The day you get married is completely yours – and a big part of that experience includes exchanging vows in a beautiful place, surrounded by views that make you feel at home. Choosing an elopement location is one of the first things you’ll need to do once you’ve made the decision to ditch the big wedding, but it can definitely be hard to narrow down all the options! So whether your dream ceremony is in front of a waterfall, in the mountains, or on the beach, this guide will help you decide where to elope. 

Accessibility at Your Elopement Location

There are a few things to consider before you start looking at elopement locations, and one of them is accessibility. Seeing photos of couples on mountaintops might be discouraging if the two of you don’t want to hike for miles, but you absolutely don’t need to break a sweat to get to those beautiful spots! Adventure doesn’t have to mean an eight mile hike (but it can), and there are plenty of beautiful views that are easy to get to.

So before you start deciding where to elope, talk to your partner about how easily accessible you want your elopement to be. If either of you have mobility considerations, or you’re inviting guests who do, there are plenty of ADA accessible locations too!

How Big is Your Guest List?

It can also be helpful to decide who you’re inviting to your ceremony before you start thinking about elopement locations, because some places might have limitations on how many people can be present, so your guest list might affect your options! Typically, the smaller your elopement is, the more freedom you have when it’s time to decide where to elope. 

But, don’t worry – there are plenty of potential elopement locations even if you have a few guests! National parks often have limits on how big the ceremony can be in specific spots, but they also have bigger spaces specifically for weddings with more guests. 

What Kind of Scenery Do You Want at Your Elopement Location?

This is a big one! Your elopement location is the place where you’ll marry your best friend, and the one you’ll remember forever – so it should be somewhere that you really love. Before you try to decide where to elope, think about what you want it to look like. Is there a type of landscape that you’re drawn to, or scenery that takes your breath away? 

Close your eyes and imagine a perfect day – what’s around you? Mountains? The ocean? The desert? 

What Do You Want to Do on Your Elopement Day?

Along with the scenery you want to see, it’s also important to think about what you want to do! You should look back on the day you got married and think, “that felt exactly like us” – so whether it’s hiking, exchanging vows in front of a rushing waterfall, running along the beach, or cozying up in a cabin – you deserve your dream day.

So think about what the perfect wedding day would look like, and what the two of you would do. It can be a favorite hobby or something you’ve never tried – like rock climbing, paddle boarding, hiking, and anything else you can think of! This can narrow down your options for elopement locations, because if you want to swim you probably won’t go to the desert, but if you want to rock climb the desert might be ideal. 

When Do You Want to Elope?

A lot of locations change a lot with the seasons, so if you have a date in mind for your elopement, this can narrow down your options. If there’s a day, or even a general season or time frame, where you want to tie the knot, some locations might not work for you! For example, if you want to get married in March, most mountainous locations will still be covered in snow and may be completely inaccessible. Staying flexible with when you elope gives you the most freedom for choosing a location, but you can prioritize and decide what’s important to you! 

Do You Want a Dog Friendly Elopement Location?

For couples with pups, the idea of leaving them behind when you get married might feel impossible! If you feel that it wouldn’t be your wedding day without your furry best friend by your side, you can totally include your dog in your elopement – but deciding where to elope will have an extra consideration. You’ll need to make sure that your location allows dogs! National parks typically have the strictest rules, while national forests and BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land are usually more dog friendly.

In addition to making sure your pup is allowed, you’ll also need to think about your fur baby’s comfort. Can they handle a hike? Will they be okay if there are other people or dogs around? 

How Far From Home Do You Want to Travel?

I recommend settling on a general elopement location before looking for specific trails or overlooks. To do this, consider all of the questions you’ve asked yourself so far, and think about how far from home you want to go. Are you open to flying to your elopement destination, or do you want to be driving distance away? Do you want to be close to home, or are you open to a further getaway? 

Try to decide on a general location for your elopement – this can be a state or a region (maybe you know you want to stay in the PNW), or you can get more specific and think about parks!

Book Your Elopement Photographer to Decide Where to Elope

The next step is to reach out to an elopement photographer! My job is to help you find the perfect elopement location – so I’ll get to know you, we’ll talk about what you’re dreaming of for your day, and I’ll provide a list of recommendations that fit the bill. You’ll have a list of dreamy spots, and all you have to do is choose one that feels right to you! If you’re ready to plan your day and decide where to elope, contact me!