Top 5 places to elope on the east coast- A complete planning guide to your east coast elopement {Updated for 2024}
Best Locations for an East Coast Elopement
Acadia National Park
It’s no secret that any National Park is going to be on a “Best places to elope” post. Acadia National Park is no different and has become a hot spot for vacations from the end of May through the end of October. This park is number one on our list due to the vast landscape variety including the ocean, woodlands, and scenic mountain views. It’s truly a breathtaking environment to experience the local culture while simultaneously immersing yourself in one of mother nature’s greatest gifts.
As expert elopement photographers and videographers, we believe that with proper planning, insider info, and crafting intimacy, you can experience a wedding day like no other. If you’ve never been, Acadia is a fairly small National Park so parking is often hard to come by at the hot spots like Cadillac Mountain. Recent the NPS put out a parking reservation system- you can find all the info here. It’s important to note that like most places, this national park and many of the most scenic locations inside the park are super crowded during peak hours and days (weekends especially). If you plan accordingly, this breathtaking terrain could make your adventurous elopement dreams come true.
If you’re considering Acadia National Park for your elopement, here’s a brief list of the most popular locations to elope in Acadia National Park:
Cadillac Mountain (highest point on the East Coast)
Jordan Pond (a mountain pond formed from a glacier)
Otter Point (coastline views without the crowds- involves a short hike)
Sand Beach (the only sandy beach in the park)
Monument Cove (rugged cliffs, pines, and an incredible ocean backdrop)
Upstate New York
For some, New York isn’t a state that comes to mind when you’re planning an outdoor adventurous elopement. While NYC is definitely a rad place for an artsy, urban elopement, if you wander out just a few hours outside the city, Upstate NY has some incredible locations to make your adventurous wedding dreams come true.
With plenty of forests, waterfalls, lakes, and mountain overlooks, Upstate NY can tick all of your boxes for your elopement checklist. There’s a common theme here- if it’s a popular spot (which NY is super touristy) try to plan your elopement during the week and during non-peak times. Your elopement photographer/team should definitely help you navigate when the best time to plan your elopement is.
If Upstate New York is on your list for places to elope on the East Coast here’s a brief list of the most scenic locations for your adventurous elopement:
The Catskills (huge cascading waterfalls like Kaaterskill Falls)
Taughanock Falls (plunging falls and rocky cliffs- also the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains!)
Finger Lakes (featuring Watkins Glen that features 19 waterfalls and feels like you’re in another country)
Rocky Mountain (a short hike that overlooks the Adirondack Mountains and Fourth Lake)
Letchworth State Park (known as the “Grand Canyon of the East”)
West Virginia
If you know us or follow our work at all- you may know that we’re a little biased toward West Virginia. Ya know, because we live here and we love it here. However, it is somewhat of a hidden gem and rarely (if ever?) makes a “best places to elope” list. But let me tell you, West Virginia has some stunning landscapes and backdrops that will make your adventurous elopement dreams come true. With plenty of small towns, local culture, good beer, and epic hikes, you cannot go wrong with adventuring in our neck of the woods. Plus it is SUPER secluded, you’ll feel like you have the whole state to yourself (we’re not joking!) Let us play tour guide and show you our home. Also, we have an entire resource dedicated to eloping in West Virginia here.
If we’re able to talk you in to an elopement package in West Virginia, here are our favorite spots:
Dolly Sods: Rocky, high-elevation with stunning views and ecosystems normally found much farther north in Canada.
Spruce Knob: The highest point in West Virginia and our secret spot feels SO much like Ireland or Scotland.
New River Gorge: WV’s newest and only National Park.
Cranberry Wilderness: A true hidden gem with minimal foot traffic, epic forests, and a few waterfalls.
Blackwater Falls: A bit touristy to the falls, but we usually skip those and head straight for our favorite viewpoints.
If you’re more of a “just do it for me” kind of person, we have a side hustle where we teamed up with Braiden with Lady Mountain Films to create West Virginia’s first and only exclusive elopement planning company. The West Virginia Elopement Collective takes care of everything including planning, logistics, an officiant, and full photography and videographer for your elopement in West Virginia. It’s our passion project and we would love to continue serving as many folks as we can and showcase our beautiful state through private elopements.
Shenandoah National Park
Another National Park for our top 5 places to elope on the east coast is the Shenandoah National Park- just 75 miles away from DC and it’s the perfect escape from city life. Shenandoah is full of woodland areas, scenic mountain views, and a few waterfalls to make your options for an adventurous elopement on the east coast a possibility.
Due to the rising popularity of elopements inside National Parks, you’ll need to a special permit for any ceremony that includes over 15 guests. If you’re under that guest count, then no permit necessary. A common theme with popular areas like Shenandoah is to plan ceremony and photos outside of peak visitor times (I’d avoid a weekend at all costs if I were you!)
Shenandoah National Park elopement essentials include camping/cabin reservations, layers for warmth if you’re outside of the summer season, a (non-invasive) elopement bouquet to add to the beauty of the area and your photos, and dinner reservations or private chef to your AirBnb to celebrate.
