10 Best Places to Elope: Where Can I Elope To?

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There’s something incredibly romantic about the idea of eloping: escaping hand-in-hand to exchange vows in a secret ceremony in a wedding abroad.

An idyllic, non-traditional wedding choice, eloping frees you from the fuss, cost and organisation of a big wedding venue at home – and it may be especially helpful if you have awkward family relationships to navigate. Eloping is a popular choice for second or subsequent marriages, too, which is why we’ve compiled our list of the best places to elope to.

It's worth noting, however, that eloping is not all as carefree and last-minute as many couples assume, and there are in fact a few things you need to consider beforehand.

“Unfortunately, you can’t just ‘rock up’ and get married anymore,” confirms John Holliday from The Famous Blacksmiths Shop in Gretna Green. “To marry here, couples must complete an M10 form which must be submitted back to the Gretna Registration office – and you need to give 29 days’ notice to get married in Scotland,” he adds.

That said, the rest of the organisation can often be left in the hands of the teams at Gretna Green, including sourcing a hotel, photographer, cake and even organising a wedding breakfast. “We listen to each couples’ story to ensure they have the perfect Gretna Green wedding for them,” says John.

The rules and regulations on how to elope will be different depending on where you’re planning to tie the knot, so before you set off, get inspired (and organised) with our list of some of the world’s best destinations to elope to – and get ready to book those plane tickets.

The 10 Best Elopement Locations

Where is the best place to elope? From Gretna to Vegas, Gibraltar to French Polynesia and beyond, these are the some of the most romantic spots to tie the knot

1. Gretna Green, Scotland

Often touted as the ‘UK wedding capital’, the village of Greta Green – just across the Scottish border – has long been considered one of the best places to elope in the UK.

“We married more than 2,000 elopers in 2023 and that number continues to grow each year,” says John, who adds that it’s the destination’s personalised service that makes weddings here extra remarkable: “Each couple gets a wedding host to guide them through the process on the big day and we take great care to provide a personalised service, so the day is both simple and special,” he says.

Scotland’s relaxed marriage laws make Gretna Green a convenient as well as romantic place to tie the knot; one form, one fee, two birth certificates and you’re ready to say, ‘I do’.

2. Las Vegas, USA

Want to elope abroad? The elopement capital of the world gained its reputation for a reason; around 315 ceremonies take place each day in Vegas. And with its quirky chapels, desert landscapes, speedy paperwork and iconic photo spots, it’s easy to see why couples love the bright lights and urban luxury of the so-called Sin City so much.

Now for the not-so sexy bit – though, thankfully, getting hold of a marriage license is quick and easy in Vegas (and costs $102 at the time of writing). Fill out a pre-application form online at the Clark County Nevada website and when you arrive, you can head straight to the Marriage Bureau with your passports. As long as you’ve completed the online form, you should be good to check in at the Express Lane.

3. Ontario, Canada

For somewhere slightly off the beaten track, jump on board an eight-hour flight and you could be enjoying the multicultural buzz of Toronto. Plus, the state of Ontario makes wedded bliss super simple. From serene National Parks to historic buildings in the heart of the city, your options of places to elope are endless. Not forgetting, of course, that Niagara Falls is just a two-hour drive away, too.

You can usually pick up a marriage licence from the municipal office in the city or town where you’re planning to elope to, though note there could be a waiting period of a few days before you can actually marry, so always check with local authorities what the process will be.

4. Hawaii, USA

Fun fact: You’ll probably spend longer flying to Hawaii than organising your elopement there – one online form, two pieces of ID and your fee will get you a marriage licence, plus you’ll find a wide range of elopement packages on offer across the islands for the most decadent two-person wedding celebration ever.

If you’re in search of a relaxed beach wedding, Hawaii’s natural beauty, white-sand shores and laidback vibe couldn’t be more perfect. The sunshine and culture make it the perfect place in which to stick around for your honeymoon, too. 

