A mountain elopement is the perfect way to celebrate your wedding day—breathtaking views, fun adventures, and the freedom to spend the day exactly how you want! I’m obsessed with capturing heartfelt moments amidst timeless nature backdrops. But planning to elope is definitely different from a typical wedding, so here is my guide to planning an unforgettable mountain wedding. Let’s dive in!
Choose Your Dream Location for a Mountain Elopement
The first step is choosing where to have your mountain elopement. The options are endless, so to help you narrow it down, here are some of my all-time favorite mountain destinations in the U.S. and Europe for breathtaking views!
For even more location ideas, read this blog post about the best locations for an elopement or intimate celebration here!
Also, consider the best time of year for these locations: Summer for sunny skies, spring for blooming wildflowers, fall for cooler weather and fall foliage, or winter for a winter wonderland vibe. But be sure to double-check the month for your chosen location because weather can vary by region!
The Nitty Gritty of Planning a Mountain Elopement
GETTING PERMITS
After choosing your elopement destination, now it’s time to get any necessary permits. Permit requirements vary by location so be sure to research specifically what you’ll need. For example, most national parks require a permit for ceremonies and you may need another permit for your wedding photographer to be able to take professional photos. Some locations also have guest limits, so check on that before inviting friends and family.
As for eloping abroad, it can be a little more tricky. To find the specific requirements needed, The U.S. Department of State says to contact the embassy or tourist information bureau of the country where you plan to marry. Again, these requirements will vary from place to place. To simplify the process, many couples choose to have a legal ceremony at home before traveling to their elopement destination. This can save a lot of stress, especially when traveling abroad!
OBTAINING YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE
And of course, you'll need to get a marriage license. Once again, you must check the rules for your chosen state or country. It’s important to note that some places have a waiting period for getting your marriage license. Make sure to plan accordingly so you can book your travel accommodations based around that!
Book Your Travel and Accommodations
Now that you’ve sorted out the legal details, it’s time to book your flights and lodging! I recommend booking a place close to your elopement location for a stress-free day of travel (also for gorgeous views, duh!). Here are some things to consider: how long will you stay in one location? Will you honeymoon in the same spot? Also, think about how you will get around. Will rideshares be available or is it a walkable city? Will you need to rent a car? Wherever you decide to stay, I hope it's super cozy for the two of you to cherish this intimate time together!
Plan Elopement Activities
When traveling to an incredible mountain destination, it’s only obvious you need to plan some epic activities while you’re there! Do you want to include some fun activities during your elopement like hiking in your wedding dress or a romantic scenic picnic? I love when couples choose activities that match their personalities, whether that's something adventurous or more laid-back. This is also the time to plan or book any exciting activities for the week of your elopement, especially if you plan to stay in the area before or after! Take a look at this blog post for unique elopement ideas for personalizing your special day here!
Book Vendors
Last but not least, it’s time to book your wedding vendors! I may be a little biased, but you absolutely need a wedding photographer to capture all the dreamy moments of your mountain elopement! I recommend a photographer who specializes in documentary-style wedding photography (like me!) so you can have stunning pictures of your elopement, just as they happen! I love to capture the in-between moments, catching all the small details that normally would go unnoticed like the way your nose crinkles as you go in to kiss the love of your life or the way your partner looks at you when you aren't watching. Videography is another investment you won’t regret! You are only going to live this day once… why not properly document it? You can learn all about my photography and videography packages here.
Other vendors you may want to book are an elopement coordinator, an officiant, a cake baker, a florist, and a hair and makeup artist—whatever you need to make your dream elopement come to life!
Love Notes
“I couldn’t be more thankful to have picked Kyndal and Skyler to capture my wedding. The pictures are STUNNING. They are truly artists, and they’re phenomenal at what they do. They’re supportive and comfortable company to have around on your big day so if you’re considering investing in them - DO IT!”
Ready to Plan Your Mountain Elopement?
Elopements are truly so special in the way you can customize every aspect of your wedding day to be exactly what you have dreamed about in a location that’s as beautiful as your love for one another. If we haven't met yet—hey I’m Kyndal, a destination elopement photographer based in Arkansas who is always down to travel (especially to the mountains!). I absolutely love what I do and I’d be stoked to capture all the romantic and candid moments of your mountain elopement. You can learn all about me here and reach out to me here. Let’s get you married!
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