So, you’ve decided you want to elope. First of all: yay! And second: now comes the really fun part: figuring out where. Your destination isn’t just a pretty backdrop for your photos–it can completely shape the way your wedding day feels. Maybe you’re picturing the two of you hiking through the mountains before saying your vows at sunrise. Maybe your dream day involves champagne in Paris, wandering cobblestone streets in Italy, or kicking off your shoes and running into the ocean after you say “I do.”

The best part? There really isn’t one “right” way to elope. So grab your notebook, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and let’s find the destination that feels like you.

The Outdoorsy Couple: Glacier National Park

If your ideal wedding day sounds more like hiking boots, mountain air, and a sunrise than heels and a ballroom, Glacier National Park might be calling your name. Think turquoise alpine lakes, towering mountains, hidden waterfalls, and some seriously incredible views. You can make the entire day an adventure instead of just showing up for a ceremony. And honestly? That’s one of the things I love most about destination elopements.

Glacier National Park is for you if…

• You’d choose a mountain trail over a traditional aisle.
• You want your wedding day to feel like an adventure.
• You’re happiest when you’re outside and exploring.
• You want a destination that feels wild, peaceful, and completely unforgettable.

What could your day look like?

• Imagine waking up early and heading toward Logan Pass for sunrise.
• After exchanging vows overlooking the mountains, you can spend the rest of the day exploring together–hiking to a waterfall, kayaking or canoeing on Lake McDonald, or spotting wildlife.
• And when the sun goes down? Cozy up around a campfire under the stars and let the mountains be your reception venue.

The Thrill-Seeking Couple: Interlaken & Grindelwald

Some couples want an elopement that feels peaceful and slow. Others want to look at their wedding day and think, “That was absolutely insane. In the best way.” If you’re the second couple, let’s talk about Switzerland. Interlaken and Grindelwald put you right in the middle of the Swiss Alps, where even getting to your ceremony can become part of the adventure. Think mountaintops, alpine villages, wildflower-covered trails, and views that honestly don’t look real.

Switzerland is for you if…

• You want your wedding day to have a little adrenaline.
• You’re the couple who is always planning your next adventure.
• You’d happily trade a traditional venue for the top of a mountain.
• You want your elopement to feel completely unlike an ordinary wedding day.

What could your day look like?

• Start with a scenic train ride toward Jungfraujoch, take a helicopter up to a mountaintop ceremony, or go paragliding over the Alps after you say “I do.”
• Later, slow things down with a cruise across Lake Thun or Lake Brienz, explore a charming alpine village, and end the day with fondue and Swiss chocolate. Because obviously.

The Alpine Dream Couple: The Dolomites

Think mountains, but make it Italian. And honestly, I don’t think there’s a better way to describe them. Dramatic peaks rise above quiet alpine meadows, little villages sit tucked between the mountains, and everywhere you turn feels like it belongs in a movie. You can have a luxurious mountain elopement, an adventurous hiking day, or a little bit of both.

The Dolomites are for you if…

• You want dramatic mountain scenery with an Italian twist.
• You love the idea of a cozy, elevated getaway.
• You’re equally excited about hiking and eating really good food.
• You want your wedding photos to feel timeless and a bit cinematic.

What could your day look like?

• Say your vows high above the clouds, hike to an alpine lake like Lago di Braies, or take a cable car to a viewpoint and spend the afternoon exploring together.
• Stay in a cozy mountain chalet or luxury alpine lodge, wander through villages like Ortisei or Cortina d’Ampezzo, and stop for fresh pasta and local wine along the way.
• In the summer, you’ll find wildflower-filled meadows and golden-hour mountain views.
• In the winter, snow-covered peaks and Christmas markets create a completely different kind of magic. And yes, you absolutely should end the night outside under the stars.

The Mountain Explorer Couple: Colorado

You don’t have to cross an ocean for an incredible mountain elopement. Colorado gives you that big, adventurous mountain experience while still feeling a little more familiar, and there are endless ways to make the day your own.

Colorado is for you if…

• You want mountain views without traveling internationally.
• You’d rather spend your wedding day exploring than sitting still.
• You’re dreaming of wildflowers, alpine lakes, and big open skies.
• You want a destination that feels adventurous but still relaxed.

What could your day look like?

• Say your vows on a mountain summit at sunrise, take a Jeep out to a remote alpine lake, or spend the afternoon wandering through wildflower-filled meadows.
• You could explore mountain towns like Breckenridge, Ouray, or Telluride, soak in natural hot springs after your ceremony, and— depending on the season—watch the aspens turn golden around you.
• Then finish the day exactly how an outdoor elopement should: around a campfire under the stars.

