The biggest misconception about choosing a “cheaper” elopement is that couples sacrifice quality, experience, or meaning, when it’s actually just about prioritizing simplicity for an overall low-stress elopement. Couples interested in cheaper elopement options can have peace of mind knowing their special day can be unique, adventurous, intimate, AND financially simple. Let’s talk about it.

If you’re hoping for an elopement that feels meaningful and intentional , not rushed or overproduced, thoughtful planning makes all the difference.
→ Learn how guided elopements work

What Does a “Cheap” Elopement Really Mean?

A “cheap” elopement means making choices that work in your favor. The most affordable elopements are usually the ones with simpler logistics and less pressure to overproduce the day, like fewer time restrictions, fewer obligations, and overall fewer moving aspects to consider. When planning is done with the best options in mind, costs naturally stay lower without sacrificing the experience, the scenery, or the meaning. If simplicity is your main priority right now, my guide on Easiest Places to Elope in the U.S breaks down each state with the simplest planning requirements.

What Quickly Adds Up During Elopements?

Vendors, Availability, and Local Pricing

Wanting vendors for every purpose is understandable, but each one adds a new level of complexity to your day and the overall planning, coordination, and cost. Additionally, high-demand locations often equal higher vendor pricing and lower availability, leaving little breathing room for couples who may have to rearrange other aspects of their trip to accommodate limited options.

Marriage Licenses and Waiting Periods

Waiting periods or in-person license requirements can extend trips and increase lodging, food, and time-off costs.

If you’d like to learn more about simplifying your elopement day, read my guide What is a Commitment Ceremony & Do We Need a Marriage License?.

Parking Fees, Entrance Fees, and Shuttle Costs

Parking fees, entrance fees, and shuttle costs are small drops in the bucket that often add up very fast, especially if you plan to visit multiple parks or do not have a private vehicle.

Overdecorating Natural Spaces

Sometimes your perfect day includes arches, signage, and florals–and that’s fine; but when it comes to keeping things simple, these aspects usually become something couples end up babysitting throughout the experience rather than fully enjoying.

Changes Due to Weather or Crowds

Weather and unexpected crowds can force last-minute changes, increasing costs. Needing to adjust timing, relocate, extend lodging, or rework vendor schedules can add fees that weren’t part of the original plan.

Guest Count

Many public lands allow couples to elope without permits only if the group stays under a strict guest limit, and crossing that threshold can put you in [micro-wedding territory], triggering permit requirements, fees, and timeline restrictions.

Many of these costs come from small logistical decisions that snowball. Having guidance early can help you avoid surprises and keep your day focused on what matters most.
→ See how I guide couples through planning

The Biggest Elopement Cost

Flights

Flights are often the fastest way to blow an elopement budget. Airfare, baggage fees, rental cars, and extra travel days add up.

How Long You Actually Need to Travel For

Two to three nights is considered the sweet spot for budget elopements because it allows enough time to arrive, get married, and enjoy the experience without paying for unnecessary things. Longer trips bring up costs with lodging, food, transportation, and time off work, even if the ceremony itself is simple.

Drivable Elopements vs Destination Elopements

Drivable elopements almost always cost less. Fewer flights, less luggage stress, and more control over timing make them simpler and cheaper by default. Destination elopements can still work on a budget, but they require far more planning [which we can easily do!].

If you’re deciding between a drivable elopement and a destination experience, I can help you weigh travel, timing, and logistics so the decision feels clear — not overwhelming.
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Save by Choosing:

Locations Near Major Airports

Shorter flights and more airline options usually mean lower prices and less travel.

Local Vendors

Hiring vendors who already live and work in the area can avoid travel fees and keep pricing more predictable.

Flexible Lodging Options

Places with a mix of cabins, Airbnbs, and hotels give you better options, especially outside peak seasons.

An Elopement Guide – Not Just a Photographer

An elopement guide is someone who makes sure things run smooth behind the scenes, all while documenting your day. They handle logistics and paperwork early, bring up potential issues, delays, or challenges, and help couples adjust fluidly to avoid problems or experiences that could potentially hinder their vision. Choosing the right photographer plays a big role in how supported and fluid the day feels. My guide on How to Pick a Photographer for Your Elopement can help you know what to look for besides images alone.

Choosing the right location and support can prevent costly pivots later. If you’re curious what guided elopement experiences include, you can explore the options here.
→ View elopement experience options & pricing

What Are the Cheapest States to Elope?

Colorado

Colorado is cheaper by default. They allow self-solemnization, so you don’t need to hire or schedule an officiant at all. Read How Couples Can Self-Solemnize in Colorado. In addition, there are thousands of acres of public land that don’t require permits for small, low-impact ceremonies, and it’s easily accessible to major airports.

Utah

Utah is a contender to Colorado because many of its most beautiful locations sit outside national parks and don’t require permits for small ceremonies. Red rock, salt flats, alpine terrain, and more allow couples to avoid park fees while still enjoying dramatic views. With multiple major airports, and lots of driving access, Utah is a good one to keep in mind.

