5 Epic Locations to Elope in the United States
I’m going to get straight to the point—here are some of the dreamiest places to elope in the US.
I’m going to get straight to the point—here are some of the dreamiest places to elope in the US.
1. Grand Teton National Park
Grand teton national park was one of the first places that truly took my breath away.
I have photographed here in the summer and in the winter and it is gorgeous no matter the time of the year.
The Teton mountain range is just INSANE and there are so many spots in the Grand Tetons to have an elopement. Jenny Lake, Glacier View, Schwabacher’s landing, Mormon Row, etc.
You can stay in Jackson or the Teton Village while you’re there! Jackson feels a lot like a “big small town”. It has the small town feels but there is still so much to do there!
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall—elope here!!
2. Moab, UT
Three words: arches. national. park.
Okay, there are other reasons why Moab, UT is one of the best places to elope. While I absolutely LOVE Arches National Park—there are TWO OTHER parks right by Moab, Utah! All three of the parks are;
Arches National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Dead Horse State Park
That’s THREE parks you can visit all in one town. What?! All of my clients end up having a week long adventure in Moab because there is so much to see! This is a perfect town for a multi-day elopement if you want to check out multiple parks.
And there is so much to do here in Moab! Canyoneering, horseback riding, vintage shopping, off roading, whitewater rafting, stargazing, and so much more.
I get so excited every single time I get to go to this gorgeous little town.
I’d recommend eloping here in the spring and fall! It can get really hot in the summer and also snows in the winter! Unless that’s what you’re looking for—then go for it!
3. Sedona, AZ
Sedona is seriously one of my favorite places for couples to elope.
There’s SO much to do here! Helicopter tours, epic dinners, fortune telling, hiking, off roading, cliff jumping, the list goes on and on. I’ve had so many of my couples book a week in Sedona when they get married! They’re able to elope in one of the coolest spots and then have a week long trip FULL of adventure.
The weather! You can elope here pretty much year round. Though the summers can be pretty hot! But the winters are usually pretty mild. And if you’re lucky, there’s sometimes a blanket of snow in Sedona in the winter. There’s nothing more beautiful than a light dusting of snow contrasted with the beautiful red rock of Sedona! Spring and Fall are so gorgeous in Sedona and the best time to elope!
I have an entire blog on how to elope at my FAVORITE spot in Sedona! Check it out HERE. I also blogged an entire wedding from Merry Go Round Rock—click HERE to read it and see what your wedding day can look like!
4. Page, AZ
Look at this picture. Do I need to say more?
Similar to Moab, UT (as stated above) Page, AZ has SO many sites to see!
I’m talking about Horseshoe Bend
Lake Powell
Antelope Canyon
And even the Grand Canyon isn’t too far from Page, Arizona!
Horseshoe Bend is actually where my husband and I eloped! (And took our engagement photos) So, I may be a bit biased. But seriously, Page Arizona is GORGEOUS!
Photos taken by KMT Photos
It’s a small town but there is so much to see and do! You can even stay in this traditional Navajo hut HERE.
You can take a tour of the incredible Antelope Canyon, you can even take a boat down to the bottom of Horseshoe Bend. What?! So cool! You can do horseback riding, helicopter tours, or rent a house boat and ride around Lake Powell.
This small town has a lot to offer!
5. Literally anywhere in Colorado
Pull off the side of the road and elope
Okay, maybe I am simplifying it a little bit…but seriously! Everywhere you go—Colorado is just breathtaking. Here are some places you can elope in that are so dreamy;
Estes Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Garden of the Gods
Durango, CO
Telluride, CO
And in Colorado you can LITERALLY HAVE YOUR DOG MARRY YOU!! I don’t think I need to say any more.
But I will.
In Colorado you literally don’t need anyone to marry you! And you don’t need witnesses! Why doesn’t EVERY state do this? I have no idea.
This is probably my favorite reason to elope in Colorado! It makes it so easy for you two to be able to have a “100% just you two” experience. No friends, no family—just me! Lol!
