Places to Elope: Ultimate Guide to the States & Beyond!

Introduction

Eloping is becoming an increasingly popular option for couples who want a streamlined and private celebration! It offers flexibility in location, potential cost savings, and a focus on the couple rather than logistics. My favorite part of elopements is helping couples find the best places to elope while incorporating everything intimate and intentional to bring their dreams to life. This post explores some of the best places to elope, providing details about venues, catering, and frequently asked questions to help you plan effectively.

Top Places to Elope

Mountain Retreats

The North Cascades National Park in Washington, the Dolomites in Italy, the Swiss Alps, and Banff in Canada offer stunning mountain venues for elopements. These locations feature dramatic landscapes, diverse options for indoor or outdoor ceremonies, and flexible capacities for small groups ranging from 10 to 50 guests. Many venues provide access to local catering services or farm-to-table dining options, making it easy to organize meals. Seasonal versatility ensures that couples can enjoy these settings year-round, whether surrounded by lush greenery in summer or snow-capped peaks in winter.

Beachfront Bliss

Hawaii’s beaches, the Amalfi Coast in Italy, Mexico’s Riviera Maya, and Portugal’s Algarve region are top picks for beach elopements. These destinations provide stunning ocean views and options for ceremonies directly on the sand or in private beachfront villas. Capacities typically range from 10 to 30 guests, making them ideal for intimate gatherings. Catering options often include fresh seafood and local specialties, complemented by tropical-inspired menus. The laid-back atmosphere and picturesque settings make these locations versatile for different themes, with venues offering customizable services to meet logistical needs.

Historic Estates and Castles

Ireland’s castles, Scotland’s historic manors, French châteaux, and Charleston’s stately homes offer unique options for elopements steeped in history. These venues showcase timeless architecture and elegant gardens, suitable for both indoor and outdoor ceremonies. Capacity ranges from 20 to 100 guests, allowing flexibility for different group sizes. Catering options often include in-house gourmet chefs who specialize in creating locally inspired menus. These locations provide a blend of history and sophistication, making them ideal for couples seeking a memorable backdrop without compromising on practical amenities.

National Parks in the United States

The United States is home to iconic national parks that provide stunning backdrops for elopements. Popular choices include Yosemite in California, Zion in Utah, Glacier in Montana, and Acadia in Maine. These parks offer diverse landscapes, from towering cliffs and waterfalls to serene forests and coastal vistas. Venues within the parks or nearby typically accommodate small groups ranging from 10 to 30 guests. Couples can often hire local catering services that highlight regional flavors. Permits are required for ceremonies in many parks, so advanced planning is essential to ensure compliance with park regulations. To find more info on permits, check out the NPS website!

Places to Elope: Ceremony and Reception Space Considerations

Selecting the right ceremony and reception space is crucial when planning an elopement. While your guest count may be smaller, that doesn’t mean your day needs to be! If your dream places to elope is atop a mountain in Switzerland just you and your partner, or with ten of your closest family and friends at a beach resort in Hawaii, the sky is truly the limit when choosing a venue – be it natural or a physical building. Many of the best places to elope feature venues designed to cater to small, intimate gatherings. The first step is to start by evaluating the guest capacity of potential places to elope to ensure they align with your plans! For example, outdoor locations like national parks often have group size restrictions, making them ideal for smaller events, whereas hotel resorts often can accommodate larger parties.

In many places to elope, permit requirements can affect logistics, particularly in outdoor venues like parks or beaches. Indoor venues, such as historic estates or villas, typically allow for combined ceremony and reception spaces, simplifying transitions. These options, often found in top places to elope, provide flexibility and convenience.

The ambiance of the chosen space should also reflect your vision. For instance, mountain retreats and beachfront pavilions within places to elope often offer natural beauty that requires minimal decoration. Historic estates and castles provide a formal and elegant setting, enhancing the overall experience. It’s also important to note that many outdoor areas will not allow external decorations to be put up. So if you’re looking to elope in the Redwoods, know that you won’t have an aisle and chairs unless it’s on private property outside the park!

Amenities such as seating arrangements, changing rooms, and backup plans for weather are essential considerations. Many venues in sought-after places to elope offer tailored packages, including decor, photography, and catering, making planning more convenient and stress-free. Incorporating these features ensures a seamless experience

Places to Elope: Catering Options for Elopements

Catering is a key part of any elopement, offering an opportunity to personalize the experience with a focus on quality over quantity! For smaller gatherings, venues often provide options like plated dinners, buffets, or cocktail-style receptions. Incorporating local cuisine can enhance the experience, allowing guests to savor regional flavors while enjoying the setting. For example, beachfront venues might feature fresh seafood, while mountain lodges could highlight hearty, seasonal dishes. Depending on the size of your party, you could easily make a reservation at a local restaurant or have it delivered to wherever you’re staying! Many venues simplify planning by offering in-house catering services, ensuring consistency and convenience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Places to Elope!

What is the average cost of eloping?

In all honesty, the price varies! Where some people elope to save money, others elope to ball out on an epic vacation! It all depends on what you want your day to feel like. If you want to elope in the North Cascades just you and your partner, I’d expect to spend about $5k-$7k, with most going towards your photographer then travel needs. If you want something more elaborate or out of the country, costs can get closer to $15k – $20k. If you want to know more on my own pricing, inquire here!

How do you plan a destination elopement?

There are two steps that are both tied for the first step: picking a location or picking your photographer! Your photographer should be able to help you narrow down your location if you’re torn, or they should be able to help with the planning process. Fun fact: I act as an elopement planner for all of my couples that elope! From start to finish, and as hands on or off as you need, I’m there every step of the way. Once you pick your photographer, then pick your venue (or vice versa if that’s the route you went!). After that you decide how many people are coming with you, pick your lodgings, narrow down your ceremony location, decide on catering, and then it’s all just fine details from there!

Can we include family and friends in our elopement?

That’s totally up to you! But the easy answer, OF COURSE! You can have whoever you want at your elopement. But once you get to more than ten people, that’s not an elopement anymore and is a micro-wedding. There are also guest limits at certain locations, especially in national parks, which will ultimately determine how many people you can have. If you’re wanting to hike to an epic ceremony spot, keep in mind the mobility needs of any guests coming along.

What legal requirements should we consider?

Requirements will vary from location to location when considering places to elope! While I’m an expert in the States, it’s always a good idea to reach out to the consulate or embassy of the country you’re wishing to get married in to determine the proper steps to make it legal.

How do we make the day special?

The sky is the limit! You can have a slow morning getting ready together at your cabin in the Alps, have a morning surf in Hawaii, go for horseback rides on the beach, do a helicopter tour, or a private boat on the Amalfi Coast! Consider the things that are important to you guys and we can come up with special ways to incorporate them on your elopement.

Want to throw some ideas around and get the planning process started? Let’s get in touch! I’m a pro at planning, listening, and bringing dreams to life. I travel often for elopements, and often act as tour guides for couples traveling all over the country to meet me in my own slice of heaven: Washington. If this has inspired you to start thinking of places to elope for your own nuptials, let’s connect! If you’re interested in seeing what else I’ve been up to lately or where my passport has taken me recently, check out my recent work!