Best Locations to Elope
In the U.S and World
Skip Ahead
- By Type of Scenery
-By Continent/ Region
-By National Park
-By Activities and Experiences
-Tips to Pick your Spot
BEST PLACES TO ELOPE
By Type of Scenery
Best Mountain Elopement Locations
Looking for the world’s best rugged mountain backdrop for your day? From the Rockies, to the Alps, Andes, and more—these are the best mountain elopement locations worldwide.
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Learn more about the logistics of eloping in the mountains, gear you need, and the best type of wedding attire for an intimate mountain wedding in my
MOUNTAIN ELOPEMENT GUIDE
Best Beach Elopement Locations
If you’re seeking the ultimate beach paradise during your elopement, these are my top picks from around the globe—no matter what your type of shore is.
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For more on the best places to get married with a great view of the waves, you’ll want to see my
BEACH ELOPEMENT GUIDE
Best Forest Elopement Locations
Picturing yourself in the trees? Want dappled light straight out of a fairytale and towering trees to stand as your witnesses? Here are some of my all-time favorites.
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Learn about more of my picks outside of the American West Coast & all things forest elopement in my
FOREST ELOPEMENT GUIDE
Best Desert Elopement Locations
For beautiful sunsets, crazy unique rock formations and cliffs, and large expanses of colorful sand and earth, there’s nothing like eloping in the desert. These are some of my favorite spots to get the best of the desert during your wedding day.
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For more of my favorite desert spots in the world and all the things you’ll need to know if you’re thinking about eloping there, visit my
DESERT ELOPEMENT GUIDE
Best Waterfall Elopement Locations
Nothing screams “adventure elopement” quite like a waterfall, whether you’re hiking to it, helicoptering, or seeing it from the water. They make for impressive sights both at the time and in your photos later! There’s no shortage of great ones, but here are a few I love:
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Want to know more about which waterfalls you can visit without getting soaked or want some additional inspiration? I’ve got it for you in my
WATERFALL ELOPEMENT GUIDE
Best Glacier Elopement Locations
If you’ve been dreaming of eloping on top of ice or surrounded by it, these are the locations for you! I’ve seen glacial ice in America, the Alps, Antarctica, and everywhere in between. Here are some of my favorites:
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Glaciers aren’t always the easiest places to access, but I’m here to help! Learn more about the best spots and how to get there in my
GLACIER ELOPEMENT GUIDE
BEST PLACES TO ELOPE
By Continent/ Region
U.S./NORTH AMERICA
EUROPE
ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
AFRICA
CARIBBEAN & CENTRAL AMERICA
SOUTH AMERICA
Best Places to Elope in the U.S.
The United States is my backyard, and even having traveled all over the world, I can still safely say there are some seriously impressive places here that you can’t find anywhere else in quite the same way. Here are some of my favorite states to elope in:
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Looking for the best places to elope in a specific U.S. state?
Browse my state-specific location guides to find the best elopement locations in:
1. Alabama
2. Alaska
3. Arizona
4. Arkansas
5. California
6. Colorado
7. Connecticut
8. Deleware
9. Florida
10. Georgia
11. Hawaii
12. Idaho
13. Illinois
14. Indiana
15. Iowa
16. Kansas
17. Kentucky
18. Louisiana
19. Maine
20. Maryland
21. Massachusetts
22. Michigan
23. Minnesota
24. Mississippi
25. Missouri
26. Montana
27. Nebraska
28. Nevada
29. New Hampshire
30. New Jersey
31. New Mexico
32. New York
33. North Carolina
34. North Dakota
35. Ohio
36. Oklahoma
37. Oregon
38. Pennsylvania
39. Rhode Island
40. South Carolina
41. South Dakota
42. Tennessee
43. Texas
44. Utah
45. Vermont
46. Virginia
47. Washington
48. West Virginia
49. Wiscosin
50. Wyoming
Best Places to Elope in Europe
Countries and cultures you can easily hop between, world-class mountains, some of the coolest cities on Earth, and food and wine to die for—that’s what eloping in Europe looks like. Whether you’re from the continent or looking for a change of pace for your wedding day, here are some of my favorite countries to travel to!
