The Best Places to Elope
Elopements are on the rise, and it’s not hard to see why: allowing your special day to be an intimate wedding with the focus on you and your partner rather than all of the details a traditional wedding day involves is reason enough to reconsider your big day. Choosing to elope also means planning a day in a location that’s significant to you, whether that’s somewhere local or halfway around the world. If you’ve decided that eloping is right for you, the next question to ask yourself is, “What are the best elopement locations?” Between beautiful coastal shores, towering mountains, and sprawling cities, finding the best place to elope really depends on what it is you’re looking for. Fret not – we’ve rounded up our top picks for the best places to elope in the U.S.!
Whether you’re planning a destination wedding on a beachfront paradise and don’t know where to start, or you’re not sure what questions to ask your elopement photographer, take the time to make the best decision for you and your partner. Your wedding day is all about you and your partner and that means you get to celebrate however you want to.
We’ve helped thousands of couples tie the knot in beautiful elopement locations all over the nation, from the beaches of Hawaii to the mountains of North Carolina to the skyscrapers of New York City. And now, we can’t wait to show you some of the most beautiful places to elope for your big day:
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Colorado is one of the most spectacular mountainous regions in the nation and makes for an incredible elopement location. About 70 miles from Denver sits Rocky Mountain National Park — a stunning wilderness area boasting 150 lakes, 350 miles of trails, and 450 miles of rivers and streams. Couples seeking an adventure elopement in the beauty of the Western wilderness have endless options here with the most pristine views you could ever dream of: dazzling alpine lakes, sweeping mountains, and pine forests that offer up a lengthy list for quintessential Colorado elopement packages. We particularly love Silver Dollar Lake, Colorado Springs, Lake Isabelle, Sapphire Point, and 3M Curve.
Moab, Utah
The small city of Moab is the gateway to the otherworldly red rock formations and massive mesas of the southern desert. Two national parks are just beyond Moab — Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. A beautiful hike will lead to massive arches and formations, which create an unbelievable background of mountain views for a ceremony and the ultimate space for a Utah elopement. It’s a truly remarkable elopement location, as the red rocks and desert landscape make for dazzling wedding photos.
City Park, New Orleans
If you’re seeking a place to elope that’s both charming and brimming with history, City Park in New Orleans is the perfect location. With a 1,300-acre oasis full of centuries-old oak trees, a fragrant rose garden, lakes, a stunning greenhouse, and historic sculptures, you won’t run out of picturesque backdrops. The park’s Langles Bridge also makes for an amazing backdrop to exchange vows. Follow up your ceremony with a photo session and a stroll through the greenhouse. Nature lovers and green thumbs seeking a green wedding will feel right at home in this romantic location.
Tybee Island
If you’re looking to elope in Savannah, you may want to consider Tybee Island, a romantic nautical setting located just 20 minutes from downtown Savannah. The island has clean white sand beaches, and the historic Tybee Lighthouse – what was once the tallest structure in America – looks out over the shore. Tybee Island offers the seclusion of the seashore and small-town charm, all in one beautiful location. Plus, the sunsets here are reason enough to have a beautiful beach ceremony.
City Hall, San Francisco
San Francisco’s City Hall is an absolutely gorgeous building with ornate architecture and glamorous style, and is an iconic spot to hold your San Francisco elopement. It’s a venue that offers the perfect balance of ease and elegance, and it’s home to so many beautiful spaces to hold a ceremony, like the building’s beautiful entrance, the Hall’s massive marble and sandstone Grand Staircase, and the sunny and spacious Rotunda on the second floor. Take a trip to the Golden Gate Bridge or Golden Gate Park for classically stunning wedding photos.
Bogus Basin, Idaho
You may not know about this hidden gem, but believe us when we say that having your Idaho elopement here will look straight out of a fairytale. In the spring, the Arrowleaf Balsamroot wildflowers set Boise’s wild rolling foothills ablaze with bright pops of yellow and green. With more than 190 miles of trails, you can hike, walk, mountain bike or drive your way to your ceremony location and say, “I do” just as the high-desert sun is setting, with panoramic views that you won’t forget anytime soon. And, as it’s just a half hour outside of Boise, you can get the best of both worlds and explore this artsy, urban mountain town.
Balboa Park, San Diego
Located in the heart of San Diego, California, this 1,200-acre park is full of culture and character, with activities that really pack a punch. Within Balboa Park, there are 16 museums, 10 performing arts spaces, 19 gardens, multiple walking trails and the San Diego Zoo – talk about a list of potential spots for your California elopement. There are several places within the park that are perfect for an elopement and don’t require a permit. You can’t go wrong with Balboa Park’s beautiful landscape and San Diego’s sunny weather. Discover more places to elope in San Diego to plan your dream Southern California micro wedding.
Central Park, New York City
Eloping in bustling New York City is as exciting as it is beautiful, and Central Park is an iconic place to tie the knot in the United States. With over 800 acres of land, Central Park has no shortage of locations for the quintessential New York City elopement. Both Treehouse for Dreaming and Wagner Cove offer dreamy, private gazebos that will make you feel miles away from any the city; Bethesda Terrace is the perfect place if you’re looking for a crowd of onlookers to cheer and applaud, as is historic Bow Bridge. Whether you want to feel miles away from civilization or smack in the middle of city passersby, Central Park provides some of the best elopement packages NYC has to offer.
Maui, Hawaii
Paradise becomes reality for anyone who chooses Maui as their elopement location. The second largest of the Hawaiian islands, it’s home to valleys, volcanos, lush tropical forests, and mesmerizing beaches – all just waiting to be explored for your big day. Maui truly is one of the best places to elope. We’re particularly fond of Makena Cove, a small secret “cave” that is an iconic backdrop for a Hawaiian elopement. Located right at the tip of Wailea, you’ll have unbeatable views and some of the most magical sunsets you’ve ever dreamed of.
Lake Tahoe, California
Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places to elope, and it’s not hard to see why: a beautiful alpine lake, lush green forest as far as the eye can see and mountaintops that offer unbeatable views are just a handful of reasons why so many come here to elope. If you’re looking to have an adventure as the start of your marriage, planning a Lake Tahoe elopement won’t disappoint! Whether you’re looking for a hidden nook in between towering trees or hiking to find the perfect view for your vows on a mountaintop, Lake Tahoe has it all.
Las Vegas, Nevada
A Las Vegas elopement doesn’t necessarily mean getting hitched on the Vegas Strip by Elvis. By venturing just outside of Sin City, you’ll find yourself dazzled by the boundless desert nature that this state has to offer: mountains views, Aztec red rock formations, and natural springs are all on the menu here. We love Valley of Fire, which is home to 40,000 acres filled with incredible red sandstone mountains and limestone rock formations, making it an otherworldly spot to tie the knot.
Big Sur, California
California’s central coast offers stunning cliffside views and limited cell reception, perfect for an elopement that feels like it’s just you and the love of your life. Big Sur has a variety of beautiful elopement locations to choose from. The redwood forest features jaw-dropping groves that have been growing for centuries, or elope at Carmel River State Beach and watch all your wedding worries float away with the waves.
Interested in eloping in one of these magical spots? Drop us a line!
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