Best Places to Elope in the World
First, Let’s Talk About Elopements
It’s common to think of an elopement as a quick, secret trip to the courthouse to get married with no real planning or big celebration, but the meaning of eloping has shifted quite a bit in recent years. Eloping is less about getting married quickly and cheaply and more about choosing to celebrate your marriage with an intimate experience that feels really meaningful to you. Instead of a big, traditional wedding, plan a day that you’ll truly enjoy and actually spend time together, sharing special moments and creating memories!
One of the best parts about choosing to elope is that you can do it pretty much anywhere! You aren’t confined to a wedding venue and you don’t have to worry about guest logistics so you can truly make a decision based off of what the two of you really want. I’m a big believer that there’s no right or wrong way to elope, so if you want to share private vows in your backyard or somewhere close to home, do that! However, I’m also a huge advocate for dreaming BIG and I love to encourage couples to use this opportunity to create the experience of a lifetime! Eloping in a dream destination is a way to start your marriage off with an exciting adventure and comes with the added bonus of a super easy transition into your honeymoon.
If you like the sound of this, but need a little inspiration, check out the list below to learn about some of the best places to elope in the world.
Dolomites, Italy
The Dolomites are a mountain range in the northeastern corner of Italy characterized by jagged peaks, sharp rocky spires, and steep ridges. Nestled in between the mountains are scenic valleys that feature some of the most stunning alpine lakes and meadows in the world. If mountains are the type of scenery that you’re most drawn to, this is one of the most epic and breathtaking places you can choose for your elopement!
Dolomites elopement idea:
Day 1: Watch the sunrise at one of the many turquoise lakes in the region, head into the closest mountain town to grab coffee and breakfast, and then spend the rest of the day exploring together.
Day 2: Have a slow morning at your airbnb before getting ready, pack up a picnic, and hike to a viewpoint in the mountains for your vow ceremony and sunset portraits.
Learn more: Dolomites Elopement Guide
Iceland
Iceland is an island country in Europe, known for its incredible scenery and unspoiled nature - and when they say unspoiled, they mean it. Only 20% of the island is inhabited and the remaining 80% features landscapes that range from glaciers and waterfalls to hot springs, volcanoes, and lava fields. The extreme contrast in these landscapes is why the country is commonly referred to as “The Land of Fire and Ice”. It’s definitely a place where you have to come prepared for cold and rainy weather (even in the summer), but if you’re ready to truly embrace the adventure and immerse yourself in everything it has to offer, eloping in Iceland would be the experience of a lifetime!
Iceland elopement idea:
Day 1: Spend the morning hiking on a glacier (with an experienced guide) then grab lunch at a local restaurant before heading to your airbnb to relax.
Day 2: Wake up early to catch the sunrise at one the many waterfalls on the island then freshen up at your airbnb and get ready for your ceremony at a black sand beach.
Learn more: How to elope in Iceland | Iceland elopement photography pricing
See photos: Iceland Black Sand Beach and Waterfall Elopement | One Week in Iceland
Greece
Greece is a country with deep history and incredible scenery, having landscapes that range from dense forests, rivers, and mountains to crystal blue waters, pristine beaches, and epic cliffs. Of all the places to visit here, one the most well-known is probably the Greek Island, Santorini, which also happens to be one of the best elopement destinations in the world. It’s the perfect place to elope if you want a mixture of relaxation, luxury, excitement, and adventure!
Greece elopement idea:
Day 1: Watch the sunrise from the iconic white and blues domes of Santorini and spend the morning exploring the picturesque town before the crowds arrive.
Day 2: Order a private breakfast to your cliffside airbnb and soak in the infinity pool until it’s time to get ready for your ceremony. Share your vows overlooking the coast and then head out for a hike to catch the sunset from a cliff overlooking the ocean.
Day 3: Hop over to a nearby island to hang out at a scenic beach - have a picnic, cliff jump, and go for a swim.
New Zealand
New Zealand is another island country (consisting of many islands, the two main ones being the North Island and the South Island) known for its breathtaking scenery and diverse landscapes. Depending on where you live, traveling here might be a pretty long flight, but the trip is totally worth it! The North Island features a more tropical climate and landscapes that include volcanoes, geothermal areas, and beaches. The South Island is generally considered a more adventurous destination with more dramatic landscapes, including mountains, lakes, and glaciers. No matter what scenery you’re drawn to, there’s a place in New Zealand perfect for you! Eloping here would be an inspiring and unforgettable experience.
New Zealand elopement idea:
Day 1: Pack a picnic, drive up to a beautiful lake up in the mountains, and spend the evening hiking and enjoying the scenery.
Day 2: After getting ready at your airbnb or hotel, take a private helicopter to the top of one of New Zealand’s most iconic mountain peaks to share your vows and take photos at sunset.
Positano, Italy
If Italy is a dream destination for you but you prefer the coast over the mountains, then Positano is a perfect fit! Eloping in this iconic cliffside village means having the beautiful Amalfi Coast as your backdrop and the ability to create a truly unique experience for you and your partner.
Positano elopement idea:
Day 1: Head down to the beach to catch the sunrise and have an early morning swim before the crowds arrive.
Day 2: Spend the morning exploring the cute streets of town, stop at a local restaurant for breakfast, and then head to your airbnb to get ready for your ceremony. Say your vows at sunset on a balcony overlooking the coastline and wrap up your evening with a private dinner for two.
Day 3: Book a private boat tour to explore the coastline by water!