The Wild-at-Heart Couple: Iceland

If your idea of romance involves waterfalls, black sand beaches, glaciers, volcanoes, and a little bit of “let’s see where this road takes us,” I already have a destination for you: Iceland. There is something about Iceland that makes an elopement feel like an adventure from the second you land. The landscapes are dramatic and otherworldly, and you can fit so many completely different experiences into one trip.

Iceland is for you if…

• You’d happily trade a traditional venue for a waterfall or black sand beach.
• You want your wedding day to feel wild and completely unforgettable.
• You’re the couple who would rather road-trip than sit still.
• You want your elopement and honeymoon to become one big adventure.

What could your day look like?

• Exchange vows beside a waterfall, walk along a black sand beach, explore a glacier or ice cave, and then spend the afternoon soaking together in a hot spring.
• If the timing is right, you could even chase the Northern Lights.
• And if you have the time, turn your elopement into a full Icelandic road trip. The Ring Road makes for one pretty incredible honeymoon.

The Luxury Mountain Couple: Banff

Maybe you love the mountains… but you also love a really good hotel, a beautiful dinner, and the idea of having a spa day after hiking. Enter: Banff. Banff gives you those jaw-dropping Canadian Rockies without asking you to sacrifice the little luxuries. It’s the perfect combination of adventure and indulgence.

Banff is for you if…

• You want breathtaking mountains and a little luxury.
• A beautiful hotel is just as exciting to you as a beautiful trail.
• You love the idea of mixing adventure with slow, romantic moments.
• You want your elopement to feel elevated without feeling overly formal.

What could your day look like?

• Exchange vows overlooking Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, take the gondola for panoramic mountain views, and have a private lakeside picnic afterward.
• Spend the afternoon canoeing across a glacial lake or exploring the surrounding mountains, then head back to your luxury resort for a spa treatment and a beautiful dinner.
• Basically: adventure by day, luxury by night.

The Fairytale Couple: Germany

Okay, if you have ever looked at a castle and thought, “I could get married there,” Germany might be your place. From storybook castles to medieval villages and cobblestone streets, Germany feels like stepping into another world–especially if you visit during the holiday season.

Germany is for you if…

• You’ve always wanted a fairytale wedding without the giant traditional wedding.
• Castles and historic architecture are your love language.
• You want romantic European scenery with a little old-world charm.
• You’re dreaming of a cozy elopement.

What could your day look like?

• Say “I do” near a castle like Neuschwanstein, wander through charming medieval villages, and take portraits along cobblestone streets and historic town squares.
• You could drive along the Romantic Road, explore forests and mountain scenery, and, if you’re visiting in the winter, spend the evening wandering through Christmas markets with a warm drink in hand.
• Then find somewhere cozy for dinner and raise a glass to your first night as newlyweds.

The Romantic Couple: Paris

I mean… Paris. There’s a reason couples have been falling in love with this city for generations. Paris already knows how to make an ordinary Tuesday feel romantic, so imagine what it can do for your wedding day.

Paris is for you if…

• You want your elopement to feel timeless and effortlessly romantic.
• You love fashion, architecture, art, and beautiful little details.
• Your perfect wedding day includes wandering with nowhere to be.
• You want to feel like you’re living inside your own French film.

What could your day look like?

• Start with sunrise vows beneath the Eiffel Tower, before the city gets busy.
• Then grab a café breakfast on a quiet street and spend the morning wandering along the Seine.
• Explore Montmartre, stop for French pastries, wander through the Luxembourg Gardens, and take your time with portraits throughout the city.
• And when evening comes? Champagne, sparkling city lights, and maybe a late dinner somewhere you never want to leave. Paris doesn’t really need much help being romantic.

The Cozy Couple: London

For the couple who would rather spend the morning wandering through a bookstore than hiking up a mountain, there’s London. It’s historic, charming, a little moody, and full of those little everyday moments that make for some of my favorite photographs.

London is for you if…

• You love cozy cafés, bookstores, and wandering without a plan.
• You want a city elopement that feels intimate rather than flashy.
• Afternoon tea sounds like a perfectly acceptable wedding reception.
• You love a little old-world charm.

What could your day look like?

• Start the morning wandering through historic streets, grab coffee and pastries, and spend some time exploring cozy bookstores and cafés.
• Take a classic double-decker bus through the city, stop for portraits around Tower Bridge or Big Ben, and wander through the colorful streets of Notting Hill.
• Then finish the day with afternoon tea or a cozy pub dinner. Honestly? It sounds pretty perfect.

The Foodie Couple: Rome

If you believe the best memories are made around a table with really good food, Rome might be your dream destination. Because yes, you’re getting incredible history and architecture. But you’re also getting pasta, wine, gelato, espresso, and long dinners that turn into entire evenings.

Rome is for you if…

• You plan trips around where you’re going to eat.
• You want history and culture woven into your wedding day.
• You’d happily celebrate with pasta and wine.
• You believe gelato is appropriate at any time of day.