5. South Africa

For revelry under starlit skies and luxury pretty much on tap, South Africa ticks all the boxes for a dreamy and breathtakingly beautiful elopement abroad. It also has no residency requirements, which means the paperwork for an elopement wedding is as straightforward as it gets.

The northern, eastern and western cape, including Cape Town, are some of the most popular spots to head, with colourful buildings, game reserves and five-star properties that really pack a punch. Here you’ll find the bluest ocean seafronts, mountain landscapes and the cutest old wineries for your nuptials. Post-ceremony, why not head off on safari? Sip champagne under a crimson moon and get up close to the Big Five. Bliss. 

6. Gibraltar

When it comes to choosing convenient places to elope, Gibraltar allows you to have a British registry office wedding with the added bonus of sun and sea. Requirements mean that if you time it right, you could tie the knot quite literally the day after you land – though you will need to book the registry office in advance as you would at home, and you can do this by phone or email.

Be sure to add visiting The Rock of Gibraltar at sunset to your to-do list, along with the beautiful beaches and ancient limestone caves. It’s also a fantastic place for water sports – plus Spain is helpfully located right next door for you to continue your honeymoon adventure.

7. New York, USA

OK, so the movies showing couples lined up at NYC’s City Hall waiting to get married don’t show the 24-hour waiting period between getting your licence and saying your vows – but thankfully, an elopement to the Big Apple is still pretty straightforward.

If beaches and mountains aren’t for you, go super swish in the city that never sleeps and book one of New York’s fabulous hotels for an intimate wedding à deux. You’ll find some great ones – including Loews Regency, The Plaza, and others – just minutes from Central Park (think of the photos!), all boasting that classic New York elegance.

8. Cyprus

Sun, sea, sand, and buzzing hotels: when it comes to nice places to elope in Europe, Cyprus has all you need.

If your dream is to escape the UK and head for sunnier climes, you can’t wish for more than this country’s dazzling beaches, pine-clad tavernas boasting incredible food and quaint whitewashed chapels perfectly sized for intimate nuptials. Plus, you’ll find that many of the hotels and resorts will offer dedicated elopement packages.

You can only start your marriage application process once you’ve arrived in Cyprus, so you’ll need to take all the necessary documentation with you – but it’s worth noting that if you pay a bit extra, you could have it sorted in two to three days.

9. Italy

Further proving that a luxe elopement doesn’t have to mean long haul, Italy is another one of the best places to elope in Europe, and a wonderful and welcoming place to plan your romantic escape.

From the cities of Rome and Florence to the unforgettable backdrop of the Tuscan countryside with its honey-hued buildings, rolling farmscapes and vineyards, there are multiple areas to choose from. Plus, you’ll never be short of good food and wine (hurrah!).

Residency is not required for a legally recognised elopement in Italy, but you will have to complete the necessary – albeit straightforward – paperwork. You can find out more about the correct documentation process at Gov.uk and the process can be started from six months prior to your planned wedding date.

10. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

If you dream of a barefoot celebration in powder-soft sand, Bora Bora and the other islands of Tahiti are nothing short of breath-taking with their medley of palm-fringed white beaches and turquoise lagoons.

You’ll find that most resorts on this beautiful island – and across French Polynesia – will offer easy-to-book romantic elopement packages that include everything from traditional flower garlands and local bands to sunset wedding breakfasts for two on the beach.

Flight connections between Tahiti and the Cook Islands, Australia, and New Zealand make this a good elopement spot from which to enjoy a twin-centre honeymoon, too.

Certain documentation and formalities will apply for a civil wedding service, and you should allow three to five months of planning if you’re looking to have a legally recognised elopement ceremony, but all in all, tying the knot in this dreamy elopement destination is as easy as it gets.

Note that legal requirements change across all areas and may vary if you are not both UK citizens. Always check the most up-to-date information before you set off.

Wondering what to wear for your romantic elopement? Start by browsing some of these beautiful beach wedding dresses!