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Looking for the best places to elope in Europe?
Browse my country-specific location guides to find the best elopement locations in:
Best Places to Elope in Asia and the Pacific
Asia & the Pacific are a wide and varied region with an incredible amount of stunning landscapes, beautiful cities, and rich cultures. For eloping on island time or exploring new national parks, here are some of my top choices!
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Looking for the best places to elope in Asia & the Pacific?
Browse my country-specific location guides to find the best elopement locations in:
Best Places to Elope in the Caribbean & Central America
Elope in this region of the world for relaxation, tropical vibes, and incredible food. Locations here are packed with everything from ancient history to super modern resorts and bustling cities, all in lush natural landscapes. Here are some of my picks:
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Looking for the best places to elope in The Caribbean & Central America?
Browse my country-specific location guides to find the best elopement locations in:
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Costa Rica
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Turks & Caicos
Best Places to Elope in South America
South America is home to some of the most gorgeous—and most extreme—places on the planet. Here are my favorite adventure-ready places perfect for elopements.
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Best Places to Elope in Africa
It’s impossible to distill Africa down to one energy or place. As the second largest continent on Earth, you can find so many different breathtaking and distinct landscapes to be a part of your elopement day. Here are just a few options:
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Best Places to Elope by National Park
The United States is my backyard, and even having traveled all over the world, I can still safely say there are some seriously impressive places here that you can’t find anywhere else in quite the same way. Here are some of my favorite states to elope in:
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Looking for the best places to elope in a specific U.S. state?
Browse my state-specific location guides to find the best elopement locations in:
1. Acadia
2. American Samoa
3. Arches
4. Badlands
5. Big Bend
6. Biscayne
7. Black Canyon of the Gunnison
8. Bryce Canyon
9. Canyonlands
10. Capitol Reef
11. Carlsbad Canyons
12. Channel Islands
13. Conagree
14. Crater Lake
15. Cuyahoga Valley
16. Death Valley
17. Denali
18. Dry Tortugas
19. Everglades
20. Gates of the Artic
21. Gateway Arch
22. Glacier
23. Glacier Bay
24. Grand Canyon
25. Grand Teton
26. Great Basin
27. Great Sand Dunes
28. Great Smoky Mountains
29. Gaudalupe Mountains
30. Haleakalā
31. Hawai'i Volcanoes
32. Hot Springs
33. Indiana Dunes
34. Isle Royale
35. Joshua Tree
36. Katmai
37. Kenai Fjords
38. Kings Canyon
39. Kobuk Valley
40. Lake Clark
41. Lassen Volcano
42. Mammoth Cave
43. Mesa Verde
44. Mount Ranier
45. New River Gorge
46. North Cascades
47. Olympic
48. Petrified Forest
49. Pinncales
50. Redwood
51. Rocky Mountain
52. Saguaro
53. Sequoia
54. Shenandoah
55. Theodore Roosevelt
56. Virgin Islands
57. Voyageurs
58. White Sands
59. Wind Cave
60. Wrangell- St. Elias
61. Yellowstone
62. Yosemite
63. Zion
Looking for an urban adventure in an old or new city?
Best Cities to Elope In
Looking for bright lights and exciting cities to elope in? These are some of my favorite places around the world to find beautiful accommodations, rich art and cultural experiences, and an unbeatably romantic energy. For an urban elopement that keeps you out of the mud and in incredible locations, here are my top picks:
01
New York, New York
New York City is renowned around the world for its vibrant culture, world-class museums, incredible theater scene, and truly amazing dining. If you’re a couple that loves the city and wants a crazy memorable elopement day, New York is a great pick! Whether you’re recreating movie scenes, going on a pizza slice crawl, stopping at all the classic (great!) tourist attractions, seeing a Broadway show, or going to a unique activity that you can only find there, you’re sure to have the adventure of a lifetime. Another great thing about New York is that you can make it as luxurious as you want—or mix it up! Stay at the Plaza Hotel and only eat from hot dog and pretzel carts. The world is your oyster.
