Once you + your partner have made the bold and empowering choice to elope, there are endless possibilities for having a day that truly reflects the two of you.
Eloping means there are no rules or requirements, so with that in mind - where should your elopement take place?
There are several things to keep in mind when deciding on your perfect elopement spot. When thinking of where you want your adventure elopement to take place, consider these concepts:
- Environment + Views. What types of scenery do you + your partner feel the most connected to?
- Accessibility. Maybe you + your partner are big on hiking, so a seven mile trek around Mount Rainier is no biggie. Maybe you'd rather have a place that is easily accessible and doesn't require as much of a hike.
- Meaning. You can head to a location that you two have never been to before - to make original memories together in a brand new place! Perhaps there is a spot that you two travel to every year, that could be perfect as the backdrop for your elopement.
- Weather. Some elopement locations aren't accessible during all seasons. Some elopement locations shine just a little brighter, depending on the season. When will your elopement be taking place?
- Seclusion + Privacy. Many potential elopement spots are popular on social media, meaning that you have to take that into account if you would like privacy during your elopement.
If intimacy and seclusion is non-negotiable for you + your partner during your Washington, California, or Oregon elopement, we've got you.
We share our top five favorite hidden gem elopement locations - because seclusion and privacy is important to us if it's important to you!
Being able to soak in epic scenery and stunning views during your elopement is one of the best parts of the day! There is nothing like enjoying the beauty of nature with your favorite person.
If contending with crowds isn't something you want to tackle during your elopement [trust us, why would you?!], consider an elopement spot that is off the beaten path. Hidden gem elopement locations are plentiful in Oregon, California, and Washington. And we are here to guide you to find the best private elopement location for your magical wedding day!
Oregon is home to evergreen forests, hundreds of waterfalls, and miles of enchanting coastline. Eloping in Oregon is a truly gorgeous and heartfelt experience!
When you picture an Oregon waterfall, chances are, the iconic cascading waters of Multnomah Falls comes to mind. While beautiful, Multnomah Falls would be a little too crowded to count as a secret elopement spot. But with 238 waterfalls in Oregon and counting, an Oregon waterfall elopement can truly be the perfect hidden gem elopement location!
There are many waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge that are secluded and offer privacy. Heading further south into the Willamette National Forest also gives us waterfalls-less-traveled. To find more private waterfalls for your Oregon elopement, you may have to hike a few extra miles. Dry Creek Falls in the Columbia River Gorge is about a four mile hike round trip, but completely worth it for the privacy and intimacy it allows!
The West Coast is a mountain paradise: with so many mountain ranges traversing the states of Oregon, Washington, and California. Mount Hood is a totally epic backdrop for an elopement - and there are dozens of trails that are less traveled that offer awe-inspiring vistas of Wy'east [also known as Mount Hood].
You can get up close and personal to Mount Hood by hiking trails that reach the highest point of the mountain without actually summiting! There are also trails that lead to gorgeous viewpoints of Oregon's highest peak - providing epic payoffs for little effort. Win, win!
Washington's coast is filled with rugged rock formations, while closer inland, you can find lush rainforests and mountains. Planning a Washington elopement can even involve one of Washington's many national parks: Mount Rainier National Park and North Cascades National Park come to mind. While national parks can sometimes get crowded, especially in the summer months, there are still secret elopement spots that rival the world-class scenery Mount Rainier and North Cascades have.
Places like Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, or even smaller peaks such as Mount Si or Mount Pilchuck are absolutely magical for your Washington elopement.
There are places to access lookouts of Washington's many mountain peaks, or you can hike/climb near the top of some of these legendary places. There are a ton of mountains in Washington that can make the best secret elopement location!
Even when you feel like you're standing on top of the world at a lookout on Mount Pilchuck, you can still have that seclusion that is crucial to the two of you.
California has some of the most diverse habitats and environments in the world. Planning an elopement in California means that there is a plethora of potential for your elopement backdrop.
California may be the most populated state in the US, but that doesn't mean there aren't still off the beaten path elopement spots that offer privacy!
Death Valley National Park is best visited during late fall and winter, with impressive geography and a rich color palette that is sure to astound. Having an elopement in Death Valley means that you + your partner are almost guaranteed to have a ton of privacy!
National parks such as Yosemite and Joshua Tree are often synonymous with adventure elopements! But let's not forget some of California's less visited national parks, too.
Have you ever heard of Pinnacles National Park, or Channel Islands? There are even more national parks in California that are definitely deserving of some consideration when thinking of the best secret elopement locations!
When thinking of where to elope in Southern California, places like San Diego, Laguna Beach, and Malibu seem like the clear paths to go. But Santa Barbara, also known as the American Riviera, shouldn't be slept on!
Santa Barbara has a distinct south-facing shoreline at the beach, which shows off some of the most unique sunsets for an evening elopement ceremony. Santa Barbara is also home to the Santa Ynez mountains - miles of trails throughout these purple mountains give views all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Having jaw-dropping scenery and intimate privacy during your West Coast elopement is possible! With these five best secluded elopement locations, you've got a great starting point for planning your Washington, California, or Oregon elopement.
While these are just a few of the best "hidden gem" elopement spots, this is not an exhaustive list. One of our favorite things to do with our couples is to help you brainstorm and really consider what is most important to you when planning your elopement day. In getting to know you + your partner, we may have suggestions for elopement locations that aren't even on this list!
A part of what makes planning your adventure elopement so much fun is knowing that your elopement day gets to be as unique and special as the two of you and your relationship.
If you're ready to get started on your elopement:
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