The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Destination Elopement
Destination elopements are for couples who look at tradition, smile politely, and then do whatever the hell they want.
They’re for people who want meaning over performance, intimacy over spectacle, and memories that feel like cinema, not obligation. If that’s you, pull up a chair. Let’s talk about what a destination elopement really is, how it works, and how to do it right.
Index
What is a destination elopement, really?
Why couples choose destination elopements
Choosing the right destination
Destination elopement locations: Where you go depends on what you want to feel (and do)
Popular destinations known for elopements
Legal vs. Symbolic: The Marriage Paperwork Question
Budgeting for a Destination Wedding
Planning the day (or days)
Planning timeline
12-18 Months Out
9-12 Months Out
6-9 Months Out
3-6 Months Out
1-3 Months Out
1-2 Weeks Out
Timeline for the day
What to wear for your destination elopement
What to bring for your destination elopement
Do you need guests?
Final Thoughts
Contact Us
First: What Is a Destination Elopement, Really?
A destination elopement is getting married somewhere that isn’t your hometown—often somewhere wildly beautiful, culturally rich, or emotionally significant to you.
Think:
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Windswept cliffs
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Ancient cities
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Desert sunrises
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Mountain air so crisp it fixes your personality
It can be just the two of you, or you plus a few ride-or-dies. The defining feature isn’t the guest count—it’s intention. You’re choosing the place because it means something, not because it has a ballroom.
Why Couples Choose Destination Elopements
People don’t elope because they’re afraid of commitment. They elope because they’re deeply committed—to each other and to living honestly.
Common reasons:
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You don’t want to perform your love for a crowd
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Family dynamics are complicated and exhausting
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You’d rather spend money on an experience than centerpieces
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You want your wedding to feel like you, not Pinterest cosplay
A destination elopement says: “We choose depth. We choose freedom. We choose each other.”
Choosing the Right Destination
This part matters more than people think.
Ask yourselves:
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Do we want mountains, ocean, desert, city, or jungle?
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Are we adventure goblins or soft luxury romantics?
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Do we want easy access or total seclusion?
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What season feels aligned with us?
Pro tip: some places look stunning year-round. Others are liars with good PR. Weather, accessibility, and local regulations all matter. This is where having a photographer who actually knows destinations (not just hashtags) is clutch.
Destination Elopement Locations: Where You Go Depends on What You Want to Feel (and Do)
Choosing a destination isn’t about what’s trending on Instagram. It’s about what kind of experience you want to step into when you say your vows.Your location shapes everything—the pace of the day, what you wear, how you move, and how the whole thing feels in your bones. This isn’t just a backdrop. It’s an active character in your love story.
Popular Destinations Known for Elopements
These places have earned their reputation because they deliver beauty, flexibility, and unforgettable energy.
Iceland – Waterfalls, black sand beaches, glaciers, and “main character energy” weather. Perfect for couples who want drama without crowds.
The Dolomites – Jagged peaks, alpine meadows, and cozy mountain towns. Big romance, cinematic scale.
Big Sur – Moody cliffs, crashing waves, and redwoods. Ideal for couples who want wild nature without leaving the U.S.
Santorini – White walls, blue domes, glowing sunsets. Soft, sensual, and unapologetically romantic.
Zion National Park – Towering sandstone, desert light, and adventurous trails. Bold and grounding.
Scottish Highlands – Mist, moors, castles, and wind that makes vows feel ancient and holy.
These locations are popular for a reason—but popularity doesn’t mean cookie-cutter. With thoughtful planning, even iconic places can feel deeply personal.
Legal vs. Symbolic: The Marriage Paperwork Question
You have two main options:
1. Legal Ceremony at Your Destination
Some countries and states make this easy. Others require:
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Residency periods
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Extra documents
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Translation fees
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Blood tests (yes, still a thing in some places)
2. Symbolic Ceremony at Your Destination
This is the fan favorite.
You legally marry at home (courthouse, living room, Taco Tuesday—dealer’s choice), then have a symbolic ceremony abroad with vows, tears, and zero bureaucracy stress.
Some couples choose one date and have a symbolic ceremony a year later to retain their anniversary date. Other couples choose a completely different date altogether, which is something I’d be so down for. The more reasons to celebrate!
Emotionally? Still real. Spiritually? Still sacred. Logistically? Way easier.
Budgeting for a Destination Elopement
Let’s be real: destination elopements aren’t “cheap weddings.” They’re intentional weddings.
Your budget usually goes toward:
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Travel and lodging
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Photography (non-negotiable—this is the artifact of the day)
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Attire that moves with you
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Permits or venue fees
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Hair, makeup, florals
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Experiences (boats, hikes, private dinners, helicopter rides)
The upside? You’re paying for memories, not chair covers.
Planning the Day (or Days)
Here’s the secret sauce: your elopement doesn’t have to be a single hour.
