Elopement in the U.S.

Planning a U.S. elopement but don’t know where specifically to actually elope? Look no further! Read my epic list to discover the BEST places to elope in the US! From the Rocky Mountains to the New England coastline, there are SO many epic places to choose from. In this post, I go over a ton of resources on eloping in the USA, including:

• Why Elope in the U.S.
• How to choose your elopement destination
• Where to elope in the U.S.
• Best Places to Elope in the U.S. by Month
• How to Elope in the US.

Why Elope in the U.S.

If you’re dreaming of exchanging vows with your beloved somewhere special, there are many great places in the US to elope or have your destination wedding. Forget traditional weddings, elopements are the way to go! Deserts, mountains, beaches, rainforests, you name it. The options are LIMITLESS. I totally get how it can be overwhelming to choose, that’s why I’m here! I’ve had the opportunity to travel all over the states, and LOVE helping couples find the perfect elopement location.

The United States really is unlike any other country, hosting such diverse landscapes across the continent. There really is something for everyone, and always somewhere new to explore! As your destination elopement photographer – I’m here to help ya decide where the best place to elope is!

Okay before we even dive into the lists of elopement destination options, it can be super helpful to take a minute to evaluate the vision you have for your elopement! Here are a few things to ask yourself when trying to decide where to elope:

How to Decide Where to Elope

1. What kind of scenery/landscape do we want? Are you guys mountain folk, or would you prefer the beach? What views set your soul on fire? Some couples love to return to a place that holds meaning for them, while others enjoy the opportunity to explore somewhere new together.
2. How far do we want to travel? And what mode of transportation are you comfortable with? A cross-country road trip in a camper van can be an EPIC adventure elopement, or you may want to stick to your home state and not worry about crossing state lines. Totally up to you!
3. How long of a trip can we take? Considering work schedule, PTO, childcare, holiday breaks, all the fine details to be taken into consideration for how much time you have to travel, explore, rest, and maybe honeymoon too? Make a day, a weekend, or however long you want!
4. What does our budget look like? No one likes to talk about that! But hey, we gotta be real and plan for what we can afford! The good news is if it’s a private elopement, you won’t be spending money on guest favors or catered meals for 100+. You get to allocate your budget more on the experience itself!
5. When are we eloping? The weather and climate varies soooo much across the states, and in the states themselves! Considering what season you are thinking of eloping, can affect where you want to pick for your location. For example ya realllyyy don’t want to pick Death Valley mid-summer!

Need help choosing your elopement location?

This is exactly what I walk through with my couples on our first Zoom call—scenery, season, travel, and what you actually want your day to feel like.
➤ Inquire about a U.S. elopement with me, contact me here
➤ Or explore my featured elopement guides for Acadia National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Utah Mighty 5 National Parks

These are also things we go over in my client consultations! I can help you narrow down your elopement vision, and offer a customized list of where to elope based on your ideas! NOW, onto the best elopement destinations in the United States:

Here’s a list of the Top 10 places to Elope in the US

Arizona

Most people think of Arizona as a hot, barren desert, with the random Grand Canyon thrown in there. But Arizona has a TON more to offer. With three National Parks and 31 State Parks, you can find so many amazing spots to explore – AND elope! Winter brings cooler temps, fewer crowds, and clear desert skies. It’s the season when places like Sedona and Horseshoe Bend feel calm, peaceful, and golden.

Here are the top 5 places to elope in Arizona:

• Sedona
• Tucson
• Grand Canyon National Park
• Slot Canyons
• Horseshoe Bend

Pro tip: the desert gets chilly at night in winter — bring cozy layers, and end your elopement day with stargazing under the clearest skies imaginable.

California

You cannot go wrong with a classic Cali elopement. The golden state hosts a huge array of options in terms of landscapes and experiences. You could even hit the ocean, desert, AND mountains all in one day! While Southern California is well known for its mild seasons and sunshine, places like the desert and central California can get HOT in the summertime. And there are plenty of places you can find snow in the winter – even in the high desert! Some of the top elopement destinations in California include:

• Joshua Tree
• Death Valley
• Yosemite
• The Redwoods
• San Diego

Colorado

Colorado is an adventure elopement playground, especially if mountains are what make you feel most alive.

