Finding where to elope and choosing your elopement location is one of the best parts about making the brave decision to do this in the first place. Undoubtedly, it's the key element to making you wedding day about the both of you and what you envision your day to be. There are no limits to where you can go. Even though it may sound overwhelming, you'll quickly find that it's way more exciting.
PICTURE THIS:
Exchanging your vows with the love of you life at the base of a waterfall in Iceland, in the mountains of Norway after climbing to an epic peak, or an ancient ruin in Greece.
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE AND WE ARE THERE FOR IT.
Do you want to return to a spot that is already meaningful to the both of you? Or do you want to find somewhere new epic spot to explore together? Do you want to find a quiet spot with no one else around?
We are here to guide you through every step of where to elope and how to choose the perfect elopement location. Here, we have laid out a few factors to consider before settling on your location for your elopement. We hope these suggestions narrow down your search and inspire you to pick the best place for you and your partner.
#1 consideration : LANDSCAPE
What scenery do you want to be surrounded by? Sit down together and have a brainstorm session. Make a list of the spots that excite you just thinking about them. Don't worry about having too many options either. Write down the most out of the box ideas and we might be able to make it happen for you. We are lucky enough to live on this beautiful planet, overflowing with locations for you to explore. You don't have to choose just one spot either! There are many places that are known for having more than one kind of terrain. Don't stop yourself from imagining your dream day.
#2 consideration : SEASONS AND WEATHER
We all know you can't control the weather but for the most part you can choose a spot and know what the season may offer. In every country the seasons look very different so make sure you hone in on what you'd like your experience to be. If you're look for misty mountains with all the moody light, maybe Scotland in October is the right place for you. Or if you want a tropical vibe but want to avoid the crowds, maybe Hawaii in April is the way to go. Plan the best you can, but the best thing about eloping is flexibility. If you need to change your date due to weather, that can happen too.
#3 consideration : ACCESSIBILITY
This is a good consideration to eliminate potential locations. Do you have to drive to your location? Train? Boat? Plane? Make sure you think about what mode of transportation you'll have to book in order to get to your spot. How far to do you want to travel? What kind of adventure do you want to take? Of course, we are always up for any location but ultimately you should find your own limits.
#4 consideration : SECLUSION
Likely one of the big reasons couples make the decision to elope is to be secluded from other people. It's not impossible to find a spot that's completely away from other people, but it may require you to be a bit more adventurous. It's getting a lot harder these days to find truly remote areas because of social media. But in our experience, if other people happen upon your ceremony, they are so respectful and give our couples the space to have their time together. This day is all about what you would feel the most comfortable with.
#5 consideration : LEGALITIES AND PERMITS
Even though this isn't the most exciting thing to think about, the number one thing to consider when choosing a spot is to find out if it's legal and ethical to have a wedding ceremony in that spot. There are places where there are rules against having any type of ceremony or places where it wouldn't be appropriate. The majority of land whether public or private requires a permit to have a wedding ceremony. You also may have to get a permit for photography. It's safe to assume you need permission at any spot you may want to have your ceremony. The Leave No Trace principles are something that we are really serious about. You'll want to make sure that you can leave a location looking exactly the same as you found it.
A few resources that could help you find the right location for you:
- All Trails (our favorite trail guide)
- Social Media (Instagram, Pinterest)
- Lonely Planet Travel Guides
- Google Earth Pro, Google Maps
This process is so exciting! Throughout choosing where to elope, remember why you're doing this and always bring it back to that. Sometimes finding an elopement location can hit some roadblocks, but it's all worth it to make your elopement the most memorable experience. Finding the perfect location is about what makes you happy. Don't let anything get in your way.
