7 Elopement Location Ideas + How to Have a Stress-Free Day
When you’re ready to marry the one you love and don’t want the pressure or hassle of planning a large, traditional wedding, an elopement might be the perfect solution for you. It’s the perfect way to create an intimate and unconventional wedding experience.
Read on to discover our favorite elopement ideas, plus some do’s and don’ts to help you plan the perfect elopement you’ll remember forever. You’ll find everything from romantic and adventurous ideas to picturesque elopement destinations and elopement planning tips. That way, you can exchange vows privately or with a small group of loved ones in breathtaking and memorable settings around the world.
What Is an Elopement?
Design: Signature Greenvelope
An elopement is like a wedding that happens in secret. Couples that elope often do so with just themselves, the officiant, and anyone else required for it to be a legal ceremony. Some couples also bring a small group of family members with them, such as parents or children.
Couples opt to elope for lots of different reasons. For some, they love the idea of having a private ceremony and a moment for just the two of them. For others, it’s the excitement of being a bit spontaneous or wanting to prioritize their wishes over family pressures. And for some, it comes down to the cost — hosting a wedding can get expensive!
Whatever your reason, an elopement is a wonderful way to tie the knot and say “I do” to your forever person.
Elopement Planning: Do’s and Don’ts
Unless you simply run off and get married spur of the moment, planning an elopement can be similar to planning a wedding — though admittedly less intensive. You’ll need to organize a date, venue, officiant, outfits, and photographer.
In other ways, it’s different from a wedding day — you don’t need to worry about a guest list, wedding favors, or a reception afterward. (Of course, you could still send out elopement reception invitations if you’re planning to have a handful of loved ones join you and a small party afterward.)
To help you plan your dream elopement, here are some of our elopement do’s and don’ts.
Do Plan Ahead
You don’t have as much to organize with an elopement, but it’s still best to plan ahead as much as you can. Have an idea about potential venues, and what you’d like your elopement ceremony to look and feel like. Even if you’re feeling spontaneous and go for a last-minute elopement, think ahead to the rest of the day, including where you’ll dine, relax, and sleep.
Don’t Forget About the Legal Side of Things
Every state does things a little differently when it comes to the legal requirements of elopement. In some states, you need to get your marriage license at least a few days in advance, which could hamper your spur-of-the-moment wedding planning. Be sure to research these details as well as who can officiate and how many witnesses you need (if any).
Do Create a Wedding Budget
Elopements are wonderful for so many reasons, one of which is that they’re often less expensive than a traditional wedding. Still, you’ll want to set a basic wedding budget so you can celebrate without worrying about your bank balance.
Create a simple wedding budget and leave out any areas that aren’t relevant to your elopement, such as catering, gift registries, or guest travel costs. Because elopements are more affordable, you can dedicate more of your budget to must-haves like photography and a breathtaking venue.
Don’t Lose Focus of Your Why
For most couples, the decision to elope is a very conscious one. Whether it’s for financial, family, or just-can’t-wait reasons, don’t lose sight of your reason for doing so. Couples who elope can often question whether it’s the right decision over a traditional wedding. Stay true to your intentions, follow your heart, and keep the focus on the magical moment with your partner.
Do Pick a Special Location
Design: Paper Raven Co. (photo courtesy of Patrick Nied)
Elopements are such personal, special ceremonies, so it makes sense to choose a location with personal meaning. Some couples opt for a natural location with a stunning backdrop — like a National Park or a romantic, deserted beach. Others pick a place of significance — like an exotic destination where the proposal took place.
Your special location doesn’t have to be grand or expensive. Your local courthouse could be perfect, especially if it’s just down the street from where the two of you had your first date.
Don’t Feel Pressure
Some families find it hard to deal with the idea of an elopement. They want to be there for the special moment and witness you say their vows. This can create pressure and tension. Try your best not to succumb to it.
If your family is struggling with the idea, look for ways to help them get involved. Capture the moment on video to share with them later, or throw an elopement party for everyone to attend when you return home.
Do Write Personalized Vows
The moment you say your vows is one that you’ll remember forever, so make it count.
Elopements are the perfect backdrop for personalized, heartfelt wedding vows.
Sit down and write out your wedding vows from the heart. Take inspiration from existing wedding vows, and customize them to include moments of your life together that you treasure.
Don’t Forget the Food
You won’t have hundreds of hungry guests to feed, but the two most important guests (you and your almost-spouse!) still need to eat.
Even if you don’t have a full dinner and a wedding cake, make sure you plan a delicious meal or treat for the two of you after the unity ceremony. This can be as simple takeout in your cozy Airbnb or a meal out at a nearby restaurant. With the money you’re saving on feeding the masses, you could go lavish and book a fine dining experience or a private chef to toast your new marriage.
Do Book an Elopement Photographer
Design: Ashley Ottinger
With no guests on hand to snap candid photos, wedding photography becomes more valuable than ever. Look for a photographer with a style you love and that’s familiar with shooting elopements.
Even if you book a last-minute elopement, try your hardest to score a talented photographer to capture your wedding photos. Once the ceremony is over, ask them to snap some extra photos of you to use on your elopement announcement cards.
Don’t Anticipate Gifts
It’s tradition that guests bring a gift to your wedding, but with no guests, there’s likely to be no wedding gifts on the day. And that’s OK. You’ll probably still receive lovely gifts from close friends and family when they hear the news, as everyone loves to celebrate a marriage. Honor the moment on the day by exchanging a small gift with your newlywed partner instead.
