8 awesome places for a fall elopement
It seems like fall is everyone’s favorite season. Between the end of scorching summer days to the annual arrival of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, everybody loves fall. It also means that fall is the busiest time of year for those of us who help folks get married in wild places! Being such a transitional month, eloping in the fall can also be a bit of a challenge – especially when it comes to deciding WHERE to elope! I’ve put this list together to help you figure out the best spots for your fall elopement.
telluride, colorado
Colorado is beautiful everywhere, all year long, but there’s something really special about the San Juan Mountains in the fall. The leaves are changing, the crowds are gone, and the weather has turned just a little bit crisp. Whether you want to hike, Jeep, opr just cozy up in a beautiful cabin, Telluride may be the perfect place for your fall elopement!
Olympic national Park, washington
Olympic National Park is my favorite national park I’ve ever been to and there is no better time to visit than fall! The leaves are changing, the crowds are low, and it hasn’t quite yet gotten socked in with rain. It also gives you a chance to experience so many different types of scenery all in one day – rainforests, beaches, lakes, rivers, mountains … ONP has it all and it’s PERFECT in the fall!
moab, utah
Fall is the PERFECT time of year to run off to the desert and there is no better place to do it than Moab! Moab’s giant red rock formations, national parks, ample hiking, world class mountain biking, and all around breathtaking scenery make it the perfect spot for an adventurous fall elopement. Moab’s fall weather is PERFECTION. Grab a hotel or AirBnB or, even better, glamp it up at Under Canvas and have an epic elopement!
iceland
I LOVE Iceland in September! Why? You get lots of daylight for daytime adventures … but also enough darkness for a chance to see the northern lights. In September Iceland’s daylight hours are pretty close to those in the continental U.S. so you won’t be dealing with Midnight Sun (which is awesome but takes away your chances to see the lights!) or the endless dark of winter. By September, many of the tourists have headed home and fall is settling in. If you want to visit any of Iceland’s more popular locations, this is a great time! Curious about eloping in Iceland? Check out the guide!
great sand dunes national park, Colorado
If I had to pick ONE favorite national park in Colorado, it would definitely be Great Sand Dunes! And it’s gorgeous in the fall! The heat and crowds have left this desert-inspired landscape and the winter chill has yet to set in. The dunes provide the most stunning backdrop to your elopement (and bonus! it’s dog-friendly!)
kauai
In a state made up of beautiful islands, Kauai takes the cake. The Garden Island has lush forests, beautiful beaches, tons of waterfalls …. and less commercial development than it’s neighbors. When the weather has turned on the mainland and many of the best fall elopement locations have turned into winter elopement locations, Kauai is waiting to welcome you into her warm, tropical, embrace! Seriously, this place is MAGICAL.
north cascades, washington
North Cascades National Park and it’s surrounding areas are absolutely stunning in the fall! These big, dramatic mountains are the perfect backdrop for a serene elopement. Come fall, many of the crowds have departed and the snow hasn’t quite hit yet. It’s perfect.
norther california coast + RedwoodS
Early to mid-October is a great time of year to elope on the coast of Northern California. While the winters can be rainy, this part of fall is typically milid and dry. Get married on the beach at Point Reyes National Seashore or somewhere along Humboldt County’s wild Lost Coast. This can also be a beautiful time of year to visit the Redwoods … without all the tourists!
need more fall elopement location ideas? get in touch!
I’d love to help you out! Since 2016 I’ve helped 100s of happy folks have wild weddings throughout the Western U.S.
I live and breathe adventure elopements and am here to help make your dreams come true!
