7 of the BEST Places to Elope in the U.S. (from a Destination Elopement Photographer)

Whether you’re hiking to a hidden overlook, saying vows beneath ancient trees, or running barefoot on a beach your elopement should feel like a reflection of who you are, not who tradition says you should be. Hi, by the way. I'm Rachel. Destination Elopement Photographer & Educator passionate about helping couples plan the day of their dreams. each of these 7 of the Best Places to Elope in the U.S. has its own texture, tone, and tender kind of magic.

I hope this helps you dream a little and if you have any questions throughout the process; I'd welcome you to check out my resources page and my FREE GIFT: 15 Questions to Ask a Potential Elopement Photographer OR my Ultimate Elopement Guide Bundle

xo, Rachel

1. Big Sur, California

Where ocean meets earth and everything slows down.

BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA — THE FULL EXPERIENCE Perfect for: Nature lovers, ocean dreamers, and couples who want their wedding day to feel raw, wild, and deeply romantic — like a windswept love letter written into the cliffs.

Best seasons: Spring through fall. April to October offers the best weather, fewer closures, and the most golden light — but Big Sur’s beauty is year-round if you're prepared for fog or mist.

Why I love it: Big Sur makes you feel small in the most beautiful way, like your love is being witnessed by something ancient and alive. It’s cinematic, grounding, and wildly sacred.

This isn’t just a location. It’s a feeling.

You’ll drive along Highway 1 with the windows down and the scent of eucalyptus drifting in on the breeze. The world gets quieter here. Calmer. As if nature itself is taking a deep breath.

To your left, redwood groves stretch toward the sky like ancient guardians. To your right, rugged cliffs fall away into the sea — waves crashing in slow motion, soft and rhythmic. It’s dramatic and raw and achingly romantic… the kind of place that feels like a love song.

But being there? It’s even better.

Let me paint the scene for your elopement day — the way it could truly look and feel.

Imagine Waking Up Here...

You’re tucked away in a cozy cabin at Glen Oaks Big Sur, surrounded by towering redwoods and the soft sound of the Big Sur River moving just outside your window.

Morning light filters through the trees in golden ribbons.

You brew a cup of coffee, step onto your private deck, and breathe in cool, cedar-scented air.Your elopement morning feels slow. Intentional. Peaceful.A day designed for you, not for anyone else.

Ceremony Locations That Feel Like Magic

• Pfeiffer Beach (the purple sand beach): Hidden, windswept, unforgettable. The light that pours through Keyhole Rock at sunset looks like something from another world.

• Garrapata State Park: Wild coastal cliffs. Rolling hills. Golden grass that sways in the ocean wind — perfect for running barefoot and laughing into the breeze.

• Andrew Molera State Park: Wide-open coastal meadows, the smell of sagebrush, and fewer crowds. A true hidden gem.

• Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Redwood groves where sunlight filters in soft beams through mossy trees. A beautiful, grounded forest ceremony spot.

Make It an Experience, Not Just a Ceremony

Big Sur is known for its slow living, spiritual energy, and connection to nature.

You can shape your elopement day around the land itself. Here are a few ideas:

• Sunrise cliffside vows as the sky turns pink and orange over the Pacific

• A post-ceremony walk through the redwoods, hand in hand under the canopy

• A romantic lunch or dinner at Nepenthe, a cliffside restaurant overlooking the ocean

• A luxury picnic set up on the cliffs, styled with lanterns, rugs, and local treats

• An intimate bonfire and private chef dinner at your cabin under the stars

  
  

Where to Stay (Dreamy Options)

• Glen Oaks Big Sur: Modern cabins surrounded by redwoods and river trails. Quiet luxury, perfect for elopement mornings.

• Post Ranch Inn: One of the most iconic luxury stays in California. Glass walls, cliffside infinity pools, and top-tier elopement energy.

• Ventana Big Sur: Upscale "glamping" and luxury resort combined. Private decks, spa experiences, and breathtaking views.

• Fernwood Resort: Boho cabins and redwood forest vibes. Cozy, charming, and more budget-friendly.

