How much does it cost to elope? 2025 Real Numbers

Traditional weddings cost $30,000 on average across the US, and much higher in certain locations. For example, prices in Manhattan can be expected around $83,000! The cost to elope brings better news – as couples are spending on things that matter to them over a party and sometimes spending less money than they would on a traditional wedding.

A surprising misconception about elopements is that it is cheaper or couples choose to elope because it is cheaper. However, 90% of our couples choose to elope because it aligns more with who they are.

Our research includes actual numbers and detailed breakdowns that show what your elopement might cost in 2025. We’ll guide you through permit fees, venue costs, photography packages and travel expenses to help you plan the perfect intimate ceremony within your budget.

How much does an adventure elopement wedding cost?

After running the numbers and interviewing dozens of couples on their elopement costs for 2025, the range is between $11,000 to $30,000.

In 2023, we conducted a similar anonymous survey asking couples various questions about their elopements, one of those being what they spent on their elopement in total, and the total costs varied from $5,000 to $30,000.

The reality is you can elope for as little as $100 or you can elope for over $100,000 – it all comes down to what you value and what type of experience you plan to share with your partner.

In full transparency, we eloped in 2021 and we spent $8,500 on our 6 day backpacking elopement. To be honest with you, I wish I would’ve spent more to get longer photo coverage. Yes, I am a photographer, but truthfully it is the only thing I would have changed about our experience. Our elopement cost was only for the elopement, as some couple’s cost includes some of their honeymoon cost as well. We did that two years later. We also shared a celebration with family 1 year later, which cost us $5,000.

The numbers vary so greatly because every elopement is different!!

Real Elopement Cost Breakdowns

Or as I like to call this – transparency behind the images….. This can give you an idea of the total cost and the varying elements for an elopement day.

Mt Baker Elopement Cost Break Down

Bishop, California Elopement Cost Breakdown

Juneau, Alaska Elopement + Honeymoon Cost Break Down

Sedona Elopement Cost Breakdown

How much does an Elopement Photographer Cost?

Professional elopement photographers charge between $1,800 – $40,000. You may be thinking, wow thats a big gap! It is, but let’s break it down so you can understand the costs between elopements photographers.

Things that effect the cost of your elopement photographer:

• Hours booked for – Likely a 2 hour elopement is $1,800 and a $40,000 package is a multi-day elopement.
• Location (Are you going somewhere really remote? Somewhere that requires a lot of travel?)
• Have they been awarded a lot of awards around their artistry?
• Are they an established business Or newer??
• Are they high in demand?
• Is photography all they offer in their services or are they also taking on a great deal of planning?

Due to the nature of photographing elopements, many elopement photographers take on the role of being your co-creator to your day, helping you along the way in planning, making vetted vendor recommendations, and answers to many of the questions that you have. Keep in mind the average cost of a wedding planner alone is between $2,000 and $5,000.

Another important reference to make to help you understand the cost of an elopement photographer is that for every hour an elopement photographer spends on location photographing a couple, they are spending 6-10 hours on their day. For reference, most of our couples book our full-day 12-hour package, which means per client, we spend an average of 96 hours in total dedicated to their day.

When choosing the right elopement photographer for you, be sure you are picking someone you can see yourself spending your elopement day with, plan with and that you love their work. It is also important to read their reviews!! You want to book with someone you can fully trust.

Elopement Photography Packages

Each photographer sets their own package options + rates. So we can only speak to our own packages here.

Our packages range from a half day, full day and multi-day. However, we do offer custom packages when it would be a better fit our couple’s needs. We are multiple times over, international award winning elopement photographers with 6 years of experience under our belts. You can can see more about our packages below.

Essential Expenses for Every Elopement

You’ll need to cover some basic costs whatever location or style you choose for your elopement. A clear understanding of these core expenses will help you create an accurate budget for your special day.

Marriage Licenses

License fees vary heavily between states and counties. In all of the states we photograph elopements in the cost varies between $38 and $100. Most states want both partners to show up with a valid photo ID, and the licenses stay valid for 30 to 365 days. Sometimes there is a waiting period of one or more days, so be sure to know the details of the state you’re looking to elope in!

Travel/Accommodation

Travel costs make up much of elopement budgets outside of vendors. Flights in the US cost $300-$2000 per person, based on where you’re heading. Your accommodation options include:

• Airbnbs (we recommend staying in an airbnb over a hotel for more room) they can cost anywhere from $250 per night to $1000 per night.
• Camping/Glamping: Starting at $15 per night and can go up to $250 per night.

Elopement Attire Costs

Wedding outfits are a big investment, even for small ceremonies. Your attire could cost….

• Wedding dresses usually cost $200-$2,000
• Alterations add $100-$1,000
• Suits typically run $200-$500

We are several tips and advice on saving money on wedding attire here.

Permits

You’ll need a Special Use Permit for many outdoor elopement spots. It is also important to know each park is different, some only issue one per day and some only issue one for every 2-hour time slot. National parks, state parks, and BLM land all have different fees, but here are a few examples of Special Use Permit costs at some of our favorite elopement locations:

• Yosemite: $150
• Mt Rainier: $250
• Dead Horse Point State Park: $60

Do you always need a Special Use Permit for an Elopement?

The short and quick answer is no, you do not always need one.

