Eloping isn’t just for rebels anymore (though we love a good rebel story).
More and more couples are choosing to elope because they want a wedding that actually feels like them. Perhaps you’ve watched friends stress over guest lists and venue deposits, and thought, “there has to be a better way.” Or maybe you’re simply looking for a wedding day that feels more you. Whatever brought you here, you’re in the right place. We’re The Foxes — a husband and wife elopement photography team who’ve helped hundreds of couples plan unforgettable days in wild places. This guide covers everything you need to know about how to elope with intention, ease, and excitement.
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"But when you work with The Foxes and their team, they are more than just amazing photographers." -A+L
What Does It Mean to "Elope" ?
Let’s start by redefining what it means to elope, because it’s not the old definition of sneaking away to Vegas (unless that’s your vibe).
Eloping today is about exchanging vows in places that take your breath away, spending quality time together without the stress of entertaining guests, and beginning your marriage with an adventure that sets the tone for a lifetime of shared experiences.
Picture this: exchanging vows at sunrise by an alpine lake, barefoot in desert dunes, on a glacier by helicopter, or cozied up in a cabin with your closest people. Today’s elopements are limitless and it’s all about ditching the pressure and replacing it with what feels right.
We’ve planned and photographed over 500+ elopements all over the world and here’s the elopement definition we’ve come up with:
elopement
noun | ē-ˈlōp-mənt
- A wildly intentional way to get married, focused on what truly matters: you, your partner, and a day that feels like yours.
- A celebration of love without the pressure, production, or 200-person guest list. Often includes epic views, happy tears, spontaneous laughs, and hiking boots.
- The bold decision to ditch tradition and say, “Let’s do this our way.”
Why Elope?
💸 More Meaningful Ways to Spend Your Money
Traditional weddings cost over $30,000, most of it spent on things couples don’t even care about. Eloping lets you invest in what actually matters to you — travel, unforgettable experiences, an incredible photographer, or a luxurious post-elopement getaway.
🌍 Get Married Somewhere Epic with an Unforgettable Experience
Why settle for a banquet hall when you could exchange vows on a mountaintop or under ancient redwoods? Eloping opens the door to locations that feel unreal, and gives you memories (and photos) that will last a lifetime.
⏳ Ditch the Drama for More Time Together
Let’s be honest, family dynamics can be complicated. Eloping lets you avoid the pressure, politics, and expectations — and focus fully on each other instead.
🧭 Craft a Day The Feels Like You
No performing. No rigid timeline. No awkward traditions. Just space for genuine emotional moments without feeling like you’re performing for an audience.
📷 Photos That Tell Your True Story
Eloping means you’re not bound by tradition — so your day (and your photos) can be as unique as your love story. No forced poses or timelines — just authentic, beautiful moments captured exactly as they unfold.
Choosing Where to Elope: Our Interactive Map
One of the most exciting parts of planning an elopement is choosing where to do it. With so many incredible places to consider — it helps to think about what kind of environment you want to be in, what kind of experience you’re after, and how accessible it needs to be. After photographing hundreds of elopements, we’ve learned what makes a location truly special, and we’ll help you weigh all the variables so you can choose the perfect backdrop for your story.
Click to preview Our Most Popular Elopement Destinations:
Towering peaks, turquoise lakes, and remote alpine vibes make this a dream spot for adventurous souls.
Wildflower meadows, glacier views, and that iconic peak towering over every moment.
From moss-draped rainforests to rugged beaches, Olympic offers an elopement day full of variety.
Dramatic cliffs, sea stacks, and endless misty magic on the edge of the Pacific.
Say your vows beneath ancient giants and wander through sun-dappled forest trails.
Winding cliffs, golden hills, and crashing waves make Big Sur the ultimate coastal escape.
Fly over glaciers and land in untouched wilderness for an elopement that feels like another planet.
Waterfalls, sea cliffs, and tropical jungles make Kauai a truly magical elopement escape.
Desert light, surreal boulders, and starry skies set the scene for a wild and intimate elopement.
Granite domes, epic views, and golden light make Yosemite a breathtaking elopement backdrop.
Towering red rock canyons and high desert trails create the perfect adventure elopement vibe.
Red rock arches, slickrock trails, and wide-open skies for couples craving rugged beauty.
Hidden alpine lakes, dramatic peaks, and old mining roads lead to unforgettable moments.