  
  

Make It a Full Elopement Weekend

Big Sur isn’t just known for its landscape; it’s known for how it makes you feel. Here are a few optional extras to round out your elopement weekend:

• Whale watching in Monterey Bay (about an hour north)

• A day trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea for pastries, boutique shopping, and fairy tale charm

• Soaking in the Esalen Institute hot springs, perched above the cliffs

• Wine tasting in Carmel Valley with golden hills and laid-back California sunshine

Why Big Sur Feels So Different It’s not just the scenery, it’s the atmosphere.

Big Sur has a way of making you feel grounded. Connected. Small, but in a beautiful way. Like your love is part of something ancient.

The cliffs have been here for thousands of years.The redwoods even longer.And when you stand there with the wind in your hair and your person’s hands in yours, everything just makes sense.

This is why elopements here feel unforgettable. . . because the place holds your story with reverence.

2. Charleston, South Carolina

Timeless romance wrapped in Southern charm.

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — THE FULL EXPERIENCE Perfect for: Romantic souls, garden lovers, and couples who want Southern charm, cobblestone streets, and oak-canopied vows. Ideal for those who value quiet elegance over extravagance.

Best seasons: Spring and fall. Charleston blooms beautifully in March–May, and the light in October–November is soft, golden, and unforgettable.

Why I love it: Every inch of Charleston feels cinematic, but not in a curated way. It’s warm, real, and historic. It holds love stories in its bones, and being here always feels like you’re walking into one. I love Charleston and it's one of my favorite destinations for couples. This is a city that knows how to slow down.

Cobblestone streets. Gas lanterns flickering at dusk. Spanish moss dripping from 200-year-old oaks. And somewhere in the distance, the faint sound of waves brushing the shore.

Charleston feels like stepping back in time, but in the most beautiful, intentional way. It’s rich with history, charm, and softness. And for couples looking to elope somewhere timeless, elegant, and deeply romantic, there may be no better place.

Imagine Waking Up Here... You wake in a boutique hotel suite at the heart of the historic district. . . maybe at Zero George, a romantic hideaway tucked behind wrought-iron gates and old magnolia trees. Morning light slips through the shutters. You step outside to a wraparound porch, coffee in hand, and hear the soft creak of rocking chairs on the deck below.

Your elopement day begins with stillness. A soft breeze. A city that feels like it’s holding its breath just for you.

Ceremony Locations That Feel Like Magic

• White Point Garden: A quiet park shaded by ancient oaks, tucked at the southern tip of the peninsula. Surrounded by historic mansions and the sea breeze.

• Magnolia Plantation & Gardens: Overflowing with flowers, winding paths, and that storybook charm Charleston is known for.

• Cypress Gardens: If you’ve ever dreamed of saying your vows in a real-life version of The Notebook — this is it.

• Sullivan’s Island or Folly Beach: For couples who want sand between their toes and the sound of waves during their vows. A more laid-back coastal backdrop just minutes away.
  

Make It an Experience, Not Just a Ceremony Charleston isn’t just pretty, it’s atmospheric. You can feel the history here. The soul. And the best elopements lean into that.

Here are a few ways couples turn their Charleston elopement into a full, dreamy experience:

• A first look on a hidden garden path or under a canopy of moss-draped trees

• Post-ceremony stroll through the French Quarter’s pastel streets and shuttered windows

• A romantic ride in a vintage car through downtown after the ceremony

• Private dinner in a candlelit courtyard or chef’s tasting menu at Husk or The Obstinate Daughter

• A sailboat sunset charter from Charleston Harbor — champagne in hand, golden light reflecting off the water
  

Where to Stay (Dreamy Options)Charleston’s accommodations are part of the magic. Here are a few of the most romantic spots to consider:

• Zero George: A quiet, elegant boutique inn with verandas, gas lanterns, and courtyard dining

• The Dewberry: Modern Southern luxury with sweeping views of the city and a rooftop bar for toasts

• Emeline: Stylish and welcoming, with cozy rooms, record players, and the coziest hidden nooks

• The Vendue: An art-focused hotel in the French Quarter, perfect for creative couples

• Airbnbs near Sullivan’s Island: Great for couples who want a beach morning and downtown evening all in one day

Make It a Full Elopement WeekendThere’s so much to love in Charleston — and so many ways to savor your time here.