Many couples turn it into:
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A multi-day experience
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An adventure session one day + ceremony another
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Sunrise vows, midday naps, sunset celebration
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A wedding that feels like a vacation instead of a timeline
No rushing. No herding. Just space to actually feel it.
Destination Elopement Planning Timeline
(12–18 Months Out)
This is the gold standard timeline. You can absolutely elope faster—but this is where options are abundant and prices haven’t chosen violence yet.
Book your elopement photographer (first, always first)
Your photographer often doubles as location scout, permit whisperer, timeline architect, and chaos preventer. Popular destination elopement photographers book 12–18 months in advance, especially for national parks and international locations.
Choose your destination + rough date window
Pick a season, not a single date. Weather, permits, and travel costs all behave better when you’re flexible.
Start passport renewals (international elopements)
If your passport expires within 6 months of travel, governments will side-eye you. Fix it now.
9–12 Months Before Your Destination Elopement
This is the “things get real” era.
Book lodging
Look for places that allow getting ready, portraits, or even ceremonies. Villas, Airbnbs, boutique hotels—lock it in early for the best options.
Secure permits & park permissions
National parks, public lands, beaches, and some international locations require permits that can take months to approve.
Book key vendors
Think officiant, planner/coordinator (if using one), hair and makeup artists familiar with destination work.
Research marriage license requirements
Some places have waiting periods or residency rules. Legal logistics are not romantic, but they are necessary.
6–9 Months Out
Now we’re vibing with structure.
Book flights
Earlier = cheaper + better seat choices. Facts are facts.
Choose attire
Dresses and suits can take 4–6 months to arrive, plus alterations. Future You will be grateful.
Plan your elopement day timeline
Sunrise? Sunset? Hiking? Boat access? This is where your photographer’s nerdy brain shines.
Decide: legal ceremony or symbolic?
Many couples do the paperwork at home and have a symbolic ceremony at the destination. Less stress. Same love. Zero bureaucracy on a cliff.
3–6 Months Before the Elopement
The “details but make it chill” phase.
Finalize ceremony details
Vows, readings, music, cultural traditions, rituals—this is the heart stuff.
Book activities for your elopement experience
Helicopters, boats, hot springs, private chefs, guided hikes. Elopements are experiences, not just ceremonies.
Order rings + accessories
Shipping delays are real. Do not tempt fate.
Confirm vendor logistics
Travel plans, backup weather plans, timelines—get everyone aligned.
1–3 Months Before
The countdown begins. Deep breaths.
Apply for marriage license (if required locally)
Timing matters here. Some licenses expire quickly.
Create a packing list
Attire, vow books, rings, shoes, layers, permits, snacks, emotional support chapstick.
Schedule hair/makeup trial (if possible)
Especially important for destination climates that do whatever they want.
1–2 Weeks Before Your Destination Elopement
You’re basically already married in spirit.
Confirm everything
Flights, lodging, vendors, meeting locations, permits.
Check weather + finalize Plan A/B/C
Nature is beautiful and ungovernable. Prepare accordingly.
Write vows (for real this time)
No notes app drafts. Pen. Paper. Heart open.
Timeline for the day
Just a few tips
- Build in buffers
- Make sure logistics is efficient.
- Also, there are no rules. Build what makes you happy
And tap here to a more in depth explanation of Elopement Timelines and How to Build Them.
What to Wear When You’re Eloping Somewhere Epic
Choose clothes that:
Move well in wind, sand, and uneven ground
Photograph beautifully in natural light
Feel like you, not a costume
Yes, you can wear black. Yes, you can wear boots. Yes, you can change outfits. This is not a church basement wedding. The rules are fake.
What to Bring on Your Elopement (AKA: Leave the Kitchen Sink at Home)
Destination elopements shine brightest when you travel light—physically and emotionally.
Here’s what you actually bring:
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Your attire (plus one comfy backup layer)
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Rings
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Vows (written, not just vibes)
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Marriage license (if doing legal paperwork there)
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Permits (if required)
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Shoes you can walk in
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Weather layers (jackets > regrets)
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Snacks + water
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A tiny personal item if meaningful (heirloom, letter, cultural piece)
That’s it.
No decor bins.
No emergency sewing kits the size of a backpack.
No “just in case” items that stress you out.
The less you carry, the more present you are.
The more present you are, the better the day feels—and photographs.
Do You Need Guests?
Only if you want them.
Some couples bring:
Parents or siblings
A tiny chosen family
Kids
Absolutely no one
There is no moral superiority either way. The only wrong answer is doing something out of guilt instead of desire.
Final Thoughts on Having a Dope Adventure Elopement
It really doesn’t matter how anyone else has done it. Believe it or not, every couple here had an elopement that looked completely different from the next. The key to choosing how to have an elopement that makes sense to you is choosing you at every turn. From the foods you eat during your celebration, to the things that you do. Every moment you create for your celebration should be the truest reflection of who you are. When that all aligns, you’re almost guaranteed to have a good ass time.
