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Photo by Chris & Ruth Photography
Your wedding day should be about celebrating the love and commitment between you and your partner. For some soon-to-be newlyweds, that may translate to saying "I do" in front of many of your family and friends. And while there's nothing wrong with wanting a large celebration, you may feel more comfortable with a smaller, more intimate gathering that includes 15 people—or just the two of you. If the latter speaks more to your personal preference, consider one of these fantastic elopement destinations.
Whether you prefer to stay within the confines of the United States or travel abroad, there are many different towns and cities that could serve as the ideal backdrop to your elopement. When searching for your spot—especially with international destinations—make sure to consider selecting your big day outside of the busy season. "With elopements, the focus is on intimacy rather than a huge party," says Rochelle Cheever, a luxury elopement planner. "You want a private experience, so planning off-season is important to avoid crowds. She adds that popular tourist destinations, such as Venice, the Amalfi Coast, Florence, and Santorini have become particularly overcrowded in recent years.
Meet the Expert
Rochelle Cheever is a luxury elopement planner and the founder of a boutique design and photography studio based in San Diego, California, and Rome, Italy.
When booking an elopement destination, consider the accommodations. Unlike large weddings, which often have hotel room blocks, eloping gives you the flexibility to book a small villa or house, Cheever says. "Even though it's smaller, planning ahead is still key to secure the best venues and vendors for a bespoke experience." Ready to start exploring different elopement destinations? You’ve come to the right place. From secluded waterfalls to vibrant desert towns, these are our favorite places to elope right now.
Lake Como, Italy
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Photo by Oliver Fly
Nestled against the Swiss Alps, Lake Como offers a gorgeous backdrop (as this couple proved!) for an elopement destination spot. "The private villas available for rent add a touch of luxury," Cheever says. "It's also easy to hop over to Switzerland for a day trip, making it perfect for a chic and adventurous honeymoon." To skip the crowds (and the high prices), she recommends eloping during the offseason.
Lake Tahoe, California
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Photo by Janine Licare Photography
You don't need to book an overseas flight to find your perfect elopement destination. As this couple shows, many California spots, including Lake Tahoe, are picturesque places to say "I do." With phenomenal skiing in the winter and idyllic greenery and lakeside activities in the summer months, you can create an entire itinerary full of fun to pair with your intimate nuptials.
Capri, Italy
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Photo by Christina McNeill
"Capri in the offseason is a dream," Cheever says. "It’s romantic, secluded, and packed with history dating back over 2,000 years. Being on an island feels like a getaway within a getaway, with endless activities for couples to enjoy." Opt for a boat-ride excursion, like this couple did, for a seaside-inspired vow-exchange.
New York City
Photo by Tess & Julia
If a beachside venue doesn't appeal to you, consider turning to a bustling, vibrant city. New York has a strong cultural feel, making it a great option for a U.S. elopement, Cheever says. Consider saying "I do" at a restaurant serving a cuisine you love—or at one of the city's most picturesque spots, like the Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise. We love how this couple used the bright colors of Chinatown as the gorgeous backdrop to their wedding photos.
Malibu, California
Photo by Anya Kernes
"Malibu feels like the Amalfi Coast but without the crowds," Cheever says. "The stunning canyons and vineyards remind me of Tuscany, offering couples a perfect mix of elegance and nature. The climate is ideal year-round, and there’s a wonderful balance between beach and countryside vibes." Take a nod from this couple's winter affair; you don't have to wait for summer for the perfect elopement.
Colorado
Photo by Cara Mia
The state of Colorado recognizes self-solemnization, which means you don’t need an officiant present to legally wed within its borders. That legal loophole makes running off to the mountains to elope infinitely easier. Take inspiration from this couple—and how they embraced their rustic surroundings—to help plan your own outdoor-forward elopement.
Tulum
Photo by Chris & Ruth Photography
With cool hotels, a thriving wellness culture, and buzzy restaurants—not to mention gorgeous beaches and diving cenotes nearby—Tulum is popular for beach vacations, but that doesn’t detract from the warm-weather romance it offers for smaller wedding ceremonies. We love how this couple embraced their tropical surrounding to lend a laid-back vibe to their big day.
Tuscany, Italy
Photo by Matteo Coltro
"Tuscany's rolling hills, medieval villages, and incredible food and wine make it one of my top choices," Cheever says. "The hilltop villages and architecture are breathtaking, and the region is full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered." We love how much this couple embraced the beauty of the natural landscape by holding their nuptials at Villa Cetinale, a gorgeous countryside estate.
Ireland
Photo by Sarah Falugo
Does it get any more fairy-tale than rolling green hills, rocky cliffs, and ancient castle ruins? If that's what your romantic dreams are made of, take inspiration from this couple's big day and consider eloping to Ireland. The northern countryside offers beautiful views every way you turn, and Dunluce Castle, located on the Causeway Coast, makes for a stunning medieval backdrop.
Big Sur, California
Photo by Norman & Blake
The central coast of California is known for misty seaside cliffs and soaring redwood trees—both of which make stunning backdrops for a West Coast elopement. No matter which setting you choose, after you say your vows among a gorgeous backdrop (like this couple!), travel along Highway 1 to Carmel-by-the-Sea, where the walkable streets, Spanish-inspired architecture, and luxurious cottage-like lodging offer the perfect setting for a quiet honeymoon.
