The 14 Best Places To Elope In The US
So, you and your partner decided to elope! Now, it’s time to choose where you want to hold your ceremony. The beauty of elopement is that you can do it almost anywhere. You don’t have to worry about whether the location can fit all your guests or if it’s hard to reach — you just need a place you and your partner will love. What that location is depends on your tastes, anything from a quiet beach to a busy city street. In the end, the best places to elope in the US are locations that speak to you!
It seems like a big decision, but I’m here to help. As a US destination wedding photographer, I’ve seen elopements happen in all kinds of places with all types of couples.
To help you decide the right spot for you, I’ve compiled a list of the best elopement locations in the US based on my experience. I’ll highlight the benefits of each one and help you figure out if it’s the place to have your big day!
New York City, NY
The Vibes: Big city, movie-esque, colorful
27 Dresses. You’ve Got Mail. The Proposal. What do they all have in common? They’re movies set in New York City, making it one of the most romantic places to elope in the US. Even better, a NYC elopement is incredibly easy. All you need is a marriage license and an officiant.
No matter what kind of ceremony you want, NYC can offer it! There are beaches and lake shores. There are rooftop getaways with sweeping views of the city skyline. Public parks, busy city streets, and historic locations are all available for your elopement.
Hawaii
The Vibes: Relaxed, beachy, comfortable
Look no further than the Hawaiian islands for a laid-back elopement in a beautiful natural location! It offers plenty of places for your ceremony, from pristine white beaches to tropical mountain tops. The relaxing island vibes and great weather year-round make your wedding a fantastic time for you and your partner.
Hawaii is the perfect location for couples eloping to avoid the stress and overwhelm of a wedding. You can come for a quiet beach ceremony or hike into the forest for a tropical getaway. Afterward, you can even have your honeymoon on the island!
The Salt Lake Flats, UT
The Vibes: Otherworldly, unique, private
For those looking for unique places to elope in the US, try the Salt Lake Flats in Utah! Their white surface gives your ceremony and photos a surreal, out-of-this-world look. Hold your ceremony during the wet season (November through May), when a thin layer of water covers the flats, for an even more unusual, mirrored look.
Even better, the Salt Lake Flats are several hours from any major city, making it the perfect location for a small, private ceremony. It’ll bring a peaceful, romantic vibe to your elopement despite the salt you’ll end up covered in. You will need a permit to get married here, but it’s easy to obtain through the Bureau of Land Management.
Las Vegas, NV
The Vibes: Nightlife, party, desert
Vegas weddings are bright, colorful, and romantic. Nothing says “whirlwind elopement” like getting married near the Vegas sign or in the drive-through chapel! You’ll have your pick of locations to hold your ceremony and take your wedding photos.
But it’s also great for those who want a rustic, desert elopement. You can travel to a nearby national park and hold your ceremony there (although you will need a permit). After the wedding, head back to Vegas for drinks to celebrate!
Mt Rainier, WA
The Vibes: Natural, adventurous, mountains
Looking for a beautiful outdoor location for your big day? A Mount Rainier National Park elopement is a fantastic choice. It’s got glassy lakes, giant forests, and stunning overlooks to say your vows at. Whether you want a frosty winter wedding or a brilliant summer lake elopement, Mount Rainier can offer it.
You will need a permit, but other than that, you can choose to get married at any time of year, any place in the park. This location is perfect for adventurous couples who are okay with hiking or unexpected weather on their big day. If words like outdoorsy, rustic, and nature resonate with you, this might be the perfect location for your elopement.
Glacier National Park, MT
The Vibes: Lakes, hiking, outdoorsy
A Glacier National Park elopement includes sweeping vistas as your backdrop, especially during the summer and fall. Depending on how far you want to hike, you can say your vows by lakes, rivers, waterfalls, forests, and fields.
If you don’t mind the trek, it’s a great place for a relaxing elopement! There are plenty of secluded locations to say your vows. Or, if you are okay with people around during your ceremony, you can choose a more iconic location, like Avalanche Lake.
Key Largo, FL
The Vibes: Beachy, relaxing, opulent
If white beaches, palm trees, colorful sunsets, and charming beach huts speak your name, head to Key Largo for your elopement. You can choose to get married on the beach or rent part of a resort for a more luxurious experience.
