So you’re thinking you want to elope in New Hampshire? You couldn’t have picked a state with more dreamy, picture-perfect spots to tie the knot. New Hampshire is incredibly diverse from scenic coastlands to lakes to mountains to a variety of unique venues where you can plan your elopement.
As a New England elopement photographer, I’m a huge fan of eloping New England in general — its weather, views, and landscapes are stunning. While I could go on and on, I do have to say that I really adore New Hampshire for elopements, as I feel it has a little bit of everything.
Let’s dive into why you should consider eloping in New Hampshire and how you can make your elopement feel romantic and exciting here.
Why Elope in New Hampshire?
Here are my top reasons to choose to elope in the Granite State:
The stunning scenery
The White Mountains, the ocean, charming towns, and you have waterfalls, and lush national forests – need I say more? New Hampshire is a nature lover’s dream and promises you epic, one-of-a-kind backdrops for your elopement.
An adventurous but chill vibe
New Hampshire is much less busy than Boston or New York, but there’s still plenty to do, lots going on, and many adventures to be had. Whether you are looking to be out in nature, say I do before heading down the slopes, or take a scenic drive, New Hampshire has it all.
Fun and vibrant nightlife scene
New Hampshire has a great nightlife scene if that’s your vibe. It really has something for everyone who wants to enjoy a night out on the town. You won’t have to worry about things being as crowded as some other New England towns, but you’ll still get all of the fun and excitement.
It’s easy to get a marriage license
Getting a marriage license here is simple. All you have to do is go to a Town Clerk’s office with your partner and complete a marriage application.
When you go, you’ll need to bring various government-issued documents with you. To learn more about what documents you need to bring, go here. After that, you will be issued your marriage license—super easy!
Chesterfield Inn Elopement in New Hampshire
I have to mention Chesterfield Inn, a beautiful location in New Hampshire, for your elopement. This is a magical destination if you’re looking to have an intimate private ceremony in a dreamy country setting.
Anna and Jarrett planned their elopement here. They had a lovely outdoor ceremony on the grounds, and it was such a fun day.
The property boasts 10 acres of manicured gardens and is surrounded by stunning New Hampshire natural beauty. If you always imagined your wedding feeling like a fairytale with a quintessential New England inn and incredible views of the Connecticut River Valley then this might be the perfect spot for you.
They even have a special elopement package that includes:
- A small wedding cake
- An Indoor or Outdoor Ceremony Location
- A Justice of the Peace
- A Bottle of Prosecco for a Toast
…and even more. To learn more about their special elopement package, you can go here.
Also, since Chesterfield Inn is, after all, an inn, they have accommodations for you and your guests as well as additional activities that you and your partner can enjoy during your stay, such as couple’s massages or a gourmet dining experience.
How to Plan a Romantic and Exciting Elopement Experience
Make your elopement an entire day
Your elopement doesn’t have to take place in the morning or evening—why not make it a whole day? Or even a whole weekend?
This will give you the time to do so much with your partner, including more time for photos, romantic and adventurous activities, and relaxing and enjoying your celebration.
Have a picnic together before your ceremony
A picnic allows you and your partner to share an intimate and private moment together before the rest of your day unfolds, and it’s also incredibly romantic.
You and your partner could plan to have a luxury picnic together next to a cliff or the beach—or you could keep things simpler, too. Elopement picnics are a great way to slow down and soak in your elopement day and the views.
Get married in an epic location or a non-traditional spot
Your elopement location options are endless. You can find a cute inn like Chesterfield Inn, find a secluded place up in the cabin, rent an Airbnb that matches the vibe of your vision or go to a special place in your relationship, like where you had your first date or where you popped the question.
My advice is to choose a location that holds special meaning to you and your partner. This is going to make the day even more memorable for you and will make a day that is totally unique and personalized.
Add personal touches to your elopement
Some personal touches that will make your elopement even more romantic and exciting that you can try are:
- You can write letters to each other to read/give to each other before your ceremony
- You can have your own special tradition, such as lighting a unity candle
- You can bring in activities and things that you love to your wedding
- You can give each other a small gift before the wedding
These are just some potential ideas, but there are so many different ways you can add meaningful personal touches to your elopement!
Go on an adventure together
Depending on where you are, plan an elopement adventure either before or after your ceremony (or even both)!
If you’re planning to elope in New England, some adventure activities you could do are:
- Whale watching – peak season runs from June – August
- Go hiking at one of the national parks
- Kayaking
- Go on a hot air balloon ride
- Go on a lighthouse tour
- Go skiing
- Go mountain biking
and…
If you’re planning to elope in New Hampshire specifically, some activities I’d recommend are:
- Explore the state parks and the national forest
- Go boating or waterskiing
- Go snowboarding, snowmobiling, or ice skating
- Go stargazing
Be sure to check out my New England elopement guide here. In this guide, I’ve included even more activities you can try. You can learn how to plan your dream elopement in New England, and I’ve added some other elopement locations that I love in New Hampshire.
Ready to Elope in New Hampshire?
I hope you found this guide helpful and that you’re excited about the possibility of eloping in New Hampshire. There are so many romantic and exciting locations where you could elope here that you can’t make a wrong decision.
And…if you love this post and want the perfect wedding photographer to capture your elopement in New Hampshire (or to travel to wherever you are) 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!
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