• Take a romantic carriage ride at sunset through the historic district

• Visit Middleton Place or Boone Hall for stunning garden strolls and dreamy photo ops

• Enjoy oysters and rosé at The Darling Oyster Bar or dinner for two at FIG

• Wander the Charleston City Market, King Street boutiques, or cozy up at The Harbinger Café

• Book a couples massage or spa day before your elopement to ground and unwind

Why Charleston Feels So Different

It’s not loud or flashy. It’s soft. Intentional. Full of texture and tenderness.

Charleston invites you to slow down — to savor the light filtering through the moss, the quiet streets in the early morning, and the warmth of every brick building that’s seen love stories for centuries.

An elopement here feels timeless. Rooted. Gentle. It’s a place that cradles your love story with grace and makes even the smallest moments feel unforgettable.

3. Destin / 30A, Florida

Barefoot vows. Sugar-white sand. Emerald water. 30A / DESTIN, FLORIDA — THE FULL EXPERIENCE Perfect for: Couples who want a laid-back, luxury beach experience with timeless Southern charm, privacy, and soft, natural beauty.

Best seasons: Late spring and early fall — before peak humidity and after the crowds, with the prettiest light of the year.

Why I love it: I live nearby and know it intimately — the secret spots, the quiet corners, and the golden moments that most people miss. There’s nowhere else quite like it.

If you’re dreaming of sugar-white sand, quiet mornings by glittering, turquoise water, and a ceremony that feels more like a secret than a production, this place was made for you.

30A isn’t just a beach. It’s a slow-living, barefoot-luxury kind of coastline that wraps around you like a soft linen dress and makes the rest of the world feel far away.

Tucked along Florida’s Emerald Coast, this stretch of seaside towns long the iconic coastal 30A highway is second to none and truly one of the most beautiful coastal beach elopement destinations in the U.S. If you want to feel like you're in the caribbean or somewhere tropical but stay here in the U.S. this is for you. Seaside, Rosemary, Alys, Grayton, and other coastal towns along 30A offers picture-perfect beaches with turquoise water, pastel cottages, and that warm, golden light that makes everything feel like a memory the moment it happens. Stunning sunrise and sunsets every day that look straight out of a pastel painting. . .

Imagine Waking Up Here... You’re staying in a quiet coastal cottage in Grayton Beach or in a beachfront house overlooking the gorgeous ocean views. The morning sun is pouring in through gauzy curtains as waves roll gently in the background. You wander out barefoot to the back porch, coffee in hand, wrapped in a soft robe.

Down the street, the ocean waits. You hear seagulls overhead. The salty air kisses your skin. It’s quiet. Sacred. The start of something beautiful.

Your elopement day doesn’t feel rushed. It feels slow. Spacious. Yours. but also . . . luxurious.

Ceremony Locations That Feel Like Magic

• Grayton Beach State Park: Wild, untouched dunes, tall grasses, and quiet trails that lead to the most pristine sand you’ve ever seen.

• Eden Gardens State Park: A beautiful Southern estate with moss-draped oak trees and a dreamy waterfront backdrop — perfect if you want a coastal-meets-garden vibe.

• Rosemary Beach Green or Eastern Green: Coastal architecture, winding boardwalks, and open greens just steps from the sand.

• Seaside Pavilion: An iconic white structure that looks out over the ocean — simple, elegant, and perfect for a sunrise or sunset ceremony.

• Secret dune paths near Blue Mountain Beach or WaterSound: Tucked-away boardwalks where you can exchange vows in total privacy with the Gulf as your witness.

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Make It an Experience, Not Just a Ceremony This coast is designed for slow moments. Here’s how to turn your elopement into an entire experience:

• Morning beach walk or sunrise first look on the sand

• Paddleboarding or kayaking through Western Lake for a soft adventure moment

• Brunch at Raw & Juicy or Black Bear Bread Co. before getting ready

• Portraits through the whitewashed alleyways of Alys Beach or beneath the rosemary-lined walkways of Seaside

• Sunset vows followed by a private chef dinner at your beach rental

• Ending the night with champagne, lanterns, and your toes still sandy from the day

• Beach bonfire along the coast to end the perfect day

Where to Stay (Dreamy Options) There’s something for every kind of couple here from laid-back beach bungalows to boutique luxury.

