Where to Elope
Not Sure Where to Elope? Start Here
The answer to where to elope is a loaded one. In reality, there is an endless list of best places to elope and it really depends on what you are looking for to know what would be your best location. However, the process of narrowing down a location is one of my favorite parts of working with couples for their elopement day. This is where the magic begins!
After a decade of photographing elopement days in national parks across the U.S. and several different countries, the following locations are places I have strong experience in, personally love, and highly recommend for elopement days. This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means, but they are locations that consistently create unforgettable elopement experiences.
“Planning a destination wedding in a place so far away was very daunting but Nicole definitely took a lot of the stress away by helping with recommendations and just being such a calm and fun person. She is the best! She is so good at capturing such natural, candid photos and is great at coaching if you’re ever unsure what to do with yourself. We highly recommend her, she is a true gem.”
Amanda & Zane, Alaska
How to Choose Where to Elope
Choosing where to elope is one of the most exciting parts of planning your elopement day, as your location dictates so much of the experience you’ll have. From scenery to activities to weather and overall vibe, your location is a key player in your elopement and will really make your experience what it is!
Here are some things to consider as you think about the type of adventure you’re envisioning.
Type of landscape (coastal, mountains, forests, desert etc)
Seasons & best time of year
Private vs Accessible
Level of accessibility (easy strolls, hiking, climbing)
Nearby accommodations, restaurants + amenities
Size of the park & closeness of things
Accommodation for group size
Elopement Locations to Consider
Why Acadia National Park is a Best Place to Elope:
Acadia National Park is where to elope if you’re looking for a lot of scenic diversity in a relatively small area. Within 40 minutes from one end of Mount Desert Island to the other, you have mountains, forests, coastline, lakes, and the sweet little town of Bar Harbor. It’s best for elopements because you have everything you need and won’t spend too much time in the car! Include a sunset sail around Mt. Desert Island, a picnic along the rocky coastline, or experience the first sunrise in the US on Cadillac Mountain.
Why Glacier National Park is a Best Place to Elope:
Glacier is the best place to elope for couples who love dramatic mountains, alpine lakes, and wide open wilderness. Within a drive along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, you can experience massive peaks, turquoise lakes, waterfalls, and old growth cedar forests. While it is a massive park, it offers so much to explore between different areas like West Glacier, East Glacier and Many Glacier. Plan a sunrise ceremony at St. Mary Lake, hike to Avalanche Lake for vows, or celebrate with a picnic surrounded by wildflowers and jagged peaks.
Check out my full guide for Eloping in Glacier National Park
Why Grand Teton National Park is a Best Place to Elope:
Grand Teton is the best place to elope for couples who dream of dramatic mountain backdrops and vast, infinite valleys. You can find sharp mountains, stunning lakes, and fields of sage brush. Or, head to Jackson Hole for some western flair! It’s ideal for elopements because you can combine epic scenery and adventure, without spending hours on the road. Exchange vows at sunrise along Jenny Lake, look for moose at Blacktail Ponds or celebrate with a picnic in a wildflower meadow with the Tetons towering above you.
Check out my full guide for Eloping in Grand Teton National Park
Why Mt. Baker & North Cascades National Park is a Best Place to Elope:
Mt. Baker and the North Cascades is the best place to elope for couples who crave rugged mountains, glacial lakes, and true wilderness. With stunning rivers, waterfalls, and some of the most impressive mountains in this country, it brings stunning views and privacy to elopement days. Say your vows in a fern filled forest, share a picnic with Mt. Baker in the background, or spend sunset at Artist Point taking in the “American Alps”.
Check out my full guide for Eloping at Mt. Baker & the North Cascades National Park
Why Olympic National Park is a Best Place to Elope:
Olympic is the best place to elope for couples who love dramatic coastlines, mossy forests, and mountain vistas all in one park. Within a few hours’ drive, you can explore rugged ocean beaches, lush rainforest trails, and alpine peaks in the Olympic Mountains. In my opinion, it’s the most scenically diverse park in the United States! Exchange vows at Hurricane Ridge, hike through the Hoh Rainforest for magical forest portraits, or explore the tide pools at Ruby Beach.
Check out my full guide for Eloping in Olympic National Park
Why Shenandoah National Park is a Best Place to Elope:
Shenandoah is the best place to elope if you love rolling mountains, quiet forests, and scenic overlooks. Within a drive along Skyline Drive, you can find sweeping vistas, babbling creeks, and peaceful trails. It’s especially great for east coast couples who aren’t looking to travel far, and want a dog friendly park! Exchange vows at a mountaintop overlook at sunrise, stroll through a forested trail for portraits, or go wine tasting at one of the surrounding famous Virginia wineries!
Check out my full guide for Eloping in Shenandoah National Park
Why Zion National Park is a Best Place to Elope:
Zion is the best place to elope for couples who dream of striking red rock canyons, epic cliffs, and desert landscapes. You can explore narrow slot canyons, dramatic canyon overlooks, and peaceful river valleys. Watch the sunrise at Canyon Overlook trail, have a picnic against the red rocks, or let me take you to my favorite secret slot canyon!