Your Key Largo elopement will be a relaxing experience thanks to the small island vibes. It’ll allow you and your partner to have an intimate ceremony in a scenic location without distractions. Having your wedding here will also allow you to support local businesses, from photographers to restaurants.
Ft Lauderdale, FL
The Vibes: Colorful, cityscape, beachy
A Fort Lauderdale elopement is perfect if you want beach vibes but with more of a city feel! It has gorgeous beaches, beautiful streets, and many iconic photo locations. You’ll also be able to find lots to do during your stay here, from visiting museums to sunbathing on the sand.
This location is wonderful for couples who love the bustle of big cities and the laid-backness of the beach. You can get married here in a chapel in town or have a beach or boat wedding. Even though you’re in a big city, you can still have a private, intimate ceremony.
Charleston, SC
The Vibes: Historic, Southern, gardens
The elopement locations are ample in Charleston, South Carolina. For a stylish ceremony, you can choose a historic house or garden. For a more outdoorsy wedding, there are beautiful parks and islands nearby. Either way, your wedding will be warm, relaxed, and stunning.
A Charleston SC elopement is perfect for couples looking to experience some of that Southern hospitality! The historical background will make even a simple ceremony look fancy. It’s lovely if you want the look of a big wedding without actually having one. And there’s lots to do and see while you’re here.
Outer Banks, NC
The Vibes: Beachy, historic, colorful
The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a gorgeous beach location year-round! There are many colorful houses, sweeping beaches, and sandy dunes for the ceremony and photography. There are no big cities on the Outer Banks, giving all the islands a bit of that small-town charm.
Being mostly beach, the OBX has very relaxed, laid-back vibes. You can get married on the beach or a pier and then hit a nearby restaurant with fresh fish from the ocean to celebrate. An Outer Banks elopement also offers plenty of activities for adventurous couples, such as hang-gliding or riding on the beach.
I do suggest skipping the summer months here if you want to avoid crowds. There’s still gorgeous weather in late spring and early fall, but fewer tourists.
Martha’s Vineyard, ME
The Vibes: Island, Cape Code, old-fashioned
Martha’s Vineyard is a beautiful, historic island on the coast of Maine. It’s a popular destination for weddings and elopements alike. You’ll have your choice of locations for the ceremony, such as the beach, lighthouses, docks, and historic houses.
If you want to ensure a stress-free Martha’s Vineyard elopement, avoid the summer months, as that’s the biggest tourist season. But any time of year is gorgeous here, giving your wedding and photography that East Coast cape aesthetic. Since it’s popular for weddings, there are plenty of local vendors to help with your ceremony, too.
Adirondacks, NY
The Vibes: Mountains, adventure, simple
The Adirondack Mountains are full of every kind of view imaginable, making them the perfect place for your elopement! Many great views require no hiking, but plenty do for the more outdoorsy couple.
You can find waterfalls, meadows, lakes, and mountaintops to exchange your vows in perfect peace and privacy. There are options for more unique elopement experiences, from helicopter rides to hot air balloons.
Bonus: Eloping in the Adirondacks is also quick and easy! You don’t need a permit, only you, your officiant, and your witnesses.
Finger Lakes, NY
The Vibes: Small town, natural, lakes
The Finger Lakes in upstate New York is a beautiful location for any elopement. Not only do you have the lakes, but there are small towns, farms, and meadows to hold your ceremony. Fall is especially stunning here once the leaves change!
The location you pick will change the way your wedding feels. It could be cute and homey in a small-town church. Or it could be wild and private on the shores of one of the lakes. It all depends on what you want for your Finger Lakes elopement. It’s also only a few hours from NYC, making it the perfect place for a last-minute elopement.
Your City!
The Vibes: Homey, comfortable, unique
My final elopement suggestion is the town you live or met in! While it might not be the first thing that comes to mind, there are benefits to eloping in your hometown.
First, you know the area and can pick a location you’re already familiar with — the spot of your proposal, first kiss, or another personal place. Second, it’s cheaper since you won’t have to travel far to exchange vows!
Choosing your hometown is perfect for couples who want an extra intimate touch on their elopement. Brainstorm with your partner and see what ideas you can come up with. You might be surprised by how many ideas you have!
***
I hope these locations gave you some beautiful ideas for where to elope in the United States! In the end, it’s not about location. It’s about creating memories and starting a new life with your loved one. Contact me anytime for more ideas and to start planning your destination elopement photography!