• The Pearl Hotel (Rosemary Beach): Upscale and romantic with ocean views, a rooftop lounge, and walkable charm

• WaterColor Inn: Classic coastal luxury with access to parks, trails, and private beach boardwalks

• The Court (Seaside): Small, intimate, design-forward — perfect for couples who want quiet elegance

• Airbnb in Grayton, Blue Mountain, or Seagrove Beach: Quaint cottages tucked just off the water, ideal for privacy and dreamy light

• Carillon Beach rentals: A quiet, gated community with European-style architecture and beach access
  

Make It a Full Elopement Weekend This is a place where you don’t need to fill your schedule — just being here is the experience. But here are a few local favorites to help you savor it:

• Grab coffee at Beach Happy Café or Amavida and stroll the Seaside Farmers Market

• Book a beach picnic setup through a local luxury picnic company — think pillows, lanterns, and charcuterie with your toes in the sand

• Enjoy sunset drinks at Pescado or The Citizen in Alys Beach

• Rent bikes and explore the entire 30A trail — beach town to beach town

• Book a private sail out of Destin Harbor or go dolphin spotting in the Gulf

• End the day with local ice cream or warm beignets under twinkle lights in Seaside’s town square
  

Why 30A Feels So Different There’s something about this stretch of coast that’s hard to put into words like childhood memories and barefoot freedom and a soft breeze that reminds you to breathe.

It’s not loud or overdone. It’s intentional. Quiet. Gentle. And yet wildly beautiful

This is a place where you can show up as yourselves. No fluff. No fuss. Just real, slow, sacred love — with sand in your shoes and wind in your hair.

If you’re craving a day that feels like a memory unfolding… 30A is waiting.

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4. Joshua Tree, California

For the ones who find beauty in the silence. JOSHUA TREE, CALIFORNIA — THE FULL EXPERIENCE Perfect for: Couples who want something earthy, spiritual, artistic, and wildly intimate. The kind of people who find beauty in stillness and magic in simplicity.

Best seasons: Late fall through early spring. Desert summers are intense, but October through April offers golden light and cool, dreamy evenings.

Why I love it: Joshua Tree gives you permission to strip it all back — to lead with meaning over perfection, to connect more deeply, and to begin your marriage grounded, sacred, and real. It's one of the most spiritually charged places I’ve ever photographed.

This is where the desert breathes.

Where time stretches out.Where the sun lingers longer.Where silence becomes sacred.Joshua Tree isn’t just a location — it’s a mood. A spiritual shift. A soft grounding.

This desert is raw, imperfect, vast, and deeply still. And for the couples who choose to elope here, it’s usually not because they want a flashy backdrop. It’s because they’re craving something real. Earthy. Intentional. Cosmic.

Imagine Waking Up Here...

You’re staying in a modern desert casita tucked into the boulders; maybe at The Joshua Tree House or a locally styled Airbnb with big windows and minimal design. You wake to the softest kind of quiet. Not silence… just stillness.

You pour coffee and step outside. The air is crisp. The sun hasn’t fully risen yet, and everything is bathed in soft, golden light. You hear nothing but the breeze moving through the cacti.

This is the start of your day. Unhurried. Spacious. Wildly your own.

Ceremony Locations That Feel Like Magic

• Cap Rock or Indian Cove (inside Joshua Tree National Park): Iconic rock formations, golden light, and panoramic desert views.

• Hidden Valley: Dreamy boulder backdrops and wide-open skies. Perfect for sunset vows.

• Keys View: Elevated overlook with sweeping views — ideal for couples who want a grand-but-intimate spot.

• Off-grid BLM land or private properties: There are secluded desert ceremony spots just outside the park boundaries with no permit needed and 360º views.

• Pioneertown or Rimrock Ranch: For couples who want a little rustic Wild West charm with boho flair.
  

Make It an Experience, Not Just a Ceremony There’s something about this desert that slows people down. Elopements here often feel more like a spiritual retreat than a timeline.

