybe you got engaged there. You may just be looking for a pretty spot for pictures.
You can elope on the Indy Canal Walk!
I have elopement appointments available on the canal every day until 8 PM.
The fee is $150.
You can elope on the Indy Canal Walk!
I have elopement appointments available on the canal every day until 8 PM.
The fee is $150.
This couple was married surrounded by friends first thing on a Saturday morning.
I usually suggest every couple take a walk on the canal and decide for themselves where they want to get married. There are many great places to take a picture on the canal but not every spot is best for getting married.
The canal walk can be a busy place, especially on a warm sunny day. People will walk through your wedding without even realizing it.
I always suggest choosing the canal as a last minute decision. If a couple calls me in October and says they want to elope on the canal in May, I strongly suggest a back up plan. The weather is so unpredictable. Unless getting married under a bridge in the rain is your idea of a romantic adventure, and it most definitely is, you need to have a plan b.
Keep in mind who may be joining you. If it's just the two of you, your officiant, and a photographer, that's PERFECT. If you add 5, 10, or 20 guests, you will want to choose a place off the main path and make sure it's easily accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.
There are places on the canal that you can rent and set up with chairs. When you elope on the canal for free its everyone standing around the couple as they say "I do" in a quick ceremony. Always leave the place the way you found it.
Indy can be a busy place! There may be marathon's walk-a-thon's, festivals, sporting events, conventions etc.... What you may think is going to be a quick easy, pretty, FREE location to elope could turn into a parking nightmare. Parking garages can charge $20+ for one car to park on game day. Always check the online calendars.
Here is my guide to where to elope on the canal!
The Ohio Street Basin
The Ohio Street Basin is probably the most popular spot to elope. It's centrally located. You can walk there easily from downtown. There is a HUGE shade tree that's great on a sunny, hot day, or if it's sprinkling. It also provides a place of the busy path for a quick exchange of vows. The fountains are usually on during the spring, summer, and fall.
You can usually park on Ohio Street - there are parking meters.
The easiest way to find the location is to put The Indiana Historical Society in your GPS. It's across the Street from the Fire Station. Ohio Street goes over the canal. You will need to take steps down to the canal level. There are elevators nearby.
You can usually park on Ohio Street - there are parking meters.
The easiest way to find the location is to put The Indiana Historical Society in your GPS. It's across the Street from the Fire Station. Ohio Street goes over the canal. You will need to take steps down to the canal level. There are elevators nearby.
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Vermont Street Plaza
The Vermont Street Plaza is in the middle of the canal. You can access this area directly from the east side of the canal. I usually park at the corner of Indiana Avenue and Vermont Streets. Canal Overlook Apartments and Residence Inn by Marriott are at that location as well. Use those for your GPS. There are steep steps as the end of Vermont Street that lead down to the plaza. You can also access the canal at New York or North Michigan Streets. New York Street has an elevator.
This location has larger area's off the beaten path if you are expecting a lot of friends to join you!
This location has larger area's off the beaten path if you are expecting a lot of friends to join you!
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The Walnut Street Basin
The USS Indianapolis War Memorial
This is a very pretty part of the canal! There is a huge playground for kids to play and space for a little picnic if you want! The bridges here are gorgeous and there are great locations for a little ceremony.
Keep in mind - it can be loud and congested, but if you pick the right time of day, it can be perfect!
The War Memorial is a popular place for service men and women to elope.
I usually park on Senate Street and walk down Walnut Street to access the canal. This area is very stroller and wheelchair friendly!
Keep in mind - it can be loud and congested, but if you pick the right time of day, it can be perfect!
The War Memorial is a popular place for service men and women to elope.
I usually park on Senate Street and walk down Walnut Street to access the canal. This area is very stroller and wheelchair friendly!
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The Upper Basin
I think the Upper Basin is the easiest location to find and park on the Canal. It's the very top of the canal There is metered Parking on West 11th Street and the surrounding areas. You have great views of the city and the canal from the street level and easy access down to the canal. It's handicapped friendly! This is a fantastic place for pictures! There is a bridge you can duck under if it rains!
A few things to think about:
Timing. Canal 337 is a formal wedding venue, they may limit access around their area or have the street level area with the view of the canal reserved for private parties. You can also reserve that area of the canal for your wedding too - you do that through the city. They have bouncers limiting access to their area - but you can still use the canal - you might not want to elope while other people are getting married!
The fountain walls are really cool! There are places to sit right around there and it seems like the perfect spot. BUT - it's also REALLY LOUD. Your guests probably wont hear anything we say.
A few things to think about:
Timing. Canal 337 is a formal wedding venue, they may limit access around their area or have the street level area with the view of the canal reserved for private parties. You can also reserve that area of the canal for your wedding too - you do that through the city. They have bouncers limiting access to their area - but you can still use the canal - you might not want to elope while other people are getting married!
The fountain walls are really cool! There are places to sit right around there and it seems like the perfect spot. BUT - it's also REALLY LOUD. Your guests probably wont hear anything we say.
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White River State Park
White River State Park is where the Indy Canal Walk begins at the White River. There are Several GREAT locations to elope here. There is garage parking under the Indiana State Museum and the Eiteljorg. It's right across the street from the JW Marriot if is are visiting Indy or having a little stay-cation honeymoon downtown. Victory Field is right across the street.
Keep in mind:
White River State Park is a concert venue and Victory Field is right across the street. If there is a concert or a ball game, parking is going to be hard to find and expensive. It may be really loud while you are eloping too! Make sure to check the online calendar! There are often festivals in the park happening on weekends too. I just don't find that romantic....
Sunsets are gorgeous here! There is plenty of space for a large group. Just make sure to check the online calendar.
Keep in mind:
White River State Park is a concert venue and Victory Field is right across the street. If there is a concert or a ball game, parking is going to be hard to find and expensive. It may be really loud while you are eloping too! Make sure to check the online calendar! There are often festivals in the park happening on weekends too. I just don't find that romantic....
Sunsets are gorgeous here! There is plenty of space for a large group. Just make sure to check the online calendar.
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