Elopement Wedding Photographer | New York + Destination Elopement Photographer | Adventure Elopement Photos
Looking for elopement inspiration? Here are over 60 beautiful elopement photos & ideas from around the USA + World
By adventure elopement photographer Kathryn Cooper Weddings
Need Elopement Inspiration? These Elopement Photos are Fun, Beautiful, and Awesome.
No long are elopement photos proof that you ran off in secret to sign some documents. In 2025, elopements can be anything you want them to be.
In your backyard.
On a glacier.
Under the water.
At city hall.
In a helicopter.
At your local state park.
On a mountaintop.
Under a waterfall.
Or anything else!
I’m Kathryn Cooper Weddings, a fun, candid, adventuresome elopement photographer based in New York + California. I’ve been a full-time photographer for over 10 years, and started my wedding photography career shooting elopements in the Caribbean!
From Hawaii to Indonesia, and New Zealand to Alaska, I’ve photographed underwater; in helicopters; at city halls; behind waterfalls; in backyards; on mountain tops; and so much more.
The right elopement photographer can help you dream up, plan, and photograph your day/weekend while you just enjoy the moments. For some it’s about keeping it simple with a few family members at a local dock. For others, it’s an adventure, and they want epic elopement photos that show their one-of-a-kind experience, hiking trek, or off-roading trip.
That said, here are 64 of my favorite elopement photos for you to enjoy. Below some of these shots are tips, links, and a few ideas to help you pick the perfect spot!
Why elope?
You should never feel forced into eloping, just as no one should feel forced into having a large, traditional wedding. Family, friends, and even partners are known for guilting one another into having huge celebrations for a variety of reasons. People want to be a part of something bigger. Your mother just has to have the experience she never had. You want a big wedding, but your future spouse is an introvert. You were a bridesmaid in your friend’s wedding, so she better be one in yours!
There are a variety of reasons to elope, and some of the main ones can be found in this article.
They include:
– Not wanting a huge bash
– Wanting to spend your money on a home instead
– You just don’t like that many people
– Weddings hurt our environment, and you see eloping as much friendlier to the environment
– The money isn’t available right now, but you still want to get married
– Under the current administration, you want to make sure you are legally married
– This is a splurge moment, and a time for just the two of you to have an adventure in a beautiful place
– Or anything else!
As long as you agree, you don’t need to give a reason to others as to why you want to elope.
That said, as long as you’re going to have your own amazing celebration, you should have elopement photos to remember for a lifetime! In fact, many people spend more on the things they care about–perhaps an experience, a photographer, a first-class flight, or a custom suit–because you’re not paying $200/person, a DJ, or use of a venue.
Elopement photos can showcase just the two of you, your ceremony, a few friends or family members, the adventures, the architecture, the hot air balloon ride, the safari–you name it!
As an inclusive, fun, adventure elopement photographer, I make sure my couples’ elopement photos are a stunning reflection of them, their love, and their time.
How Can I Plan for the Most Amazing Elopement Photos?
Do something you love! Whether it’s an adventure or ordering pizza, you’ll get amazing photos if you’re sharing and showing your own joy.
Here are a few favorite elopement ideas that resulted in amazing moments:
- Going down a mountain coaster
- Helicoptering to a secluded tropical island
- Renting out a cute glamping hut and having a bonfire
- Do a motorcycle road trip to several of your first date spots–and then do it every anniversary
- Going underwater at a freshwater spring
- Heading out on a horseback ride
- Sharing private vows in your home, then having a chef cook your immediate family a delicious dinner
- Hiking to the top of a beautiful hilltop view
- Stopping by your favorite burrito shop
- Renting a catamaran and saying vows on the open sea
You can also look at how to make your elopement special, which lists out quite a few ideas for making your day multi-dimensional–because it’s not ALL about the photos. In fact, on your elopement wedding day, you should feel in the moment and have the time of your life!
Where is the Best Location for Amazing Elopement Wedding Pics?
Honestly, almost anywhere! An amazing photographer will capture stunning elopement pictures no matter where you are.
Of course, I do have favorite spots. Here are just a few of mine (which may surprise you!):
Best Elopement Photo Spots in the USA:
– Upstate New York (Catskills, Hudson Valley, and Ithaca)
– Sedona, Arizona
– Washington State, northwest national parks
– North-Central Florida, freshwater springs
– California, Joshua Tree NP and Yosemite NP
– Colorado, Garden of the Gods
– Alaska, Kenai Fjords, and state park hikes; glacier helicopter rides
– St. John, US Virgin Islands
– Idaho, Sawtooth Mountains
Best Elopement Photo Spots in the World:
– Namibia, desert landscapes on Western coast
– Ireland Castles, north
– Jordan, Jerash ruins
– Costa Rican rainforest
– Nicaraguan rainforest and volcanoes
– Indonesia, anywhere (Sumatra or Komodo are amazing)
– Norway, fjords
– Malta, stone formations
– Italy, Cinque Terre hikes and villages
– Uganda, south/central safaris
– Peru, mountain ruins and rainforest
Elopement Photography Pricing – What to Expect
For professional elopement photos, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1200 – $10,000 and up. For my adventurous, inclusive, candid elopement photography here at Kathryn Cooper Weddings, I personally charge a range from $1800 – $5500, depending on the day and timeline.
I also help plan, send helpful lists and suggestions, and get on calls with my couples to help them have the most amazing, stress-free, awesome elopement possible. Wherever you get married, find someone who can help all the steps fall into place so that week-of, you can just enjoy yourself!
Professional photographers and elopement planners spend days and weeksresearching, studying sun angles, being properly experienced and insured, being safety certified, and more. Even if they haven’t photographed in a specific area before, they know how to get stunning images of you there–it is what we do!
Because I’ve traveled and photographed through over 65 different countries, I have the experience and knowledge to understand the where, how, and when of nearly every location. Together, we’ll get the photos!
Get Elopement Photos Your Way
When it comes to you eloping, do it your way. Want to take your own photos? It ain’t easy, but I’ve seen some cool shots from tripods and timers. You won’t be able to get that candid imagery, however.
For help finding the most amazing elopement photographer for you, try looking up locations, descriptors, Reddit posts, websites such as www.WanderingWeddings.com, or good ol’ Google. And you can always reach out to me for advice and availability. Even if I’m unavailable, I’ll help you find the best fit!
You’re sure to get incredible elopement images if you’re just being yourself and having fun–whether that’s at an arcade in Vegas or a mountaintop in the Dolomites.
Whatever you do, enjoy this incredible time in your life–let’s do this!~
For questions, comments, and inquiries, contact me here.
Kathryn Cooper Weddings: Candid Documentary Wedding Photographer | Hudson Valley NY Wedding Photography | Photography Reportage