If the idea of going to a stunning destination to say your vows sounds like a dream, you’re in the right place. Destination elopements combine the magic of an intimate ceremony with the adventure of travel—whether that means exchanging vows on a cliffside in Ireland, a remote beach in Mexico, or deep in the Swiss Alps. 

But with that adventure comes some extra planning, and that’s where this guide comes in. I’ve broken the planning process of destination elopements into steps, covering everything from choosing a location to handling legalities and booking vendors.

What is a Destination Elopement?

A destination elopement is exactly what it sounds like—ditching the traditional wedding setup and saying “I do” somewhere incredible, whether it’s across the ocean or a short road trip away. Unlike a big wedding, it’s all about the two of you (plus maybe a handful of your favorite people, if you choose) having an intimate, meaningful celebration. 

How to Plan a Destination Elopement

Before we dive into the step-by-step process, I want to briefly cover legalities. I generally discourage couples from doing a legal ceremony abroad, unless it’s for residency and immigration purposes. If those circumstances don’t apply to you, I recommend making your marriage legally binding in your home country before or after your elopement. 

We’ll cover how to make your marriage legal in the United States later, but if you’re set on doing it abroad, be prepared for deep research, because the process varies wildly depending on your destination. To give you an idea, my blog, How to Elope in Ireland, gives a rundown of how complex it can be having a legal ceremony abroad.

Now, let’s get into a few steps to guide you through planning your destination elopement.

1. Brainstorm

The first thing pretty much all elopements should start with is a fun little brainstorm. This is your chance to dream up your perfect destination elopement. Grab a notebook, your favorite drink, and ask yourselves the following questions:

• What kind of scenery excites you?
• What vibes do you want (e.g., adventure, romance, relaxing, luxurious)?
• Do you want to be somewhere meaningful?
• Where have you always wanted to visit?

 I recommend doing this as an individual exercise and then coming together to compare notes. You can also make a Pinterest board or create a vision board together. Seeing all your ideas in one place helps narrow things down.

2. Pick a Location and Tentative Date

Now that you’ve got a vision, it’s time to narrow it down. Since this is a destination elopement, you don’t need to know the exact cliffside, beach, or mountaintop just yet, but you should decide on at least the country or region. This will help with everything from travel logistics to legal considerations.

Next, pick a tentative date. Keep in mind that seasons vary depending on where you’re going. Summer in the Northern Hemisphere is winter in the Southern Hemisphere, and some locations have rainy seasons to consider. If you’re aiming for a specific vibe—like cherry blossoms in Japan or fall colors in Scotland—you’ll want to plan accordingly and remember that seasons around the world don’t always align with the seasons at home!

A great way to understand what you’re actually getting into is to hear it from the locals—pop into a local or tourism reddit thread or reach out directly to people who might have some of that first-hand insight!

Research Specific Ceremony Locations, But Don’t Lock-In Just Yet

As I said, the exact spot where you’ll exchange your vows can come later. Once you’ve chosen your general location, more in-depth research will need to take place, considering things like permits, accessibility, and any regulations. For example, some national parks or historic sites might have restrictions on where ceremonies can take place. 

At this stage, feel free to do the research now, but keep the list of ceremony spots open-ended and ongoing. Make sure you note down any permits or regulations to make your decision easier later!

Read More: LGBTQ+-Friendly Countries for Destination Elopements

Read More: LGBTQ+-Friendly States in the USA for Elopements

3. Take Care of Legal Necessities

When it comes to making your marriage legal, I’m only going to cover the general process for legally marrying in the United States. As I mentioned earlier, unless it’s for immigration purposes, I strongly advise you to take care of all these logistics in your home country.

You can make your marriage legal before or after your destination elopement. Either way, the process typically involves:

1. Getting a marriage license: Each state will have its own rules about waiting periods, expiration dates, and whether you need an appointment.
2. Having an officiant and witnesses: Unless you’re in a state that allows self-solemnization, you’ll need a recognized officiant (like a judge, religious leader, or ordained officiant) and two witnesses over the age of 18.
3. Filing your marriage certificate: This usually must be filed within a specified timeframe from the date of signing.