Colorado is also pretty much an “all year round” elopement destination! Yes, it snows in the winter, and yes it can be hot in the summer. But everything is so accessible! It makes it super easy to have a beautiful snowy wedding! Fall and spring are also stunning in Colorado.
Part of what I do for my couples is help them pick the BEST location for THEM! All of my packages are all inclusive so that you’re able to travel anywhere in the United States for your elopement. Whether you want to share your vows by a lake in the mountains or in a lush, tropical forest—I got you. Click HERE and fill out my contact form for a free elopement consultation! Let’s plan your next epic adventure.
Bridal Sessions - Why You Deserve One
You may have heard the term “bridal session/day after session” floating around. What is it? And why does my photographer recommend one? Because you DESERVE one!
Seriously, I believe that every couple deserves a bridal session - and here’s why.
What is a Bridal Session?
A bridal session is a separate from your wedding day. You get pictures taken of you and your future spouse.
Won’t I get pictures of me and my husband/wife on our wedding day?
Of course! And even when my couples schedule Bridal Sessions, I always take photos of just the two of them during the wedding day, too.
The main reason that I recommend bridal sessions - and the reason my couples love them - is that it frees up time.
When you set aside another day for bridal photos, it frees up time on your wedding day. You no longer have to stress about fitting in portraits somewhere between the speeches and cake.
But I can carve out an hour for pictures - right?!
Picture this:
You two just finished your ceremony, you’re married! You want to go party and celebrate!
Welp, not quite yet! Now we have to squeeze in family photos, bridal party portraits, PLUS photos of the two of you. And this all happens right after you get married! That means you may have to skip your cocktail hour altogether.
And I don’t know about you, but a margarita sounds really good right about now!
Instead of missing your cocktail hour and chilling with guests, you can schedule a bridal session. (Insert twinkling stars)
That means instead of spending an hour taking photos after you get married, you only need to spend 10-20!
10 minutes of family photos + 10 minutes of taking cute couple photos = a whole lot more margaritas!
That does sound really nice!
Doesn’t it?!
Now picture your bridal session!
You have 1+ hours to leisurely have your photos taken someplace EPIC.
Think:
You can literally have your bridal photos taken anywhere!
This is a great option for you if you want a wedding surrounded by friends and loved ones, but you crave those jaw-dropping photos in scenic mountain ranges.
With a bridal session, you get the best of both worlds!
Okay, I’m SOLD! When should I schedule one?
Most couples choose to do their bridal session after their wedding -
but it’s all a matter of choice when it comes to when you schedule your bridal session.
I recommend doing your bridal session after your wedding date if:
You don’t plan on leaving for a honeymoon for a few days or more after your wedding day
You want to go somewhere adventurous, but you want your dress to be clean on your wedding day
You have WAYYY too much to do before your wedding day, and the sound of taking pictures the week before is giving you a headache
If any of these sound like you, then I recommend doing a bridal session after your wedding date! It will be totally relaxing, because guess what? You’re already married and you don’t have to think of it as crossing something off your Wedding To Do List!
I recommend doing your bridal session before your wedding date if you plan on doing a First Look anyway!
Why? Because:
Your photos will be done beforehand, so you can chill on your wedding day
You’ll have complete privacy for a true “first look”
You’ll be able to go on an epic adventure together
I already got married, but a bridal session sounds so nice!
Already married? Do yourself a favor and schedule a bridal session!
Even if you got married 5, 10, or 50 years ago, you can still have a bridal session!
I think it’s an awesome idea to do an Anniversary or Bridal Session where you two are back in your wedding clothes. Because, why not?!
You can write new vows to share with each other, or dust off your old vows and see if it still rings true for your relationship.
If you didn’t get to go on an epic adventure on your wedding day, a bridal session is a great opportunity to have fun and get amazing photos.
Whatever the reason, hop back in those wedding clothes, go somewhere epic, and do the thing!
xx