Isle of Skye, Scotland
Scotland’s Isle of Skye is known for its rugged landscapes, picturesque fishing villages, and medieval castles. There are so many beautiful spots to choose from for your elopement, no matter what type of adventure you’re looking for. When you’ve wrapped up your time on the Isle, head back to Edinburgh to explore the city and all the incredible food it has to offer.
Isle of Skye elopement idea:
Day 1: Get up early to catch the sunrise at The Old Man of Storr to beat the crowds and see the iconic peaks in the beautiful morning light. Have the rest of the day to try out some local restaurants and rest up before your wedding tomorrow.
Day 2: Walk to a local bakery for breakfast and stroll around the little village along the water before heading back to your airbnb to get ready. After a short scenic hike, say your vows on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean and hang out until the sun sets.
See photos: Old Man of Storr Couple Session | Isle of Skye Anniversary Session
Switzerland
Another beautiful mountainous country that would make an epic elopement destination! Besides the incredible scenery, one of my favorite things about Switzerland is how easy it is to get around here - the public transportation is reliable and efficient, which takes a little bit of the stress away from traveling internationally. If you like the idea of an elopement experience including world famous Swiss chocolates and cheeses, scenic train rides, beautiful cities, and awe inspiring scenery, add Switzerland to the top of your list!
Switzerland elopement idea:
Day 1: Take a cable car up a mountain and hike a scenic trail overlooking a turquoise lake surrounded by the Swiss Alps. Grab some food at one of the mountain restaurants before heading back to your airbnb for the evening.
Day 2: Enjoy a slow morning at your airbnb with coffee and breakfast, then spend the day exploring the Swiss village. Following the trails through the valley will take you through beautiful alpine meadows with views of high rocky cliffs and waterfalls.
Norway
Norway is a modern, safe, overall happy country and is the perfect place for you if you’re drawn to scenery that consists of stunning fjords, impressive coastlines, and cozy fishing villages. In the summer, you have the chance to experience the midnight sun, a phenomenon in which the sun is still above the horizon at midnight, meaning you’ll have longer days to spend exploring outdoors. In the winter, you have the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights, a true bucket list experience! No matter what season you elope here, it’s guaranteed to be absolutely incredible.
Norway elopement idea:
Day 1: Take a guided kayak tour of a fjord to explore the landscape in an immersive way and learn about the history of the surrounding area.
Day 2: Head to a local bakery in the fjord village, grab breakfast, and wander around to see the fjord views from the harbor. After getting ready at your cabin on the water, drive up the mountain to a viewpoint overlooking the epic landscape and share vows at sunset.
Hawaii
Hawaii is a classic vacation destination, with great weather year round, tons of beautiful beaches, and amazing local food. All of these also make it a great place to elope! If a laid-back island vibe is what you’re after Hawaii is a perfect fit. Each of the Hawaiian islands are unique in their own way, but my personal favorite is Kauai. Also called, “the Garden Isle”, it’s known for its dramatic, untouched natural beauty and offers a wide variety of things to do, including boating, surfing, river tubing, hiking, jeeping, and more.
Hawaii elopement idea:
Day 1: Book a boat tour to see the Nepali Coast and enjoy a day of swimming and snorkeling.
Day 2: Grab an açaí bowl or your breakfast of choice from a local restaurant or food truck before getting dressed up in your wedding outfits. Hike through the jungle to reach your beach ceremony spot and watch the sunset.
Day 3: Rent a jeep and adventure to Waimea Canyon and hike to a waterfall.
Learn more: Kauai elopement photography
See Photos: Kauai Adventure Elopement | Kauai Beach engagement session | Kauai Jeep adventure session | Waimea Canyon wedding photos
California
I can’t write about the best places to elope without including my home: California! This state features a diverse range of landscapes that include redwood forests, coastal cliffs, colorful deserts, sandy beaches, mountain peaks, lakes, and more. If you’re looking for epic scenery, but want to stay within the US, this is the perfect option for you! Naturally, since I live in California, this is my most photographed destination - check out the links below for more info and photo inspiration!
Learn more: Best places to elope in California
See photos: Big Sur Elopement | Joshua Tree Elopement | Yosemite Elopement | Death Valley Elopement
Anywhere in the World
One of the most fun things about eloping is the freedom you have with choosing every detail about your day - arguably the biggest detail being your location. You literally have a whole world of options! The list above is obviously not exhaustive, it’s just meant to inspire you to dream big and give you fun ideas to really make your elopement an experience that you’ll remember forever!
Here are a few more ideas just for fun:
Costa Rica
Patagonia
Vietnam
Thailand
Faroe Islands
Moab, Utah
Ireland
FAQ
Why do your elopement ideas include multiple days?
If you’re traveling to elope in a destination then I believe your whole trip is part of your elopement experience! Having multiple days documented allows you to have photos that tell more of a full story. Your location, what you did, what you wore, how you felt - these are all things that will have memories tied to your elopement and photos are how you can look back on them!
What makes a destination a good elopement location?
Any location that is meaningful and feels right to you is a good location, but as an elopement photographer I think the two things that make a location a good destination for an elopement is beautiful natural scenery and activity options that will allow you to have the experience you want. This can be luxury, adventure, relaxation, whatever! I look at destination elopements as a whole trip and not just one day.
Can we book you to photograph our destination elopement??
Absolutely! Traveling is one of my biggest passions and it’s a huge honor to share experiences like this with couples who are eloping! I love helping out throughout the planning process to brainstorm fun ideas with you, figure out all the logistics, and of course be there to capture everything once the time comes. If you wanna have me join you on this adventure and document things along the way, reach out though my contact form so we can set up a time to chat.
