If you’re looking for the most beautiful places to elope in the US, you’re in the right place. The US has some of the most breathtaking locations to elope in the world — from dramatic desert landscapes and towering mountain peaks to lush forests and rugged coastlines. Whether you’re planning an intimate just-us ceremony or a small wedding with your favorite people, there’s a perfect spot for you.
As a Colorado-based elopement photographer, I’ve captured love stories in some of the most romantic places across the country. There’s truly something for every couple’s personality and vision. Below, I’ll share the best US elopement destinations, with details on the experience and what makes each one special, so you can choose your ideal location.
Moab, Utah
Moab is one of the most iconic and adventurous elopement destinations in the US. It’s perfect for couples who want a beautiful and fun experience. With towering red rock formations, sweeping canyon views, and magical landscapes, Moab offers a backdrop unlike any other.
Whether you exchange your vows during golden hour at Arches National Park or have an intimate ceremony tucked away at Canyonlands, you can’t go wrong. The area also offers endless stunning viewpoints to explore and remote hiking trails to escape the crowds.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most beautiful places to elope in Colorado, with over 400 square miles of alpine scenery, wildflower-filled meadows, waterfalls, and mountain scenery. There are also more than 300 miles of hiking trails if you’re looking to explore, or easily accessible spots for a gorgeous ceremony without the adventure.
The park is stunning year-round, with golden aspens in fall, snowy mountains in winter, and wildflower meadows in summer. And with so many locations and viewpoints throughout the park, every space is unique.
Crested Butte, Colorado
Crested Butte is a charming mountain town tucked in the southern Rockies of Colorado and easily one of my favorite places for a mountain elopement. It’s one of the top places to elope in the US for couples who want natural beauty, outdoor activities, and a cozy small town vibe.
The surrounding peaks and open valleys are beautiful year-round. In the summer, Crested Butte is known as the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, with gorgeous fields of colorful flowers. During fall, the aspen groves turn a magical gold that feels incredibly romantic for an elopement.
Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite is one of the most beautiful places to elope in the US, with iconic waterfalls, granite cliffs, and valley meadows. This is a great spot for all kinds of couples, whether you’re planning a relaxing, adventurous, or dog-friendly elopement.
There are various locations throughout the park for a stunning elopement ceremony, including Glacier Point, Tenaya Lake Beach, and Yosemite Valley. Yosemite does require you to reserve your spot and get an elopement permit. The park is popular for great reason, so be sure to do this as soon as possible, especially during summer when it’s the busiest.
Hurricane Ridge, Washington
Hurricane Ridge, high in Olympic National Park, is the best elopement spot for couples who want a remote experience surrounded by natural beauty. There are also fun hiking trails to explore, along with easily accessible views.
The ridge sits at nearly 5,200 feet, offering unmatched scenery year-round. The area is surrounded by wildlife, snow-capped mountain peaks, and wildflower meadows during summer.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park is one of the best places in the US to elope on a budget while still enjoying beautiful scenery. The Tetons rise from the valley floor, creating a jaw-dropping natural backdrop for one of the most unique elopement experiences.
The park offers various settings, including the famous Snake River Overlook, Jenny Lake, and quiet meadows away from crowds. Not only is Grand Teton stunning, but it’s also less busy than other national parks and offers a more intimate experience.
Seward, Alaska
Seward is one of the most remote elopement destinations in the US, located on the Kenai Peninsula surrounded by glaciers, fjords, and the stunning Resurrection Bay. The towering mountains and untouched landscapes create a setting that feels unlike anywhere else in the country.
Ceremony spots in Seward range from overlooks above tidewater glaciers to the shores of the bay with snow-capped peaks reflecting in the water. You’ll also have the opportunity to see incredible wildlife, including whales, sea otters, and bald eagles.
Beautiful Places to Elope in the US: FAQs
What is the most beautiful state to elope in?
Colorado is one of the most beautiful states to elope in. There’s an incredible variety of landscapes, including lakes, mountains, wildflower fields, and waterfalls. Colorado’s accessibility, natural beauty, and fun adventures are hard to beat.
If you’re interested in eloping in other beautiful states, Utah, California, Wyoming, Washington, and Alaska are also breathtaking.
What are the most romantic places to elope in the US?
The most romantic places to elope in the US are Moab, UT, Crested Butte, CO, Yosemite National Park, CA, and Seward, AK. Moab and Yosemite are perfect for outdoor adventure. Crested Butte offers charming mountain town vibes. Seward is great for couples who want to get off the beaten path.
How do I plan an elopement in the US?
Planning an elopement in the US starts with choosing a location that fits your vision and then researching any permits or reservations required. From there, think about timing, logistics, accommodations, and any vendors you might want. Working with an experienced elopement photographer is one of the best things you can do, as many (like myself!) offer planning assistance alongside their photography services.
