• 

• 

So you decided you want to elope – YAY! What an awesome decision, and I hope it has you feeling so stoked about what’s to come. But when you can get married anywhere in the world – deciding on where to elope is easier said than done!

If you’ve already read my post about how to plan an elopement, you know that the first step is to ✨ dream big ✨ 

How to decide where to elope:

Dream Big

Save some images you love on Pinterest or Instagram and start to look for similarities. Are most of the photos you’re saving elopements in the desert? The top of a mountain? The narrow streets of a European city?

If you’re like me, seeing photos from someone else’s elopement might really help you imagine what your day can look like. Howeverrrr – don’t overwhelm yourself by constantly looking at elopement photos. You want to feel inspired, not stressed and burnt out 🙂

• 

• 

• 

• 

Condider time of year

The time of year you want to elope plays a huge role in deciding where to elope. Are you a teacher who only has time to elope in the summer? Do you work in healthcare and pick shift days off months in advance? Do you live somewhere cold and want to escape to somewhere warm this winter?

Keep in mind that tourist season also tends to revolve around warm weather.

• Where to elope in Summer:
  • Bali
  • PNW (Washington State, Oregon)
  • Colorado
  • Canada
• Where to elope in Winter (that’s warm!):
  • South Africa
  • Hawaii
  • Thailand
  • Costa Rica

• 

• 

Think about your favorite things to do

Are you avid skiers looking to shred on your big day? Check out the French Alps! Do you enjoy hiking the occasional 14er? Colorado, here you come! A couple of foodies who want to stop and taste the local cuisine? Italy sounds like the perfect place. Or maybe you’re more beach bum people and just want to have a relaxing day? Hello, Hawaii!

Whatever it is, center your day around doing something you love and experiences you love sharing together – and use that to guide you in your location decision.

Trust your gut

Fall in love with the idea of eloping near the [desert, forest, beach] but you’ve never even been there? You don’t need a ‘reason’ or to explain why you chose where you chose! Trust your gut, go with your instinct – you feel that way for a reason.

For me, I love the idea of showing up at a small Irish pub in a wedding dress and buying the whole bar a pint of Guinness. Why? No idea. But one of these days I’m going to make it happen 🙂

• 

• 

• 

• 

Somewhere old or somewhere new

Do you have a place that holds a special meaning for you? Where you met or got engaged, your go-to vacay spot, where your ancestors are from? Choosing to elope at a place that already holds so many happy memories is so special.

On the other hand, if you’re not one to visit the same place twice (honestly, same), why not elope somewhere you’ve never been? Just like choosing to elope in a location that you’ve already made memories at, eloping somewhere new means making epic new memories at an equally special place.

• 

• 

Pick somewhere that has it all

Okay, maybe one location can’t have it all – but there a tons of areas that offer the best of both worlds: forest and beach (Oregon), Volcano and jungle (Maui), Mountain and city (Zurich).

So if you can’t decide whether you want to hike a mountain or relax on the beach, do both!  

Accessibility

It’s important to keep accessibility in mind, especially if you’re inviting anyone to tag along with you on your elopement. A 6-mile hike probably isn’t the best bet if you’re inviting grandma. Eloping on the top of a mountain or volcano probably isn’t ideal if you get car or elevation sickness. And a helicopter tour miiiight not be the the move if you’re terrified of heights.

You get the idea: figure out your limits and work from there. Luckily, I have lots of great alternative location ideas up my sleeve!

• 

• 

Elopement location ideas

Ready to narrow down where to elope?! Check out these elopement guides to get started:

• Italy Elopement Guide
• Belize Elopement Guide
• Hawaii Elopement Guide
• Iceland Elopement Guide
• Costa Rica Elopement Guide