Wyoming

Wyoming can be a good option for couples because of its excess of public land and objectively lower crowds. Outside of national parks, small ceremonies are usually possible without permits and lodging, accommodations, and food are generally reasonably priced because of the lower demand.

Montana

Montana works for those who are wanting to meticulously plan their elopement, specifically around season, location, and weather. With thousands of acres of public land outside national parks and generally lower crowds, especially outside peak seasons, overall costs and experience can stay predictably comfortable. Read more in How to Elope in Montana.

Idaho

Much of Idaho’s best scenic locations sit outside national parks, which means little to no permits for you. What’s better, is that a lot of them are close to highways, towns, and accessible locations that make a simple road-trip easier than ever. I’d recommend couples who are looking for mountains, forests, or plains without big commitments read more in How to Elope in Idaho.

Arizona

Arizona works well for budget elopements because many desert locations are free or low-cost to access and don’t require formal permits. The state offers year-round elopement opportunities thanks to its weather, so you don’t have to worry about peak-season challenges. Combined with easy access through major airports, Arizona is number one for many budget-seeking desert lovers. If you’re one of them, read all about it in my Arizona Elopement Guide.

Oregon

Oregon is a good option because it has a variety of landscapes accessible outside national parks, including forests, oceans, rainforests, islands, beaches, rolling hills, and more. Many state parks and public lands allow small ceremonies with minimal fees, especially on weekdays or outside peak summer months. Read How to Elope in Oregon for details, numbers, itineraries, and more.

New Mexico

New Mexico is a budget-friendly elopement state because it tends to be less crowded and less touristed than other places, which makes it cheaper across the board. Most outdoor locations require little to no permitting, and lodging and vendor pricing are generally lower due to overall demand. I’d argue that New Mexico might be the best for the cheapest elopement option.

West Virginia

West Virginia stands out because it has destination-wedding-worthy landscapes without the price tag or the tourism. Easily accessible and drivable, I recommend West Virginia to couples who want straightforward intimacy, old-town charm, and a sense of adventure. If you’re beginning the planning process, my How to Elope in West Virginia guide walks through locations, permits, and what an intentional elopement experience here actually looks like. This state does it all on its own.

Alabama

Eloping in Alabama is a great choice for couples who want to prioritize warm weather. Lodging, food, and accommodations are generally more affordable than in western or coastal areas, and permits (if necessary) are normally quite simple. If this state is high on your list, read my guide How to Elope in Alabama.

If you’re weighing a few states and aren’t sure which fits your priorities best, I can help you narrow it down to options that feel aligned and realistic.
→ Get help choosing the right location

The Cheapest Times of Year to Elope

Timing matters more than most people realize. The same location can cost totally different depending on the month you choose.

Off-season vs Shoulder Season

Off-season means fewer people and lower prices, but with the caveat of things being closed and with chances of unfavorable weather (storms, chill, heat, etc.). Shoulder season is just outside peak months, usually with better pricing and weather that is mildly unpredictable, but tolerable.

Cheapest Months by Environment:

Mountains

Visiting in late fall and early spring is typically the most affordable, as summer crowds disappear and winter tourism is ending.

Desert

Late summer is usually cheapest due to heat, while early spring and late fall are sweet spots for comfort, privacy, and cost.

Coast

Winter and early spring usually have the lowest rates since it’s cold and wet.

Weekday vs Weekend Elopements

Weekday elopements are almost always cheaper because demand for, well–everything, is lower outside the weekend rush.

Are National Parks Cheap?

Why National Parks Feel Affordable but Often Aren’t

National parks can be a great place to elope, but they’re not always the first place I’d recommend couples start with. While permit fees are typically low, national parks come with specific rules, ceremony windows, and larger crowds, all requiring more time and planning to navigate. For couples who want to prioritize simple, intentional, and low-stress, start by looking into state parks and public land options, which a lot of the time, have similar terrain to popular areas inside national parks. For more detailed comparisons, read National Park vs State Park Elopements.

National parks can be incredible — but navigating restrictions, timing windows, and crowd patterns requires careful planning.
→ Let’s talk about how I guide couples through park logistics

When State Parks or BLM Land Might be Better

State parks and BLM land can offer better flexibility, fewer rules, and lower overall stress if I’m being honest. Luckily, PJ and I know BLM like the back of our hand, so finding a place for you won’t be hard at all. If you’re interested in what elopements in these places look and feel like, read How to Elope in a State Park.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your Elopement

Overcomplicating the Timeline to “Enjoy it More”

Packing too much into one day can mean extra travel, longer vendor coverage, or more coordination than expected. Sometimes this doesn’t necessarily increase costs, but it does increase stress, which is arguably more expensive.

Rushing the Timeline to “Save Money"

Contrarily, trying to shorten your timeline by reducing lodging, coverage, or going without important aspects removes breathing room. When there’s no buffer for unpredictability like weather, delays, or needing/wanting to rest, the experience can decline, even if the budget is met.

Choosing a Location Just Because it’s Popular

Popular spots usually come with crowds, restrictions, and higher prices. We can find you a place you like similarly, or one that's even better.