You’ve got alpine lakes, enormous mountain passes, red rock formations, forests, sand dunes, ski towns, and some of the most dramatic high-elevation scenery in the country. The fun part is that a Colorado elopement doesn’t have to mean hiking ten miles before breakfast either. You can build the day around whatever level of adventure actually feels like you.

Some of the best places to elope in Colorado include:

• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Garden of the Gods
• Aspen
• Breckenridge
• Great Sand Dunes National Park

Colorado also has one really unique perk for couples who want an intimate ceremony: self-solemnization. You can obtain a Colorado marriage license and marry one another without an officiant or witnesses. That means your legal ceremony can genuinely be just the two of you if that’s what you want. Marriage licenses are issued through county Clerk and Recorder offices, and requirements can vary slightly by county, so I’ll always recommend checking the current rules for the county you’re using before your trip.

Las Vegas, Nevada

You can’t beat Las Vegas for a wedding and eloping. With plenty of romantic chapels, world-class spa resort hotels, and fun events such as Bellagio’s famous fountain shows and a range of other entertainment options, you don’t need to worry about people other than yourselves taking up your special moment. The iconic Strip itself is a great backdrop for photos of your once-in-a-lifetime night! HOWEVER, that’s not all that this state has to offer! There are plenty of epic outdoor adventure elopement locations in Nevada that don’t involve Elvis Presley or the chaos of the strip! Here are some incredible elopement locations outside of Vegas!

• Red Rock Canyon
• Valley of Fire
• Mt. Rose
• Black Rock Desert
• Cathedral Gorge State Park

New England

I could go on and on about how New England is the BEST place to elope (and not just in the fall) It’s an incredible place to explore all year long. I’m lucky enough to photograph elopements all around the East Coast, and am proud to call it home!

There’s something almost cinematic about Acadia. Maybe it’s the way the fog drifts over the pines, or the way the light hits the rocky coastline at sunrise. Either way, this is one of the most enchanting elopement destinations in New England. May brings blooming lupines and cooler air — perfect for couples who love that early-season calm. September and October, though? That’s peak magic. Autumn in Acadia means fiery foliage, crisp hikes, and sunsets that turn the ocean pink.

Acadia National Park is one of the most magical places on the East Coast to catch the sunrise for your elopement.

• New Hampshire
• Connecticut
• Rhode Island
• Maine
• Berkshires, Massachusetts

Be sure to check out my blog on Top Locations to Elope in the Northeastern States!

And if your heart is set on Acadia, check out these resources!

• Acadia Elopement Resource Guide
• Which Acadia Elopement Vibe Are You?
• How to Plan a Multi-Day Elopement in Acadia National Park

Upstate, New York

There are so many epic adventure elopement locations in New York. Like Vegas, New York is often associated with bright lights and cityscapes. But that’s not all this northeastern state has to offer! There are magnificent mountains, lakes, and forests all waiting to be explored! I’ve got tons of favorite elopement locations all around the state – but here’s a few of the best places to elope in New York

• Catskill Mountains
• Adirondack Mountains
• Hudson Valley
• Keene Valley
• Lake Placid
• Long Island
• Brooklyn + Manhattan

Portland, Oregon

Oregon holds so many hidden treasures. With lush waterfall-filled forests, steep mountain peaks, and also miles of deserts and canyons in the east – you can’t go wrong! Here are 5 amazing places for an elopement in Oregon!

• Latourell Falls
• Mt. Hood
• Columbia River Gorge
• Cannon Beach
• Smith Rock State Park

Utah

Utah is one of those places that makes you feel like you’ve landed on another planet. Red rock canyons, slot canyons, huge stretches of desert, dark skies, and roads that seem to disappear into nowhere. If you want your elopement to feel like an actual adventure, not just a ceremony with a pretty backdrop, there is SO much room to create here.

And you definitely don’t have to spend the entire day inside one national park.

Utah is home to the Mighty Five National Parks, but it’s also surrounded by state parks and expansive public lands that open up completely different possibilities for your day. Some of my favorite areas to explore include:

• Capitol Reef National Park
• Bryce Canyon National Park
• Zion National Park
• Canyonlands National Park
• Arches/Moab National Park
• Navajoland – Monument Valley

I especially love spring in Utah, with April being one of my favorite months. You get cooler temperatures before the intense summer heat arrives, golden desert light, and evenings that actually make you want to stay outside.

