Where to Elope [2024]

How to Choose Your Elopement Location

How to Choose Where to Elope

First off, CONGRATS on making this badass and awesome choice to have elope! This is one of the most exciting parts of the elopement planning process and I love helping my couples with this as an experienced adventure elopement photographer (who also happens to love location scouting and finding beautiful gems all over the world)!

When it comes to choosing your elopement location, there’s a lot to consider and because there’s so many incredible places to elope, it can feel a little like decision paralysis when trying to pick where to elope. I get it, you want to do justice to this amazing experience you want to have together and it feels like so much to just choose one place! But I can definitely help with that…

Elopement Location Ideas

Where Should We Elope

Things to Consider when Choosing your Elopement Location

Guests
Scenery
Travel
Accessibility
Weather & Climate
Activities
Privacy & Seclusion
Honeymoon

Contact me about your Elopement

Elopement with Guests

The reason this is listed as the first factor in your elopement location is because your guest count will affect which locations you even have the option of choosing. For elopements, your guest list is likely small already, but even a small guest list may affect your location options. Once you get down into the smaller numbers like 5-20 guests, your options for locations expand much wider than your typical wedding!

You can look into National Parks, other public lands and beautiful scenery, AirBnb, cabin, campsite, etc. (P.S. check out this couple who got married on at a campground!) Most of these locations will have a headcount limit and a vehicle limit, so keep that in mind when choosing your elopement location. And if you have an even smaller number or no guests at all, possibilities are basically endless!

Even with just a few guests, keep in mind that the needs of your guests might influence the location too, especially if your location involves hiking, or needs to be wheelchair accessibility, or requires a helicopter ride, etc. Essentially, the smaller your guest count, the more locations you’ll be allowed and logistically able to choose from.

Elopement Scenery

This is a big one, and usually one of the first decisions after having a general guest count in mind. What kind of scenery do you want? What are you picturing when you see yourself enjoying your elopement experience? What type of landscape do you see yourself in, that you could picture exchanging your meaningful vows in?

Are you hoping for mountain backdrops, enchanting forests, desert vibes, red rocks, canyon views, beaches or coastal cliffs, sand dunes, ancient ruins, alpine lakes, rock formations, tropical destinations?

Is there somewhere that’s meaningful to you? Maybe a place you’ve been to before together that’s really special or sentimental? What types of places inspire awe for you?

Elopement Travel

This is mainly about distance and transportation - how far from home are you willing to travel? Are you picturing something close to home that’s really special to you? Maybe your favorite local spot, or the place you had your first date, or your childhood backyard. Or maybe you’re picturing exploring a National Park and making a road trip out of it! Do you want to fly to an epic destination, maybe combine your elopement with your honeymoon?

Do you want to stay within a certain area, state, region, country, or part of the world? Do you want a drivable distance, a road trip with multiple stops, an island you need to take a boat or float plane to get to, somewhere you can only reach by helicopter?

Elopement Accessibility

On a similar note to travel is accessibility when choosing your elopement location. Does your location require hiking? If so, how much hiking, and for how long? Would it require backpacking in and camping there the night before? Do you need an off-roading 4WD vehicle to get to your spot? Do you need to hire a guide or go through a special tour to access this location? If you’re planning on inviting guests, is there a headcount limit or vehicle restrictions? Do you have any guests joining who may need special mobility accommodations or wheelchair accessibility? Are there other logistics to keep in mind?

You’ll also want to make sure that you’re allowed to have an elopement at your location. Some locations may only allow ceremonies in specific spots, or many not allow them at all. If you plan to get married at a National Park or other public lands, you’ll likely need a special use permit. This process may vary by location and permits usually range around just $100-400 (way more frugal than a wedding venue)!

Elopement Weather & Climate

Another thing to consider when picking your elopement destination is what type of weather and climate you want. Do you want warm temperatures, tropical climates, nice breeze in your hair? Do you envision a winter wonderland filled with snow, wearing warm socks and snow boots? Are you comfortable at high elevations? Are you hoping to incorporate some water activities or relax on a beach? Do you want to go snowboarding? Time of year may affect which locations will be open, which roads may be closed or harder to access, which trails are accessible, what activities you’re able to include, and so on.

Are you picturing a specific season to get married? Do you particularly love the beautiful fall foliage and colors that autumn brings? Do you want the crisp cool days of winter? Looking for wildflowers in spring or summer? Do you have a specific date or timeframe you’re set on? Keep in mind what that location may be like during that time of year (snow, heat, road closures, crowds, etc.)

Elopement Activities

Picking out some awesome activities to do together during your elopement experience is such a fun part of the planning! This could be something to consider when you’re choosing your elopement location because you want to make sure those activities are possible in the locations you’re brainstorming. I have a whole list of 50 ideas for your elopement with some great activity ideas to check out!

Whether you want to do something relaxing together, or enjoy a thrilling new experience, there’s so many options! You might want to do an epic hike together, rent a jeep and go off-roading, zip-line through the jungle, hot air balloon over vineyards, do some water activities like boating, paddle-boarding, hot springs, or swimming in a cenote. Or maybe you want to incorporate camping, rock climbing, bike riding, or a relaxing spa experience. Are these ideas getting you super excited about all the possibilities?!

Elopement Privacy & Seclusion

This is something a lot of couples may not think about at first. Keep in mind that a lot of the “typical” beautiful locations you might be thinking of could also be very popular spots or may be full of tourists. If it’s important to you to have a location that allows for more privacy and seclusion, that could be another factor to think about when you pick your elopement destination. You might not want an audience to your very intimate and personal vows you’ll be exchanging. An experienced elopement photographer should be able to help with this (and really with everything in this guide)!

I’ll also share a few tips and tricks that may help with having more privacy. One of my favorite options to offer is to choose a remote location that can only be accessed by helicopter, small plane, boat/ferry, etc. This option means epic views without the crowds, and without the work of getting there like a super long hike (and also saves the time it would take to do that). Or if you’re into hiking, you can do a bit longer of a hike to get to more seclude spots. Another trick is to look in the surrounding areas where the views may be similar from another spot that the tourists don’t usually venture to. You could also try going during the off-season, or have a sunrise ceremony, etc.

Honeymoon

This one is always an exciting option to think about - why not combine your elopement experience with an incredible honeymoon destination? Wouldn’t it be so amazing to have this unforgettable elopement adventure, say your vows, explore a beautiful place, and be able to start your honeymoon right after in the same place or somewhere nearby? That honestly sounds like peak existence to me!

If this is something that sounds perfect for you, it might be helpful to do some research on epic honeymoon destinations and see if anything sparks your interest - that just might be the perfect place for you to elope! Maybe you’d love a honeymoon on the Amalfi Coast in Italy and can exchange your vows in the Italian Dolomites! Or maybe you love the idea of a tropical destination like Cabo or Costa Rica, the rolling hills of Ireland or Scotland, the magical coast of Santorini in Greece, the northern lights in Iceland, the cliffs of Yosemite, the majestic mountain views of Washington or roaring waterfalls in Oregon, the epic glaciers of Alaska, the Napali Coast or Road to Hana on the islands of Hawaii, you have so many breathtaking places to choose from!