Here’s how to turn your elopement into a full desert-day experience:

• Early morning meditation or slow movement in the desert air

• A first look among the boulders as the light rises over the hills

• Vows at golden hour with windblown hair and sun-warmed skin

• Sunset portraits with the pink sky glowing behind the Joshua trees

• A starlit dinner at your Airbnb with candles, music, and desert stillness

• Stargazing together under one of the darkest, clearest skies in the U.S.
  

Where to Stay (Dreamy Options)Joshua Tree has become known for its unique stays; earthy, artful, and immersive. Here are a few favorites:

• The Joshua Tree House: Iconic, intentional, and styled for stillness.

• Villa Kuro: A modern Japanese-inspired retreat perfect for minimalists.

• Sacred Sands: Architecture meets nature — with views that stun.

• Dome in the Desert: Artistic and cozy, this desert dome is a favorite for photos.

• Off-grid Airbnb cabins near Pioneertown: Perfect for couples who want full privacy and uninterrupted connection.
  

Make It a Full Elopement Weekend Joshua Tree invites you to lean in. To unplug. To create an entire weekend around presence and peace. Some ideas to round out your experience:

• Sound bath at The Integratron — an unforgettable energetic reset

• Thrifting and gallery hopping in downtown Joshua Tree or Yucca Valley

• Dinner at La Copine — a desert culinary gem with seasonal menus

• Morning hike to Barker Dam or 49 Palms Oasis

• Couples massage or spa day in Palm Springs (just 45 minutes away)

• Bonfire night with local catering or a personal chef under the stars
  

Why Joshua Tree Feels So Different Because it strips everything down.

There are no distractions here. No hustle and bustle or fluff. Just earth and sky and space to breathe.

The desert shows you what really matters. And when you're standing there; sun on your face, wind in your hair, your person in front of you; nothing else exists.

It's just you two. Alive. Present. Unapologetically in love.

If you're craving a ceremony that feels both grounded and cosmic, raw and reverent… Joshua Tree is calling.

Golden and still. That’s how Joshua Tree feels. You’ll walk through surreal rock formations, say your vows under the open desert sky, and spend your first night as newlyweds wrapped in blankets under the stars.

5. Yosemite National Park, California

Epic doesn’t even begin to cover it. YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA — THE FULL EXPERIENCE Perfect for: Adventurous couples, mountain lovers, and those who want to feel completely immersed in nature — surrounded by granite cliffs, waterfalls, and the quiet majesty of the wilderness.

Best seasons: Late spring through early fall. May to October offers the best combination of waterfall flow, wildflowers, and trail access — with September being especially peaceful and golden.

Why I love it: Yosemite feels like a cathedral made of stone and sky. It holds space for grand emotion and quiet connection all at once — every corner feels like a sacred place to begin forever.

There are places that make you feel small in the best way.Yosemite is one of them.

Towering granite cliffs. Thundering waterfalls. Meadows that glow gold at dusk. This is the kind of place that quiets the noise of the world and amplifies the love between two people.

Eloping here isn’t about rushing. It’s about reverence.The kind of reverence that comes from standing beneath something ancient, wild, and beautifully still — and saying, “I choose you.”

Imagine Waking Up Here...You’re wrapped in a warm blanket inside a cabin tucked into the trees — maybe near Yosemite West or in a quiet Airbnb just outside the park. The morning air is crisp. Light filters through the pine branches as you sip your coffee slowly, the scent of woodsmoke drifting in.

There’s no pressure to perform, no guest list to entertain.Just the sound of birds in the trees and the knowing that today is about you and the person you’ve chosen.

You breathe in mountain air and exhale everything else.

Ceremony Locations That Feel Like Magic

• Glacier Point: One of the most iconic views in the park — perfect for sunrise vows as the valley below lights up with gold and pink.

• Taft Point: A dramatic cliffside with sweeping views — quieter, more intimate, and especially magical at sunset.

• Cathedral Beach: Quiet and accessible, with the Merced River flowing beside you and El Capitan standing tall in the background.

• Cook’s Meadow or Sentinel Bridge: Open meadow views with Half Dome watching in the distance — best in spring or fall for soft light and color.