You might also be asking: Do I need to plan a whole separate ceremony for this? 

Answer: You can do whatever you want! 

Some couples just swing by the courthouse, sign the paperwork, and call it done. Others might have a super casual moment, like saying vows at home with a friend officiating. Since you’re already planning a destination elopement, if you don’t want the formal ceremony, fancy outfits, or anything that feels like a second wedding, that’s totally your call to make.

Legalities for Queer Folks

Before making up your mind about your destination elopement, it’s important to also consider legal implications if you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community. For example, if you’re from the States, you can make your marriage legal here as it’s protected under federal law. However, if you plan on making it legal elsewhere (I don’t recommend this unless it’s for immigration purposes), you’ll have to make sure gay marriage is actually allowed. 

Even if you’re making your marriage legal at home and having a symbolic elopement abroad, it’s also important to review your destination’s stance on the queer community. In some countries, LGBTQ+ relationships are illegal. In others, it’s frowned upon. I recommend avoiding countries that are known to be discriminatory or not queer-friendly. This will not only make you feel more comfortable, but it will also protect your safety.

Read More: Legal Considerations for LGBTQ+ Elopements

4. Plan Your Budget

Budgeting for a destination elopement is a bit like budgeting for a trip and a ceremony in one. This means factoring in:

• Travel costs, like flights, rental cars, trains, or ferries
• Accomodations
• Daily meal budgets
• Activities
• Photography and other vendors
• Marriage licenses (there is a fee for marriage licenses in the States!)
• Permits (there might be a cost for special-use permits in certain areas)

When it comes to budgeting, it’s important to talk about what’s non-negotiable for you and where you’re willing to be flexible. Don’t forget to also budget a bit of extra cash in case your estimates are low compared to actual costs or in case there’s an emergency.

Read More: How to Create an Elopement Budget

5. Book Vendors

Now that you have a destination and a budget, it’s time to book vendors! Unlike a traditional wedding, you won’t need a huge vendor team, but having the right people in place can make your elopement that much more special.

Hiring a Photographer

When it comes to a photographer, you can decide to bring someone from your region or just hire locally at your elopement destination. Both options have pros and cons. Bringing a photographer (like me!) means working with someone you already trust, who you’ve already met, and who will be with you from planning to gallery delivery. Another perk? My travel costs are already built into my pricing, so hiring me to shoot in the States or abroad won’t involve any surprises.

Keep in mind that if you decide to hire a photographer who doesn’t live in your elopement destination, you’ll want to make sure they have experience doing destination elopements and are prepared to get any necessary work permits and bring all documentation, so that they can actually enter the country.

Hiring locally in your destination is also a great option if you find someone you really vibe with. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to do extra due diligence and sift through reviews. For queer couples, you’ll also need to make sure they’re LGBTQ+-affirming!

Read More: Destination Elopements: Should You Bring a Photographer or Hire Locally?

Going Local for Other Vendors

For most other vendors, hiring locally is usually the way to go. Florists, hair and makeup artists, officiants, and guides (if you’re hiking or adventuring) will know the best spots and be familiar with local logistics. In most cases, a lot of other vendors don’t travel for elopements. But if it is possible for some, it usually will include more hefty travel costs.

I’m also happy to research with you or for you and ask local vendors the uncomfortable questions before we get to your destination. For example, if you just want to skip having awkward encounters with vendors who aren’t queer-affirming, you can leave it to me!

6. Decide On Your Specific Location/Ceremony Spot

Earlier, we talked about being a bit more general when choosing your destination (like picking a country or region first). Now that you’ve done your research, it’s time to narrow it down and choose the exact spot where you’ll say your vows. As your photographer, I can also help narrow down the list based on my own research and knowledge. 

Generally, we should choose a location that matches your vision while making sure it’s also not a logistical nightmare. Once you decide on your favorite spot, we’ll need to contact the venue or location, secure any necessary permits, and confirm any regulations or restrictions (for example, some places may require a few days’ notice for permits or have limited availability). Make sure you also ask about details like accessibility, available amenities, and any costs involved.

