Have you been considering New England for your elopement? It’s perfect if you’re looking for a place with cute little cities and inns, adventure, lush forests, coastal vibes, and lots of diverse scenery.
As a New England elopement photographer, I know how important location is for your elopement, as it sets the scene for your whole celebration! The great thing about New England is that you’ll have so many incredible elopement locations to choose from, whether you want a city elopement or you’re looking for a more adventurous/nature elopement or a beach elopement.
This is your New England elopement guide and go-to resource where you can find some of the best spots to consider for your elopement, the best time of year to elope, tips for eloping in New England, and more!
Where Should You Elope in New England?
Deciding where you want to elope in New England depends on the vibe you’re going for – whether you’re looking for something charming, epic, or unique.
Here are my top recommendations:
Maine
Acadia National Park
When you are searching for things to do in Maine, Acadia National Park is a must-see attraction. Imagine your elopement surrounded by lush, beautiful forests, mountains, rocky beaches, vibrant colors, and more. If you want an elopement with an epic backdrop, Acadia Nationa Park is the spot.
West Quoddy Head Lighthouse
West Quoddy Head Lighthouse has rugged cliffs, incredible views, and a picturesque lighthouse right next to the ocean. This is a beautiful spot for your elopement if you want a coastal vibe and to feel the salt air on your skin and the ocean breeze in your hair during your ceremony.
Imagine an elopement at sunrise or sunset here – it doesn’t get much more romantic than that.
Massachusetts
Cape Cod
Cape Cod has so many places you could choose to have your elopement. If you want calm bayside beaches, dramatic cliffs, and cute, charming towns to be the setting for your dream elopement, then you’ve found the perfect place. Some places to look into for your Cape Cod elopement that I love are Nobska Lighthouse & Beach, White Crest Beach, and Aquinnah Cliffs Martha’s Vineyard.
Boston
If you want a city scene for your elopement, I, of course, have to mention Boston. Boston offers history, charming cobblestone streets, skyline views, beautiful neighborhoods, and more. Two places I would encourage you to consider in Boston are the Boston Public Garden and the Charles River Esplanade.
You’ll have a variety of different spots and settings to choose from whether you want something fun, with city views, or to have your elopement next to iconic landmarks.
New Hampshire
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a charming town with several different spots for your elopement. It’s a vibrant island city with beautiful coastal views, where you can capture your celebration against the backdrop of sailboats and historic gardens.
White Mountains
The White Mountains have several scenic overlooks that create the perfect setting for exchanging vows. This location has breathtaking natural beauty, mountain views, waterfalls, and more.
Rhode Island
Point Judith Lighthouse
Another gorgeous lighthouse with scenic ocean views, a rocky beach, and lots of lush greenery and flowers, Point Judith Lighthouse, is where you can have your elopement surrounded by the beauty of Rhode Island.
Queen Anne’s Loft
Queen Anne’s Loft is a Victorian building with an upscale design. It has large French windows (perfect for letting in lots of natural light that will make your elopement photos stunning) and large French doors. The venue is also in the heart of downtown Newport, so you, your partner, and any guests can enjoy the city.
Vermont
Moss Glen Falls
If you want your elopement to be next to a beautiful waterfall surrounded by lush green forestry, then you have to check out Moss Glen Falls. This 125-foot waterfall is easy to access, but it’s also really popular—it’s best to have your elopement here in the morning or evening for a more private, intimate ceremony.
Shelburne Farms
Shelburne Farms has lakefront views, rolling hills, formal gardens, mountain overlooks, and brick barns. It is a place that you will absolutely fall in love with when you see it.
Connecticut
Mystic
Mystic has a vibrant downtown and small-town charm. It’s the ideal seaside getaway. You’ll have plenty of different spots to choose from if you want to elope here, from the Haley Mansion to the Mystic Yachting Club or the Mystic Inn.
Kent Falls State Park
Kent Falls State Park is another location with a waterfall. It’s a beautiful and private spot. If you want an enchanting, serene location for your elopement, this is the spot for you.
