Eloping gives you so many options, from intimate celebrations to fun experiences with your partner that you’ll cherish forever. When it comes to eloping, you can either go big with a destination wedding or go home with an intimate backyard celebration. If you’re curious about the best places to elope, then keep reading!
Why Should You Elope?
Eloping is a personal choice made by you and your partner. Some people prefer intimate weddings or are more introverted and don’t want a huge, fancy wedding.
Micro weddings are also becoming popular because people don’t see the value in spending $30,000 on a huge wedding. Whatever your reason for eloping, you should do it with confidence, knowing you will have the best time with your partner.
Destination Weddings
What is a destination wedding? Think beaches and palm trees, historic remains of the Roman Empire, or tropical forests! You can go anywhere your heart desires with a destination wedding, and better yet, you can do it with the person you love.
Rome, Italy
When in Rome… you can explore the rich culture and history of the city while eating your way around this beautiful place,
Rome is the perfect city to elope in, with plenty of stunning venues for just you and your partner to enjoy.
Santorini, Greece
With fabulous wedding photos featuring the Aegean Sea in the background, you can’t go wrong with Santorini. It’s the most popular Greek island, and you’re sure to revel in its romantic and natural landscape while soaking up the sun.
Gretna Green, UK
Gretna Green has historically been a popular elopement destination because of its rich history and tradition of being a spot for eloping couples.
Young couples from 18th century England could not marry without support from their parents. But they could quickly and easily hop over to nearby Scotland to do so.
People travel to Gretna Green in Scotland to elope because it lies close to the border of Scotland and England, and it has gained a reputation as a romantic destination for runaway lovers.
Thousands of couples flock to Gretna Green to elope every year because of its many beautiful venues and long-standing traditions.
Get Married on the Beach
Beach weddings have been on trend for a long time, and who wouldn’t want to walk hand in hand with their partner admiring the ocean for their wedding?
Beach weddings can either be close to home or faraway destination elopements, and you can set up amazing decor with only a few simple pieces to make your wedding photos even more stunning.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali is full of tropical beaches that will set a stunning scene for your elopement ceremony. Whether you want to go to the heart of the forest and find amazing waterfalls or stay on private beaches for your ceremony, Bali is the place to do it.
While on the island, you can explore every hiking trail, monument, and scenic spot Bali has to offer for a romantic trip with your partner.
Reykjavik, Iceland
The magnificent black sand beaches of Iceland are sure to be on your bucket list. Iceland, however unpleasant the name may sound, is full of incredible scenery and beautiful elopement destinations like Reykjavik!
The wondrous environment is perfect for your dream wedding ceremony and beautiful wedding photos.
Maui, Hawaii
If you prefer white sand beaches and something marginally closer to home, Hawaii is a tropical place that will be sure to satisfy your dreams of the perfect wedding day.
Find a secluded beach or book a hotel with a stunning outdoor space for the perfect beach wedding. While in Hawaii, don’t forget to indulge in the local culture and enjoy yourself on the beautiful island.
Have an Intimate Ceremony
You don’t have to travel anywhere fancy to have a memorable elopement. What makes it special is you and your partner celebrating your love and marriage.
A Local Park
A local park in your neighborhood or city is a great place to have a simple elopement. You can enjoy the nature and scenery around you while getting married to your true love.
A Courthouse
Courthouse weddings are becoming more popular places for couples to elope without having an extravagant wedding ceremony.
With you, your partner, and a couple of people who are special to you, you can get legally married in a courthouse quickly and easily!
Your Backyard
There’s nothing wrong with a backyard wedding, especially if you’re eloping. A simple ceremony with an officiant can happen in the comfort of your home and makes the process as easy as it gets.
National Parks in the US
National parks are great places to elope because you can enjoy the beautiful nature on a trip you will never forget. From waterfalls to hot springs to hiking trails, national parks can provide you with so many great experiences.
North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park is in northern Washington, where you can get married surrounded by beautiful mountains and luscious fields of flowers.
Depending on when you visit, the mountains may be snowcapped. If camping and backpacking sound like the perfect trip to go on with your partner, stop by North Cascades for an unforgettable and intimate experience.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is just like it sounds, full of beautiful, rocky mountains.
One of the best times to visit is early fall, so if you love fall weddings, then consider a trip to Colorado for the Aspen trees as well as the rivers that run through the mountains.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park in California is a famous destination for a variety of travelers, but it is equally as popular with couples who want to elope among stunning sequoia trees and cliffs that make you gaze up in awe.
You can get married in any of the assigned locations for elopement and explore the rest of the park throughout your visit. There are beautiful locations for wedding photography, including spots on the cliffs or in a meadow below the mountains.
Mount Rainier National Park
Located near Seattle, Washington, Mount Rainier is stunning in the summer months and perfect for an elopement. You can explore mountainous regions with meadows full of wildflowers and beautiful views of the mountain.
Mountains lovers will adore this location for an elopement, and you’ll be able to explore the nearby city of Seattle when you visit.
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park has the most wondrous desert landscape and scenery to make you fall in love with deserts. Since it’s in California, what’s stopping you from a road trip where you visit Joshua Tree and the beach?
There are rugged rock formations and the famous bristled Joshua trees that can be found everywhere you look. This location is perfect for people who love the sun and desert regions.
Other Locations
We could list so many other great destinations to elope, and all would be great! Whatever destination is right for you will stand out, and you’ll know when you find it. In the meantime, here are even more popular places to elope that we couldn’t leave off our list.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Vegas is known for its entertainment heart. It is a place where you can go big with your partner, from shows to gambling to visiting famous hotels.
From drive-thru elopement locations to stunning hotels and casinos, Vegas has everything you need to get married and have fun!
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
Mendocino is a beautiful seaside village in Northern California that is famous for its seaside cliffs and quaint atmosphere. Complete with a botanical garden, this place will give you a homey feel and an intimate wedding.
