The 5 Best Elopement Destinations for 2026

Choosing where to elope is one of the most exciting decisions you'll make as a couple. The right destination doesn't just provide a beautiful backdrop—it sets the emotional tone for your entire day. Whether you're drawn to mountain peaks, desert sunsets, or historic Southern charm, these five destinations offer something truly unforgettable for couples eloping in 2026.

1. Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville has become one of the most sought-after elopement destinations in the South, and it's easy to see why. The city blends historic architecture, lush green spaces, and a vibrant cultural scene into one irresistible package. Exchange vows at the stunning Belmont Mansion, surrounded by Italianate gardens and century-old elegance. For something more relaxed, the open-air beauty of Centennial Park provides a serene escape in the heart of the city. After the ceremony, celebrate with live music and some of the best dining in the country.

2. Gatlinburg, Tennessee

If you've ever imagined saying your vows surrounded by misty mountain ridges and endless forest canopy, Gatlinburg is your destination. Nestled at the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this mountain town offers some of the most dramatic elopement scenery in the eastern United States. The Foothills Parkway provides sweeping panoramic views that are especially stunning during golden hour, while Willow Ridge offers intimate garden settings with mountain views in every direction.

3. Sedona, Arizona

There is no place on earth quite like Sedona. The towering red rock formations, painted desert skies, and spiritual energy of this Arizona gem create an elopement experience that feels otherworldly. Secret Slick Rock offers a private, breathtaking ceremony site with 360-degree views of Sedona's famous buttes. Crescent Moon Ranch pairs creek-side tranquility with Cathedral Rock rising in the background. For couples who love adventure, Sedona's sunset light turns the entire landscape into a masterpiece.

4. Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is Southern romance at its finest. Cobblestone streets, pastel-colored historic homes, and centuries-old live oaks draped in Spanish moss create an atmosphere that feels both timeless and deeply intimate. Cypress Gardens is a hidden paradise of blackwater swamps and blooming azaleas, while Hampton Park offers manicured gardens and a peaceful, picturesque setting for couples who want refined simplicity.

5. Savannah, Georgia

Few cities in America are as effortlessly romantic as Savannah. Its iconic squares, draped in moss and dappled light, make every corner feel like a scene from a love story. Forsyth Park and its magnificent fountain is one of the most photographed sights in the South. The Davenport House offers a more intimate, architectural experience with its walled Federal-style courtyard.

Find Your Perfect Destination

Every one of these destinations tells a different love story. The best way to choose is to think about what feeling you want your day to have—and let the destination match it. Explore all of our elopement destinations and all-inclusive packages to find the setting that speaks to your heart.

Which five places does Elopements Inc. actually operate in?

We are not a directory: we marry couples in Nashville, Gatlinburg, Charleston, Savannah and Sedona, and nowhere else. Elopements Inc. runs ceremonies in five places, with our own officiants, photographers and venue relationships in each, and we have performed 8,000+ ceremonies since 2006. Here is the honest case for each, including what each one costs.

Nashville, Tennessee — from $575. The cheapest entry point in our network and the only city with four venues: Belmont Mansion, the Nashville Wedding Chapel, Spring Haven Mansion and Centennial Park. Tennessee has no waiting period and issues licenses the same day ($99.50 in cash in Nashville), so you can apply in the morning and marry that afternoon. Belmont Mansion also supports our largest guest count at 40. Pick Nashville if you want historic interiors, a low floor price, or the biggest guest list.

Gatlinburg and the Smokies, Tennessee — from $1,275. Foothills Parkway is the most-photographed elopement spot in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the mid-October foliage window is the single most requested date range we sell. Same Tennessee license rules as Nashville. The Gatlinburg Wedding Chapel is the indoor choice. Pick Gatlinburg for mountains, and book early for autumn.

Charleston, South Carolina — from $1,275. Cypress Gardens is a blackwater cypress swamp preserve, and every ceremony there takes place in its Heirloom Garden — there is nothing else like it in our network. Hampton Park is the urban-garden alternative in the historic district. One planning note: South Carolina is the only state we serve with a mandatory wait — the application must be on file 24 hours before the license is issued, and the license arrives by email two business days after you apply. The upside is that Charleston County's application is online, so most couples file from home several days before they travel.

Savannah, Georgia — from $1,275. Forsyth Park gives you the fountain and the live-oak promenade; the Davenport House gives you a private walled 1820 Federal courtyard for an outdoor ceremony. Georgia has no waiting period, and the license is $36 with a premarital education certificate, $76 without — the cheapest of the four states. Pick Savannah for Spanish moss and the most walkable historic district.

Sedona, Arizona — from $1,875. The most expensive floor in our network, entirely because of red-rock permitting. Four venues: Yavapai Vista, Secret Slick Rock, Crescent Moon Ranch and Baby Bell Rock. Arizona has no waiting period, the license is $98, and it stays valid for twelve months — the longest window of any state we work in. Pick Sedona if the landscape is the reason you are eloping.

How do you choose between the five destinations?

Choose by guest count first, then budget, then timing, and scenery last; in that order the decision usually makes itself. Start with guest count: if you are over 20, you are choosing Belmont Mansion in Nashville, and the city is decided for you. Then budget: $575 only exists in Nashville, and Sedona will not go below $1,875 no matter which venue you pick.

Then timing. If you need to marry within a day or two of deciding, avoid South Carolina — the 24-hour wait before the license is issued is a legal requirement, and Charleston County emails the license two business days after you apply. Tennessee, Georgia and Arizona all issue same day.

Only then choose on scenery, which is the part everyone wants to start with. Every one of these five is beautiful; none of them will be beautiful enough to rescue a date that does not work legally or a venue that cannot hold your family.

Full pricing, venue lineups and license detail for each city are on the destinations page.