7. Book Lodging, Transportation, and Travel

With your ceremony location set, it’s time to tackle the logistics of getting there and where you’ll stay.

Lodging

I like to recommend booking an Airbnb or other rental that really matches your vibe in the event that we need to move the ceremony indoors. Hotels and resort accommodations are also options—it just depends on what feels most comfortable to you! Don’t forget to check the location’s proximity to your ceremony spot to make travel on the big day a bit easier.

Transportation

You’ll also need to think about how you’ll get around. Will you need to rent a car, or is there public transportation nearby? In most cases, it’s a good idea to book a rental car ahead of time, but if you plan on taking public transportation, you can typically buy tickets and passes when you get there. If you’re heading to a more remote location, this might even involve arranging private transportation.

Flights

And of course, if you don’t plan on taking a road trip to your elopement destination, flights will be your other major consideration. Book these well in advance to get the best prices, and make sure to check baggage policies, especially if you’re bringing special items like your wedding attire or decor. Also, consider travel insurance to protect your plans in case of delays or cancellations. 

Pro Tip: You can use Hopper or Skyscanner for the best deals on flights and accommodations.

8. Invite Guests (If You Want)

You might’ve heard me emphasize this before, but one of the best things about an elopement is the freedom to decide exactly who (if anyone) will join you on your big day. Because of the costs associated with traveling, the desire for more connection on the big day, and maybe even tough relationships with friends and family, many couples choose to have their destination elopement with just the two of them to avoid the stress.

But, you might also decide you want a small handful of your favorite people to make the experience even more meaningful. If you invite guests, consider the following:

• Travel arrangements: Let them know early enough so they can book flights and accommodations.
• Cost considerations: Be transparent about whether guests are expected to cover their own travel expenses or if you’ll be helping with some costs.

If you want the best of both worlds, you can also think about having your destination elopement alone and then doing a party or celebration with your loved ones when you get back home.

Read More: Do You Have to Invite Guests to Your Elopement?

9. Choose Activities and Create an Itinerary

One of the best parts of a destination elopement? You usually aren’t traveling there to just say “I do” and leave. Beyond the ceremony, you’re also probably looking forward to a bit of an adventure (whatever “adventure” means to you). Since a destination elopement can also double as a bit of a vacation, consider activities for the following:

• Pre-elopement: Depending on when you intend to arrive at your destination, pre-elopement activities could cover a few days before the big day and the hours leading up to the ceremony. Such activities might include a relaxing spa day, an easy hike to scout your ceremony spot, a boat tour, or a peaceful breakfast and coffee before the ceremony.
• Post-ceremony celebrations: This can be anything like a sunset picnic, a private chef experience, wine tasting, a guided tour to see the sights, kayaking on a lake, having a romantic dinner, or a helicopter ride for scenic views. Your post-elopement activities might also span a few days after the big day, if you decide to turn this into an extended vacation!

After you have a bit of a list going of different activities, go ahead and slot these into your itinerary where it makes sense. Here’s an example to give you an idea of what a destination elopement itinerary might look like:

• 2 days before elopement day: Arrive and get settled into your accommodation
• 1 day before your elopement day:
  • Scout out your elopement location and make sure everything will work according to plan
  • Go sightseeing
  • Have a romantic dinner together
• Your elopement day:
  • 6:00 AM: Make coffee or tea and watch the world wake up
  • 8:00 AM: Have breakfast together
  • 10:00 AM: Get ready (and maybe a getting-ready shoot!)
  • 1:00 PM: Travel to your elopement location
  • 1:30 PM: Hike to the ceremony spot
  • 2:30 PM: Exchange your vows 
  • 3:30 PM: Couple photos 
  • 4:00 PM: Relax, take in your surroundings, or do an activity
  • 5:30 to 7:30 PM: Couple portraits at sunset
  • 8:30 PM: Celebratory meal at Airbnb or restaurant
• 1-2 days after your elopement:
  • See more sights and fit in more activities from your list
  • Check in at other accommodations (if you decide to travel to other locations)
• 3-4 days after your elopement:
  • Travel home

10. Order Outfits and Accessories

While this step comes near the end of this process, don’t wait too long. If you’re ordering a custom outfit, it may take several months to be made and altered. Even off-the-rack options might need some tailoring. However, if you want a lower stress option, finding outfits and accessories could also be a day or two of effort—it just depends on your vibe!