• Mirror Lake or Tenaya Lake: For couples who want a peaceful waterside ceremony with the sound of nature surrounding them.

Make It an Experience, Not Just a CeremonyYosemite isn’t just a backdrop. It’s a participant in your story.

Here are some ways to make your elopement in the park feel immersive, intentional, and unforgettable:

• Sunrise hike to Glacier or Taft Point for vows at first light

• A slow first look beneath towering pines with soft forest light

• A post-ceremony picnic in a quiet meadow with charcuterie, wine, and mountain views

• Portraits by the river or near a waterfall with your dress catching the breeze

• A relaxed dinner at your cabin with a private chef or meal prepared together, barefoot and glowing

Where to Stay (Dreamy Options)You don’t have to rough it in Yosemite — the area is full of cozy, intentional spaces to unwind before and after your day.

• AutoCamp Yosemite: Airstreams and luxury tents just outside the park — stylish, peaceful, and wildly photogenic

• Tenaya Lodge: Full-service resort meets mountain lodge, perfect for couples wanting a bit more comfort

• In-park lodges (like Wawona Hotel or Yosemite Valley Lodge): Simple, cozy, and incredibly convenient for early access to ceremony spots

• Airbnb cabins in Yosemite West or Fish Camp: Secluded stays with fireplaces, decks, and enough space to breathe

• Evergreen Lodge: Woodsy, charming, and tucked into the trees with that perfect mix of rustic and romantic

Make It a Full Elopement WeekendYosemite offers more than a ceremony. It invites you to slow down and soak it all in.

• Stargaze from a hot tub with no city lights in sight

• Take a couples hike to Vernal Falls or Sentinel Dome

• Visit Mariposa Grove and stand beneath the ancient sequoias

• Rent bikes and explore Yosemite Valley at your own pace

• Enjoy a fireside dinner under the stars or at the base of Half Dome

• Wake up slowly the next day — married, grounded, and fully present

Why Yosemite Feels So DifferentIt holds something eternal.

Every corner of this park feels sacred — not because it’s curated, but because it’s real. Unpolished. Elemental.

This is where love feels both tiny and infinite at the same time.Where you remember that you are a part of something bigger — and still, your story is worthy of taking up space among the cliffs and trees and sky.

Eloping here isn’t just a decision. It’s a declaration.We belong to each other. And this is where it begins.

6. Orcas Island, Washington

A forest fairytale wrapped in Pacific mist. ORCAS ISLAND, WASHINGTON — THE FULL EXPERIENCE Quiet. Moody. Wild in the softest way.

Perfect for: Couples who want to disappear into the fog, wake to the sound of the sea, and be surrounded by mossy forests, rocky coastlines, and total stillness. It’s for romantics, introverts, and lovers of the Pacific Northwest.

Best seasons: Late spring through early fall. May through October offers the best blend of accessible weather, open ferry schedules, and dreamy light. Summer is lush and green, while fall brings golden tones and moody mist.

Why I love it: Orcas feels untouched. Like your love is the only thing that exists. It’s gentle, grounded, and breathtaking — the kind of place where time slows and every glance, vow, and kiss feels like a secret between you and the trees.

Orcas Island is where the world softens.

It’s where you trade traffic for winding roads, cell service for forest silence, and chaos for calm. Tucked into the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington, Orcas is the emerald crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest; moody, magical, and overflowing with natural beauty.

You don’t come here for the scene. You come here for the stillness. The sound of water lapping against the shore. Forests that smell like cedar and rain. Slow mornings, intentional vows, and slow dancing barefoot under string lights.

Imagine Waking Up Here... You’re in a cozy A-frame or a cedar-shingled cabin on the edge of the island. Morning fog curls through the trees outside your window. The fireplace crackles softly as you sip coffee in a thick knit sweater, your partner's hand wrapped in yours.

The island is quiet. The air is crisp. Your heart is full.And you haven’t even said your vows yet.

Ceremony Locations That Feel Like Magic

• Mount Constitution: Panoramic mountaintop views of the Salish Sea, perfect for couples who want to feel like they’re on top of the world.

