Ahhhh 2025 is HERE! It is time for BIG love, top elopement destinations, and those laugh so hard you pee a little moments with your partner. I am going to caveat this list by saying there is no bad place to elope. If somewhere in particular is special to you, do it!!! We can make an adventure happen anywhere. All we need is you, your special someone, and you being open to the experience of a lifetime. Psst Brides has a good list if you’re looking for a quick overview – The 24 Best Elopement Destinations Around the World.

But for those seeking an adventure specific elopement where you can truly envision what it would look like, I’ve dropped the Honeybee Weddings picks below!! Some are places we’ve already been and are giving you the boots on the ground info, others are on the bucket list that we’ll scout out before you arrive.

Stateside

California

Where to get eloped in the USA? We love California for its diversity. You can be in the desert, in the mountains, or on the water, all within two hours of each other. Starting off our California circumnavigation is Catalina.

Catalina Island, California

You don’t have to go to Hawaii for an island adventure! Catalina Island in California has epic hikes and tons of adventure to dos – ATV, snorkeling, Catalina wine mixer. Take a HELICOPTER to the island and a boat ride home. Tons of stay options – air BnBs, hotels, and camping. Really a mecca for adventurers. If you enjoy multi day hikes, we recommend the Trans-Catalina Trail. It’s 38.5 miles and it’ll take you about 4 days, but you stop at the Conservancy’s 3 campsites so it’s a reasonable adventure. You only elope once!

Big Sur, California

In the middle of California, you’ll find Big Sur. This woodland wonderland is perfect for the couple that want to marry under century old redwoods and be surrounded by gorgeous hues of green. Say “I do” and then hike to one of the gorgeous rivers for a whole new experience. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. We’ll catch you fishing, skipping rocks, whatever your spirit wants. When you say YES to an adventure elopement, you’re saying yes to romping around. It’s an ADVENTURE not a photo shoot. There will be no leaning against a tree like your fourth grade photo. This will be piggyback rides, sexy kisses, and champagne showers!! 

Best West Coast Elopement Locations

Moab, Utah

We just can’t quit Moab. Situated among the winding Colorado River, Moab’s unique community provides for a variety of elopement adventures. Think: countless hiking trails, UTV trails, white water rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, and, of course, beautiful places to elope. From Moab, the infamous Arches National Park is just 6 miles away, while Canyonlands National Park is 32 miles away.

Moab is gorgeous and accessible throughout the year, but there are a few times that are better than others. Summer months are hot (100°F+), and if you go in winter, you can expect temperatures around 30-50°F and as low as 0-20°F. So – the best time to go to Moab? You really can’t go wrong if you love adventure. Working together, we can help you plan for any season. Temperatures are ideal for adventuring in April, May, September, and October. Plan for a weekday to avoid crowds!

Glacier National Park, Montana

We will put Glacier on every elopement destination list until the dawn of time. Where is the most beautiful place to elope? According to us, it’ll always be Glacier. After all, Glacier National Park has been deemed the ‘Crown of the Continent’. Whether you want a short hike and an iconic background, an overnight camping adventure, or to just drive Going-To-The-Sun-Road (honestly do all of the above), Glacier has it all. Even better news – it’s in our backyard so we know all the ins and outs of the park! It’d be our honor to show you our favorite hidden gems while you and your honey tie the knot. 

The mountains are gorgeous throughout the year – just make sure to check the road conditions. We’ve loved Glacier in all seasons! Here’s an elopement in Spring, and here’s a winter adventure session! Lake McDonald, you have our hearts. Plan to fly into Glacier Park International Airport (FCA), and then it’s a quick 35-minute drive to the entrance of Glacier National Park. Make sure to read all about Glacier National Park’s Ticketed Entry System before you start planning!

Start here for epic hikes, and reserve a camp spot here. Heads up: you’ll want to prepare for a Grizzly Bear should you see one. We’re talking bear spray, a loud noisemaker (we’re fond of cowbells), and reading up on what to do if you encounter a Grizzly. 

