15 Beautiful and Unique Elopement Ideas
The best thing about eloping is that there are absolutely no rules! You can do whatever you want, whether that means a peaceful picnic in your backyard or an epic adventure somewhere new. Eloping is all about making sure that your day is about you and what you want. You’ve decided to let go of the pressure, expectations, and stress that comes with big weddings, so make the most of it! Here are 15 unique elopement ideas to get you inspired.
1. Turn it into a Camping Trip
What could be better than waking up in a beautiful place the day you say your vows to your best friend? A camping elopement is the perfect way to get married for couples who want a rugged, truly intimate experience. You can elope at a campground, or find a secluded spot that will guarantee you more privacy, so that you can spend your entire elopement day enjoying the fresh air and scenery!
2. Rent a Villa
Imagine staying in a gorgeous villa during your elopement, enjoying the local attractions during the day and returning to a cozy yet luxurious home in the evening. You can rent luxury villas by the vineyards in Tuscany, modern cliffside villas in Santorini, or coastal stays in Lisbon. No matter where you’re eloping, renting a villa is the ultimate way to relax, enjoy the scenery, and have a unique home base to come back to after your adventure!
3. Hike to a Mountaintop
Many couples choose to elope because of their love and appreciation of the great outdoors, so if spending time exploring nature is something that you and your partner love to do, a hiking elopement might be perfect for you! Elopements are all about spending the day doing something that reflects you and your relationship. You can hike to the perfect, secluded ceremony spot and elope on a beautiful mountaintop!
4. Fly Somewhere New
What could be more exciting than using your elopement day as an opportunity to explore somewhere you’ve never been? Whether you want to jet off to Iceland, Spain, Bali, or anywhere else in the world, seeing a beautiful place for the first time as you get ready to exchange vows with the love of your life will make the experience all the more special.
5. Take a Helicopter Tour
When it comes to elopement ideas, a helicopter tour is one of the best! You can explore multiple mountain peaks, glaciers, or volcanos, all without having to hike! A helicopter can bring you to a secluded location where you’ll be the only ones around, so you can say your vows in total privacy with a birds eye view of the sweeping scenery.
6. Combine it with Your Honeymoon
Eloping should be an experience – it’s not about getting through a quick ceremony and calling it a day. This is about you committing your lives to each other! Your wedding day deserves more than just a few hours and even more than just a day. Combine your elopement with your honeymoon so that you can travel to a beautiful place and spend some time exploring! You can spend 10 days exploring Russia on the transsiberiean and exchange vows during a pit stop at Lake Baikal, or you can spend a week enjoying the luxury of the Spanish countryside, exchanging your vows at a nearby beach.
7. Include Close Family and Friends
An elopement doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t have guests! Some couples choose to elope just the two of them, and if that feels right to you, that’s great! But for some couples, there are people who they just can’t imagine the big day without. If you have family and close friends who support your vision and who you want standing next to you during the ceremony, invite them along! As you’re brainstorming elopement ideas, think of things that you can do with your guests, and maybe plan a multi day adventure so that you can spend time with your guests and still make time for just the two of you.
8. Wear a Unique Dress
Eloping is all about letting go of traditions – which means you get to pick and choose which ones you want to keep, and which ones you want to toss away! Instead of a traditional white dress, you can elope in a black gown, or a fun color or pattern. No rules, remember? Light, flowy fabrics are amazing for catching the wind, and a unique color will add an amazing unique flair to your elopement.
9. Go on an Adventure Together
When you brainstorm elopement ideas, think about what you two like to do together. If you could do absolutely anything, what would it be? This is supposed to be the best day of your life – so do the things you love most! Start your marriage and your life together off with an adventure, whether that means kayaking, skydiving, off roading, or rock climbing, spend your elopement day doing your favorite things with your favorite person.
10. Write Your Own Vows
Writing your own vows is a simple way to make your elopement more special. Personalized, meaningful vows will mean so much more to your partner than some generic template. Take some time to write your own vows to read on your elopement day. If you’re feeling stuck, think about your favorite memories together, your favorite things about them, and what you’re most excited for about marriage.
11. Elope at Sunrise
Waking up before the crack of dawn may not sound appealing at first, but hear me out! Even the most popular places tend to be empty at sunrise, so no matter where you elope, you’re practically guaranteed to have a private and intimate ceremony. The lighting will also be incredible and will make for some amazing photos, and there’s something so magical about watching the orange and pink colors spread across the sky first thing in the morning!
12. Try Something New
A really fun way to make your elopement day exciting and memorable is to try something new! If there’s something you’ve always wanted to try, like snorkeling, paddleboarding, or even escargot, why not add it into the itinerary on your elopement day? Starting your marriage off with an adventure is what eloping is all about, so find a new adventure that you haven’t tried before!
13. Go Backpacking
A backpacking trip is an epic and unique way to celebrate your elopement. Imagine hiking through beautiful forest groves and wildflower meadows, then ending up at an alpine lake to say your vows. While lots of beautiful locations are easily accessible, the most epic scenery usually requires some hiking, and if you backpack to your ceremony location, you can find a secluded spot to say your vows, far away from the hustle and bustle.
14. Watch the Northern Lights
Seeing the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights is an amazing experience and something that will make your elopement day even more incredible than it already was! You’ll have to time your trip right to catch the stunning display, but Alaska, Norway, and Iceland are some of the best destinations with great views of the Northern Lights.
15. End the Day with Stargazing
You might be tempted to end your day after the sun sets, but if you stay out just a little longer, you’ll see an incredible display of stars sprinkling the night sky. Elope somewhere rural and far away from light pollution, and on a clear night, you can spot the milky way!
Tips for Unique Elopement Ideas
Spend Money on Experiences
One of the best things about eloping is that you get to spend your money on things that matter to you. Instead of centerpieces and dinner for 200, you can pay for incredible experiences that you’ll remember forever. This is still your wedding day, and the fact that you’re eloping makes it all the more special and meaningful – so invest in your experience, and make it the best day of your life!
Do the Things You Love
You can do anything you want on your elopement day – so think about the things you love most! Do you love rock climbing, scuba diving, hiking, or camping? Incorporate that into your day! There’s no limit to the adventures you can have.
Hire an Elopement Photographer
One of the best parts of my job is that I get to help couples come up with their version of the perfect elopement day. As a travel planner and elopement photographer, I’m ready to help you plan a wedding day that perfectly reflects who you are.
Ready to plan your epic adventure? Contact me!
