Best elopement ideas
Eloping has become an increasingly popular choice for couples who want a more intimate, personal, and often adventurous way to enter into marriage. We’ve been doing it since 2013 so if you're considering eloping, here are some of the best elopement ideas we’ve seen to make your day truly special and unique.
Destination Elopement
Choose a breathtaking location far from home—whether it's a beach in Bali, the mountains in New Zealand, or the streets of Paris. Destination elopements allow you to combine your wedding with an unforgettable vacation.
Matthew and Holly eloped in Tuscany with The Elopement Collective
You get to explore a new place and start your marriage with an adventure. Plus, it often doubles as a honeymoon!
National Park Elopement
Say your vows amidst the grandeur of nature in a national park. Whether it's the red rocks of Utah's Zion National Park or the lush forests of Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain, these locations offer a natural, awe-inspiring setting.
National parks offer some of the most beautiful landscapes, often providing solitude and serenity. It’s perfect for couples who love nature and want a peaceful, private ceremony.
Catherine and Calvin in Yosemite
A sunrise ceremony in Yosemite National Park with El Capitan as your backdrop really does ensure unforgettable photos and a truly serene experience.
We’ll never forget what El Capitan Meadows felt like at this early hour.
Adventure Elopement
If you and your partner are thrill-seekers, consider an adventure elopement. This could involve hiking to a remote location, skydiving, scuba diving, or even exchanging vows on a hot air balloon ride. This option is perfect for couples who want their wedding day to be as unique and adventurous as they are. It’s a great way to make your elopement unforgettable.
Daniel and Celia on Mount Ngungun on the Sunshine Coast
Hiking up a mountain for sunset and exchanging vows at the peak creates the most powerful and exhilarating memory of getting married and eloping.
Urban Elopement
For couples who love the buzz of city life, an urban elopement could be ideal. Consider exchanging vows on a rooftop with a city skyline as your backdrop, or in a historic courthouse.
Urban elopements can be chic, stylish, and surprisingly intimate. Plus, the city offers endless possibilities for dining, entertainment, and photography.
A New York City elopement could start with a ceremony at Dumbo followed by a photoshoot in Brooklyn and a celebration dinner at a rooftop restaurant, like Ollie and Juliet did.
Intimate Backyard Elopement
Transform your backyard or a private garden into a romantic wedding venue. With the right decorations and setup, a backyard can be the perfect intimate setting for your vows.
It’s personal, budget-friendly, and allows you to be creative with your space. Plus, it adds a homely, cozy vibe to your ceremony.
String lights, a floral arch, and a close circle of friends and family can make a backyard feel magical and special for your big day.
Elopement at Sea
Charter a boat or yacht and say your vows on the open water. Whether it’s on a serene lake, along a river, or out at sea, a nautical elopement offers a unique and peaceful setting.
The water offers tranquility and a sense of escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Plus, the changing light and reflections can make for stunning photography.
An intimate ceremony on a boat at sunset on Sydney Harbour combines the beauty of the sea with the romance of the setting sun.
Seasonal Elopement
Plan your elopement to coincide with a season that you both love. This could be a winter elopement in the snow, a spring garden ceremony, a summer beach elopement, or an autumn ceremony surrounded by fall foliage.
Each season brings its own unique beauty and atmosphere, allowing you to tailor your elopement to the ambiance you love.
A winter elopement in a cozy cabin surrounded by snow in the Snowy Mountains creates a magical, fairy-tale experience.
Elopements offer the ultimate freedom in planning your wedding day, allowing you to focus on what truly matters—your love for each other. Whether you're drawn to the thrill of an adventure, the tranquility of nature, or the chic vibe of an urban setting, there’s an elopement idea that’s perfect for you. No matter what you choose, the most important thing is that your day reflects your relationship and your shared passions.