Honorable stateside mentions go to Colorado (have you seen that river?!?) and Texas! We love the centrality of it. If you are wondering how far in advance should I plan my elopement? I recommend starting backward with the destination and time of year. Where and when are going to be your factors that determine an explicit timeline. 

Top Elopement Destinations Worldwide

Get those passports and Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETA)! US citizens traveling to the UK for short visits, tourism, or business will need an ETA starting January 8, 2025. This is why we also recommend NOT changing your name before you travel. You can opt to have a legal ceremony in the States and then exchange vows+rings/celebrate at one of the top elopement destinations. But hold off on any name changes (if that’s your thing) until you’re back. Don’t let a passport issue hold up the BEST DAY EVER!!

Ireland

Grab a Guinness and get lucky! Ireland is one of the top elopement destinations of 2025!

If you’re thinking about Ireland, Giant’s Causeway needs to be near the top of your elopement destination list. With its unique scenery and hexagonal rocks, you’ve never seen anything like this. I love the Ireland coastline because of how rocky it is. Those rocks standing against the green, rocky cliffs are pure magic. If you want a mixture of adventure and history, a Giant’s Causeway elopement is juuuuust right for you!

Check out our Ireland Elopement Guide for marriage laws, wedding permits, and whether you’ll choose to have your ceremony recognized in the States, or if you want to have a symbolic ceremony. 

Iceland, one of the top elopement destinations

Snaefellsness Peninsula

There are so many great places to elope in Iceland!! The Snæfellsnes is a peninsula situated to the west of Borgarfjörður, in western Iceland. The Snæfellsjökull volcano, regarded as one of the symbols of Iceland, can be found in the area. At 4,744 ft, it is the highest mountain on the peninsula and has a glacier at its peak. Pretty badass. The volcano can be seen on clear days from Reykjavík, about 75 miles away. The mountain is also known as the setting of the novel Journey to the Center of the Earth by the French author Jules Verne.

You’ll want to book your flight into Reynisfjara and then drive to the peninsula. Flying time varies, mostly depending on layovers! You can find a straight flight from Seattle to Reynisfjara, Iceland which takes 8 hours on Alaska Airlines. However, unless you live in Seattle, you should plan on the travel time being closer to 12.

Reynisfjara Beach

If you’re envisioning a coastal vow exchange, then Reynisfjara Beach is a top elopement destination for you! Everyone hypes up a winter Iceland elopement at Reynisfjara, but we’ve experienced summer stealing the show! Also, nerd alert, we are able to fly our drone overhead at the beach, capturing you with the white, foamy ocean and the black sand beach. 

You can explore salt columns, black sand, and legendary rocks. We can scout out a secluded cave to exchange vows or you can do it right on the beach! Just picture the waves crashing around you, the wind blowing in your hair, staring into your favorite person’s gorgeous eyes. Swwwooooon.

Skogafoss Waterfall

If you are already on the Reynisfjara Beach side, we basically insist you check out the Skogafoss Waterfall. The mist from the waterfall can be seen from miles around! No exaggeration. Maybe a little exaggeration. Fair warning, you could get SOAKED next to the falls. But isn’t that the magic of an adventure? As pro waterfall chases, Skogafoss Waterfall is hands down the BIGGEST waterfall we’ve ever seen.

Hike on over to Seljalandsfoss for even more waterfalls. Last time we were there we scouted a HIDDEN waterfall! Don’t ask us where because we won’t tell you / don’t remember the name. Stepping over a few rocks, this waterfall is in the ravine in the cavern. The waterfall cascaded down, hitting the rocks that our couple was CLINGING to. 

How to Elope in Iceland

Tulum, Mexico

Tulum is located about two hours away from Cancun. It is a popular tourist destination because it is a tropical paradise with a small ruin on the shore. But we fucking hate crowds, so we will set alarms with you to visit the ruins early in the morning for a gorgeous sunrise. 

Tulum is topical and it’s humid, so be prepared for your hair to want to do crazy things. According to Ahau Collection the Riviera Maya, which encompasses the northern stretch of Caribbean coast along Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, including Tulum, sees the bulk of its visitors from November to April. Aim for the earlier high-season months when planning a trip to Tulum, because it gets particularly crowded January through March.