Why Iceland is a Best Place to Elope:
Iceland is where to elope if you want your elopement to feel like a true adventure. In a single day, you can explore waterfalls, black sand beaches, mossy lava fields, glaciers, dramatic coastal cliffs, and landscapes that you won’t experience anywhere else. The landscapes are constantly changing, giving you endless opportunities for stunning scenery and something entirely unique. Exchange vows beside a thundering waterfall, walk along a black sand beach at sunset, or celebrate your day exploring winding roads and hidden viewpoints across this wild and magical island.
Still Not Sure Where to Elope?
These resources might help!
Planning your Elopement
Planning an elopement in a national park, abroad, or simply just in the outdoors, can be overwhelming at first! There are several factors to consider and ideas to think through, however - that’s what I’m the expert in. When creating your elopement experience, here are a few things that are included in every package I offer, to help take the weight off your shoulders when it comes to creating your adventure!
Some of What’s Included:
Half day, full day or multi-day photography coverage of your elopement experience
Detailed location recommendations and in person pre elopement scouting
Timeline creation for a stress-free & well thought out guideline to your elopement day
Logistics guidance with things like vendor recommendations, activity ideation, and where to stay
Special use permit + marriage license assistance (and ability to officiate!)
High-resolution images delivered in a shareable online gallery
Heirloom quality albums + archival prints
Even if you don’t know where to elope or the best location for you yet, I’d love to hear from you. We can hop on a free consultation call and work through some ideas, dreams and be on our way to creating an aligned, meaningful, elopement experience in the outdoors!
“From the very first email, through thoughtful Zoom calls, to receiving our final gallery, the entire experience was seamless and enjoyable. Nicole is so much more than a photographer — she can also step in as a wedding planner if you want the support, and she genuinely makes you feel like you are her number one priority throughout the entire process.”
Amber + Ryan, Acadia National Park
More Elopement Destinations
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Alaska
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Hawaii
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Yosemite
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Switzerland
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Norway
FAQ for Elopement Locations
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The best place for your elopement is going to be one that reflects your personalities, values, and the kind of experience you want to have together. Start by thinking about the type of scenery that excited you most. Is it mountains, oceans, forests, deserts, alpine lakes, glaciers? Then, consider the time of year you might want to elope, how adventurous you want your day to be, and the level of privacy and accessibility you’d like. The right location will be the one that feels meaningful to you, and allows you to celebrate your day in a way that feels intention and unforgettable.
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It depends! Each national park is different. Some require permits for any type of ceremony or vow reading, while others only require them in certain locations or guest counts. If you do need a permit, it’s something I recommend waiting to apply for until we have your locations + timeline for the day planned, as that will effect the timing + location of your ceremony and therefore, your permit application details.
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Choosing the right photographer for your elopement is of course about loving their images, but truly even more so is finding someone who can guide you through the entire experience. A photographer that has real experience in national parks will have experience in things like weather pivots, navigating crowds, and handling lighting in different landscapes - which are all things that can make or break your elopement. They’ll be involved in helping you plan your day through suggesting locations, activities and how to make the day your own. Most importantly, finding someone who you feel comfortable with and able to be yourself around, will go a long way in making your elopement be the best that it can be!
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Yes, privacy is absolutely possible with a national park elopement, especially with a little planning. Many parks have quieter areas and hidden corners that offer incredible views without the crowds. Other factors like time of day, time of the week and time of year can make a huge difference. Having experience in the parks, I can help you find locations that feel peaceful and intimate, so that you’re not saying your vows in front of a million strangers on your elopement day!
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Yes, you can absolutely have guests at your national park elopement! Many parks allow small gatherings for ceremonies, though the exact number of guests and approved locations does vary from park to park and their individual permit requirements. Some couples choose to have a ceremony with loved ones, some choose to do private vows, and some choose to do both! It’s entirely dependent on the experience you want to have.
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Weather is always a part of the adventure when you elope in the outdoors, which is a big reason that having an experienced elopement photographer who knows how to plan for it and pivot with it, is crucial in having a positive elopement experience. This can look like switching up your timeline, locations, and/or embracing different conditions and the beauty they can bring. Fog can add a layer of mystical dreaminess to your elopement, rain makes colors richer and lighting more even, wind adds drama and romance, while snow reflects beautiful light and makes colors pop! Having a photographer that can adapt and use the conditions to create even better images will make your day magical, no matter what the weather decides to do!
Book Your Elopement Photographer
After photographing elopements in national parks, abroad, and in incredible destinations around the world for the past decade, I’m here as a resource to help you plan a meaningful, adventure-filled wedding day that has you surrounded by nature. Even if you haven’t decided on a single thing for your elopement (where to elope included!), I’d love to hear your vision and help navigate you to having an aligned elopement experience.