You’ve decided to elope — yay, massive congratulations! It’s one of the best ways to have an authentic, meaningful, and romantic celebration that you and your partner will LOVE, but do you know how to choose your perfect elopement destination?
With so many gorgeous places in the world, how can you decide which location is perfect for you? It all comes down to what works best for you as a couple — here’s what you need to know about deciding on an elopement destination, plus, a few of the best locations in the world to think about for your wedding day.
How To Choose An Elopement Spot That You’ll Absolutely Love!
Where is the best place to elope? Only you can answer that question!
When considering how to choose your perfect elopement destination, start by thinking about places you love as a couple, or destinations that hold special meaning to you both. Where can you see yourself getting married? Do you crave saltwater and sunshine, or do you want a chic city ceremony?
Also consider what activities you’ll want to do as part of your elopement trip, along with how much time you have. Plus, the budget is always going to be a big part of the decision, so maybe consider tying in your honeymoon as part of the same trip.
Lastly, is your wedding going to be a private ceremony with just the two of you, or will friends and family be joining? If so, it’s worth thinking about the destination’s accessibility (especially for older relatives) and how much time/money it’ll cost for your guests.
At the end of the day, your destination needs to be a place where you can envision yourself feeling comfortable, relaxed and totally in love — which could be anywhere in the world, from your backyard to a remote island on the other side of the world!
Best Elopement Destinations In The World
Ok, so I know deciding on the right location is so tricky! To help you get started, here are a few of my favourites, whether you want to jet off overseas, plan an epic outdoor adventure or live it up in the city.
Even better, all of these destinations are incredible for elopement photography, offering unique viewpoints, gorgeous architecture or natural landscapes, and plenty of lux hotels and restaurants that you can enjoy together.
These destinations are all amazing on their own too, setting you up for a beautiful combination elopement/honeymoon!
Destination Elopements
For international elopements, you can’t go wrong with Europe! Amazing waterfront locations like the Amalfi Coast, Santorini, Lake Como, and the French Riviera deliver luxury, relaxed European vibes, and mouthwatering food and wine.
A European summer elopement would be perfect for couples looking for decadence, sunshine and effortless style … but thanks to cliffside swimming pools, colourful Vespas and sun kissed villas, your elopement photography will also be unbelievable!
Adventure Elopements
Why not start off your marriage with a grand adventure! For couples who love the outdoors and are all about pushing out of their comfort zone (or just relaxing in nature!), an adventure elopement is great for free-spirited travellers!
For adventure elopements, I love Queenstown (and all of New Zealand’s South Island, really!) — you’ve got the rugged mountains, jet boating, helicopters and plenty of fun outdoor activities.
In the UK, consider the Scottish Highlands or Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher, which are both awesome choices for rugged, windswept beauty and solitude. Or, in the US, Yosemite National Park is famous for its breathtaking scenery and beauty — your elopement photos there would be so epic, no matter which backdrop you choose, it all looks amazing!
City Breaks
There’s something super romantic about the bright lights of the city! A city break can be a dream elopement location for couples who are all about culture, fine dining, fashion, and excitement — there’s never a dull moment in London or New York.
A New York elopement is seriously something special, especially the NYC Highline and the top of Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock) for incredible views. You can always find a bit of solitude in Central Park too, before jumping in to explore the city’s museums, markets and restaurants!
Of course, you don’t have to travel far to find incredible cities, as Sydney and Melbourne are super close too and have so much to offer! Walking through the city streets gives that editorial city vibe to your wedding photos, and with plenty of upbeat energy, theatres and award-winning restaurants, there are plenty of things to do, all year-round.
If you’re ready to plan the adventure of a lifetime, I’m here to help guide you on how to choose your perfect elopement destination! I love the adventure and excitement of a destination wedding or elopement and I’d be honoured to help you capture every beautiful moment of your journey through my elopement photography services.
And as every elopement is unique, I will be happy to create a unique photography package to suit your exact needs. Reach out with any questions about your destination elopement photography, and I can’t wait to hear from you!
