Morocco:
Chefchaouen, Morocco

This beautiful blue city is so charming, real, and stunning, it’s worth a visit in any season. Have Instagrammers swarmed its blue steps and flower-filled doorways? Oh, for sure. But eloping here early in the morning means barely anyone (local nor tourist) and the most stunning blue city all to yourselves. While full-on wedding venues aren’t a thing in this small city, it’s the perfect place to do engagement photos, a pre-wedding shoot, an adventure session, or a gorgeous elopement.

Uganda and Kenya

The beauty and incredibly diverse wildlife in these countries (and surrounding countries) is basically incomparable, and a safari wedding is the ultimate destination wedding. If you’ve never been on a safari, imagine giraffes, zebras, warthogs, giant birds you’ve never seen before, and so much more right in front of you. While Tanzania, Rwanda, and neighboring countries offer weddings as well, these two countries are my favorites of the central/eastern region. Try having your wedding at Nile Safari Lodge in Uganda, or getting married at Kichwa Tempo Tented Camp in Kenya. A safari wedding will be an unforgettable experience for you and your guests.

Cyprus

Greece is incredibly popular, but if you want to skip the crowds and head somewhere less touristy and with more of a community, Cyprus is beautiful. Plus, the food is delicious and they’re happy to welcome destination weddings and outdoor-loving couples. Did I mention hot, spiced, grilled halloumi the right way?? Plus ruins, green-blue waters, and the (pictured) Love Arch in Ayia Napa? [Photo via Arabian Weddings]

Iceland:
Southern Iceland

Eloping in Iceland is on many wish lists, and with good reason: Barely any people, the ability to go almost anywhere you like, and epic landscapes. Getting married in Iceland is not for the faint of heart, of course: You’ll need quite a few days with your photographer to road trip around parts of the island (the south is my favorite part to photograph in), and you’ll need rainproof gear, hiking experience, patience for decent weather, and a good tolerance for cold, wet weather. You’ll be rewarded with Icelandic glaciers, ice caves, colorful mountains, dozens of waterfalls, and perhaps even a volcano.

California:
Yosemite, California

Yeah yeah, you’ve heard all about eloping in Yosemite. Why? Because if you get married at Glacier Point or Taft Point, Yosemite, then you’re getting epic views that you just don’t find elsewhere in the world. Yes, it’s crowded, and yes, you have to go through a permit process, but the feeling of being on top of the world at sunrise or sunset is epic. See more of my Yosemite wedding photography here, and make sure you reserve your spot early!

Thailand’s Islands

More people honeymoon here than have a Thailand wedding, but there’s no reason for that to be the case! Thailand’s islands are so stunningly unique, you can have an affordable Thai elopement on a boat, or go rock climbing, or say vows on a beach. On the other hand, you can also have a luxury Thailand destination wedding with dancers, candles, exotic foods, custom service, and more at a Thai wedding venue like Panviman Resort Koh Phangan. Plus, you’ll be able to island hop and scuba dive on your honeymoon the very next day!

Ireland

The green isle…should I make an isle/aisle pun? But seriously, an Ireland elopement can be done in a castle, on the Cliffs of Moher, at a real venue for your Irish wedding, or somewhere completely different. The greenery and landscape here is perfect for those looking for a lush European adventure wedding–or for an old-world wedding feel, such as at the Drenagh House Gardens. [Photo via Mark Barton]

The Islands of Hawaii

As a former resident of Hawaii and full-time vacation photographer on Big Island, I’m a huge fan of the islands. You truly can’t go wrong here. Though not many folks get married on Lanai nor Molokai, Having a Kauai elopement, Maui wedding, Oahu celebration, or Big Island ceremony is really unbeatable. Just don’t do it in a hotel! I’m a Hawaii wedding photographer, and since I worked in hotels for a while, I can safely say that the best places to get married are NOT in the resorts. I can recommend gorgeous Hawaii wedding venues, or better yet–elope and have tropical photos in lesser-known parts with dizzying waterfalls, volcanos, natural wonders, helicopter rides, brilliant cliffs, and more. A Hawaii wedding will NOT disappoint.

Mexico:
Los Pozas, Mexico

So many couples get married in Cabo, have destination weddings in Cancun, or elope with a shaman in Tulum. But Mexico is a massive country with amazing locations all around. My dream shoot? A wedding at Los Pozas, Mexico, an eerily awesome unfinished garden full of stairways to nowhere, gardens that lead somewhere, and sculptures that are becoming beautiful modern-day ruins. Did I mention waterfalls? I love destination weddings in Mexico and they’re all lovely on the beach, but look for the unexpected in this country! [Image via Medium]

Panama

While most North Americans don’t think of having a wedding in Panama, that’s all the more reason to do so. Less-explored locations, two oceans to choose from, palm trees galore, and none of the prices. Try renting a treehouse in Panama and having a wedding in the trees, or splurge and stay at a 5-star eco-resort in the rainforest.

Antarctica + South Georgia Island

Imagine getting married in Antarctica. Sure it’d cost a pretty penny, but how many people do it? Penguins and blue icebergs could surround you, and crowds? Well, just your Antarctican cruise ship pals. And some seals, perhaps.

South Georgia Island is full of amazing wildlife, and while you cannot touch any of the wildlife (even if they touch you, since they’re not fearful of people!), you can legally get married on South Georgia Island–especially if you’re British.

Getting married in Antarctica is not unheard of; in fact, history was just made as two sewards on a research boat had the first gay wedding on Antarctica! Be prepared to get married around November – February, and yes…it’s gonna be cold. But an Antarctica wedding? I’ll photograph it, since it’s the only continent I have yet to work on or visit!

Indonesia

Having a destination wedding in Indonesia does NOT mean you need to have a Bali wedding. In fact, I like many parts of Indonesia far better than overcrowded and touristy Bali. Head to any one of the other 16,000 islands of Indonesia for lovely people, delicious food, great landscapes, awesome massages, and underwater discoveries. Indonesia is romantic, adventurous, and darn fun for exploring…ready?

St. Lucia

Though all the tropical islands in the Caribbean are beautiful, St. Lucia is particularly unique and stunning. Its unmistakable shape of its pitons and blue water bay views leads to its popularity. It’s also great for scuba diving! Eloping in St. Lucia with 0 guests? Perfect. Having a hundred guests fly out to enjoy the week with you at a destination wedding private villa like Akasha? It’ll be great. [Photo via Akasha St. Lucia]

Canada:
Peyto Lake, Canada

Everyone’s heard of weddings at Banff, Canada–and many have heard of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. But not quite as many are familiar with Peyto Lake, just north of Lake Louise. It’s become quite popular with visitors in recent years, and will still get crowded during the day. So get up early, get to the amazing viewpoint in the ever-stunning Canadian Rockies, and get married here! [Photo via Noppawat Tom Charoensinphon]

U.S. Virgin Islands:
St. John + St. Thomas, USVI

There’s a reason I’m a St. Thomas and St. John wedding photographer: It’s darn beautiful here. I’ve never photographed a USVI wedding that wasn’t incredible, and I’ve photographed on practically every beach, and almost every St. Thomas wedding venue, for years and year. I love it here because the weather is perfect, the water is warm, and the views are ACTUALLY this pretty.