US Elopement Photography Packages
Not only can I join you for your elopement to capture all the authentic, beautiful, and in-between moments, but my elopement photography packages also include planning support so you can focus on enjoying the experience.
Among the Pines Photography elopement package covers multi-day, full-day, or a mini elopement, depending on your vision and timeline. Each package includes:
- Phone consultation
- Location scouting
- Timeline planning
- Vendor recommendations
- Access to all-inclusive elopement planning resources
- Custom online gallery with all edited high-resolution images
- 48-hour sneak peek photos
- Rights to printing
Ready to elope in one of the most beautiful places in the US?
Whether you want to get married surrounded by stunning red rock formations, next to a glistening lake, or on top of a mountain, there are so many gorgeous, romantic places to elope in the US.
Whether you’ve found your perfect location and are ready to start planning, or need help choosing your dream spot, I’d be happy to chat. As an elopement photographer, I love helping couples plan their special day and being there to take photos you’ll love forever.
kinsley + caden
“Brooke was the perfect choice for our wedding day! We had a micro wedding at Sapphire Point in August. I had never been to Sapphire Point and Brooke was so helpful suggesting vendors, picture locations, parking, marriage license info etc. She was so kind and helpful before and during the whole process and was a large part of why the day went so smooth. She does so much more than just show up and take pictures, Brooke will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect! The photos are gorgeous and I keep getting so many compliments! I truly cannot recommend her enough!”
"Brooke was a large part of why our day went so smooth and will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect!"
We chose Brooke to capture our Colorado elopement and she did exactly that and more. She made it easy to plan our day out with locations and timelines so that we could focus on ourselves. We decided last minute to change our afternoon/evening elopement to a 6am sunrise one so beat the heat of the day. Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise. She was kind and understood what we wanted in terms of our elopement and we are so grateful to have her capture the day. Our photos turned out beautiful and truly helped us relive the day. I would recommend Brooke to anyone wanting their special day photographed.
"Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise."
erica + stacy
kirstie + colin
Brooke not only photographed our mountain elopement beautifully, but she put so much thought into the details and knew all of the answers the questions I didn’t even know to ask. She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had. She even helped pick the perfect spot for us and advised us on the logistical details like securing a reservation at the mountain lake where we wanted our ceremony. She is SO easy to work with and very friendly and chill. My husband and I are super awkward in front of a camera but she made it so natural and easy - and the shots came out better than we could have imagined.
"She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had."
amanda + jace
Brooke is many things; talented, calm, flexible, experienced/ knowledgeable, patient, incredibly responsive, organized, resourceful in a pinch, supportive, creative, professional yet a blast to work with, and goes above & beyond w her clients. Our wedding was a spectacular dream and we couldn't be more grateful that she made that single day last forever. Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be. We couldn't recommend her more and we look forward to booking with her for all of our vow renewals, seasonal and family pictures for as long as she'll have us.
"Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be."
linden + brent
Working with Brooke was a dream come true! Before we even met, my husband Brent and I were impressed by her portfolio. After meeting, we were even more convinced that her photography skills and knowledge, and her fun and easygoing personality were exactly what we were looking for in an elopement photographer. Brooke was able to take our vision and facilitate everything so that it worked out beautifully, especially when it came to finding the perfect location (the incredible mountains surrounding Ouray). Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible, and made it clear that her goal was for us to be 100% happy. In the end, her creativity and our happiness totally shine through in every single photo.
"Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible."
lauren + branden
I can't begin to express my gratitude for the intimacy and beauty behind Brooke's photographs. In capturing our wedding day, she went above and beyond to document our story, our families, and the depths of our love in ways that I'll forever be grateful for. Brooke has an eye for not only capturing the adventure and magic of your love, but deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way. She is truly an artist and tells your story in an authentic and creative way for you to look back on for years to come. We are forever grateful to Brooke for spending the time to get to know us, our story, and capturing the memories that we'll relive for years to come.
"Brooke deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way."
heather + jedd
“If you're contemplating which photographer to go with, THIS IS YOUR SIGN TO CHOOSE BROOKE!!!! She is so so so talented and was able to capture our elopement exactly how I pictured and wanted! We eloped in Ridgway, CO this past September and she was so helpful figuring out picture locations, recommendations of timeline for the day, and just made the whole day feel so smooth. She schedules multiple check ins, phone calls, etc., leading up to the big day to ensure everything is as you want it. Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever after just the first time of meeting."
"Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever."
christy + austin
Brooke is the absolute best. She truly went above and beyond for my fiancé and I to be able to get our engagement photos taken with the fall colors. Brooke is so sweet, fun, personable and incredibly talented. We could not be more in love with our engagement photos! Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever.
"Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever."