03
Las Vegas, Nevada
This is one city with a serious reputation around eloping! If you want to do the classic Sin City elopement with Elvis and the drive through chapel, this is the place to do it. But even if not, there’s a lot here to have fun with! You can have your ceremony just outside the city in Red Rock Canyon and then venture back to the strip for luxe stays, fine dining, and world-class entertainment. This is a great spot for that “the world is our oyster” feeling.
05
New Orleans, Lousiana
Nothing says “elopement PACKED with experiences” like the Big Easy. New Orleans is most famous for its brightly colored French Quarter, air filled with jazz, powdered sugar coated beignets, and proximity to the occult with above-ground cemeteries and psychics. This is a super self-paced city—you can fill your day with as few or as many things as you want! Making it perfect both for couples looking to experience as many things as possible and couples who want a beautiful, memorable location that they can move slower in. Party your way down Bourbon Street after getting married or get Creole food and go to a show. It’s totally up to you.
02
Paris, France
You already know that the City of Love is one romantic place, and that stays true for couples looking to elope there. Picture long walks through historic architecture, ducking into cafes for a pastry and cup of coffee with your partner, and sprawling gardens and paths along the Seine. After dusk, make sure to catch the Eiffel Tower lit up at the top of every hour. Or, if you’ve seen your fill of that, grab a bottle of wine and picnic along the Canal Saint-Martin.
04
London, United Kingdom
For a great mix of greenery, history, and the arts, you can always elope in London! What makes this city so vibrant and unique is not only its interesting architecture and cobblestone streets, but also the super wide variety of landscapes you can get here. From the gardens of Hyde Park, to the stone walls of the Tower of London, to the quirky charm of the Carnaby Street arts district, there is truly something for everyone here. Winter can bring a near constant drizzle, so if you want to avoid that, visit in the nicer months of May-August when the weather is mild but dry.
06
Miami, Florida
Full of culture, temperate waters, and endless activity, Miami is a great place to elope! It’ll put you in close proximity to the beaches of your dreams—with clear waters, white sands, and palm trees—while giving you big city resources and options for lodging. If you’re looking for a spot with a vibrant nightlife and arts scene, this is the place for you! There are also some top notch parks around here, like Bill Baggs Cape State Park and Biscayne National Park.
BEST PLACES TO ELOPE
For specific Activities and Experiences
What would be fun & exciting to do on your wedding day?
Best Helicopter Elopement Locations
Helicopters are like a “cheat code” to elopements if you want completely secluded, remote wilderness locations all to yourselves, but not have to hike anywhere. Due to laws and regulations around where helicopters can land, there are more limited places you can elope with a helicopter world-wide, but don’t worry, they’re all absolutely stunning.
Learn more about my favorite places to do helicopter elopements, things you should consider beforehand, and how to know if it’s right for you in my:
Santori Greece
For the best views in the house of this volcanic caldera, youv'e got to check it out from a helicopter. The cliffs here are dramatic and the quality of light is so beautiful, all of which is only accented by a aerial tour.
Nicole Yang
"Testimonials are a great way to showcase positive feedback you've received. Click to edit and add yours."
Calvin Smith
"Testimonials are a great way to showcase positive feedback you've received. Click to edit and add yours."
Suzanne Levis
"Testimonials are a great way to showcase positive feedback you've received. Click to edit and add yours."
Best Hiking Elopement Locations
My love of hiking elopements is what started my whole company! There’s something magical about taking on a beautiful trail with your partner that ends in a gorgeous spot to say your vows. No matter what kind of terrain you love or what continent you’re eloping on, there’s an epic hike waiting for you!
Get started with everything you need to know about what gear you’ll need, my favorite hikes in the world, and even how to pack a wedding dress in a backpack in my:
Santori Greece
For the best views in the house of this volcanic caldera, youv'e got to check it out from a helicopter. The cliffs here are dramatic and the quality of light is so beautiful, all of which is only accented by a aerial tour.