Do Dress for the Occasion
You might not be having a wedding ceremony and reception, but there are still plenty of reasons to get married in a gorgeous wedding dress, suit, or other ensemble.
Enjoy the process of finding the perfect, timeless outfit. It doesn’t have to be overly formal — in fact, if you’re eloping in a natural location, something more casual might work better. Wear something you love — this is an unforgettable day, so choose something that makes you smile when you put it on.
Don’t Forget About the Styling
Decor and styling isn’t just for your guests to enjoy, so don’t feel like you have to forego ceremony styling for your elopement day. If possible, decorate your elopement venue so that it feels perfectly “you” with flowers, decor, and small touches that theme the space.
If you’re getting hitched in a courthouse, you can still add stylish touches like a lovely floral bouquet or boutonniere. Still, you might find that in a location with a stunning backdrop, all you need is you and your partner.
Do Plan an Announcement
Design: Stacey Meacham Design LLC
Give your loved ones a chance to celebrate your new marriage by making an announcement that you’ve eloped. It’s the perfect way to share the news about your nuptials.
Most couples send out marriage announcement cards to friends and family. You can also share the news on your social media pages, via a handwritten letter, or by surprising your loved ones with a post-elopement party.
Don’t Abandon the Idea of a Party to Celebrate
To involve your loved ones in your special moment, you can always host a wedding celebration afterward. An elopement party is like a wedding reception but with a lot less pressure. Host it at home, gather friends at a local restaurant, or head to your favorite park to chat, enjoy food together, and play games.
Do Consider an Elopement Package
While people hire wedding planners for big weddings, you can consider an elopement package to make planning your destination “I do’s” easier. These packages are aimed at helping couples who want a destination wedding. They include everything from food and decorations to accommodations and photographers and often feature unique elopement ideas.
Designed to simplify your elopement experience, you can choose packages to swap vows in a hot air balloon, at an exotic resort, or in a vineyard in the south of France. They’ll take care of everything for you and you can customize the package with add-ons like wine tasting, a commemorative first dance, and video recordings of the special day.
Elopement Ideas: 7 Locations We Love
If you’re thinking about eloping, but not sure where, here are some of our favorite elopement location ideas.
1. Courthouse
Create a romantic scene with a ceremony at your local courthouse or city hall. This is a great option if you want to keep things simple, then escape for a getaway with your newlywed partner.
2. National Park
Take a mini road trip out to your favorite National Park site and use it as the perfect backdrop to say your “I do’s” at a destination elopement with the one you love. Want a fantastic atmosphere for photos? National Park locations like Yosemite or Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are just the place. If you want something less crowded, consider a National Park that’s less touristy, like Great Basin National Park in Nevada or North Cascades National Park in Washington.
3. Secluded Beach
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Celebrate your intimate wedding on an equally private beach, with only a handful of loved ones to witness the moment. Scout out your favorite coastline for a secluded spot, then whisk your soon-to-be-spouse away for a sweet, romantic ceremony that’ll feel like a mini destination wedding.
4. Scenic Forest
Transform your elopement into a magical celebration by hosting it in a scenic forest location. Swap a traditional wedding venue for a mystical woodland or a stunning pine forest. You’ll end up with gorgeous photos you can treasure for as long as the redwoods stand tall.
5. City Adventure
Secluded location not for you? How about a city elopement somewhere grand, like New York, Dublin, Ireland, or Paris, France? Find the closest licensed venue to your favorite city street, then head outside for a wedding shoot in the city. This one’s perfect if you want to spend a few nights in a city you love while basking in that lovely little elopement bubble.
6. Local Landmark
You don’t have to head to far-flung locales to have a memorable elopement. In fact, some of the best venues are right in your city — or just outside town. A local landmark is a fun way to pay tribute to where you went during a first date, the backdrop of where you had your first kiss, or a fun place where you love to spend the weekends. Plus, it’s an affordable way to plan a small wedding with your closest friends and family.
Think about planning your elopement ceremony in a local landmark like a whimsical botanical garden, city waterfront, or a picturesque train depot. Consider what makes your city so special — whether it’s an iconic lodge, a historic hotel, a ferris wheel, or a colorful sign — and plan your special day around that venue.
7. Adventure Elopement
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Make your big day one to remember for eternity by planning an adventure elopement where you try a new activity for the first time or pay tribute to your favorite pastime. You can swap vows at the top of a mountain in Colorado during a backpacking trip or say “I do” as you hang from rock climbing ropes.
Other ideas include planning your elopement during a kayaking trip, paddleboarding outing, or heliski adventure. To make the adventure more romantic, plan a late-night activity like stargazing or soaking in natural hot springs after you exchange vows.
Wonderful Elopement Ideas to Inspire Your Ceremony
Eloping is such a fun way to get married. You get the moment all to yourself, with just your partner and the officiant there to make it official. It’s a lovely idea if you’re looking for something intimate, last-minute, or affordable.
Plan your elopement the easy way with these tips and ideas — plus get more advice on our Stationers blog — and you’ll have the ceremony you want without the planning confusion along the way. Find a location you love, scout the perfect outfit, and write vows that’ll make your person cry tears of happiness. Use these elopement ideas to create a moment that’s magical for the two of you to share.
After the big day, choose elopement announcements to share the happy news with friends and family. Upload a photo of the special ceremony and customize the design to put your own personality on it. When you’re ready, hit send to instantly deliver the great news via email and SMS.
