Breathtaking, Unbelievable Places to Elope

The global pandemic of COVID-19 has forced the cancellation and postponement of months and months of weddings around the world. In some locations, like where I am in southeastern Pennsylvania, it is literally illegal for photographers to be seeing clients right now and large gatherings are banned. There is so much uncertainty and for couples who are postponing their weddings, planning a large gathering even for later in the year may just feel unsafe or too challenging. More and more couples are considering investing their money into an adventurous, socially distanced, once-in-a-lifetime elopement. To which I say… great idea!

If you are considering an elopement, it should still be photographed as personally, beautifully and meaningfully as a traditional wedding day. Just like with a traditional wedding, once it’s over, the photos are one of the only things that you have to cherish and remember the day. Elopements are actually the days of most wedding photographers dreams. We get extended portrait time with the couple, we don’t have the added stress of wrangling a huge wedding party, there are no rude guests and the opportunities for jaw-dropping portraits is seemingly endless. WIN. WIN. WIN. WIN.

And if the marriage license and legal portion of eloping scares you a little bit, I have GREAT news. If you’re from a state that offers self-uniting marriage licenses (like PA) you don’t have to worry about any of that! You could hire a celebrant simply to officiate or go without one and just share your own vows! You can read more about how that’s possible over on my blog post, “We Got Married Before Our Wedding Day”.

As an avid traveler, almost everywhere I go, I think about how lovely it would be to pose newly minted spouses-for-life in front of [enter gorgeous view, stunning natural feature or unbelievable architecture here]. But of all of the places I’ve been, I have some favorite spots that I think would be absolutely perfect for an elopement.

So, get to scrollin’ and dreaming and planning. Savannah Smith Photography offers completely custom pricing on all destination weddings, micro weddings and elopements often at far, far less than the cost of my traditional wedding coverage. Each couple’s desired elopement location is also taken into consideration during pricing. Going somewhere my heart is itching to capture…? Thinking outside of the box? Want your wedding photos to leave everyone trying to pick their jaw up off of the floor? Let’s talk.


ICELAND

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Why I love it:

I am still so in awe of Iceland. Every second of the time I spent there I think my mouth was hanging open and I was repeating, “can you believe that this is real!?!” to my husband. The landscape and the forecast change with the blink of an eye allowing you to never fully get comfortable and that’s a feeling that I cherish when we’re traveling. I enjoy being forced out of my comfort zone and being delightfully surprised by every moment. Iceland does that.

Why it’s perfect for an elopement:

There is no shortage of completely jaw-dropping, out of this world scenery. You could quite literally, pull over on the side of the road and say “I do” and it would look straight out of a magazine. Logistically it’s not hard to reach by plane, the driving is very accessible, easy and just like in America (right side of the road with the steering wheel on the left side of the car), there are plenty of English speakers and downtown Reykjavík offers lots of great spots for a celebratory dinner or drinks. In Iceland, the variety of portrait locations that you’d have access to is insane - resulting in such variety from your images.

Who it’s perfect for and when:

If you love wild, rugged, raw adventure and you want your elopement memories to feel completely surreal - Iceland is a great place for you to share your vows. We have visited Iceland in May but I would most recommend it for an elopement in June - August.

My favorite spots:

Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, Dyrhólaey, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Svínafellsjökull glacier, Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls and Reynisfjara Beach at sunset.

SSP IN ICELAND:

72 Hours in Southern Iceland

4 Days in Iceland

KEY WEST, FLORIDA

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Why I love it:

I don’t know what I loved more about Key West - the vibe or the views. The combination of being able to get a margarita from a street stand after enjoying one of the most incredible breakfasts of my life and visiting a remote fort in the middle of the ocean with sea turtles and the warmest, calmest water was just such a treat.

Why it’s perfect for an elopement:

If you want to elope but are a little hesitant about doing it all on your own, then Key West might be the best spot for you. It attracts couples from all over the world for weddings, elopements and quaint commitment ceremonies at venues and outdoor spaces all over the area. There are venues like the Ernest Hemingway Home that are steeped in tradition but also there to provide you with guidance and structure for planning your elopement. I would say that Key West is a great spot for couples who want to elope with a few beloved family members and friends instead of completely alone (minus their photographer and officiant). Key West has some of the best restaurants and endless place to celebrate (and then relax) after you say “We do”!

Who it’s perfect for and when:

If you love colorful homes, lush florals, amazing tropical drinks, great food, beautiful blue water and hot sunshine… consider eloping in Key West. Gorgeous and warm almost 365 days a year - you really cannot go wrong.

My favorite spots:

Dry Tortugas National Park (keep in mind, this is a full-day excursion if booked through the NPS but you could easily charter a private boat or travel there by seaplane), the Ernest Hemingway Home (they have very, very reasonably and affordable site rental rates for a bit more of a planned elopement with your closest family and friends in tow), The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory and The Truman Little Whitehouse.