Some locations do not require permit fees which can help you with the overall cost in a low-impact way. Here are a few locations that do not require permits as long as you have no set ups (think arches, tables, floral arrangements) and you are under a certain total count of people:

• Sedona, Arizona
• Moab, Utah (On BLM land as we as your photographer holds a permit that covers you.)
• Mt Baker National Forest
• Olympic National Park – under 5 people total
• Knik Glacier in Alaska

Where to save money on your elopement?

Smart planning and the right choices help create your dream elopement without breaking the bank. Let’s look at proven ways to make the most of your budget while keeping your special day amazing.

Elopement Vendors

Hiring hair and make-up for an elopement wedding can be costly due to starting at early hours before sunrise and travel needs. You can save a lot of money by doing your own hair and make-up. You can decide if hiring someone or doing it yourself is for you here.

Florals can be costly, but there are ways to save on flowers other than just not having them. You could make your own bouquet from dried or wooden flowers. Or if you are eloping in WA state or somewhere else that has an open market you can purchase them cheaper. For example, at the Seattle Pike Place market, you can get a stunning bouquet for $35 or less.

Elopement photography is the one place we highly recommend not cutting costs on as they are your right hand man through the entire experience and capturing your memories to be cherished and keep the moment alive forever. Capturing those moments is the one thing you can not change or get back once the day is gone.

Cost of Backup plans/bad weather

Bad weather can affect outdoor elopements, so backup plans are vital. You might want to book an Airbnb or vacation rental that could work as a ceremony location if needed. Before selecting accommodation, check with hosts about small ceremonies – some properties don’t allow events and photography.

As another thing to keep in mind, selecting a location where there are multiple amazing locations nearby is a very helpful bonus. Keep a list of alternative outdoor sites that don’t require permits. 

Additionally, this can be where having a lot of vendors becomes more costly, as they may not have the flexibility.

We personally offer flexibility for all of our couples as we know this is your BIG day, and Mother Nature chooses rain or shine.

Money Saving Tricks

Here are some tested ways to cut costs while keeping the experience special:

• Attire Savings: Find the dress style you love at boutiques, then look for it on pre-owned wedding dress sites. Many dresses listed are brand new, which means big savings. Etsy offers custom dresses that cost less than designer gowns. One of our favorite secret weapons for shopping for dresses is to shop via Brides for a Cause.
• Food and Celebration: Food trucks can be a great alternative to traditional wedding catering. Just know that adding venue rental and catering for a post-elopement celebration can drive up your budget. Or cook your own food – it can be a fun connective activity for you two and/or your family.
• DIY Elements: Handle some things yourself, like making your bouquet or running the beverage service, but keep professionals for vital elements like photography. Your elopement won’t need much decoration, especially in scenic outdoor locations.
• Travel Costs could actually be free if you use flight miles or hotel points! Planning ahead for your travel by travel hacking can be super helpful!
• Leave the family at home – The stark reality is, the more people, the more money. Just you two elopements are by far cheaper than including guests. The more people, the more travel costs, food and stay and typically time needed in your elopement package.

Where to Elope based on Cost

If you haven’t noticed yet, you really can not talk about the cost of eloping without talking about – where are you eloping?

The best thing to do to determine elopement costs based on location is to first check the travel cost difference to locations you are considering.

Abroad elopement costs

Eloping internationally comes with higher travel costs in some situations, mostly due to the flight cost. However, eloping in places like Thailand, Vietnam and Mexico can be cheaper all together for more luxury feeling experiences.

Some of our favorite elopement locations abroad like Norway and New Zealand can be more expensive than the US due to travel expenses and the us dollar exchange rate.

Southwest / Desert Elopement costs

Overall eloping in the desert tends to be cheaper than mountain locations. However, within the desert costs vary. For example, we find eloping in Sedona can be more expensive than in Moab. A lot depends on how you are traveling and where from. Outside of that the bigger cost come form stay and food which is always more in Sedona than Moab.

Places Las Vegas can also be cheaper as there is a major airport with a lot of traffic meaning cheaper flights. Endless hotels and stays to choose from to access nature just about 30 minutes out of the city. All depends what vibe you want for your overall experience.

Alaska Elopement Costs

Recent data shows Alaska weddings average $17,361 – about half the national average. Alaksa elopements typically are more expensive than the lower 48 because of travel + food costs. However, a lot of people are drawn to elopements in Alaska due to helicopter access which is definitely entering luxury elopement territory.

Outside of the draw to helicopter elopements, in general people often do not realize that

Washington elopement costs

If you are looking for a mountain elopement locations, I can tell you that the PNW can be cheaper and easier than other options like Colorado or Glacier.

An elopement in the PNW varies greatly in cost depending upon where in Washington you are eloping, vendors you book and how many people you bring.

The cheapest options for an elopement in Washington are Olympic National Park and the Mt Baker area. Leavenworth and Mt Rainier can be more expensive due to stay costs or permit costs.

Conclusion

It is important to remember everyone’s budget is different for their wedding day. If this is your first time ever looking into the cost of getting married or eloping the numbers could be different than you imagined.

Our biggest advice when it comes to elopement planning is to take your time, do you research and do what is best for you and aligns with how you want to start off your marriage the most.

Using a spreadsheet system in Google or Notion can help you stay organized in your planning and budgeting.

Did you just start planning? More resources here!