Where to elope?
How to pick the best location for your elopement or destination wedding?
Choosing where to have your elopement or destination wedding is seriously one of the most exciting parts of the planning. There are so many awesome options! Picture yourself on a mountaintop in the Dolomites, saying your vows on a breathtaking cliff, having a dreamy picnic in the Redwoods, or exploring hot volcanoes in Iceland. Earth has loads of epic spots to check out. But with all these choices, picking one can get pretty overwhelming, real quick.
With a world filled with extraordinary and magical places, how do you pick the one locations that is right for you?
Through the years we built quite a list of awesome destinations. But before we dive into some of our favorites, let us share a few tips that will help you narrow down the options.
6 Tips on how to choose your dream Elopement location
What Scenery/Views do you want?
This tip seems pretty straightforward, but it is very important to know your likes and dislikes. Take the time to think about the moments you feel most inspired by mother nature. Do you get butterflies when viewing a desert sunset or are you in love with massive mountain peaks? Maybe you can feel the earth breathing around you when you are in a lush green forest with a raging waterfall behind you. Find a location that you both love as a couple. In some areas you won’t even have to decide on one type of ecosystem! For example, in the Olympics you can have it all: coast, rain forest, and mountains.
Pick a location with meaning
Did you go on a hike for your first date or get engaged at an amazing location? Maybe you share the dream of visiting a specific country in the future. Picking a place that means something to the both of you adds so much value to your day.
How many guests are you bringing?
We love planning intimate weddings with couples who are bringing their guests along! But it’s true, the bigger the party, the less places are available for your ceremony. For example, most National Parks here in WA have a group limit for specific areas. If you are someone who always wanted to say your vows on a specific trail in the park, make sure to be flexible with the amount of guests you are bringing along.
Bringing your 4-legged furry friend? We LOVE it! There are some places that are perfect for dogs or cats! Unfortunately you are limited to State Parks, BLM land, and National forests, because National Parks don’t allow pets on their trails.
Think about your travel budget
Let’s be real for a second! Depending on where you elope, the cost of your elopement will significantly change! Always dreamed of getting married in Swisterland? Make sure to do your research and adjust your budget accordingly because Swistzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe! So, we always suggest to snuggle up together on your night off, write down your top 3 favorite destinations, set up a budget, and start your travel research!
Need some more info on how much the average elopement cost? Read this blog post about How much does eloping cost.
Consider weather & seasons
Depending on what vibe you are going for, each country, state, or area has its own “best visit” time depending on what you want to be prominent in your wedding photos. Want snow photos but not be miserably cold? Find a location in June that still has plenty of snow. If you want wildflowers in your pictures, you have to plan your elopement for spring or summer. Whatever you want, we have plenty of suggestions for when to visit.
Let your activity guide you
Many of our couples incorporate fun activities into their day. From hiking, picnics, kayaking, off-roading, or a helicopter ride, the sky is the limit. However, not all locations are suitable for every activity. So, do you have a specific activity in mind? Then you may want to pick your location based on your activity. If you want to go off-roading for example, we highly suggest going to Colorado or Utah.
Now we have given you some helpful tips and tricks on how to pick your perfect location for your adventure wedding, it’s time to dive into our favorite places!
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Running Wild’s Top 8 favorite places to elope
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier is one of the most iconic and famous volcanoes in Washington. Although it has many outdoor activities and beautiful views to offer all year round, summer and early fall is the best time to visit Mount Rainier. That’s when you’ll get to enjoy its lush wildflower fields and beautiful fall foliage. Do you want to avoid crowds? Visit the park in late fall, winter, or early spring. Looking for more variety? Then spring and summer are the best times to visit.
Check out: How to elope in Mount Rainier National Park
The North Cascades
The North Cascades is by far our favorite area to explore in Washington State. It's an absolutely magical location with glacier-capped mountains, turquoise alpine lakes, wildflower meadows, and the MOST stunning fall colors you’ll ever see! Whether you are looking for an epic hiking trail, a beautiful lake to kayak on, or an easily accessible drive-up location, the North Cascades has it all.
Check out: How to elope in the North Cascades
Olympic National Park
Looking for a location with lots of variety? From coast, rainforest, raging waterfalls, to mountain layers, Olympic National Park has one of Washington’s most diverse landscapes. Plan a 2-day wedding and explore every corner of this beautiful temperate rainforest!
Check out: How to elope in Olympic National Park
Utah
If you are looking for less traveled locations and hidden gems, Utah is the place to be! It’s the perfect location for couples that are into off-roading, overlanding, and doing other desert activities.
Check out this 2-day elopement in Utah
Telluride, Colorado
Also called the American Swiss Alps! Imagine this, endless mountain peaks, turquoise lakes, and the most stunning fall colors in the United States. It’s every hikers and off-roaders dream to visit this beautiful part of Colorado!
Check out: Epic 4x4 Off-road elopement to Yankee Boy Basin, Telluride
Oregon Coast
Isolated beaches, rugged cliffs with breathtaking views, and cute little fishing towns, the Oregon coast is one of our favorite areas to plan an elopement during anytime of the year!
Check out: Leidy & Mario's Oregon Coast Elopement
Italian Dolomites
For couples who crave a mountainous backdrop and a touch of adventure, the Italian Dolomites offer a breathtaking setting for a unique elopement.
Santorini Greece
Known for its stunning sunsets and white-washed buildings perched on cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea, Santorini is a dream destination for eloping couples. The narrow cobblestone streets, blue-domed churches, and crystal-clear waters create a magical atmosphere for an intimate ceremony.
Scotland
Eloping in Scotland is like stepping into a storybook, with its dramatic cliffs, ancient castles, and rolling highlands. Whether exchanging vows by a secluded loch, atop a rugged mountain, or amidst the ruins of a historic chapel, every moment feels timeless and romantic. With unpredictable weather adding a touch of magic, from misty mornings to golden sunsets, Scotland’s raw beauty sets the perfect stage for an intimate and adventurous elopement.
Check out: Coastal Scotland Elopement
Not sure where you want to elope?
No worries! Let’s hop on a video chat! On this FREE consultation call, we will get to know each other, dream about epic locations, talk about everything you are envisioning for your wedding day, and explain what we exactly do here at Running Wild!