Your elopement could mean sunrise vows in Capitol Reef, renting a 4×4 and heading deeper into the desert, exploring slot canyons, horseback riding, having a picnic among the red rocks, or ending the night under a ridiculous amount of stars.

One thing to know: remote doesn’t automatically mean unrestricted. Permits, ceremony rules, road access, and photography requirements vary depending on the exact park or public land you’re using. Popular areas can also get BUSY, particularly during spring and fall. That’s where location scouting and having a few backup options really matter.

Utah rewards a little curiosity. Sometimes the best part isn’t checking another famous overlook off your list. It’s finding somewhere that gives you enough space to slow down and actually experience the landscape together.

Olympic National Park, Washington

Washington is one THE best places to elope in the US. The PNW landscapes and weather are fierce and magical. With rainforest-adorned coastlines, to pine forests in the mountains. You can’t NOT fall in love with this state! There are plenty of options to choose from, but here are some of the BEST place to elope in Washington state!

• Ruby Beach
• Hoh Rain Forest
• Hurricane Ridge
• Mt. Rainier
• Orca Island

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Wyoming might be underrated, but once you see the Tetons rise out of the valley floor, you’ll understand why this is one of my favorite elopement destinations in the U.S. July is prime time here — wildflowers in bloom, snow still dusting the mountain peaks, and crystal-clear mornings. The air feels alive, and the trails are open for hiking, kayaking, and exploring.

If you’ve ever been to Yellowstone for a family vacation then you got a glimpse, but this state has SO much more to offer! Here are just a few epic places to elope in Wyoming:

• Grand Teton National Park
• Yellowstone National Park

If a Grand Teton National Park elopement is tugging at you, you’ll love my in-depth guide to Jackson Hole elopements—timelines, permits, and what a sunrise-to-sunset day can look like.

➤ Link: Grand Teton National Park Elopement Guide

Best Places to Elope in the U.S. by Month

Choosing where to elope is one thing. Choosing when to go can completely change the experience. The same place can feel wildly different from one season to the next. A desert that feels perfect for wandering in April can be brutally hot by July. A quiet Maine coastline in June has a totally different energy than those same cliffs surrounded by October foliage.

Here are some of my absolute favorite places to elope in the U.S., month by month—each one with its own story to tell.

January: Nevada, Sedona, Arizona & Southern Utah

Best for: Desert landscapes, funky stays, stargazing, slow winter elopements 

January is for couples craving desert landscapes without desert heat. Sedona gives you red rock, beautiful stays, hiking, and a slower retreat-like feel, while Southern Utah feels a little wilder and more road-trip driven. Just pack layers because desert mornings and evenings can get COLD. 

February: Arizona, Southern Utah and Nevada

If escaping winter sounds pretty good, February gives you options. Arizona and Southern Utah are great for cool-weather desert adventures, while Hawaii offers the opposite, with lush landscapes, the ocean, and warm-weather exploration. This is a fun month to decide whether you’re craving desert or tropical and build the whole trip around it. 

March: The Desert Southwest + Patagonia

March is one of my favorite times to head toward wide-open landscapes. In the Desert Southwest, temperatures are generally more comfortable for exploring before the intense summer heat arrives, making it a beautiful time for desert trails, red rock, and long days outside.

And if you’re open to going beyond the U.S., March is when I’d start looking south—way south. Patagonia is moving into early fall, with dramatic mountains, changing colors, fewer summer crowds, and the kind of landscape that makes you want to stay awhile rather than squeeze your wedding into a single day.

If Patagonia—or somewhere else beyond the U.S.—has you thinking bigger, explore my Best International Elopement Destinations for 2027 guide.

April: Utah & Sedona, Arizona

April is one of my favorite months for a desert elopement. Southern Utah is warm enough for exploring without the intensity of summer, making it perfect for red-rock adventures, 4×4 roads, hiking, and nights under the stars. 

Sedona brings that same jaw-dropping red-rock palette, but with a softer, more retreat-inspired vibe. Imagine slow mornings, hikes, spa days, beautiful places to stay, and saying your vows as the sun sets.

