Picture this: stunning scenery, an intimate gathering, a customized ceremony. With an elopement, you can have all of this for a fraction of the cost of a traditional wedding. Eloping is no longer taboo. It’s a chance to simplify the ceremony with the people who matter most.

Of course, you’ll need a venue. But when we say elopement “venues,” we don’t just mean your typical brick-and-mortar structures. The freedom of an elopement ceremony is that it can take place anywhere. Whether you’re looking to elope in a woodland clearing, lakeside pier, or the jagged cliffs of the Pacific Ocean – it’s all available to you.

Why Elope?

Elopement is becoming more and more popular as a modern wedding option without any of the hassle. Here are some of our favorite perks of eloping:

• Stress-free – Say goodbye to months of stressful planning. When you elope, less is more.
• Affordable – The average cost of a wedding in the US is a whopping $33,000. Depending on the state, it can even be up to $47,000.¹ If you want to tie the knot without breaking the bank, eloping is for you. Shameless plug: check us out for stress free elopement planning at affordable prices.
• Personalized – An elopement ceremony keeps your magical day all about you. If a lengthy guest list, decked-out venue, or blowout reception isn’t your vibe – we’ve got you.

One of the only plans you’ll make is choosing the perfect location for your partnership. Here are some of the best places to elope across the U.S:

12. Las Vegas, Nevada

It’s difficult to consider eloping without at least prospecting Las Vegas. The rumors are true, there’s no easier place to get your marriage license than LV, NV. Along with sharing an elopement location with some of the greats, Las Vegas offers a multitude of things to do before and after you tie the knot.

We at Simply Eloped have strayed off the strip and specialize in desert elopements, which we find to be far more beautiful. From Valley of Fire State Park to private and iconic venues like Nelson Ghost Town, we coordinate ceremonies of all types and sizes at these off the beaten road destinations.

 

11. Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville, North Carolina is incredible for many reasons. One of our favorite things about this area is that there’s a different state or National Park everywhere you look. This darling town is neighbored by Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Chimney Rock State Park, Mount Mitchell State Park and many, many more. Simply Eloped holds commercial permits in most, if not all, of the surrounding parks, making us the perfect partner for your Asheville elopement.

 

10. St. Augustine, Florida

Florida has a secret harbor that echoes Spanish settlement history. That secret is St. Augustine, Florida. This charming beach town immediately feels different than the rest of Florida. The architecture, sprawling parks, and mile-long beaches create a sophisticated air of European allure. Since this area is so unique, there are many styles of elopements to choose from here. From Washington Oaks Gardens State Park to St. John’s County Beaches, we can coordinate venues of all types for your perfect day in St Augustine.

 

9. Stanley, Idaho (Sawtooth Mountain Range, part of the Rockies)

This one may surprise you. When people think of Idaho, “potatoes” is usually the word that comes to mind. However, Idaho is so much more than just delectable root vegetables. Unknown to many, Idaho is an incredibly mountainous state. One of the most beautiful spots in the state is Stanley, home of the Sawtooth Range, a portion of the Rockies. When many arrive here, they reference the Sawtooth Range as the “Swiss Alps of Idaho” as they do look similar to the alps.

Like many mountain towns, you’ll have to fly into either Boise or Sun Valley to get here. The drive to reach this destination is worth it though – it’s a magical adventure in itself. You can’t beat eloping in Stanley, Idaho.

 

8. Big Sur, California

If you’ve never visited the Big Sur area, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Highway 1. This long stretch of highway curves along the California oceanside and boasts some of the most gorgeous views in the state. The flora/fauna is unique to the area and there are few areas in the world where redwood forest meets ocean. There’s certainly a flavor for every elopement. From deep forest ceremonies to cliffside overhangs with a stunning view of the sunset, everyone should consider Big Sur for their elopement.

Permits are required for most of the beaches in Big Sur. Luckily, we have a commercial permit for many of them. If you’ve been dreaming about a Big Sur ceremony, reach out to us to get started.

 

7. Yosemite, California

Yosemite’s dramatic scenery is hard to beat. Grand cliff-sides, jutting rocks, sprawling meadows and gorgeous waterfalls are all options for wedding venues in Yosemite. Since many elopement sites in Yosemite require a hike, it’s perfect for those with an adventurous spirit. This effort it’s well worth the epic views Yosemite has to offer.

No vendors live in Yosemite, so finding vendors who service this location in general can be a challenge. Simply Eloped has a whole team to reach out to us for availability for this awesome elopement destination.

 

6. New Orleans, Louisiana

Beignets and jazz, need we say more? From eloping at the entrance to Jackson Square to The Tree of Life at Audubon Park, New Orleans can delight and elevate your elopement ceremony. One of our favorite things about New Orleans ceremonies is how unique each setting is. This city is also all pretty close together, making it very easy to navigate.

