Chosen by experts: Where to elope in 2026

Once furtive affairs, elopements now happen in spectacular destinations and have become an increasingly popular way for couples to embark on the adventure of marriage.

When Zanthe and Mark Howell got engaged in 2024, they already knew who would be at their wedding in the Scottish Highlands: just themselves.

"Neither of us like being the centre of attention," says Zanthe. "A traditional wedding wasn't 'us'. [But] there was something symbolic about travelling together somewhere remote and unfamiliar to begin our lifelong commitment."

The Howells aren't alone. Elopements are on the rise worldwide, driven by soaring wedding costs,family pressures and a growing desire for unique experiences. In 2026, the average wedding in the UK costs around £21,000 and $36,000 in the US. The average destination elopement costs between $2,500 and $8,000 (£1,474 and £5,897).

Often held in stunning remote locations, today's elopements are ultra-intimate and increasingly chic.

"[Elopements were once] seen as cheap, cheesy running away to Vegas, just the two of you. Secretive and shameful," says elopement photographer Maddie Mae. "In 2026, an elopement is an intentionally intimate wedding where the focus is the couple, not the guest experience."

Mae traces the shift back to the mid-2010s, when Instagram-era wanderlust first linked elopements with aspirational travel. But Covid-19 pushed the idea into the mainstream, says elopement planner Michelle Breiter, giving couples "permission" to swap performative ceremonies for private vows. The definition has since evolved to include "styled elopements" with up to 20 guests, but traditional, "just us" elopements still carry thrilling connotations of escape. And without table centrepieces to arrange or extended family to please, couples are often able to splash out on one-of-a-kind adventures instead.

If you'd rather plan a trip for two than a banquet for 200 of your parents' friends, here are our experts' favourite destination elopements for 2026.

The Caryls Photography

Scotland's Highlands and Islands

For the couple who wants the fairytale.

Home to Gretna Green, the UK's original elopement destination, Scotland and its vast wilderness are a no-brainer for private nuptials. It's also one of the easiest places in the world to tie the knot. "In Scotland, you can legally get married literally anywhere; mountain, beach, loch," says Katy Caryl of The Caryls, a Scottish elopement photography and planning team. "As long as your ceremony is conducted by registered celebrants." 

The Isle of Skye and Glencoe are hugely popular, though summer crowds can be heavy. "If you do December to February, you'll get snow on the mountains [and] all the famous viewpoints pretty much to yourselves," says Katy. "From June to August, join the queue."

Instead, for secluded wilderness year-round, Cairngorms National Park offers largely untouristed Caledonian pine forests, mountains and lochs. Jim Caryl recommends August and September: "It's purple everywhere and you get the smell of the heather."

Can international couples legally get married in Scotland? Yes, with a marriage visitor visa (M-10)

Waiting times: Minimum 29 days' notice

Same-sex marriages recognised: Yes

The Breiters Photo & Video

Mallorca, Spain

For couples who want an all-night party they don't have to organise 

"If you want stunning elopement photographs, Mallorca is it," declares Breiter. "You get both mountains and sea."

But not touristy Palma, she cautions. "Intimacy is my couples' number one priority on their elopement day. [There are] seaside locations in Mallorca that are still super private." She suggests the picturesque village of Artà, with its romantic alleyways and 14th-Century architecture.

Mallorca also doubles as elopement and honeymoon: "[Its] hidden coves, long dinners and seaside swims let the celebration unfold over days instead of just hours," says Breiter.

"Plus, doesn't celebrating with paella and a dip in the Mediterranean sound dreamy?"

US resident Kassandra Rodriguez, who eloped here in 2024, loved the island's adventurous vibe. "Our ceremony spot was a 15-minute hike to the cliffside in a wedding dress and sandals."

The island's laid-back pace was also important to American bride Taylor Blake. "The energy of the island, its nature and stillness matched the calm, intentional beginning we envisioned for our life together," she says. 

Can international couples legally get married in Spain? It depends. For civil weddings, at least one partner must have been Spanish resident for at least two years or be a Spanish national. There is no residency required for Catholic weddings.

Waiting time:Several months for paperwork processing, translation and approval

Same-sex marriages recognised: Yes

Maddie Mae, Adventure Instead

Folegandros, Greece

For couples who want the ceremony to feel like their own romantic epic.

"[Being in Greece] feels like you're in your own romance movie!" says Mae, who recommends eloping on Greece's spectacular Cyclades for their surreal volcanic vistas and iconic blue-and white buildings. But not overrun Santorini or Mykonos: "There's ones that are less touristy," she says.

With just 1,000 residents, Folegandros is one of the few Cycladic Islands that's remained off the beaten path, offering rugged landscapes, pristine beaches and a slower pace. "Rent an adorable villa; eat a delicious mezze platter while getting ready," Mae suggests.

Mae often plans two-day elopements, dedicating one day to a boat tour. "It's not super expensive to rent a sailboat for your elopement day. You can [navigate] the whole island and find every cute sea cave, secret cove and beach and eat delicious food and relax in the sunshine."

