How to Pick an Elopement Location

How to Pick an Elopement Location

dont take this step in the planning process lightly - where you choose to elope plays a huge role in the way you feel on your wedding day!

one of the best things about eloping is that there are no rules, baby! you can literally do anything you want - and that includes going anywhere in the world! whether you want to visit a trail close to home that has a lot of meaning to you, or you want to hop on a plane and go somewhere completely new, your elopement location should be nothing short of incredible. but, how do you decide on just one spot when there are so many beautiful places around the world? here are some of my tips to help you pick an elopement location.

Start with scenery: 

the best way to pick an elopement location is to think backwards. don’t think, “where do we want to go?” but instead, “what do we want to see?” if you’re not sure, try grabbing a beer and sitting outside - on a nice patch of grass or on your favorite lawn chair. relax, forget about your to do list, and just enjoy the fresh air. 

then, close your eyes, and imagine your best day ever. what do you want to see? where do you feel most at peace? which kind of landscape are you drawn to?

do you imagine yourself standing on a mountaintop, surrounded by snow capped peaks? sitting in the sand, watching the sun set over the ocean? 4x4ing & running through the desert? think about the kind of scenery that you’re drawn to, and the kind of hikes or adventures you choose when you’re making plans for the weekend.

from here, you can start thinking about places that match the scenery you’re looking for. for example, yosemite is amazing if you want mountains and glaciers, and joshua tree is great for those who love the desert.

Somewhere New, or Somewhere Meaningful?

your elopement location can affect the feeling of your elopement day. there’s no doubt that being outdoors is its own emotional experience - there’s nothing like looking down at a valley from thousands of feet above or standing under a waterfall and feeling the water hit your skin. but, should you elope somewhere you’ve never been before? or revisit a favorite trail?

going somewhere you’ve never been adds an extra level of excitement to your elopement. exploring a new place can be lots of fun, and just imagine seeing an incredible view for the very first time. that feeling of turning a corner and seeing the incredible view you’ve been waiting for? that feeling would be even more amazing on your elopement day when your stoke levels are already off the charts. 

but, if you got engaged in a certain national park, or you hiked a certain trail on your first date, these places can be really amazing to revisit on your elopement day. your emotions and excitement will be heightened by being in a place that has so much meaning to you. going somewhere you’re familiar with can also be great to ease some of the stress of planning your elopement.

Accessibility and Guests

if you’re planning on inviting guests to your elopement, you will need to consider their needs when it comes to your ceremony location. do you have elderly relatives who won’t be able to hike? or young children attending who may not be up for an all day adventure? do you want to elope somewhere close to home, so that everyone can make it? 

all of these things are important to consider, but think about them for yourself as well. do you want to do a difficult hike? or would you prefer to keep things chill? are you willing and able to take several days off of work to fly to your elopement destination?

dogs

if your furry friend is a part of the family and you can’t imagine your elopement day without them, this is definitely something to keep in mind when you’re picking an elopement location! if you’re planning to bring your dog with you, flying may not be ideal. a lot of parks don’t allow dogs - especially national parks. in national parks, most of the time dogs are only allowed in the parking lots and at overlooks - basically, anywhere that a car would be able to go. if you want your dog with you on your elopement day, make sure to choose a location that will allow fido to come with.

Weather and Crowds

when you pick an elopement location, definitely keep the weather in mind! a steep hike can get straight up dangerous during the rainy season, because it will get muddy. desert heat can be a risk in the summer (not to mention it’s just unpleasant). think about what kind of weather you want on your elopement day - but keep in mind that peak tourist/crowd season almost always coincides with when the weather is best in an area. 

because of this, my recommendation is to plan your elopement for “shoulder season.” this is the time right before peak season starts, or right after it ends. this way, you’re still likely to catch the good weather, but you’ll miss most of the crowds.

What do you want to do?

along with what kind of scenery you want to see, think about what you want to actually do for your elopement. do you feel like going on a gorgeous hike? kayaking? white water rafting? taking a helicopter tour? 

the activities that you want your elopement day to consist of will likely determine where you elope - because of course, there isn’t much kayaking in the desert. you and your partner can write a list of all the things you’d like to do on your elopement day, and decide which are the most important to you. from there, figure out which locations you can pick that will let you do those things.

The most important stuff

your elopement location will affect the whole vibe of your day. so think about what’s most important to you. is it the scenery? the activities? the fact that your family can be there? what matters most to you? 

and try not to overthink it - once you choose your location, don’t keep looking up pinterest photos and scrolling through instagram tags. just get excited and start celebrating the fact that your elopement is happening!!

Ready to pick an elopement location that is perfect for your adventure?