Top 5 Places to Elope in 2023
What’s most important about the perfect destination? You.
Does it fit what you’re looking for? Are you inspired by water or mountains (or both)? Do ancient ruins make you gaze in wander? Or does the morning sunrise give you peace & silence? What is the energy of your environment that magnifies your love in that moment. This list is a jumping off point.
Eloping makes your intention and plans much more clear and focused. And many couples these days are looking to kick off their marriage with vows - then, the experience of a lifetime.
How to determine the best places to elope?
Some factors matter in some locations, other factors in others. Natural beauty? Food? Architecture? Ease to travel? Lifelong dream getaway? There are many factors that matter when choose your starting point. A few of each is on this list and highlighted below.
The best way to decide what fits you is to have two conversations. First, with your partner. What does getting married feel like? What moment will you BE married? What’s around you and what do you feel? What sort of things bring those feeling up?
Second, have a conversation with some kind of planner. If you’re going to a new place, it’s hard to imagine how you’ll find what you want to create for that day. And there one thing that can ruin any wedding day - stress. If you have someone local that knows how to build what you want, you are guaranteed to lower the stress level of that day. Focus on enjoying the day and let someone else focus on the moving piece.
Keep in mind…
Time of year: costs very…a lot. And so does weather.
Photographer: go local or research your style.
Travel logistics: Arriving by train, plane or automobile. And how does that booking happen?
Bells and whistles: Hair? Make-up? Flowers? What do you want to include?
Before the full list…always include Rome as a location for your elopement in 2023.
What is not surprising…but not known is that Rome. Has. Everything.
The easiest destination to get too for your elopement but also, within an hour of Rome you can find every classic Italian scene. Beautiful lake scenes (and cheaper than Lake Como); rolling vineyard hills (but MUCH more accessible than driving hours to Tuscany); classic Italian castles (that fewer Americans know about with equally unique and romantic architecture) - PLUS, you get all the benefits of staying in the most romantic large city in the world.
Now…onto the countdown of the Top 5 Place to elope in 2023.
5.) Tuscany Region, Italy
Arguably, the most romantic place in Italy to elope to in 2023. There aren’t many places on earth that have the perfect intersection of the rolling hills bursting with authentic Italian flavors. Finding the perfect vineyard or castle is easy. There are many options available to a wide range of budgets. You can find a large place to accomodate your entire wedding, or something smaller and cozy.
What’s also charming about the region is the micro-cultures and smaller towns that are embedded in more local knowledge. From strolling the medieval streets of Siena with a gelato in hand to landing world class restaurant reservations in Bologna, the food and local food specialities can’t go wrong. You (and your guests if you have them) will get every meal and experience you can dream of in this region.
4.) Costa del Sol, Spain
Elope to this hidden gem in 2023 (hidden to Americans at least), the ‘coast of the sun’ in the south of Spain is an annual vacation spot to many in the United Kingdom. Where the Spanish mountains meet the Mediterranean Sea is the perfect meeting place for your 2023 elopement, you find small Spanish beach towns (sprinkled with flamingos and dolphins!), high rise metropolitan party houses or classic Spanish architecture - all with a one hour train ride. You could literally experience each vibe on a different night leading up to your wedding, then run off to a secluded 8 bedroom mountain chalet 30 minutes inland in the mountains.
The south of Spain is also know as the orchard of Europe. With more than 320 sunny days a year, fresh, local food is always available. And who doesn’t want a snack with every beer - thank you tapas? Small plates (known as tapas), fresh seafood and rich paellas are on every menu.
We love this hidden gem because it’s diverse, rich and a unique option for you adventurers. Off season pricing is reasonable; and because of the year round sun you still have fantastic weather through fall and winter.
3.) Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is its own brand of romance for your 2023 elopement. There is modern flowing architecture, mixed with stone Spanish castles is the perfect back drop for eloping in 2023. It’s colorful and classic. It feels a little faster and offers a big city, old world romance. It’s perfect for the modern, curious and on-the-go couple. Explore nooks of one of the most unique architectural cities and zip 20 minutes out for rolling Basque hills with Spanish stone castles.
Food is modern, exciting and rich (in flavor). You can have ‘serrano jamon’ at literally every meal and a cereveza is acceptable at 10am with your late breakfast.
2.) Tropea, Italy
Tropea is your perfect summer Italian beach down to elope to in 2023. The blue sea and perfect beaches rival the Caribbean - but you get ALL the pasta and pizza you can handle. It’s a perfect altnerative to Cinque Terre with rocky cliffs right up to the edge of the blue sea and quaint cobblestone street to get lost in strolling.
It’s a very popular local destination and therefore bursting at the seams in high season, but there’s a reason for it. Food is insanely good in the south and you can’t go wrong with any menu choice. The evenings are exactly what you imagine: romantic street lighting, cobblestone streets and lovely hustle and bustle of locals and tourists out enjoying the night.
It’s a unique Italian town but is everything you can pack into your Italian dream vacation.
1.) Canary Islands, Spain
There are several reasons why the Canary Islands should be your elopement destination in 2023. We really did save the best for last…
It wasn’t too long ago that Iceland was an under-the-radar country to visit, and we are making bets that the Canary Islands is in the early stages of being discovered as one of Europe’s most exciting destination. Thank Hawaii views with European culture.
These volcanic islands have cliffs diving into the sea and each island has its own unique identity. Black sand beaches, white sand beaches, colorful Spanish streets, remote island hiking and exploring, quaint beach towns. You can get perfect apartments with sea views or go remote and elope without a soul in site.
Take our advice and don’t wait. Get here before it’s overrun.
What’s next…
If you’ve dreamt about getting married abroad but don’t know where to start, you’re in the right place. Gazing at photos and lists is one of those first steps. Could we really? Is it possible to get married somewhere completely new? Where do I even start?
Your perfect elopement is there. Think about waking up on the morning you’re getting married and not having a single thing to stress about. Espresso, juices, pastries and European sunshine greet you. Your outfit is hanging, fresh and ready. A photographer shows up when you want and whenever you and your partner are ready, you head out to exchange your vows. The backdrop is anything from vineyards to rocky hills in a castle or on sandy beach of the Mediterranean Sea. It feels like just the two of you. It’s intimate, relaxed and perfect.
Maybe you want to include a small group of friends or family. Dinner together is long (like European long) and full of cheers, hugs and smiles.
Have someone local coordinate your dream. It really can be that easy.
Talk to someone - ideally, a travel coordinator. You aren’t JUST planning your elopement or micro-wedding, you’ll be traveling to a new place, maybe with a new language. And local culture matters. Chat with someone who got married abroad already - that would also be me.
Know the the in’s and out’s of local culture and figuring out how to make your dreams meet your actions is completely possible. Fill out information below if you’d like to chat about your 2023 elopement.
***Photos are a mix of different photographers and a few stock photos. Click on a photo to be linked to a photographers page.