Nonetheless, here’s what to keep in mind when it comes to your destination elopement outfit:

• Consider the climate and the activities you want to engage in—will your outfit hold up?
• Think about travel logistics. If you’re flying, consider how you’ll pack your outfit to avoid lots of wrinkling.
• Don’t underestimate accessories. For example, consider comfortable shoes, layers for changing weather, and any special details like jewelry or other unique elements that are on brand for your style.

Pro Tip: If you talk to your flight attendants beforehand and tell them you have a wedding dress, many of them will be excited to help you find a good place to store it that won’t involve smooshing it too much.

11. Create a Packing List

With all the planning in place, the last thing you want is to forget something important! So, make a packing list to keep things organized. For example:

12. Create a Plan B

Even with the best planning, things don’t always go as expected. This is especially true if you’re eloping far away or in a new destination. So, I always recommend having a backup plan so you can pivot quickly without taking away the special feel of your day.

Weather Backup

If you’re eloping outdoors, for example, consider having a secondary ceremony location indoors (like a covered overlook, your Airbnb, or a low-key indoor venue). You can also think about ways to adjust your timeline to wait out or avoid unfavorable weather.

Vendor or Travel Issues

Flights get delayed, vendors cancel, or travel logistics shift. The best way to prepare for the unexpected is to build extra time into your itinerary and leave extra budget for emergency costs. 

For example, instead of flying in the evening before your elopement, consider flying in two days before your elopement to offset any delays caused by travel. 

It’s also important to keep your vendor and emergency contacts handy so everyone’s in the loop in the event of a plan change.

Read More: How to Make a Backup Plan for Your Elopement

13. Optional: Plan a Post-Elopement Celebration

Since you’re already at a beautiful destination, you can choose to turn your elopement into a bit of an extended vacation or honeymoon. This might include packing your time with excursions, sightseeing, or even traveling to a new location and checking in to a new Airbnb or hotel. If you brought guests along, this can also be a good chance to spend time with them.

You can also choose to throw a post-elopement celebration when you get home.  Think backyard barbecue, a dinner at a restaurant, or a simple dinner party at home. This gives you a chance to involve more of your loved ones in your elopement journey without bringing them across the country or globe.

Pros and Cons of Destination Elopements

Still on the fence about destination elopements? Here are some pros and cons for you to weigh in your decision:

Pros

• An unforgettable adventure: Simply put, it’s not every day you’ll get to say you eloped with the love of your life while also traveling to a beautiful location.
• Fewer expectations and tradition: No pressure to follow outdated wedding norms or the expectations of your family. You get to do things your way.
• Built-in honeymoon: Since you’re already in a dream destination, why not extend the trip and make it your honeymoon too?
• Intimate and meaningful: Without a big guest list, you can focus on each other. I don’t think there’s anything that can bring two people closer together than traveling and getting married.
• Epic photos: Let’s be real—getting married in a new, breathtaking location will mean unique photos that you won’t want to look away from.

Cons

• More travel logistics: Think flights, ground transportation, legalities, and permits.
• Some loved ones might not be there: This could also be a pro if you don’t particularly want your family there
• Potentially higher costs: Big travel expenses, lodging, experiences, and local vendor pricing could potentially make your elopement more expensive. 

Your Adventure Starts Here

At the end of the day, eloping in a dream destination is about celebrating your love in a way that feels right for you. Sure, it takes some planning, but it’s also an experience you’ll never forget. So, if you’re ready to start bringing your elopement vision to life and want a photographer who can help you through the planning process, let’s chat—I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up!