May: Connecticut & The Berkshires

You don’t have to hop on a plane to get that destination elopement feeling.

Connecticut and the Berkshires are perfect if you’re dreaming of gardens, historic estates, forests, coastal cottages, and intimate celebrations. This is such a lovely choice if you want to include family and create a relaxed, meaningful weekend together instead of a full-on adventure.

June: Connecticut, The Berkshires & Acadia National Park

By June, New England is bursting with green everywhere you look.

Connecticut and the Berkshires are all about romance and gardens—think historic homes, woodland trails, and long, lingering dinners. Acadia is a whole different vibe: ocean cliffs, hiking, kayaking, sunrise adventures, sailing, and lobster dinners right on the Maine coast.

July: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

July is when Grand Teton truly comes alive. Picture alpine lakes, wild sage, endless summer days, mountain trails, horseback rides, rafting, and sunrise vows with those jaw-dropping peaks as your backdrop.

It’s one of my favorite places for couples who want their wedding day to feel like a full western adventure rather than simply taking portraits somewhere beautiful.

August: Olympic National Park, Washington

If you can’t pick between mountains, rainforest, or ocean, why not have it all?

August lets you build your elopement around totally different landscapes—maybe sunrise in the mountains, wandering under mossy trees, or ending the day barefoot on the Washington coast. This is such a dream spot for a multi-day elopement!

September: Acadia National Park, Maine

September in Acadia has a slightly slower, moodier feel than early summer. It’s beautiful for hiking, sailing, quiet mornings along the coast, and building an entire Maine adventure around your elopement instead of squeezing everything into one day.

Sunrise is especially magical here, and cooler days make exploring the park feel sooo good.

October: Acadia National Park & The Catskills, New York

Acadia is all about that wild mix of fall color and rugged coastline, while the Catskills are cozy, design-forward, and intimate. Imagine mountain views, waterfalls, beautiful cabins, slow mornings, private-chef dinners, and turning your elopement into the dreamiest fall weekend ever.

December: Utah, Death Valley National Park, California, Nevada & Sedona, Arizona

Utah in December feels completely different from Utah in April. It’s quieter, moodier, and perfect for a desert cabin, cooler-weather exploring, golden winter light, and maybe even a little snow against the red rock. 

Sedona is the softer side—think beautiful places to stay, hiking, wellness, amazing food, and a wedding trip that feels as much like a retreat as an adventure.

December is when Death Valley becomes an incredible option for couples who love minimal, otherworldly landscapes. Cooler temperatures make it much easier to explore salt flats, sand dunes, winding desert roads, and painted hills without battling the brutal summer heat.

It has such a cinematic, almost surreal quality that works beautifully with film and Super 8 too.

How to Elope in the U.S.

Marriage License

This varies from state to state and is something that you’ll need to research based on the location you choose. You can choose to get a marriage license in your hometown prior to your elopement or book an appointment with the county clerk in the state you are traveling to. The details of witnesses, officiants, and other legalities come down to the specifics required of the state you are getting married in. You can also choose to have a commitment ceremony or spiritual wedding without the paperwork. Up to you!

Permits

This is going to come down to the specific area you choose to elope to. Most all National Park Elopements will require a permit of some kind, maybe even two. Either a special use permit (allowing a ceremony or gathering) and possibly a photographer’s permit as well. This is something that will need to be done in advance and may take a while to get approved! Costs usually range from $50 to $200, but vary widely by park. As your elopement photographer, I help you prepare for an elopement by reaching out to the NPS and gathering the information we need to follow the rules.

Hire an Expert

It’s so important to choose vendors who not only vibe with your vision and personality but can offer you expert knowledge on eloping in the US! As a destination elopement photographer, I’m all about helping my clients plan the experience of a lifetime. I come alongside you not just as your hired vendor, but as your trusted friend, your adventure buddy, and your biggest fan.

If you’re ready to move from “where should we elope?” to “this is really happening,” I’d love to help.
➤ Plan your U.S. elopement with Corey, Contact Me!
➤ See my 2027 elopement packages + pricing
➤ See more Best Places to Elope!

International Destination Elopement Photographer

Thinking of eloping outside of the U.S.? Consider planning a Dolomites Elopement, Patagonia elopement, Morocco Elopement – OR a Tulum, Mexico elopement!

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