Day two? "Hike to a mountaintop and see the coastline dotted in white houses. Then, a vineyard wine tasting."

Can international couples legally get married in Greece? Yes, both civil and religious weddings are possible without residency requirements. But entry stamps, translations, paperwork and waiting times are involved. Contact the local city hall in Greece before planning your trip.

Waiting time: Several weeks to months (seven days for a marriage license)

Same-sex marriages recognised: Yes

Maddie Mae, Adventure Instead

Zermatt, Switzerland

For couples seeking an opulent adventure.

Eloping couples love remote landscapes, but not all want to rough it. Couples can treat themselves in the dramatic Swiss Alps, studded with distant mountaintop towns like the enchanting, car-free village of Zermatt. 

"Walking around is so romantic," says Mae. "Super cute architecture, cows walking around with bells, peaks topped with glaciers. [It's] an amazing spot to be based for an adventure elopement. It has access to luxe accommodation and incredible views of the Matterhorn – either by train or hike."

Switzerland's famous public transport is a major draw. "You can take a train, cable car or gondola up to any mountaintop." And for a romantic elopement dinner, "the food is incredible. It's this melting pot of incredible Italian, French, German, Swiss; just pick".

Mae's Switzerland elopements typically involve opulent mountaintop hotels – she rates Zermatt's 3100 Kulmhotel – followed by hikes past turquoise Alpine lakes and wildflowers.

"Couples who want the dramatic mountain views but want it to be bougie as hell, go to Switzerland," she says. 

Can international couples legally get married in Switzerland? Yes, but you must apply for an entry visa and submit a marriage application along with notarised, translated documentation. Contact the town's civil registry early in the process for guidance.

Waiting time: 4-6 months

Same-sex marriages recognised: Yes

Maddie Mae, Adventure Instead

Sardinia, Italy

For couples who love Italy but want space.

Italy remains a favourite for destination weddings, but Sardinia offers an alternative to the crowds of Florence, Venice or the Amalfi Coast. The island's wild interior, cerulean seas and rustic villages appeal to couples seeking privacy. 

"Dramatic scenery and the most adorable towns you've ever seen in your life," says Mae. "The food probably was the best I've ever had for an elopement. I love the colour contrast between the desert-y red rocks and the bright turquoise blue."

She suggests renting a clifftop house with "your own private pool that overlooks the ocean so you can hike straight down to your own ocean cove". 

Can international couples legally get married in Italy? Yes. There's no residency requirement, but applicants must obtain a certificate of no impediment from their home country's embassy in Italy, among other translated documents. An interpreter is required for couples who do not speak Italian.

Waiting time: At least three months for paperwork.

Same-sex marriages recognised: No (civil unions only)

Maddie Mae, Adventure Instead

Alaska, United States

For couples who want to be completely alone on their wedding day.

Truly introverted couples will find bliss in the US's northernmost state. "[Alaska is] for people who want pure untouched wilderness on their elopement day," says Mae. "It's the Pacific Northwest on steroids. The rainforests are more dramatic, the mountains are 10 times higher, the glaciers are like the rivers of ice you see in Patagonia; literally that blue. " 

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Hiring a helicopter is crucial for navigating the desolate landscapes, says Mae. "The amount of scenery you can see in one day is unmatched. The wildlife is insane. I see moose and bears every time. It blows everyone's mind."

Helicopter access also allows couples to reach remote glaciers and tundra. "You can ask the heli-pilot to land you wherever you want and then go hiking or kayaking," says Mae, who has planned Alaskan sled dog and reindeer farm elopements. "Alaska is one of the only places I can promise someone, you won't see another soul your whole day. Not a road, not a building, nobody."

Can you legally get married in Alaska? Yes, with a marriage license and a passport. No residency requirements.

Waiting time: Three days

Same-sex marriages recognised: Yes

Chris Bennett

The Faroe Islands, Denmark

For couples who want a greener Iceland without the crowds.

Chris Bennett, an adventure photographer who regularly shoots weddings in Maine, was thrilled when he was hired to photograph an elopement on a snowy peak on the Faroe Islands. "[It was on] the winter solstice two years ago," he recalls. "Shortest day of the year. There's three hours of daylight. We went up there and it was beautiful. They were troopers! It was pretty cold and windy."

With their deep fjords and lush volcanic topography, the Faroes remind Bennett of Iceland; a hugely popular elopement destination: "[But] it feels a little bit more intimate. The light crests the horizon and it's just beautiful for three straight hours. There are Game of Thrones vibes." After the ceremony, Bennett recommends hiking to one of the archipelago's famous cascading waterfalls. "There's [one] called Bøsdalafossur that goes from the lake to the ocean and it's the most stunning thing in the world."

Can international couples legally get married in the Faroe Islands? Yes. Non-residents must apply for a "Notice of Marriage" in the capital city of Tórshavn before the ceremony and have their legal ceremony in Tórshavn's town hall.

Waiting time: Four weeks for approval

Same-sex marriages recognised: Yes

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