Where to Elope in Mexico

Two Top Elopement Destinations in Italy: Lake Como & Lake Garda

Ciao, Bella! We are obsessed with Italy and have been since Lizzie McGuire in a year I will not be admitting to in this blog.

There are so many top elopement destinations in Italy, so you tell us what you’re looking for and we will find the place for you!! One of our favorites has to be the lake vibes. There are great lakes in Italy with endless adventure options. You can sail across them in a boat. Enjoy a limoncello outside on your balcony overlooking the beauty! You just can’t go wrong. 

You will find a lot of information online about Lake Como. Huffington Post names Lake Como in The World’s 20 Most Beautiful Lakes. Calling it, “A place where you can stroll amid palm trees and blooming rhododendrons while admiring snow-capped mountains has got to be magical, right? Blessed with a superb microclimate, Lake Como in Northern Italy is the kind of place that leaves you searching for fancy words to capture its exquisiteness.” Yes, chef. 

A popular question we get is, is Lake Como or Lake Garda better? The boring answer – they are both great in their ways. We have a couple, Sarah and Angelo that shared a Lake Garda Elopement with Vespas. It was so much fun!! Lake Garda is the bigger of the lakes and has a lot more options for accommodations, restaurants, and things to do. Where Lake Como shines is for couples who are interested in luxury and tranquility. 

Adventure is our middle name. We promise that wherever you choose, we’ll research a fuck ton of options for your curated badass adventure.

How to Elope in Italy

Paris, France

Is it really an elopement list if it doesn’t include Paris? THE CITY OF LOVE???? Don’t mark her out for her popularity. We will make the adventure happen here. Coming from an American perspective, we have our culture and our history dating back a few centuries. But then there is Paris. She’s been around, she doesn’t need all of the American hustle and bustle. She’s a powerful queen (not to be confused with Nick Cannon’s child) and she knows it. Paris is stunning. The architecture and the whitewashed old buildings, ahhh, perfection. The people there are fluttering about with their fantastic style. We are convinced the ladies of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic were French.

A great choice for your vow exchange is the bridge Pont Andre III – right off of Cr la Reine (a gorgeous avenue that runs parallel with the Seine River). You can see the Eiffel Tower in the background and it was magical and amazing. 10/10 for our lady Paris. We can romp around the city and make all your memories. If the Eiffel Tower look is your dream, you’ll want to take notes from this Pinterest board. 

How to Elope in France – American’s Guide // Inclusive Elopements

Thailand (T&L’s pick for top destination)

Saving the top elopement destinations of 2025 for last is Thailand, which was named Travel and Leisure’s Destination of the Year 2025.

As the publication writer states, “I also get a thrill from observing the constant evolution of a country where stark contrasts are the norm. Take the fact that this majority Buddhist and often traditional society recently legalized marijuana and same-sex marriage. Or that Thailand has some of the best luxury hotels in the world — many at unbeatable prices — yet you’ll find the same warm hospitality and attention to detail in the humblest of homes.”

I meannnnnn, we can get behind that!! For your elopement in Thailand, we can talk about Phang Nga Bay, (150 sq mi) bay in the Andaman Sea between the island of Phuket and the mainland of the Kra Isthmus of southern Thailand. Since 1981, an extensive section of the bay has been protected as the Ao Phang Nga National Park. Limestone cliffs with caves, collapsed cave systems, and archaeological sites are found about Phang Nga Bay. Around 10,000 years ago, when sea levels were lower, it was possible to walk from Phuket and Krabi. Pretty fucking cool!!

We’d also put Chiang Mai as a top elopement destination if you really want to get into the culture. It’s the second largest city in Thailand, so you’re right next to places to stay, eat, and check out small markets. BUT it’s also by the green rolling hills with epic views and perfect places to exchange vows.

Let’s get packing!

One of the things we are obsessed with is when people ask us if eloping is becoming more common? We have seen SO many more inquiries since the pandemic. My theory is that it really made people realize there was more than one way to wed and maybe even a BETTER way *GASP*! What’s on your top elopement destination list? Let us know, and we’ll make it happen!! Cheers to you and your boo!!