For the Adventurous Souls: International Elopement Destinations
For couples craving something more off-the-grid or culturally immersive, we also specialize in remote and international elopements that go beyond the ordinary. Picture exchanging vows in an alpine hut deep in the Dolomites, exploring ice-carved canyons in Iceland, or saying “I do” on a windswept desert plateau miles from the nearest road. If you’re up for the adventure — hiking boots, plane rides, and all — we’re 100% in. These are the kinds of days that become stories you’ll tell forever.
Pro Tip
Looking for something iconic and awe-inspiring? These are the 39 Most Romantic Places to Elope we’ve ever photographed — from moody coastal cliffs to lush alpine meadows, they never disappoint. Each one offers unforgettable backdrops, meaningful experiences, and the kind of magic that makes your elopement feel truly cinematic.
How to Elope: Step by Step Elopement Planning
Dream Up Your Perfect Day
- What kind of landscapes speak to you? Mountains, beaches, forests, deserts?
- Where do you picture saying your vows to each other?
- Do you want to include any guests, or keep it just the two of you?
- What activities would make your day special?
- What moments are you most excited to experience together?
Pick Your Epic Location
The world is your venue — literally. We get into more details on how to pick where to elope, but keep these in mind:
Pro Tip
Mountains, beaches, forests, deserts — we’ve photographed elopements all over. Check out our Best Places to Elope guide for ideas.
Set Your Date (and Think Seasonally)
Some places are best in summer. Others shine in fall. We’ll help you pick a location + time of year that aligns with your vision balancing several factors:
- Season: Consider the best time of year for your chosen location. Research when wildflowers bloom, when fall colors peak, or when snow typically melts. Keep in mind that off-season times mean less crowds, so this could be a great option for folks wanting even more solitude!
- Weekday vs. Weekend: Weekdays generally offer more privacy, while weekends might be necessary if you’re including guests.
- Sunrise vs. Sunset: Early morning often provides more privacy while sunset offers magical light at the very end of your day. The longest day of the year is June 20th, so the sun rises extra early and sets extra late in June and July. If you prefer a later sunrise time, or earlier sunset – fall months might be a good option!
Book Your Photographer (That's Us 👋)
We’re often the biggest investment couples make for their elopement — and we don’t take that lightly. From planning and timeline help to day-of support and capturing every moment, your photographer plays a huge role in how you’ll remember this day.
That’s why we show up with more than just cameras. We’re part guides, part hype crew, part stealth ninja photographers who know how to make even the most camera-shy couples feel comfortable.
Awards & Features: Best of the Best Destination | Rangefinder 30 Rising Stars | International Wedding Photographer of the Year | Brides.com | Junebug Choice Awards
What Our Couples Say
“The Foxes went so far beyond just photographing our special day, they made you feel valued like friends. After having such an amazing experience with the Foxes we were floored by seeing how beautiful their photos were at capturing our day in a way we can be awestruck by for the rest of our lives. Such kind, fun and easy people to work with!” – McLain and Shawn
Read over 150+ of our 5 Star reviews on Google
Sort the Legal Requirements
Every state and country is different. We’ll guide you through how to make it legit — but here’s what to consider:
Build a Timeline That Flows
No cookie-cutter schedules here. We craft timelines based on golden hour, travel time, and moments that matter most to you.
- Allow Buffer Time: Everything takes longer on an elopement day—hiking in a wedding dress, changing outfits in nature, and simply taking time to soak in the experience.
- Plan Around Light: Photographers call the hour after sunrise and before sunset “golden hour” for a reason. This light creates the most beautiful, flattering photos. But don’t sleep on blue hour! This is the hour after sunset where the light continues to fade softly as the starts slowly start to come out.
- Include Meaningful Activities: Incorporate activities that reflect your relationship—whether that’s sharing coffee as the sun rises, reading letters from loved ones, playing a card game during your picnic, or stargazing after your ceremony.
- Don’t Overpack the Day: Leave room for spontaneity and quiet moments together. The beauty of eloping is having the freedom to linger when something feels special.
Pack Thoughtfully
Plan the details (but keep it chill). Proper preparation ensures comfort throughout your day:
Elope!
You might be getting ready at a cabin in the woods or in a fire lookout. You might have a few of your closest friends with you, or maybe it’s just you and your partner. You might be using your body to climb to the top of a mountain peak, or maybe you’re hopping in a chopper that takes you there. You might be having your first dance as the sun is rising in the sky, or maybe you’re dancing at the end of the day as the stars start to come out.
No matter how your day takes shape, you’ve designed a day that’s true to your love and now you get to live it – and we’ll be there every moment to beautifully document it.
Even if we hadn't gotten a single photo from our elopement day, the experience alone that Gabi and Brandon gave us would have been worth every penny.