Choosing Peak Weekends Without a Clear Reason

Peak weekends almost always come with higher rates, minimums, and bigger crowds. Unless there’s a specific reason to choose a weekend, weekdays or shoulder seasons will have better rates, availability, and flexibility.

Choosing Aesthetics Over Location

In outdoor settings, wind and weather will affect your hair and makeup regardless of how much you spend. Many couples realize afterward that a budget-friendly option looks just as good once you’re standing on a cliff. The same goes for decor, arches, signage, and other small aesthetic things. When the location is everything you want, those details matter way less.

Forgetting Permit and Legal Timelines

Missing deadlines or overlooking small details can lead to rushed decisions, last-minute changes, or extra travel days that add unnecessary money and stress. This is where having an elopement guide matters, because we help track requirements, anticipate timelines, and prevent avoidable mistakes before they become expensive ones. [Learn more about who I am as an elopement guide.]

Booking Travel before Checking Requirements

Booking flights and accommodations too early can lock you into dates that don’t end up working with license rules or permit availability, which can lead to pricey changes.

Not Hiring an Elopement Guide

Without guidance, it’s easy to miss how permits, timelines, travel, and logistics all depend on each other to create a fun, memorable, and low-stress experience. Contrarily, focusing on these things can take away from the experience as a whole. Having a professional you trust to manage these areas of your elopement allows you to do what you’re actually supposed to be doing: experiencing and enjoying.

Many of these mistakes are avoidable with the right planning support. If you want your day to feel steady, intentional, and fully present, you can explore what guided elopement experiences include.
→ Explore experience options & pricing

How an Elopement Guide Can Help

All of these issues usually come from one place: planning the exciting things before the boring things. When permits, legal timelines, travel, and the day’s timeline hour by hour aren’t considered as one working whole, small choices can snowball into expensive, or experience-ruining problems. An elopement guide manages requirements, creates realistic timelines that account for unpredictability, and helps couples focus their budget on what actually matters to make their day the best it can be.

Learn more about who I am as an elopement guide.

Example Elopement Budgets (Realistic, All-In Scenarios)

When couples are looking up “cheapest places to elope”, they’re usually trying to visualize what a realistic budget looks like after everything is considered. What they’re likely to find are categorized budgets, options, and possibilities–but never straightforward numbers that give clear and realistic expectations. If you want a deeper breakdown of how elopement budgets are typically structured, this guide on How Much Should I Budget for an Elopement helps walk couples through the basics.

Below, I’ve created budgets that include travel, lodging, vendors, and flexibility. The numbers you see are as close as possible to the numbers you can expect for each experience.

Scenario One: A Multi-Day Elopement Experience

Estimated Total Investment: $12,000–$15,000+

Including multiple days in your elopement gives breathing room, time to enjoy fully, and flexibility to move things around if necessary. This option is for couples looking to skip the rush and take things slow.

A multi-day budget estimate includes:

Photography coverage across multiple days
On-site or extended professional hair and makeup
Florals
Luxury or unique lodging
Travel or location changes between days
Additional permit or access fees, depending on locations

Scenario Two: A Full-Day Elopement Experience

Estimated Total Investment: $10,000–$11,000

A full-day elopement is what most couples imagine when they’re prioritizing balance and experience. Enough time to slow down and enjoy, make adjustments if necessary, and enough structure to feel like a guided experience meant solely for you.

A full-day budget estimate includes:

Full-day photography coverage
Florals and ceremony details
Professional hair and makeup
Lodging that supports a relaxed getting-ready experience
One or two thoughtfully chosen locations
Permit fees where required

Scenario Three: A Half-Day, Nature-Focused Elopement

Estimated Total Investment: $6,000–$7,000

Half-day elopements focus on a single main location and a simpler itinerary, allowing couples to experience fewer things to the fullest.

A half-day budget estimate includes:

Photography coverage that allows the day to unfold naturally
Florals and simple ceremony details
Professional hair and makeup
Lodging near the ceremony location
Light permit or location fees, depending on the site

Every elopement is different, but clarity comes quickly once priorities and logistics align. If you’d like help building a plan that fits your vision and comfort level, I’m here to help.
→ Reach out to start planning

How to Choose Which State Is Right for You

The right state is about choosing a place that supports how you want your elopement to feel. Some states make the legal process incredibly easy. Others have more flexibility, privacy, or fewer restrictions. Travel distance, guest count, season, and tolerance for planning complexity all play a role in which option actually makes sense for you.

If you’re torn between states, that’s normal. Many places can work on a budget; they just work best for different types of couples. If you want a faster, clearer way to narrow things down based on your priorities, this quiz helps identify which states are most aligned with what you’re actually looking for.

At the end of the day, the cheapest elopements aren’t the ones with the fewest things or less fun. They’re the simplest ones. Fewer rules, easier travel, less-stressful timelines, and priorities that lead to a better experience and overall cost. Whether you’re just starting to explore options or narrowing things down, a well-planned elopement should feel easy and meaningful–and you don’t need a massive budget to do that.