Katie and Caili wanted a wedding day that felt private, personal, and completely theirs. Their New Mexico elopement brought them from an Albuquerque Airbnb to a remote slot canyon, where they explored together before exchanging private vows overlooking the canyon at sunset.
Erica and John began their Acadia National Park elopement before sunrise with a private first look along Ocean Drive before exchanging vows at Otter Cliffs with their closest friends and their dog Luna. From a breakfast picnic at Sand Beach to a first dance beside the water and an afternoon in Bar Harbor, their wedding day was relaxed, carefree, and centered on celebration.
Julia and Adam’s Hocking Hills elopement was an intentional celebration centered on adventure, family, and the things that mattered most to them. Their day moved from a moody morning hike through the park to a candlelit evening ceremony at their Airbnb, where they exchanged vows with their children and loved ones nearby.
Alli and Samarth’s Banff elopement brought together mountain scenery, family, two dogs, cultural traditions, and a campsite celebration filled with homemade food and personal details. From their sunrise ceremony at Bow Lake to their portraits at Peyto Lake and evening around the campfire, every part of the day reflected what mattered most to them.
Remi and Thomas’s Capitol Reef elopement brought together private vows in the park and a celebration at a cabin surrounded by family and friends. With book inspired details, a meaningful proposal story, and thoughtful planning around weather and accessibility, their day reflected what they wanted most from their wedding.
Hillary and Rosalie planned a sunset ceremony and stargazing in New Hampshire, but steady rain changed the course of their day. From a handfasting ceremony beneath the pines to coffee in North Conway and rainy adventures along the Swift River, their White Mountain elopement became a celebration of embracing whatever came their way.
Amber and Garrett's early fall elopement combined two of the Pacific Northwest's most incredible landscapes into one unforgettable day. Beginning beneath the towering Redwoods before ending with a beach ceremony and sunset campfire on the Oregon Coast, every part of their celebration reflected the adventure and intention they envisioned. Alongside meaningful family traditions, heartfelt vows, and thoughtful planning, their wedding became a celebration of not only their marriage but also the family they were building together.
Welcome to the WanderSelect Local Expert Series. Rather than generic travel advice, these guides are written by photographers who live, work, and help couples elope in these destinations every year. In this guide, Nadia Padzensky of Venture Ever After shares her favorite locations, planning advice, seasonal recommendations, and insider tips for planning an unforgettable Olympic National Park elopement.
Savannah and Sam left home behind for an adventurous elopement through Galway City and Connemara, where handwritten vows beside a quiet lake, breathtaking mountain views, and a sunset hike created a wedding day centered on adventure, intimacy, and meaningful moments.
Ireland has a way of inviting couples to take their time while embracing adventure at the same time. In County Galway, colorful streets give way to winding mountain roads, quiet lakes. For couples dreaming of an experience that blends meaningful moments with unforgettable scenery, Connemara offers endless opportunities to create a wedding day that feels completely their own.
Bianca and Kennedy celebrated their Waterton Lakes National Park elopement with meaningful cultural traditions, private lakeside vows, horseback riding beneath the Prince of Wales Hotel, and a sunset adventure through one of Canada's most breathtaking mountain landscapes.
Sarah and Marc celebrated an intimate fall elopement in Michigan's Upper Peninsula with a heartfelt ceremony beside Lake Superior before escaping to Lake of the Clouds for private vows overlooking the Porcupine Mountains. Filled with meaningful family moments, handcrafted details, vibrant autumn landscapes, and a peaceful evening beneath the stars, their day beautifully balanced celebration with quiet adventure.
Hallie and Jay's Mykonos elopement combined everything they envisioned for their wedding day. From getting ready at the Deos Hotel to wandering through the island's iconic white streets and exchanging barefoot vows on a secluded beach, every part of the day reflected their desire for a celebration that felt relaxed, personal, and filled with unforgettable experiences.
Kaisa and Laur planned a Lake Garda elopement that felt completely true to who they are. Their day included a sunrise adventure hike into an unknown trail, barefoot vows in the water, bubble machine fights in the mountains, a surprise boat ride from friends, and a quiet candlelit first dance by the lake. Every part of the experience reflected their playful personalities and love for adventure.
Emily and Levi spent their Seward Alaska elopement surrounded by siblings, close friends, glaciers, icebergs, and incredible helicopter views. After a beach ceremony at Lowell Point, they explored Bear Lagoon by helicopter before ending the night with pool, drinks, and dinner in town. Their day focused less on tradition and more on sharing an unforgettable experience with the people closest to them.
Jessica and Winthrop’s backpacking elopement in New Hampshire’s Pemigewasset Wilderness brought them back to one of their favorite places, where they exchanged vows on Mt. Bond and danced on Bondcliff.
Cory and Ryleigh planned a Florida backcountry elopement that reflected the way they spend most of their lives together outdoors. Their day included sunrise vows overlooking the preserve, hiking through cypress swamps, wildlife sightings along the trail, and a quiet evening back at their Airbnb with steak dinner and homemade cake.