What could your day look like?

• Explore the Colosseum and Roman Forum, wander through historic piazzas, toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, and take your time getting lost in the city’s quieter streets.
• Share gelato as you wander through hidden alleys, take a sunset walk through Trastevere, and celebrate with handmade pasta and Italian wine.
• And if you want to make a whole experience out of it? Take a pasta or pizza-making class together. Because what better way to celebrate being newlyweds than learning how to make the food you’ll be eating for the rest of the trip?

The “La Dolce Vita” Couple: Portofino

If your dream wedding day includes a private boat, Mediterranean water, fresh seafood, and an Aperol Spritz at sunset… we need to talk about Portofino. Think destination elopement packaged as an Italian summer romance.

Portofino is for you if…

• Your ideal wedding day involves a little bit of glamour.
• You want to slow down and soak up every moment.
• You love the ocean, beautiful architecture, and really good food.
• You want your photos to feel effortlessly elegant.

What could your day look like?

• Arrive by private boat, exchange vows overlooking the Mediterranean, and spend the afternoon exploring the colorful harbor and nearby seaside villages.
• Swim in a hidden cove, stop for fresh seafood, and wander along the Italian Riviera with nowhere else you need to be.
• Then grab an Aperol Spritz and watch the sun go down. That’s la dolce vita.

The Beach Lover Couple: The Caribbean

Some couples want mountains. Some want castles. And some couples are saying, “Can I just get married barefoot on a beach?” Absolutely. The Caribbean is perfect if your dream wedding day is warm, relaxed, tropical, and centered around the two of you.

The Caribbean is for you if…

• You want to kick your shoes off the second you arrive.
• Your ideal wedding venue has sand and ocean views.
• You want your elopement to feel like a vacation from beginning to end.
• You’d rather spend your wedding weekend swimming, sailing, and soaking up the sun.

What could your day look like?

• Exchange vows barefoot on a white-sand beach, swim in turquoise water afterward, and spend the afternoon snorkeling or exploring hidden coves and tropical waterfalls.
• Stay in an overwater bungalow or beachfront villa, sail into the sunset on a private catamaran, and finish the evening with a candlelit dinner by the ocean. Basically, your wedding day can feel like the best vacation you’ve ever taken.

The Summer Escape Couple: Split

If you want European history, crystal-clear water, and a wedding day that feels like a summer adventure, Split deserves a spot on your list. This Croatian coastal city gives you the best of both worlds: ancient architecture and that easygoing Mediterranean feeling.

Split is for you if…

• You want a European destination that feels a little less expected.
• You love the idea of island-hopping after your ceremony.
• Your perfect day includes swimming, seafood, and sunshine.
• You want your wedding weekend to feel like a summer escape.

What could your day look like?

• Exchange vows overlooking the Adriatic Sea, wander through Diocletian’s Palace, and explore the city’s stone streets and hidden courtyards.
• Then hop on a boat and spend the afternoon exploring islands like Hvar, Brač, or Vis. Swim in crystal-clear coves, stop for fresh seafood, and watch the sunset from Marjan Hill. And don’t rush. The whole point is to slow down and enjoy it.

The City Couple: New York City

Maybe you don’t want to escape the city for your wedding day. Maybe the city is the whole point. New York is for the couple who loves a little energy, a little chaos, and a whole lot of personality. Your elopement can feel completely like you—no ballroom required.

New York City is for you if…

• You’d rather get married in the middle of the city than away from it.
• You love architecture, fashion, food, and people-watching.
• You want your wedding photos to feel editorial and full of energy.
• Your idea of a romantic evening involves city lights and a late-night slice.

What could your day look like?

• Exchange vows in Central Park, take rooftop portraits overlooking the skyline, and wander through neighborhoods like SoHo, DUMBO, or Greenwich Village.
• Take the Staten Island Ferry around sunset, stop for iconic portraits on the Brooklyn Bridge, catch a Broadway show, and end the night with pizza and city lights.

Your wedding day doesn’t have to take you away from the things you love. Sometimes, it should take you straight into them. So… Where Will You Elope?

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed right now, take a breath. You don’t have to choose the “best” destination. Instead, think about how you want your wedding day to feel. Do you want adventure? Start looking at the mountains. Do you want romance and old-world charm? Europe has you covered. Do you want sunshine and zero shoes? Meet me at the beach!! And if you’re still scrolling through this thinking, “Okay, but I want ALL of it,” that’s allowed, too! Your elopement is allowed to be as adventurous, romantic, cozy, luxurious, wild, or completely unconventional as you want it to be. Because at the end of the day, you’re not just choosing a place to get married. You’re choosing the place where one of your favorite chapters begins. And wherever the location, I’d love to help capture the story.