Wedding Permits

Procedures to Request to Hold a Wedding in the Park

Congratulations on your forthcoming wedding!

Wedding ceremonies at Cowpens National Battlefield are authorized through a Special Use Permit. The majority of the park lands are reserved strictly for commemorative events about the 1781 battle. However, at the Scruggs House area only, small weddings (25 people including the wedding party and no more 5 vehicles) are authorized. The Scruggs House area consists of the porches and grassy area that surround the Scruggs House. Since the Scruggs House is an historic structure, no food/beverages/receptions are allowed in this area.

• Applications for a Wedding Special Use Permit must be applied for in the same calendar year as the wedding at the Visitor Center from 9-12 and 1-4, weekdays only.
• Wedding ceremonies may be conducted from 9:30-2:00 only. Dates available to accommodate weddings are limited due to conflicts with special events, major holidays, high visitation times, resource protection concerns, etc.
• No National Park Service staff will be available for assistance.
• We cannot hold dates.
• Please read and sign the application and return with the requisite fees. Applications must be submitted in person six weeks in advance of the upcoming event and must be approved by the Superintendent. For more information, call 864-936-7921 option 8, or email [e-mail].

Fees

There is a non-refundable administrative fee of $50 in the form of a check made payable to the National Park Service requiredto apply for the permit. If your permit is approved, you will be charged a non-refundable fee of $400 to use the Scruggs House Grounds (for a maximum of 25 people) and a refundable performance bond (security deposit) of $300.00 in the form of separate checks made payable to the National Park Service. The performance bond is returned if all regulations are followed. Commercial photography fee is an additional cost and will require a separate Special Use Permit. When we receive the complete Wedding application and fee, you will be notified within 10 days if your permit has been approved. At that time, you will be asked to sign a binding permit and submit your non-refundable fees and performance bond.

Regulations

Carpooling or shuttling is strongly encouraged, and may be required, as parking space is limited in some areas of the park. Please remember the site is not for the exclusive use of your event. The maximum size for the ceremony is 25 people. This includes the wedding party, guests, officiate, and photographer. Only the immediate wedding party will be allowed to park at the wedding site. All other guests will park at the Trailhead and walk in. This is a half mile walk, one way.

To protect the historic house, the ceremony is allowed only on grounds surrounding the Scruggs House. The ceremony may not take place on any porch of the Scruggs House. Park visitor center, restrooms, and other buildings may not be used for wedding preparations such as clothes changing, picture-taking, rehearsals, and waiting areas. These facilities may not be used in the event of inclement weather. Equipment such as tables, chairs, carpets, tents, floral displays, signs, banners, flags, generators and amplifiers cannot be used in the park. Facilities for receptions and parties do not exist in the park. Candles, balloons, throwing and scattering rice, birdseed, flower petals or other materials is prohibited. No horses or horse drawn carriages are allowed.

We encourage you to learn more about the story of the Battle of Cowpens. If you have suggestions that could enhance your visit to the battlefield or if you have a problem while visiting us, contact the lead ranger on duty at the Visitor Center. If you have questions about this permit, please call us at [phone].