Our Elopement Journey
Photographing couples in landscapes without one overshadowing the other is what we’re known for – this is our art.
We (Gabi and Brandon) began photographing elopements in 2016, back when “eloping” still meant Vegas chapels and courthouse vows. But we saw something more: the chance to create meaningful wedding days in the wild, where couples could truly be themselves.
As outdoor adventurers and storytellers, we helped pioneer the adventure elopement movement — redefining what it means to get married in a way that’s intimate, intentional, and deeply rooted in nature.
In 2020 Hannah and Zoe joined our team and we’ve now all photographed hundreds of elopements, weathered mountain storms, rerouted trails last-minute, coordinated in foreign countries, and helped families merge tradition with adventure. We’ve seen it all — and we’re ready for anything.
"Can We Have Guests at Our Elopement?"
Yes — if you want to! Eloping doesn’t mean leaving everyone out. There are so many creative ways to include the people you love while still keeping the intimate, intentional feel of an elopement day. The truth is, there’s no wrong way to structure your elopement guest list. The defining feature of a modern elopement isn’t the number of guests—it’s the intentional focus on creating an authentic, meaningful experience centered around your relationship rather than social expectations. Here are the most common guest count setups:
Just the Two of You(0 Guests)
The most intimate option – just you, your partner, and the wild. Perfect for couples who value complete privacy and maximum flexibility for your adventure.
- Maximum location flexibility
- Complete privacy
- Fully focused on your connection
- No compromises on your vision
Inner Circle Only(1 to 4 Guests)
A few of your closest people join — maybe one officiates, maybe they’re just along for the ride. It’s relaxed, personal, and still totally flexible for wild, off-the-beaten-path locations.
- Still works for most remote locations
- Share the moment with your closest people
- Keeps planning simple
- Intimate celebration afterward
Extended Circle
(up to 15 Guests)
You share the ceremony and celebration with a tight-knit group, then sneak away for a private sunset adventure. It’s the perfect balance between togetherness and intentional alone time.
- More accessible ceremony location
- Private adventure time built in
- Small dinner/celebration options
- Important people witness your vows
Best of both: Two Day Celebration (Elopement + Micro Wedding)
Day one is your full-on adventure elopement, just the two of you. Day 2 is a micro-wedding with 15–25+ guests. Truly the best of both worlds!
- Private adventure day for just you two
- Celebration day with loved ones
- No compromise necessary
- Two distinct experiences
How to Elope Instead of a Wedding
Started planning a traditional wedding and now wondering, “Why are we even doing this?” You’re not alone. A ton of our couples come to us after realizing their wedding plans have taken on a life of their own and realized… it’s just not what they want. Good news? It’s never too late to change directions and we’re here to help.
signs a traditional wedding might not be right for you
If you’re experiencing any of these feelings, it might be time to consider eloping instead:
- You’re more stressed than excited when thinking about your wedding day
- The guest list keeps growing beyond people you genuinely want there
- You’re spending money on things that don’t feel meaningful to you
- You find yourself saying “we have to” instead of “we want to”
- You’re more excited about the honeymoon than the wedding itself
- You’re dreading being the center of attention in front of a large group
- The planning process is causing tension in your relationship or with family
How to Make the Transition from Wedding to Elopement
If you’ve decided to change course, here’s how to navigate the transition gracefully:
- Have an honest conversation with your partner first. Before making any moves, make sure you’re both fully aligned. Get clear on your vision for eloping, your reasons for pivoting, and how you’ll handle conversations with others.
- Review vendor contracts. Look at what you’ve already booked and what’s refundable. Many vendors (like florists or caterers) may be open to adjusting their services for a smaller celebration or offering partial credit.
- Announce your decision thoughtfully. Talk to close family and friends in person or over the phone. Be honest, kind, and clear about why you’re making the change. Focus on what you’re excited about, not what you’re leaving behind. Prepare for mixed reactions but remember your reasons for making this choice.
- Keep what you love from your original plans. Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean you have to start from scratch. Wear the outfit you bought. Keep the flowers or colors you loved. Bring any rituals or readings that felt meaningful.
- Reimagine your budget. Instead of spending on a venue, catering, and entertainment for many guests, consider investing in:
- A longer, more immersive photography experience
- Travel to a dream destination
- Luxury accommodation
- A private chef for an intimate dinner
- Meaningful activities that enhance your elopement experience
Ready to start planning this thing?
You’ve got the dream—now let’s bring it to life. Whether you’re eloping deep in the mountains or barefoot on a beach, we’re here to help you craft a day that feels like you. From timeline tips to permit help to location scouting and photography, we’ve got you.