5. New York City, New York

It can be shocking at how many people opt for this great city for their small ceremony. New York City offers something for everyone! We love our Central Park elopements all the way down to our boutique hotel ceremonies. Heck – even the tiny weddings at Top of the Rock are iconic!

A huge draw to eloping in New York City are the endless activities. You can do just about anything before and after your ceremony to celebrate. Obviously, NYC boasts some of the best restaurants and Broadway plays in the world. If sports is your jam, hitting a Yankees or Mets game can scratch that itch.

Our biggest recommendation here is to be mindful of time of year and overall budget for your trip. Hotel rates can fluctuate dramatically based on events or time of year in the city. Overall, our New York City elopements are magical year-round!

4. Hawai’i

It goes without saying that Hawaii is one of the most special places to elope in the US. Whether you want to tie the knot near an active volcano on the Big Island or a secluded beach on Maui, there’s so many varieties of stunning venues that are perfect for your ceremony. In fact, choosing an island to elope in Hawaii might be the most difficult decision.

Among the many great things about Hawaii is that there is so much to do before and after your ceremony. Activities you can pursue include scuba diving, whale watching (seasonally,) swimming with manta rays or dolphins and more. There’s also a restaurant of any kind, so you can dine in style or go for a more local flavor.

Hawaii is by far the trickiest state to get your marriage license. This is because they pursue it very differently than mainland states. Reach out to us for more information and support. If you decide to book elsewhere, be sure to ask your vendors how to go about doing this to ensure your ceremony is legal!

 

3. Lake Tahoe (Nevada / California border)

Straddling both Nevada and northern California, Lake Tahoe boasts secluded forest clearings, mountainous skylines, and clear turquoise water. Whether you’re dreaming of a ceremony under one thousand year old cedar, or on the beach near a crystal clear lake, we offer a variety of stunning and secluded spots for your Lake Tahoe elopement.

We offer elopements year round here, because there is no bad season to get married in Tahoe. We also have a variety of venues that can handle different sizes of groups.

Since Lake Tahoe straddles California and Nevada, it’s super important to know which side of the lake your venue is on so that you apply for the proper marriage license. Reach out to us for more help here; we got your back!

 

2. Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado

Just a stone’s throw from Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park is a remarkable and stunning mountainous region. Featuring over 150 lakes, 350 miles of trails, and 450 miles of rivers and streams, this place is a dream. The great outdoors of Rocky Mountain National Park is always full of surprises. From spotting wildlife to being graced with a rainbow or a stunning sunset, the exciting part about eloping here is letting mother nature shock and awe!

We love how versatile this park is. Whether you’re seeking a large meadow, or a cliffside for just you and your honey, there are elopement spots to fit any vibe. We even love our winter elopements in Rocky Mountain National Park!

Word of warning: the high demand location only issues six permits a day and they go fast, sometimes selling out the day the permit opens. Also, this park does require hefty insurance, so working with a company like Simply Eloped to handle this process can save you a lot of headache.

Browse our Colorado elopement packages to discover the majesty of Rocky Mountain National Park elopement spots like 3M Curve, Sprague Lake, Hidden Meadows and more!

1. Gatlinburg, Tennessee

If you’ve never heard of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, you may be shocked as to why it’s landing as number one for our top elopement destination in the US. It’s for good reason – we promise! Gatlinburg is surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited National Park in the nation. Gatlinburg houses not one but three entrances to this great national treasure. Spotting a black bear or elk is not uncommon in Gatlinburg and makes for quite a magical event. There are so many gorgeous spots to host your perfect elopement in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Another lovely draw to this area is that there is plenty to do before and after your elopement ceremony. The Pigeon Forge area is home to Dollywood, Gatlinburg Space Needle and more attractions or parks than you can count on two hands. There’s something for everyone in Pigeon Forge!

Applying for permits for Great Smoky Mountains National Park can be cumbersome and challenging, including ensuring you have the right insurance. Whether seeking a low-key private venue or eloping on the actual grounds of the park, we offer a variety of spots for your special elopement. Visit our Venue Finder to uncover your perfect venue.

 

Plan a Dream Elopement with Simply Eloped

Whether you want a destination elopement or a home-state ceremony, the stellar team at Simply Eloped has you covered with unique elopement packages. With over 14,000 elopement ceremonies under our belts, we have the experience and dedication to bring your vision to life.

Don’t see the exact elopement location you want, or already have a personal venue in mind? We can help—contact us today!

 

Sources:

1. 1. Forbes. Average Wedding Cost: How Much Should You Budget For Your Big Day? https://www.forbes.com/advisor/personal-loans/average-cost-of-a-wedding/