SSP IN KEY WEST:

3 Days in Key West

OLD CITY QUÉBEC, QUÉBEC, CANADA

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Why I love it:

Old City Québec is the closest you can get to feeling like you’re in the south of France without ever leaving North America. I adore the colors and the vibrancy in the summertime the most but in the winter, Old City Québec looks like it’s straight out of a Hallmark holiday movie. I think that I would affectionately describe it as “Christmas in Hogsmeade” for my Harry Potter friends. In the summer there are endless cafes and pubs for day drinking outdoors (the Québecois love their outdoor dining) and window boxes and planters that just overflow with flowers. In the winter, there are lit trees lining the cobblestone streets, some of the most over-the-top magazine worthy decorations and of course, LOTS of snow.

Why it’s perfect for an elopement:

It’s one of the most romantic cities that we have visited in North America and it has total elopement vibes. Plus, it’s just downright beautiful! The food is amazing, it has wonderful French charm and there would be no shortage of stunning portraiture locations.

Who it’s perfect for and when:

Québec is beautiful all year round but it truly depends on your desired “vibes”. If you’re looking for a colorful, Beauty and the Beast vibes, tiny French small town then I would recommend late spring through early fall. If you’re hoping for a winter wonderland that looks like a North Pole elf and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade head designer had a baby and it decorated a tiny old town in Finland… aim for December!

My favorite spots:

There are several churches that will accommodate eloping couples along with hotels like the famous Fairmont Le Château Frontenac that offer elopement packages. If you are an adventurous, winter-loving couple, you could share your vows at the Hôtel de Glace (ice hotel) northwest of the city. For couples aiming to keep things simple, there are several public spaces in Old City for quick ceremonies (permits may be required) that would offer the spectacular views of the charming, old buildings and streets.

SSP IN QUÉBEC:

48 Hours in Québec City

ZION NATIONAL PARK, SPRINGDALE, UTAH

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Why I love it:

I don’t think that I could sum up my feelings about Zion in just a paragraph. I have had the blessed opportunity to visit some really incredible places. We were planning a trip to Utah for some light hiking and warmth and added Zion to our itinerary on the recommendation of a sweet friend. I could never have prepared for how my heart would change be being in this place. I was so moved by the silence, changed by the unbelievable scenery and constantly in complete and total awe.

Why it’s perfect for an elopement:

While a special use permit must be obtained, Zion welcomes elopements in several designated spots within the park. In addition, it is common for couples to hike some of the incredible trails to overlooks for portraits and truly taking full advantage of the backdrops in the park! Zion is so beautiful that really the only thing that could make it prettier in front of my lens is a fabulous couple. The tiny and charming town of Springdale features accommodations of all kinds and levels of luxury plus it’s within just steps of the park making it a breeze. It is absolutely adorable. Bottom line… some of the best, most scenic hiking trails are in Zion National Park and the views cannot be beat. I am scheming about all of the things we will do when we go back to Zion. It truly has such a special place in my heart and I think it would in yours too. There are also some incredible other wedding vendors in South Utah that I would love to recommend to my couples considering an elopement there!

Who it’s perfect for and when:

Zion is a bit rugged but also glamorous. It is ancient and modern. It makes you feel like you’re in a familiar home while also being other-wordly. Did that just give you butterflies and make you think… Spring is the perfect time to elope in Zion with fall also being ideal. Summer can be unbearably hot and winter is cold and unpredictable.

My favorite spots:

A sunrise first look and portraits at the end of Canyon Overlook Trail is absolutely on my bucket list. If you’re planning this… I want to be there! The trail is an easy 1 mile round trip and will leave you feeling on top of the world as you look down over the ancient canyon. Of the locations that Zion permits for organized elopements, Temple of Sinawava and Kolob Canyon are the most jaw-dropping. Really though, you can’t go wrong anywhere in Zion.

SSP AT ZION:

2 Days at Zion National Park

Savannah Smith Photography always offers custom pricing for elopements and destination weddings with all-inclusive quotes (there will never be extra surprise fees for travel). Special discounts are also available for couples considering elopements and intimate destination weddings in locations where we are excited to capture a couple, have crossed our fingers for the opportunity to work and have dreamed of going.

Simply put… if you are considering eloping in one of my bucket list locations, please don’t hesitate to inquire because there would be some marvelous financial incentives. When I travel my biggest daydreams always involve capturing magical portraits in front of the gorgeous locations that I explore.

The SSP Destination “I Do” Dream List:

  • Kauai, Hawaii

  • Coastal New England

  • Lake Como, Italy

  • Lake Louise, Banff, Canada

  • Paris, France

  • Botswana, Africa

  • Yosemite National Park, California

  • Patagonia, Chile

  • Isle of Skye, Scotland

  • Venice, Italy

  • Dunluce Castle, Northern Ireland

  • Loire Valley, France

  • Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

… in all honesty, I’d be thrilled to go anywhere with you!