If Shenandoah is at the top of your list to elope, here are a couple of local hikes to consider for your vows:
Stony Man (1.5 mile trail on the AT)
Big Meadows (2.4 mile loop)
Hawksbill Mountain (2.2 mile loop- the highest point in Shenandoah)
Mary’s Rock (3.4 mile out and back trail with epic viewpoints)
Dark Hollow Falls (1.4 mile out and back trail featuring a gorgeous waterfall)
Florida
Sometimes we’re mountain people and other times we’re beach people. There’s something about the sound and smell of the ocean that just transforms us. If you’re a beach person too and can’t imagine your intimate wedding anywhere else but the beach, Florida is the perfect spot for your elopement on the east coast.
If you have your heart set on beachy sunset photos, it’s super important to remember that the western side of Florida is the only location for sunset over the water. Otherwise you’re looking at a super early sunrise elopement if you’re exploring the eastern side of FL.
Floria elopement essentials are going to include lodging (not much camping/cabin options near the coast), professional hair and makeup (that Florida heat needs the help of professionals), sunscreen, and a beach picnic reception or styled reception from a local rental company.
Check out these spots for your Florida elopement:
Key West: Two words- color and culture. March-May is the best time to visit and we guarantee it’ll be impossible to come back to reality.
Captiva Island: Directly from their website- “Captiva Island has a slightly off-kilter and almost magical feel. You might discover a giant frog in Captiva Island, a restaurant where it’s Christmas all year long, or even a tiny starfish.”
Anna Maria Island: A natural, pristine feeling island that is not commercialized and preserves a feeling of intimacy. Blue water, white sand, and killer sunsets.
Information about East Coast Elopements
Hopefully you landed here because you’re curious about making an elopement dream come true for you and your honey and want to make it happen on the east coast. Here is just a bit of information on what exactly an elopement is and things to consider when planning yours.
The elopement definition has changed over the years but we like to say that is an intimate and intentional wedding day in a gorgeous outdoor setting usually with 10 guests or less (usually none!)
Some things to consider when planning your elopement:
1. Weekdays are the most ideal days to plan your elopement on the east coast. Friday-Sunday can get crowded with hikers and tourists in popular settings like a national park or a scenic mountain.
2.If you want ultimate seclusion (and ideal lighting for photos/video), plan to elope near sunrise or sunset. Although flexibility is key, because weather will play a role in your elopement day timeline.
3. Be prepared with proper attire (your wedding clothes duh!) but also jackets, layers for warmth, umbrellas if needed, sunscreen, water, snacks, etc. Also, don’t forget your marriage license, rings, and vows. If you’ve hired a photographer/videographer for your elopement, they should help you be prepared with logistics, packing list, etc.
Checklist to elope on the East Coast:
1. You and your boo- the most important
2. An officiant to make your union legal, or not. There are no rules.
3. You’ll most likely need two witnesses - your photographer can act as one if you’re not having guests, but sometimes our couples just ask a random hiker or passerby (totally fun to see the excitement from this stranger too!)
4. Flowers aren’t a must but they do help enhance your experience through photos. We like dried flowers so you can keep them foreveerrrrr. Do your research on Leave No Trace and what dried flowers are prohibited in your location.
5. While not a necessary part of an elopement, having a celebration afterwards is usually the route our couples take. It helps extend the magic of the day and really spend time celebrating the power and freedom an elopement allows. Common set-ups we’ve seen or helped create are: picnics with or without booze and a charcuterie board, private chef in their cabin or Airbnb, grabbing drinks at a local bar, etc. Usually couples like to create a celebration that feels natural and unique to them.
Best Time of Year to Elope on the East Coast
Although we personally think that the best thing about eloping is literally doing whatever you want, where you want, and when you want- there is some things to consider, like the weather. If you’re not a fan of cold weather, we wouldn’t recommend planning your elopement in the winter season of a colder climate. We always strive for comfortability and being outwardly comfortable is equally as important as feeling comfortable inside as well. The Farmer’s Almanac is an excellent resource to predict weather as well as search for historical averages in your elopement area of interest.
East Coast Weather Information
Fall- Arguably the most popular season to elope on most of the east coast due to all of the stunning fall foliage. Peak time frames range from late September to early November depending on where you’re looking. The more north on the east coast, like Maine, the earlier in the fall (September) you’d want to plan your elopement. If you’re aiming for further south on the east coast, like Georgia or Florida, the later in the fall (November) is the best time to plan your elopement.
Winter– If the beauty of snow is a must have in your photos for your east coast elopement, you should definitely plan on the winter months like November-March to get hitched. With the exception of the southern states (North Carolina through Florida- since it rarely/never snows). Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire receive the highest percentage of snowfall in the United States.
Things to consider when planning a winter elopement:
-Is the area you want to elope in accessible?
-Will you need a 4x4 vehicle?
