Here are my biased option on what 10 destination spots to elope in United States are. Many of these I have been to and can honestly say blew me away, the others are on my list to shoot in soon!

1. Joshua Tree- Great for all year around. I would advise not to get married in June, July or August as it can easily get up to 114 during the day time. Best time of year is March, April, May, late September, October to get married in Joshua Tree. You can get married in Joshua Tree with a permit or opt to get married at a nearby airbnb of your choosing. I have shot both types of weddings and loved all of them!

2. Mt. Rainer- Fall time is my favorite time of year there to elope near paradise falls. This is probably one of the prettiest fall spots I have ever been too. My couple eloped by the river and then hiked up here for sunset time for photos. I could see getting married as well as doing the photos there too. They rented a nearby cabin and we did getting ready photos there and dinner photos. I highly recommend this!

3. Great sand dunes in Colorado- It has minimalistic neutral tones as well as beautiful mountains all around you. Plenty of space to do a picnic out there after as well. Take note there are no bathrooms nearby and it is quite a drive to get there out in the middle of nowhere, but it is worth it! If you want a unique elopement this would be it!

4. Olympic National Park- My dream is to shoot an elopement here one day. It has a beautiful forests, mountain tops and lakes all in one park. You can get a permit to multiple spots and make a whole day of it or break it into two days to make the most of your trip. Rent a cabin for your reception to go back and have dinner at or have a picnic in the park. You could even camp in the park and have your little reception at your campsite. (No pictures as I have not visited yet but cannot wait to this year!)

5. Snoqualmie pass, Washington- Find a spot off the beaten path like the one below and make it your own unique elopement spot or go hike to the falls there. Either way it will be dreamy. I love this spot best in late summer early fall! I would rent a cabin or airbnb for your reception for this one too.

6. Grand Teton Park- We visited here last year and fell in love with this spot. Literally a dream. You could get married with a permit in front of the lake or in front of the mountains. I think I prefer the mountains, either way its dreamy. You could stay in Jackson and drive up for the day and head back there for your dinner.

7. Yosemite Park- I love taft point and glacier point so much here. You could do a small hike to it for your ceremony and sunset photos and plan to picnic out here. You could also glamp in the park or at auto camp and do your getting ready/honeymoon there. I have been to Yosemite a lot, but have not done a couples elopement here yet. So here is to the first soon!

8. San Fransisco City Hall and around going around S.F. for after the ceremony- For this you could rent an airbnb in the city. The city hall time slot is max 30 min so we really only stay inside for 1 -1.5 hour usually. The rest is exploring places in the city you love and ending the night eating out in the city as a married couple with your friends and family.

9. Mendocino, California- I am biased, but this spot has it all. It has the forrest, cliffs and ocean all within 10 min drive. You could stay at Mendocino grove glamping spot to get ready in and do your first look at, then go to the cliffs for your ceremony and then do photos at the forrest park and back at your site for your couples photos. The grove would be a great place to have dinner for you two as well as a couple friends. Just make sure to ask them permission. They also have picnic tables that you could bring your own decor for.

10. Saguaro, Arizona- I love this park so much. Make sure to get a permit for any national park, but it is so worth it. I would just avoid the summer months as it would be too hot. This spot is dreamy and has the best clouds and light ever! Cacti for days. A great spot to rent a airbnb too and have a little table decorated back at the airbnb for dinner.

Bonus:

-Monument Valley. It is a reservation so they might not even allow for elopements, but if they did or even just outside it I would check it out! The picture above is from when I visited and it just blew me away with the natural red coloring and rock formations for as far as the eyes can see.

-Garden of the Gods in Colorado. It is a small park but breathtaking. I have been there many times and there are always new spots to discover and new things to look at. This place is so close to places to eat, things to do and places to stay as well.