Top 5 Destination Elopement Packages to Say 'I Do' in 2024
Destination elopements are spiking in popularity as couples look to scenic European elopement spots. Post-pandemic, couples are craving travel and unique experiences. Offering freedom, flexibility, and personalization, they’re becoming a real trend in 2024. With expert wedding planners like those at Somewhere Crazy removing the hassle associated with weddings, elopements are the perfect answer for open-minded couples in love. Best part? Elopements allow couples to have an unforgettable wedding day while taking care of their finances, allowing them to save towards long-lasting major milestones like buying a mutual home.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the amazing advantages that elopements and elopement packages offer adventurous couples. We’ll go through the most popular and hidden gems of 2024, so you can make an informed decision on where to host your special day. We’ll finish with our top tips for a destination elopement that will blow your mind away.
The Benefits of Eloping
Cost Savings
Eloping can save you tens of thousands of dollars compared to a traditional wedding. In 2024, in the UK, couples are expected to pay an average of £24,710 while in the United States, couples are paying anywhere between $20,000 and $150,000, depending on the area and number of guests. And with housing becoming more and more out of reach for young couples, this can make a real difference in your start as a married couple.
By keeping your guest list minimal or nonexistent and opting for an elopement package that includes all the necessary services (such as a photographer, a celebrant, flowers, etc.), you avoid the sky-high costs associated with weddings. With the help of our experienced wedding planners, you can choose your favorite intimate venue and splurge selectively on what matters most to you as a couple. With an elopement, you still leave a budget for a honeymoon in your dream destination as well as the first steps in your marriage.
Flexibility
The freedom and flexibility of eloping are major draws for modern couples. You're not going to be limited by traditional venue availability on Saturdays or the "wedding season." By choosing to get eloped, you can pick the location and timing that work best for you, even if that means a sunrise ceremony on a Tuesday! In fact, we prefer mid-week weddings as it enables us to book your favorite local vendors and ensure that no matter the location, you still have an intimate experience. Craft your wedding day so that it fits your personal style rather than feeling beholden to family expectations. With our customizable elopement packages, you call the shots.
Personalization
Elopements allow you to infuse personality and customize all aspects of your wedding day. From curating your dream ceremony backdrop to selecting totally unique attire (brides, you can check out our visual guide to choosing your wedding dress), you can shape an adventure wedding that authentically reflects you both as a couple. Add personalized vows, live music, crazy experiences, and photography styles that resonate with your style. With our customizable elopement packages, you get creative control to tailor a beautifully distinctive celebration.
Top Destination Elopement Packages for 2024: A Curated List
Europe offers boundless settings for an intimate destination elopement. In 2023, our most popular destinations were the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, and the Dolomites, all located in the beautiful country of Italy. But we love destinations that are off the beaten track. So, here are some of the best less-known European elopement destinations for 2024.
Andalusia, Spain
Andalusia offers the perfect combination of signature architecture and Mediterranean culture for couples looking to elope. Cities like Seville and Granada provide ample charming boutique hotels and unique rental properties for a comfortable stay. You'll find no shortage of atmospheric venues like gardens, plazas, and rooftop terraces to say "I do" with the dreamiest backdrops. Our professional wedding planners can easily arrange unforgettable ceremonies in the most special locations, yet still make them intimate and just about you two. And with popular landmarks throughout Andalusia, incredible photo opportunities abound for capturing your special day.
The cities are well connected and easy to get to, whether you fly into Malaga, Sevilla, or Gibraltar or arrive by train. Andalusia elopements are wonderful, as your wedding adventure can spill into your honeymoon as you continue exploring all that this stunning region has to offer. Sample award-winning regional wines and globally influenced cuisine without blowing your budget. Evenings are perfect for strolling romantic streets and catching the sounds and movements of flamenco. If you decide to opt in for our elopement package in Andalusia, you can rest assured that there’ll be no lack of authentic cultural experiences.
Take a look at our elopement packages in Seville and Granada.
2. The Highlands, Scotland
The rugged natural splendor of Scotland's Highlands creates the perfect backdrop for an intimate wedding. Dramatic mountains, lush glens, and picturesque lochs provide postcard scenes at every turn. Small towns like Fort William offer cozy lodging along with favorite Highland activities: hike dramatic hiking trails with waterfalls and ancient ruins, spot wildlife like red deer and golden eagles, or castle-hop through impossibly picturesque locales. Whether exchanging vows on the shores of Loch Ness or beneath the rolling hills of Glencoe, let the landscape steal your breath away. Our affordable destination elopement packages in Scotland take the stress out of planning a wedding abroad.
Explore our Scottish elopement packages.