• Moran State Park: Lush forest backdrops, quiet lakeside clearings, and fern-covered trails for serene, earthy ceremonies.

• Doe Bay: A bohemian resort with hot springs, oceanfront cabins, and a vibe that feels like a warm exhale.

• Beachside Elopement at Obstruction Pass: Rugged coastline, driftwood-strewn shores, and tidepools — peaceful, beautiful, and often secluded.

• Private Airbnb with forest or sea views: For couples who want an ultra-intimate ceremony on a deck overlooking the water or in a private glen.
  

Make It an Experience, Not Just a Ceremony Orcas isn’t just a destination, it’s a reset. A place to reconnect not only with your partner, but with yourself.

Here’s how couples turn their elopement into a full island escape:

• A slow first look in the forest or on the rocky beach

• Ceremony by the sea with only the gulls and waves as guests

• Sunset portraits at the summit of Mount Constitution

• Dinner at your cabin with wine, seafood, and a playlist of your favorite songs

• Stargazing from a hot tub or wrapped in blankets by the fire
  

Where to Stay (Dreamy Options) Orcas Island is full of intentional, cozy, and wildly romantic places to stay:

• The Outlook Inn: Historic and centrally located, with sea views and warm, charming rooms

• Doe Bay Resort & Retreat: For the earthy couple who loves yoga, soaking tubs, and oceanfront cabins

• Rosario Resort: Turn-of-the-century charm with marina views and on-site spa treatments

• Leeward Studio or Tiny Fern Cabin (Airbnb): Forest hideaways designed for intimacy, creativity, and quiet connection

• Pebble Cove Farm: A sweet organic farm stay with waterfront views, animals, and peaceful, healing energy
  

Make It a Full Elopement Weekend Stretch your time here into something sacred:

• Book a massage or soak at the Doe Bay spa

• Go kayaking or paddleboarding along the island’s coves

• Hike Cascade Falls or Turtleback Mountain for gentle, scenic trails

• Explore Eastsound village — stop for coffee, local books, or handmade gifts

• Charter a private sail or whale-watching excursion around the islands

• Spend your final evening with a slow dinner, a warm fire, and the sound of wind through the pines
  

Why Orcas Feels So Different Because it’s one of the few places left that hasn’t forgotten how to be still.

There’s no rush here. No pressure. Just space to breathe and connect and feel everything.

And when you stand on the edge of this island, toes curled into moss, wind catching the hem of your dress, you’ll understand. The world can wait. Right now, this is all that matters.

Just you two. Just this moment. And a love that belongs to the land.

7. Canyonlands, Utah

For the wildly romantic and the wildly in love.

It feels like Mars and a love letter had a baby.

CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK, UTAH — THE FULL EXPERIENCE

Perfect for: Couples craving solitude, cinematic backdrops, and the kind of love story carved into the land itself. It’s for bold hearts, desert dreamers, and lovers of quiet awe.

Best seasons: Spring and fall. April–May and late September–October offer warm days, cool evenings, and fewer crowds. Summer can be scorching, while winter is beautiful but remote.

Why I love it: Canyonlands makes you feel like you’re the only two people on Earth — in the best, most soul-shaking way. It’s silent. It’s sacred. It’s everything you didn’t know you needed.

This isn’t just a desert.. . it’s a cathedral made of sandstone.

Canyonlands is vast. Otherworldly. It stretches for miles in every direction, layered in red rock, open sky, and silence that feels like reverence. It’s where the Earth unfolds itself in deep canyons and jagged cliffs, and you’re invited to stand right at the edge.

There’s no cell signal. No traffic. No distractions.Just two people, deeply in love, standing in a place older than memory and wide enough to hold every version of forever.

Imagine Waking Up Here...The sun is just beginning to rise over the desert. You’re tucked into a glamping tent near Moab or sipping coffee from the porch of a hand-built adobe Airbnb. The air is cool. Still. Sacred.

Your dress hangs from a wooden beam. Your vows are scribbled on a crumpled page. Your partner pulls you in, forehead to forehead, while the horizon blushes pink and gold.

There’s nothing to do today but get married in the middle of nowhere.And doesn’t that sound perfect?