Las Vegas
Photo by JamieY Photography
Reconsider any preconceived notions you may have of Sin City. Yes, it’s incredibly easy to obtain and use a Nevada marriage license—and Elvis officiants and drive-through wedding chapels are everywhere, but the city is also full of top-notch dining options, excellent outdoor activities, and spots to explore, including The Neon Museum and Seven Magic Mountains.
Vancouver Island
Photo by KNM Photography
There are plenty of reasons why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle holed up on this secluded island in British Columbia when they first moved to North America, and its rugged natural beauty is high on the list. You and your partner can exchange vows amongst ancient Douglas firs and cedars in Avatar Grove, then spend the night in a private cabin. The rest of your visit should be devoted to adventures in the great outdoors (think: hiking, river-pack rafting, hot springs, and even surfing) and a few nights overlooking the Pacific Ocean in a luxury lodge in Tofino.
Bora Bora
Photo by Sarah Falugo
Deep in the South Pacific, halfway between Australia and South America, lies French Polynesia. Honeymooners have long flocked to this remote island chain for beautiful beaches and bungalows situated directly above the clear blue waters. However, it's also an excellent elopement destination for couples in search of the ultimate tropical island vibe.
Palm Springs, California
Photo by Amanda Canton Photography
If you love mid-century design, good hotels, and hot weather, there’s really not a better elopement spot than Palm Springs. This SoCal desert town is perfect for fun-loving couples who aren’t afraid to add a little color to their elopement décor—and maybe even jump into a pool post-ceremony.
Joshua Tree, California
Photo by For Love and Light Photography
Located two hours inland from Los Angeles in Southern California, Joshua Tree National Park includes almost 800,000 acres of Mojave Desert provides a stunning backdrop—paired with a calming vibe—for any elopement. Unlike warmer California destinations, you'll be able to enjoy the slightly-cooler desert temperatures.
The Poconos
Photo by Carolyn Jorgensen
For residents of Philadelphia and New York City, Promise Ridge is a secret elopement spot near Stroudsburg in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania that gets you out into the middle of the woods without making you travel too far from home. There, celebrant Alisa Tongg conducts heartfelt elopements and micro weddings in front of a foliage-filled wall.
Chugach Mountains
Photo by The Hearnes
Dreaming of a adventurous—yet luxurious—elopement? Consider booking the trip you've always imagined and pairing it with your big day. Reserve a helicopter up to the Chugach Mountains and land on a glacier to exchange your vows. Note that glaciers frequently change and shift (depending on the month), so landing on the right season for your nuptials is essential.
New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
Photo by Megan Tabelon Photography
Adventure enthusiasts have long loved West Virginia’s New River Gorge for white-water rafting and rock climbing, but now East Coast elopers are also flocking to the area to exchange vows against the backdrop of the New River Gorge Bridge, which is the third-highest bridge in the country. (Book a bridge walk for before or after the ceremony and cross all 3,030 feet via catwalk.) While Fayetteville is the closest nearby town, the General Lewis Inn in Lewisburg is an especially charming spot to spend your wedding night.
Iceland
Photo by Kati Rosado Photography
A five-and-a-half-hour flight from New York, this remote Nordic island offers a rich variety of other-worldly topography: black sand beaches, beautiful waterfalls, rolling green hills, glaciers, hot springs, and even gurgling lava. The remoteness of most of these natural destinations only serves to amplify the spiritual aspect of your union, but don’t fret about planning—it’s not hard to find an elopement service to help you coordinate the trip. Afterward, relax with a room at the new Retreat at the Blue Lagoon, which grants you private access to Iceland’s most famous tourist destination.
The Dolomites
Photo by Artur Saribekyan
What makes a good honeymoon spot often also makes a good elopement destination, and Italy is no exception. While couples have long flocked to Lake Como and Tuscany, the mountainous northern region known as the Dolomites is gaining popularity—particularly because of the beauty of Lago di Braies, which affords elopers views of both snow-capped peaks and beautiful lake water in one spot.
Mexico City
Photo by The Times We Have Photography
Mexico City offers something for every kind of traveler, and, at just over a two-hour flight from Houston, is an easy destination for Southwestern couples in search of an international spot for their elopement. Say "I do" in Xochimilco, where colorful trajineras cruise up and down the canals. They offer a glimpse of the vibrancy and artistic leanings of Mexico City, which is also home to famous restaurants, stunning hotels, and cool neighborhoods like Condesa and Roma Norte. It’s also close to several national parks and breathtaking Mesoamerican ruins.
Provincetown, Cape Cod
Photo by Mikhail Glabets
In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage, but Provincetown was an LGBTQ+ destination long before that. Here, on the northern tip of Cape Cod, couples can elope beachside or on a schooner, before wandering the secret gardens and quaint streets and capping the evening off with lobster rolls or a clambake for two.
Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah
Photo by Elizabeth Wells Photography
Situated deep in the desert outside of Moab, Utah, Dead Horse Point State Park is known for its rock formations, deep canyons, and unique desert woodland. As this couple demonstrates with their fashion-forward elopement, it’s an unforgettable locale for exchanging vows. Post-wedding, adventurers can cap off the trip with mountain biking, river rafting, rock climbing, and more.
Highlands, North Carolina
Photo by Gipe Photography
Highlands, North Carolina is a mountain vacation destination beloved by many Southerners for its luxurious inns and beautiful natural scenery. Secret Waters is a privately-owned property just 20 minutes outside of town, where moss-covered stone steps lead to a secluded waterfall. After you say your vows against that beautiful backdrop, head to Highlander Mountain House for the cozy Cotswold-inspired interiors and seasonal cuisine at The Ruffed Grouse, the onsite tavern.