3. The Alps, Switzerland
Few places capture natural beauty like Switzerland, with its postcard-perfect backdrop of towering Alps and emerald-rolling hills. Elope amidst the fairy tale settings of Lucerne or Interlaken for awe-inspiring vistas at every turn. Exchange your wedding vows on a lakeside dock with views stretching for miles across sapphire waters. The charming villages of Grindelwald or Zermatt offer quaint accommodations along with unique experiences: embark on a mountaintop hike, take a cruise amidst glacial fjords, or spend evenings cozied up in an Alpine chalet. Swiss precision also means hassle-free planning through dependable wedding coordinators. After the big day, unwind with fondue and local wines while taking in the majestic scenes that will forever be etched in your memories. Nowhere captures natural romance like the Swiss Alps; come write the next chapter of your love story against the backdrop of its beauty.
Check out our elopement packages in Switzerland.
4. Le Midi, France
For a romantic French elopement soaked in history and natural beauty, the region of Le Midi in the south of France awaits. Exchange vows along lavender-lined fields in Provence under clear blue skies. Sip champagne toasts in the mystical mist-shrouded hilltop villages of the Luberon. In Languedoc's canal-laced towns like Beziers, wander cobbled alleyways, breathing in sun-ripened fruits and flowers. Your accommodations await: restored stonemas tucked into olive groves, and waterfront suites opening to Mediterranean sunrises. Savor the recipes of generations in cicada-serenaded plazas, from seafood bouillabaisse to chocolate-topped crepes. Let centuries of passionate tales told along winding Rhone waters or impossibly charming Biarritz beaches inspire your own. With easy transport and smooth planning assistance, Le Midi sets the scene for creating lifelong love memories in La Belle France.
See our elopement packages in France.
5. The Canary Islands, Spain
For the final destination, we’re circling back to Spain. The Canary Islands off the coast of Africa offer the perfect romantic escape for a destination elopement with year-round sun and stunning scenery. Exchange vows on a golden sand beach caressed by the Atlantic waves, with dramatic volcanic mountains rising in the background. Opt for the vibrant culture and charm of Las Palmas on Gran Canaria or play in the turquoise waters that fringe Tenerife's stunning cliffs. Cozy villages like Haría on Lanzarote provide intimate accommodation surrounded by rugged charm. Beyond endless shorelines and lush vistas of banana plantations and cacti-dotted hillsides, these islands also unveil rich local flavors—sip crisp local wine with mojo-coated papas and seafood fresh from the docks. While the islands attract tourists in the summer, the majority of the time, the Canaries offer intimacy. There are also plenty of English speakers on the islands, making island hopping for your honeymoon simple yet unforgettable!
Have a look at our Canary Islands elopement packages.
How to Plan your Elopement: Tips for Organizing Legalities, Logistics, and Accommodation
Though elopements are less complex than traditional weddings, careful planning ensures a smooth adventure. Follow these tips:
1. Marriage certificates and legalities
As a rule of thumb, elopements are much easier to execute if you already arrive at your destination with your wedding certificate. Organizing the paperwork on the spot can be tricky as it has to comply with the country’s legalities. So, we’d recommend signing your marriage certificate in your home country and having the elopement be a symbolic ceremony. This will save you a lot of hassle and allow your elopement to be a stress-free adventure.
2. Accommodation
Book accommodation for your elopement trip as early as possible, especially if you decide to get married between June and August and in popular locations. Hotels can sometimes be tricky, as not all hotels will allow your wedding vendors to come in and out as they please. So we’d actually recommend booking a short-term rental instead (Airbnb is a great site for finding private and unique accommodation). Having a place to yourselves also works great for elopements, as you can get married in the gardens of your accommodation if you’d like to ensure there are no bystanders at your wedding. Furthermore, it’s the perfect plan B in the case of bad weather.
3. Elopement planning
Hiring an elopement planner will make your adventure stress-free. At Somewhere Crazy we’ll connect you with a local wedding coordinator, as well as a local celebrant, florist, photographer, and other vendors depending on your needs. This not only saves you on costs but you can also expect pro tips on the best little unknown charms that your elopement destination has to offer.
We can also help you with personal touches such as tips on writing your vows, incorporating local elements into your destination elopement, and picking your favorite photography and videography style.
4. The travel
Upon deciding on your elopement destination, make sure to purchase comprehensive travel insurance. Also, provide your wedding itinerary to trusted loved ones at home. In order to make them feel included, consider bringing a tablet so that you can stream your wedding ceremony to your loved ones back home, making them a part of your special day even if they’re a thousand miles away.
5. Experience the Location
Leave adequate time post-ceremony to experience and enjoy your dream location for your honeymoon. Schedule local activities, cuisine tours, and cultural experiences for the celebratory days after your elopement. Our elopement planners and local dream teams can provide you with the best tips!
Conclusion: Embracing the Freedom and Romance of an Elopement in 2024
In 2024, elopements will give couples the freedom to celebrate their love in a personalized, intimate, and adventurous way. To simplify your wedding planning, choose between our various destination elopement packages. They offer end-to-end execution of your dream destination wedding so that you can focus solely on your partner.
With stunning backdrops across Europe and the help of our elopement experts, you can craft a personalized elopement adventure that is a reflection of your love. If you seek to escape large wedding stress and embrace the flexibility of an intimate, adventurous getaway, eloping allows you to kick off your marriage on your own unique terms.