Nicole Yang
"Testimonials are a great way to showcase positive feedback you've received. Click to edit and add yours."
Calvin Smith
"Testimonials are a great way to showcase positive feedback you've received. Click to edit and add yours."
Suzanne Levis
"Testimonials are a great way to showcase positive feedback you've received. Click to edit and add yours."
Best Seaplane Elopement Locations
Seaplanes serve a key role in any remote water-based elopement, as they combine the functionality of a boat and a helicopter. Their small size and ability to land on water will give you endless opportunities when it comes to where to elope! But the epic views and private, romantic ride with your partner don’t exactly hurt, either. This is a form and function activity.
Get my pro-tips on how to know if a seaplane is right for you, what special considerations you should make, and other must-read tips in my:
Santori Greece
For the best views in the house of this volcanic caldera, youv'e got to check it out from a helicopter. The cliffs here are dramatic and the quality of light is so beautiful, all of which is only accented by a aerial tour.
Nicole Yang
"Testimonials are a great way to showcase positive feedback you've received. Click to edit and add yours."
Calvin Smith
"Testimonials are a great way to showcase positive feedback you've received. Click to edit and add yours."
Suzanne Levis
"Testimonials are a great way to showcase positive feedback you've received. Click to edit and add yours."
Best Safari Elopement Locations
For nature lovers and adventure lovers, there are few things as cool and unique to do on your elopement day as a safari tour. Picture going on a private drive with you and your partner on your wedding day and having lions 20 feet from your truck! These are just a few of my favorite spots for those looking to see animals in their habitat:
Wondering what kind of animals you can find, how to pick a good lodge, or when to time your tour? Find more answers in my:
Santori Greece
For the best views in the house of this volcanic caldera, youv'e got to check it out from a helicopter. The cliffs here are dramatic and the quality of light is so beautiful, all of which is only accented by a aerial tour.
Nicole Yang
"Testimonials are a great way to showcase positive feedback you've received. Click to edit and add yours."
Calvin Smith
"Testimonials are a great way to showcase positive feedback you've received. Click to edit and add yours."
Suzanne Levis
"Testimonials are a great way to showcase positive feedback you've received. Click to edit and add yours."
How to
Pick the Best
Elopement Location
for YOU
7 Factors to Consider
01 Scenery & Views
Obviously one of the major benefits of eloping is the option to be surrounded by the most incredible, jaw-dropping scenery in the world. So what’s your favorite type of scenery? Do you like the feeling of being on top of a mountain? What about a super old and magical forest with trees towering above you? You could also elope at the base of a powerful waterfall, the edge of a canyon, or cliff going straight into the sea. Think about the places that you two love and have enjoyed being the most—the places that inspire you, humble you, and make you feel happy and at peace.
Depending on the location, it’s also entirely possible to get multiple types of your favorite scenery in one day. Check out this helicopter elopement on Vancouver Island, B.C. that included a snowy mountaintop, a magical forest, and a private shell island, and a secluded rocky beach all in one day.
Ask yourself these questions:
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Do you have a favorite type of scenery that inspires you?
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What view do you want to be looking at when you say your vows?
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What type of landscape would you feel happiest and most at peace being surrounded by on your wedding day?
02 Seasonality
Choosing a season you want to get married in – or, a seasonal quality (hot, cold, snow, etc.) actually doesn’t limit you to any time of year! How? Well, we photograph elopements ALL OVER THE WORLD! So, when it’s snowing in Colorado, it’s sunny in New Zealand. Whenever you want to elope, we can match that date with your ideal season! Choosing a season is an important part of elopement planning because it will determine what you wear, what activities you can do, and how accessible a lot of outdoor areas are. Though, if you don’t mind an unconventional mode of transportation, we can get many places year-round!