If you need/want more information about any of the locations mentioned above you can reach out to me here for more info and we also can start planning your elopement!
Best Time of Year to Elope in New England
With each season being so varied, choosing when you want to elope here comes down to what you and your partner want. Are you envisioning an elopement on top of a snowy mountain with a reception at a luxury ski resort? Or perhaps an elopement surrounded by stunning fall foliage? Or maybe even an elopement on a sailboat watching the sunset—yes, that’s possible, too!
Each season in New England will offer you something different.
Fall
If you know anything about New England fall, it truly is a one-of-a-kind experience — the fall foliage is a must-see! Fall in New England entails pleasant, milder temperatures, and the nights are a bit chillier, so you’ll definitely want to bring layers with you (or a blanket, which makes a great prop!). No matter what state you decide to elope in, fall elopements in New England can be so versatile, cozy, epic, bold, or moody.
Spring
It rains a lot during this time of the year — so make sure you come prepared with an umbrella and rain jacket. You’ll find warmer weather during this time of year and see lots of flowers blooming (specifically my favorite– wildflowers). However, spring weather can also be unpredictable. It can still snow in spring, and the temperature can fluctuate, which can lead to some great range in your experience if you embrace it!
Summer
Summer here is hot and humid. This is the ideal time of year to elope here if you want to go swimming, hiking, or spend time outdoors without needing to bring extra layers. Between the lush greenery and all the possible activities to do outside whether you are in a city, a forest, or by the water, summer elopements have their own excitement.
Winter
Snowy and festive perfectly describes New England winters.
You will also encounter ice, rain, wind, and less sunlight. None of this is said to deter you from planning an elopement at this time of year – the winter here can be magical and romantic, especially if you want your elopement to include a snowy, cozy, intimate backdrop. New England is known for its cozy inns and cabins, so incorporating them in your winter elopement has its own vibe.
Things To Do in New England
Why not make your elopement into an epic adventure where you can add fun, one-of-a-kind activities for anyone involved that you’ll cherish for years to come?
Here are some unique experiences/ adventures to look into for your New England elopement:
- Whale watching – peak season runs from June – August
- Take a boat ride
- Go hiking at one of the national parks
- Kayaking
- Go on a hot air balloon ride
- Skiing
- Enjoy everything a vineyard has to offer
- Go on a lighthouse tour
- Try the seafood
- Try the famous maple syrup
- Tour the historic sites and iconic architecture
- Relax at the beach
- Escape to a cozy cabin in the woods for a romantic retreat
Additional Things To Know About Eloping in New England
Avoiding the crowds
If you know you want to plan your elopement when there are fewer tourists, you’ll want to avoid summer and fall, which are the busiest times of the year in New England.
However, if you want to have a fall or summer elopement, know that you can still find private, intimate spots. A bit of extra planning can go a long way to ensure that on the day of your elopement, you still have a secluded, personal experience.
Get necessary permits
If you want to elope in a public park, beach, or other public location, make sure you research in advance whether you need a permit. You can contact park services or local officials to ensure that you have the information and documents you need so your elopement can go off without a hitch.
Also, your photographer can help you with getting the permits you need too. I help my own clients with research and obtaining permits, itinerary planning, finding locations, and more so you can get hitched in New England without a hitch.
Preparing for the weather
New England’s weather can be unpredictable throughout the year. If you’re planning an outdoor elopement, I recommend always having a backup option just in case.
Also, if you’re coming in the colder months, bring extra layers. Just because one day is sunny and warm here doesn’t guarantee that the following day will be.
Ready to plan your New England Elopement?
I hope you found this guide helpful in planning your New England elopement. No matter which state you choose, New England promises an unforgettable experience.
If you love this post and want the perfect New England elopement photographer to capture your celebration and help bring your vision to life, reach out here. I’m all about capturing breathtaking images unique to you and your story. You can learn more about the Fatima Izzat Photography elopement experiences here!
