How to Choose an Elopement Location (on the East Coast)
There’s a saying in real estate, that the three most important factors in buying property are location, location, and location. And planning an elopement is similar – the location where you tie the knot will set the scene, determine what you do on the day, and it will forever be the place where you kicked off your marriage. So, it’s pretty dang important! This guide will tell you how to choose an elopement location, and how to make sure that it’s perfect for you and your day.
Consider an Elopement Location on the East Coast
The west coast is a popular place for elopements, with big mountains, rocky beaches, and gorgeous scenery – and the east coast often gets overlooked. But, east coast couples can be just as adventurous, and they’re just as deserving of a day that’s all about them.
So, you don’t have to travel far to find the perfect elopement location for you – the east coast has diverse scenery with mountains, beaches, waterfalls, and rolling countrysides, and tons of underrated elopement locations!
What Kind of Elopement Location Are You Looking For?
First things first, when it comes to how to choose an elopement location, you want to think about what you’re looking for. Dig deep and really imagine – what does your perfect wedding day look like?
Scenery
When you close your eyes, relax, and let your imagination run wild, where do you imagine yourself exchanging vows? What truly makes you the happiest – mountains? Ocean waves? Forests and greenery? Or do you imagine yourself having an urban elopement, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the city?
This first step in imagining your dream day will help you narrow down some location options!
Adventures and Activities
One of the best things about eloping is that no two elopements are the same. Each one is completely personal to the couple, and your day should be unique to you! So, what do you want to do on the day you get married?
Are you hoping for an adventurous day where you take a hike, go kayaking, or explore the city? Or do you want a more laid back, relaxing experience – like wine tasting or having a picnic on the beach?
Weather and Seasons
Weather is a really big factor in choosing an elopement location, especially when tying the knot on the east coast where the seasons can be pretty dramatic! Summer and early fall are the most popular times for elopements, but you can absolutely get married anytime of year – it’ll just change the experience.
Do you imagine yourself soaking up the sun, or enjoying a winter wonderland on your wedding day? Is there anything season-specific you want to experience, like spring wildflowers or fall foliage?
This will narrow down options for locations, because some places (such as spots in the mountains) may only be accessible for a few months in the summer, or they might be better experienced during certain times of year.
Guests and Pets
It’s important to think about your guest list before choosing an elopement location. You don’t have to have everything 100% set in stone yet, but having an idea of how many people you plan to invite (if any) can definitely affect where you can elope. Many places will have restrictions on the number of people that can be present for a ceremony, so in general, the smaller your elopement, the more options you’ll have. This depends on the location, but for most places, 10-15 people is the range where you start running into restrictions. Don’t let this deter you from inviting your loved ones if that’s what you want, though! Many parks and outdoor spaces have designated areas for bigger elopements.
If pets are part of your guest list, that’s important too! It’s totally understandable to want to include your fur babies in your elopement day, but it means you’ll need to look for a dog friendly elopement location – which likely means staying away from national parks.
Traveling to Your Elopement Location
A big factor in deciding where to elope is how far you want to travel. Are you looking for a spot that’s closer to home, or are you down to travel farther? Guests might be a factor in this decision too.
Some other things to consider might include work schedules and how much time you can take off, whether you’ll need someone to watch your house or pets, and just personal preferences!
Think about this with the specific ceremony spot too – do you want to hike in? Or would you rather find a spot that’s more easily accessible?
How to Choose a Private Elopement Location
You likely decided to elope because you wanted a more intimate, private setting for your day – the idea of standing in front of a hundred people probably doesn’t appeal to you. So, when you’re choosing an elopement location, it’s important to consider crowds, privacy, and how popular a location is.
Doing an Instagram or a Google search will often lead you to some beautiful spots, but these places are usually popular and crowded. They’re popular for a reason, but crowds can really affect the feeling of your elopement day!
I recommend using this as a starting point for finding your perfect elopement location – you’ll often be able to find similar scenery nearby these popular spots! And remember, you can always have your ceremony somewhere, then go to another location (or a few) to take photos.
No matter where you decide to elope, there are a few things you can do to avoid the crowds. I always recommend that couples elope on a weekday, since weekends are more popular everywhere you go. Another tip is to plan your ceremony for sunrise or sunset – sunrise will of course be the least crowded, since most people don’t want to wake up that early, but sunset tends to be less popular than the middle of the day too.
Booking an Elopement Photographer to Choose an Elopement Location
The best tip for how to choose an elopement location is to hire an elopement photographer! My job is to guide you every step of the way in planning your elopement, and that means providing some recommendations for incredible locations.
So, think about some of the things in this guide, and come up with a rough idea of what kind of elopement day you’re looking for! Decide on a general location (like a state, region, or park), and I’ll take those ideas and give you a personalized list of recommendations.
If you’re ready to elope, and to find your dream location, contact me!