Being honest with yourself about seasonality can be the deciding factor for how fun your elopement is! If you absolutely hate extreme heat or cold, you’ll have a lot more fun if we put in the effort to choose a location and date with more mild weather. Also, seasonality will really affect the view from your location. If you’ve fallen madly in love with a photo of an alpine meadow covered in flowers, you’re going to have to plan an elopement for the exact same time of year that image was taken. But, if you love the beaches of Hawaii, they remain almost exactly the same year-round, and we’ll take those desires very seriously when choosing YOUR perfect destination!
Ask yourself these questions:
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Do you have a specific time of year that you want to get married?
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Is there a specific date that is meaningful to you?
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Do you two have a favorite season?
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Do you two prefer warm weather? Cold weather? How do you feel about wind, rain, snow, etc.?
03 Accessibility
Once you’ve thought about what type of scenery you want to be surrounded by when you say your vows, another important consideration is how far you want to travel to get to that dream spot. Certain types of scenery can only be found in specific parts of the world, which may require a lot of travel. Do you want to go to the Faroe Islands to get married next to a waterfall that flows straight into the sea? What about Milford sound in New Zealand? Or do you want to have the impossibly jagged peaks of the Patagonia mountains be witnesses to your vows? Or a massive glacier in Alaska? In addition to international flights, some locations may require driving 4-8 hours from the nearest airport, taking a ferry, bush plane, helicopter, or a long hike to reach. Knowing how far you’re willing to travel, and what adventure you want to undertake to get to your destination, will help narrow down your options.
Also, if you or any guests you hope to invite have difficulties with strenuous terrain, you’ll want to think about whether a place should be considered, even if it technically can be reached. Be honest with yourself about your priorities and abilities. For example: if you live at sea level and don’t enjoy hiking regularly, Everest base camp shouldn’t be your elopement destination. Mobility and accessibility go hand in hand, and while we’re guilty of enjoying quite a bit of type 2 fun, we acknowledge there’s a line between adventure and sufferfest. We’d like to ensure you remember your elopement fondly!
Ask yourself these questions:
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How accessible do you want the location to be?
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Do you two like to hike? Or would you prefer an elopement spot that doesn’t require hiking at all, but still has great views?
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What forms of transportation would you consider to get to an elopement spot? (4×4 road, helicopter, gondola, ferry, boat, etc.)
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How far are you willing to travel from the nearest airport?
04 Seclusion
Another extremely important consideration when picking a location to elope is seclusion. In this age of Instagram, where previously unknown beautiful spots are being geo-tagged, and subsequently flocked by tourists from around the world—privacy is becoming tougher and tougher to find. The ideal combination of factors in the perfect elopement spot is stunning scenery, easy accessibility, and seclusion—but these days, you usually have to pick two of those three.
We have found there is usually a direct trade-off between accessibility & seclusion. The farther you are willing to travel to an amazing spot (especially if you’re willing/able to hike), the better the chances are you can have it to yourself. For example, everything else equal, a location up a 5-mile hike at sunrise in Yosemite National Park, is going to be WAY more secluded than going to a popular overlook you can drive to. There are of course exceptions to this rule, and this definitely doesn’t mean you have to hike somewhere in order to get seclusion for your elopement. You can also find seclusion up 4×4 roads, by taking a helicopter, or simply going at a non-popular time of day (like sunrise on a weekday), and avoiding peak season.
A good trick to see how busy a place might be is to search the location on Instagram—if you find thousands of photos tagged to that spot, you’ll want to think about finding somewhere more secluded (or going at a very non-peak time of day/year).
Finding an incredibly beautiful secluded spot is probably the biggest challenge we help couples overcome—and it often requires deep digging and intense research to find those lesser-known, still hidden gems (which there still are plenty of in the world!). You likely won’t find a secluded spot on easily google-able, or Pinterest-able lists like “10 must-see places in Iceland”.
Ask yourself these questions:
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How private do you want your location to be?
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Would you be comfortable getting married at a more popular overlook or do you want to have no one else around?
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If a few other hikers were around would that be okay?
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Do you want to be immersed in scenery or if you could see a road would that be okay?
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Would you be willing to get up for sunrise to have a place all to yourself?
