My Top 3 Bucket List Destinations
The World’s Greatest Elopement Destinations
(that I still haven’t been to)
Find out where I would suggest you elope if you’re looking for something truly out of this world.
The Most Special Kind of Places
Let’s be real – the number of stunning places to elope at is practically endless. When it comes to choosing where to elope, there are no limits and the world is your oyster.
But to me, some places have that extra something. A one-of-a-kind beauty that takes your breath away and makes them truly stand out.
I’ve been lucky enough to photograph Elopements in places that feel like this – like Iceland, Scotland or the Seychelles.
But every now and then, people ask me about my bucket list. If there were no limits, where would I plan an Elopement?
So in this post, I’m sharing my personal top three. And who knows? Maybe one of them will inspire your own Elopement adventure.
Let’s dive in.
1. Kyrgyzstan
Untamed, untouched and unknown to many
Surprised? I’d guess Kyrgyzstan doesn’t make the top spot on many people’s bucket lists. But honestly, it should.
In our globalized world, there aren’t a lot of places left that feel truly untouched and raw. Kyrgyzstan is one of them.
This gem in Central Asia is home to some of the world’s most welcoming and hospitable people you’ll ever meet – many of them still leading a nomadic lifestyle.
And oh my word, it’s BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL, too!
Picture rugged mountains, rolling green hills, dramatic valleys and alpine lakes so blue they don’t even look real.
Kyrgyzstan’s scenery looks like a wild mix of the Swiss Alps, fjord-like Norwegian landscapes, endless Mongolian grasslands and Canadian river valleys.
It’s wild, untamed and perfect for adventure loving couples. Think planning your Elopement around an epic hike or a multi-day horseback riding tour (see more examples of the 20 best elopement activities).
And I didn’t even get to my favorite part: When you search on Google for “Kyrgyzstan Elopement”, NOTHING comes up.
Can you believe that?
So while Kyrgyzstan is slowly gaining popularity among tourists, this leads me to think that no one has EVER eloped there before for their wedding.
Imagine getting to say you’ve had a wedding that was literally unlike any other. Incredible to think about, isn’t it?
I say: Let’s make it happen!
And, for extra motivation: Plan your Elopement here, bring me along for it and I’ll name my first dog after you, I guess.
The best time of year:
June to September. The mountain passes are open, the weather is mild and the landscapes are lush and green.
Images: Unsplash / George Cooper / Tynchtyk Mukhambetov
2. Faroe Islands
Where misty cliffs & mountains meet the sea
About halfway between Scotland and Iceland, surrounded by the wild Atlantic Ocean, lie some islands unlike any other.
If you dream up your Elopement as if you were writing a fantasy novel, it’d probably look like the Faroe Islands. Which is exactly why they’ve been on my Europe bucket list for years now.
From dramatic cliffside views to roaring waterfalls that crash into the sea – there’s just no place quite like this one.
So if moody landscapes are your thing and you feel like some wind and mist only add to the magic, look no further.
Because with everything from cozy fishing villages with grass-roofed houses to enormous cliffs that rise from the ocean, the tiny Nordic archipelago of the Faroe Islands, with its 18 islands, will surely leave you speechless.
Narrow fjords and tall mountains just add to the scenery and create the perfect backdrop for an Elopement experience that feels like it’s out of this world.
The best time of year:
May to September. You’ll get the best chance of some sunshine, but be prepared for quick weather changes, because sometimes you’ll experience all four season in a single day here.
Images: Unsplash
3. Lofoten Islands
A Nordic Dreamland at the Edge of the World
Continuing to speak about islands – the Lofoten, all the way up north in Norway, well above the Arctic Circle, don’t just look magical; they also feel like it.
Towering peaks rise from the sea and form a rugged landscape that’s truly incomparable. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel tiny in the most beautiful way.
Here, you get to enjoy jaw-dropping views along windswept cliffs and mountains that either glow in the never-ending midnight sun in the summer or the soft and colorful northern lights in the winter.
The entire archipelago is wild and dramatic in the best way possible and the often fast-shifting weather makes it feel untamed and real.
But you should know, while the Lofoten are breathtaking, they’re no secret. Especially from June to August, the most famous spots can get very busy.
However, the good news is that the surrounding islands and coastal areas are just as stunning and offer the same kind of views but with more peace and quiet and far fewer people if needed.
The best time of year:
Mid-May to August if you want to experience the midnight sun with up to 24 hours of sunlight, or December to March if you want the highest chance of seeing the northern lights (and don’t mind the freezing temperatures).
Images: Unsplash
Hey! I’m Nico – Elopement Photographer & Planner Worldwide
I’ve been planning and capturing Elopements all over the world for years now.
Yet, I just can’t get the places I’ve told you about out of my mind and would LOVE to make someone’s Elopement vision a reality in one of them.
Maybe it’ll be yours?