Ceremony Locations That Feel Like Magic

• Grand View Point: As the name suggests, it’s sweeping, dramatic, and utterly cinematic. Ideal for sunrise or sunset vows.

• Mesa Arch: Popular but powerful. Best at sunrise when the light pours through the arch like a portal.

• Green River Overlook: Quiet and remote with endless canyon views — ideal for private, cliffside ceremonies.

• White Rim Trail (permit required): For couples who want a high-clearance adventure to a hidden ceremony spot.

• Dead Horse Point State Park (nearby alternative): Equally stunning and often more accessible with fewer regulations.

Make It an Experience, Not Just a CeremonyThe landscape invites adventure.But Canyonlands is also a place to go slow — to let the desert shift something inside you.

Here’s how couples elevate their experience:

• Morning hike followed by private vows at sunrise

• Sharing a first dance barefoot on slickrock under the stars

• A picnic elopement dinner with lanterns, charcuterie, and champagne in the sand

• Jeep or ATV excursion to a secluded lookout point for golden-hour portraits

• A stargazing session in complete silence — just you, the Milky Way, and your new beginning

Where to Stay (Dreamy Options)You don’t have to camp to feel close to the Earth — the Moab area offers a variety of accommodations that keep you grounded and inspired.

• Under Canvas Moab: Luxury glamping with king beds, firepits, and desert views

• Hoodoo Moab: Stylish and comfortable, right in town with easy park access

• Airbnb options near Spanish Valley or Castle Valley: Adobe casitas, off-grid cabins, or tiny homes with outdoor tubs

• Sorrel River Ranch: Luxury resort set along the Colorado River with horses, gardens, and unreal views

• Glamping domes or yurts tucked into the red rock: For couples who want privacy and connection to the land

Make It a Full Elopement Weekend

Canyonlands is vast, take your time and let it change you.

• Rent a 4x4 and explore Island in the Sky or The Needles district

• Visit Arches National Park (just 30 minutes away) for red rock portraits and delicate arches

• Float the Colorado River or book a couples’ rafting tour

• Have dinner in downtown Moab at Desert Bistro or Josie Wyatt’s

• Soak in a hot spring or unwind in a hammock under the stars

• Wake slowly, journal the experience, and never forget how sacred it all felt

Why Canyonlands Feels So DifferentIt strips everything down to what matters.

There’s no noise here — only wind.There’s no audience — only sky.

And when you speak your vows into this kind of silence, they echo. Not in sound, but in truth. In presence. In the knowing that this place — vast and wild and beautifully undone — is the perfect mirror for your love.

You’re not just getting married. You’re writing your beginning into the bones of the Earth.

Wherever you’re at in your journey, whether you’re just starting to dream and looking at the best places to elope in the U.S. or you’re ready to find a photographer . . . I know the process can feel overwhelming.

So many choices. So many opinions. So many 2 a.m. Pinterest rabbit holes that leave you feeling more confused than confident.

That’s exactly why I created the Ultimate Elopement Bundle — a lovingly designed collection of guides to take you from

“Where do we even begin?” to “Oh my gosh… this is really happening.”

Inside, you’ll find everything you need to plan an intentional, meaningful elopement that feels like you.

Here’s what’s included:

• The Ultimate Elopement Guide (start-to-finish overview of the whole process)

• The Dream Destination Guide (60+ locations across the U.S. with 90+ pages of inspiration)

• The Elopement Planner & Workbook (to organize your timeline, vendors, vision, and more)

• BONUS: 15 Questions to Ask Your Photographer (because who you choose matters)

Use code ELOPE7 at checkout to get the full bundle for just $7 — because every couple deserves to feel supported, excited, and grounded no matter how they choose to say “I do.”

If you’re looking for a place to start, this is it.If you’re looking for a photographer who believes in the beauty of your story, I’d be honored to be considered.

You can explore my free resources, peek around my work, or see if we might be a good fit about me. Wherever your love leads you, I’m cheering for it.

With love, Rachel

Use code: ELOPE7 at checkout to get all 3 of my best-selling elopement guides and elopement checklist for just $7! RachelSuePhotography.com/bundle