05 Meaning
Of course your elopement will be full of meaning, as it should be. A way to add another layer of meaning and intention to your wedding celebration is choosing a location that means something to you. It can be a place you’ve already traveled to with your partner, or a place you’ve always wanted to go! Maybe it’s a place that holds deep sentimental value to one of your families, or it’s been the subject of a photograph always hanging on your wall. Maybe it’s a place you never knew existed until we sent you the coordinates, but upon viewing it felt immediately right! Maybe the rush of an exciting new place is exactly what defines your adventurous relationship, and the most YOU thing would be to elope somewhere totally foreign.
Incorporating a meaningful importance to your elopement location also doesn’t have to come before the wedding! You could choose a place that later develops meaning because you travel back to visit for your anniversary. The fact is, eloping somewhere you’ve intentionally chosen for its natural beauty will anchor you there. We’ve witnessed it happen hundreds of times – a couple will arrive to their elopement with so much love in their eyes, and by the end of the day they will be staring at the scenery with a sense of respect and longing so deep, we know they’ll always remember what it felt like to stand in that exact spot. Outdoor elopements combine our love for our partners with our love for life on this gorgeous planet – that itself means so much!
Ask yourself these questions:
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Do you two have a place that already means something really special to you?
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Is there a spot that you two have always talked about or dreamt of going together?
06 Experience & Activities
You’ve got a whole day, maybe even a whole weekend or longer, to celebrate getting married to the love of your life – what are you going to do? Yes, you’ll share vows and take photos but this is your chance to get truly imaginative and make a to-do list of dream elopement activities! You can go drive 4×4 back roads, summit a mountain you’ve always wanted to climb, jump out of an airplane, go swimming with sharks, get matching tattoos, plant some trees, or go deep into the backcountry and set up camp. When we say the possibilities are endless when it comes to your elopement – we mean it!
Whether your elopement is a single trip or being combined with your honeymoon, we highly recommend that you first and foremost let your imagination run wild! What are some activities you’ve always dreamed of doing? Once you’ve considered all the possibilities, narrow it down to a handful of do-able things and be sure to plan buffer times. Don’t make the mistake of trying to do too much in one trip – instead, make sure what you do is enjoyed at 110%!
Ask yourself these questions:
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Besides saying your vows, what other activities do you imagine doing on the day you get married?
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How long are you planning to make your trip when you go to elope? Is it combined with a honeymoon?
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Besides your elopement experience, are there other things that you want to do as a part of your larger trip (if you’re having one)?
07 Guests
Bringing along your loved ones can change the vibe of your elopement – but there are still many ways to include guests without feeling like you’ve sacrificed the intimacy and privacy of an elopement experience. If you are inviting guests to the ceremony itself, plan a time away afterward to enjoy the immense commitment you’ve made to your partner. If you want to say vows in privacy, but still want to share the moment with family and friends, return from your ceremony to a reception. The number of guests you bring will significantly affect your options for ceremony locations, and that definitely needs to be considered. But, having guests doesn’t mean you can’t elope in a stunning place! We’ve photographed elopements with up to 25 people present that felt just as intimate and special, while also somewhere with a mountain backdrop.
Some locations will have very specific limits when it comes to the number of guests you can invite. Some backcountry trails limit groups to 10 or less, whereas other locations in national parks say they will accommodate up to 50! We only photograph small weddings, with up to 25 people present, and we’ve found the biggest limiting factor to be the willingness and ability of guests to access the space. That said, we’ve witnessed grandparents hike miles up a trail to witness a cliffside ceremony. We’ve also found ways to drive guests in via backroads to reach a summit that a couple hiked to. If you want to invite guests to your elopement ceremony for it to be the perfect day – we will find a place where everyone can be present!
Ask yourself these questions:
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Are you bringing other people along to your elopement or is it just you two?
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If you’re bringing guests, how many?
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Do any of your guests have accessibility or health needs to consider when finding the right spot?
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How far are your guests willing to travel from the nearest airport?
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Is your whole elopement experience going to be with your guests or will part of it just be the two of you?