Summer- We’re warm weather people so we would definitely gravitate toward a summer elopement. But with summer comes heat and on the east coast that usually means humidity (and lots of it!) Early mornings or late evenings would bode well with a summer elopement on the east coast but consider hiring a professional grooming team to help with makeup sealant and fighting frizz.
Spring- If the summer season is too warm and the winter season is too cold, but the crowds of the leaf peepers in the fall are a turn-off, consider the springtime for your east coast elopement. You’ll take some chances with rain, wind, and temperatures- but April/May/June can be a lovely time to elope. Plan ahead with umbrellas, rain gear, and waterproof boots, or you may get lucky with a sunny and 70 degree day. That’s the joy of eloping-unpredictability and flexibility, in our opinion. The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a rainy spring for 2021, which means higher chances for gorgeous wildflowers. Check out this guide to the best places to see wildflowers on the east coast, if you want natural florals to play a part in your elopement day.
Cost of an Elopement on the East Coast
Estimated cost of a simple elopement $7,800-$10,300
Photo/Video team $5,000
Wedding dress / attire $1,000-$3,000
Elopement permit $150
Officiant $300
Flowers $200
Hair /makeup $350
Elopement reception/celebration $300
Travel and Accommodation $500-$1000
Estimated cost of an amped-up elopement $9,200-$13,800
Photo/Video team $5,000
Wedding dress / attire $1,000-$3,000
Elopement permit $150
Officiant $300
Flowers/Archway $400-$1000
Hair /makeup $350
Elopement reception/celebration $1000-$2000
Travel and Accommodation $1000-$2000
Not bad considering the average cost of a traditional wedding is $44,000. We’re a little biased because we had a dream elopement experience (ours cost roughly $7,000) where we spent a week together celebrating our marriage and having the most intimate, relaxed, and fun wedding vacation of a lifetime.
What to Know About East Coast National Park Elopements
National Park elopements have become fairly popular over the last few years and although east coast national parks don’t garner as much attention, we have a feeling that it won’t be long until they do. Currently, all National Parks permit elopements and it’s important to note that there are different rules and regulations for each park. Do your due diligence when you start planning and your elopement team should be able to help you navigate this as well.
Here are few things to keep in mind when planning your elopement at a National Park:
-Prepare to pay an entrance fee, as well as a special event permit fee. These costs vary by park.
-Know ahead of time what you can and can’t do (like bring pets, light sparklers, build a fire, etc.)
-Practice Leave No Trace principles.
What to Pack When You Elope on the East Coast
Wedding clothes, (hiking) shoes, and accessories.
Wedding rings, vows, and marriage license.
Sunscreen, bug spray, a small first-aid kid if you’re hiking.
Layers for warmth in colder locations/seasons, especially wool socks
Rain ponchos/umbrellas
Wrinkle release spray
Flashlights/headlamps if you’re hiking and plan to be gone all day
Snacks, water
Deodorant/personal hygiene if you’ll be out adventuring all day
FAQ About East Coast Elopements
How far in advance should we plan?
This answer varies. We’ve worked elopements that were planned in five days. We’ve also worked elopements that were planned 6 months in advance. A few things to consider when thinking of time:
-how long does it take to get an elopement permit if you need one?
-is lodging available?
-what season do we want to get married in?
-is your favorite photographer/videographer available?
Can we bring friends and family?
Of course! This is totally a preference thing. If you plan on inviting friends and family, just keep in mind their physical capabilities when accessing remote/adventurous locations. Plan an itinerary with your photo and video team so your people aren't standing around waiting on you to “be done taking pictures”
What if we’re not adventurous?
While eloping is an adventurous choice, the manner in which you elope doesn’t have to be adventurous if you don’t want to. We’ve worked an elopement where the couple said their vows on the capital building grounds then took photos on the steps of the capital, and ended their celebration with ice cream downtown and drinking Dom Perignon in the street. It was 94 degrees and we were sweating our tits off so I can’t imagine if we had to hike 3 miles on that day.
What exactly do we do during an elopement?
Ah my favorite question to answer. You can literally do whatever you want to do. You can start your morning off with coffee and a crossword. You hike to an epic view point, exchange vows, and get some rad photos. Bring a six pack and a pizza (or picnic depending on the hike). Hire a private chef to cook for you when you get back to your cabin/AirBnb. There are sooo many things you can do to make your intimate wedding day special and unique to you. We wrote a whole blog post about this topic here.
Meet your east coast elopement photographer
We’re Tom and Michelle and we LOVE elopements. With every elopement project we take on, we realize that we were meant to be doing this. Back in 2017, we had a destination elopement ourselves and afterwards we knew this was definitely the way to get married and the types of weddings we felt passionate about working.
We guide couples every step of the way to make sure they feel informed, taken care of, and valued during their elopement process with us. You’'ll feel like you’ve known us for years and being in front of our camera will feel like an easy and natural experience, at least that’s what we hear. .
Let’s work together
Work with us and we’ll laugh,
have a good time,
and you’ll receive a genuine wedding experience that
looks how the day felt.