How to Plan an Elopement in New England in 2027
My favorite days to capture as a New England elopement photographer will forever be the ones that feel like you. Not the ones that are designed just to perform well on Instagram or to follow the trends, but the ones that make you step back and say, “Okay, yeah, this is SO us.”
Elopements (especially New England elopements) always feel like this to me. They’re planned with so much care and intention that they turn out super meaningful and super personal, every single time. And if that’s the kind of wedding you’re dreaming of for yourself… Don’t miss my guide on how to plan an elopement in New England for your 2027 wedding!
How to Plan an Elopement: The Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s a quick table of contents for everything I’ll be covering in my ultimate guide on how to plan an elopement. Feel free to skip to wherever fits the step you’re in best!
First, Map Out Your Dream New England Elopement
It may be the type A in me, but I’m a New England elopement photographer who believes that everything good starts with a solid plan.
In this phase of elopement planning, there are a few key things to consider:
How many guests do you want to invite?
Elopements can be truly just the two of you, a small group of your absolute favorite people, or some combination of the two (think: a courthouse ceremony with just you two, then a larger party later to celebrate)! Deciding early on how you want your day to look will make things sail really smoothly.
Do you want to elope where you live or make it a destination?
Even if you don’t live in New England and you’re considering eloping, New England makes a great destination for an elopement. If you love all things coastal, easygoing, and, of course, beautiful, this area is perfect!
Set a New England Elopement Date | The Best Time of Year for a New England Elopement
One of my favorite parts of eloping? You have a ton of wiggle room when deciding when to actually tie the knot. It can be a week or a year after you get engaged, fully depending on your vibe.
Here’s the seasonal breakdown for New England elopements to help you choose your date:
Spring Elopements in New England
Blooming flowers + soft light + warm (but not hot) days = literal perfection.
Spring in New England is honestly hard to beat. It’s so gorgeous, days feel really easy, and the weather? It’s so good. If you’re choosing to elope in any sort of outdoor location (which, we’ll get more into later!), Spring is a 10/10.
Summer Elopements in New England
Okay, if coastal vibes are so your thing, summer is your season. New England brings that energy that you see in travel magazines all summer long, and I’m forever obsessed. If a beach elopement or waterfront elopement is calling your name… Summer is waiting for you!
Fall Elopements in New England
Spoiler alert: New England is gorgeous in the fall.
I know that I’m not being super helpful by saying every season is incredible here, but it’s SO true. I might be biased as a New England elopement photographer, but I think New England is pretty great.
Fall brings mild temperatures and rich colors that couldn’t be prettier if they tried. Any sort of slow day in a city or in a park, with some sort of indoor element (hellooo, courthouse ceremony) works so well in the fall.
Winter Elopements in New England
A hill I’m willing to die on: winter weddings are severely underrated. You can see my whole guide to off-season weddings, but know that if you want your day to feel cozy (and maybe even have a little touch of holiday magic), winter is amazing for elopements! Plus, eloping in the snow? That’s iconic.
New England Elopement Locations
If a New England elopement is starting to sound more and more like your dream wedding, you’re in luck, because the locations you can choose between are all a dream! Here are a few of my top recommended spots for a New England elopement that I’ll never, ever get tired of:
Boston Public Garden
Boston Public Garden stays near the top of my elopement location list for a reason. It’s serene and has some of the best views, with your choice of lawns, florals, and waterfront ceremonies.
Here are all the details you’ll need if you love Boston Public Garden as much as I do!
You’ll need a permit to get married in the Public Garden, which you can start the application process right here. It costs $50 for Boston residents and $100 for non-residents.
You can bring some guests along with you if you want your closest people there! You don’t have to have any witnesses to get married in Massachusetts, so if you want it to be just the two of you, you’re set.
There are only outdoor options here, so it’s always good to make a rain plan.
Portraits in and around Boston Public Garden are fantastic because the park itself is gorgeous and it’s close to places like Beacon Hill, which is a must-have photo spot.
The Boston Public Garden is the perfect match for couples who want something easy, conveniently located, and out in nature without being hard to get to.
Providence City Hall
If you’re looking more in the Rhode Island area, Providence City Hall is one of the best places for a courthouse elopement. The interior architecture is something out of a dream, and it has that city hall wedding aesthetic that you see all over Pinterest.
Totally your style? Here’s what to know:
It’s super easy to plan a wedding here. They have all the info you need here, plus a link for your application.
You can bring guests to your Providence City Hall wedding if that’s something you want to do! Note that Rhode Island does require two witnesses for a wedding, so make sure to bring your people of choice with you.
The courthouse is right downtown, so you can get the best portraits in the city streets (and even pop into some bars, if that’s your style)!
The cost for a civil ceremony here is $150, plus a $24 fee for your marriage license.
Cathedral Ledge
If you’re the type of couple who spends their weekends hiking and feels at home in the mountains… Cathedral Ledge in New Hampshire might be your perfect elopement spot. This is one that gives you that destination wedding feel, even if you’re right at home, and I’m totally obsessed.
Cathedral Ledge elopements require a permit, which you can get here for $100.
It’s conveniently close to Conway, NH, so they have really everything you need: the beautiful mountain views for photos, hotels nearby for getting ready or accommodations, and restaurants to celebrate!
You can bring up to 40 guests to a Cathedral Ledge wedding if you want a bigger group to say “I do” with. New Hampshire doesn’t require witnesses, and anyone who is officiated can legally marry you here, so they make it super easy to get married at Cathedral Ledge!
Boston Public Library
Boston Public Library is one of my all-time favorite spots, and if you’re a couple who’s a little into the academia vibe or even looking for a great indoor elopement location that’s not a courthouse, don’t pass up the library!
I have a whole guide on how to plan your elopement (or large wedding!) at the Boston Public Library, but here’s an overview of the main things to know:
For $200, you can book a one-hour ceremony package that includes 1 hour of access to the library for your ceremony and photos (which, trust me, are SO good here), simple decor, and 12 chairs for guests.
You can take portraits outside of the library in the Boston Public Garden and/or in the Boston streets. I’ll take you to Beacon Hill for portraits quite literally anytime I can.
You’re allowed to have an officiant and a photographer join you as outside vendors for a Boston Public Library wedding.
Note that they host these elopements on Mondays only, and they book up quickly! Applications open three months in advance, so I suggest booking as quickly as you can.
Boston City Hall
Another courthouse option for my Boston gals: The Boston City Hall. It’s just as gorgeous and just as easy to plan as the Providence City Hall, if you love that city hall aesthetic but don’t want to travel to Rhode Island!
Ceremonies here cost $75, plus your $50 marriage license fee.
You can bring a few people here to watch your wedding, but the rooms are pretty small. I typically suggest that my couples only bring 2-4 guests!
We can hit all the same spots for portraits as we can for elopements in the garden or the library. That’s always a win for me!
Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
Okay, if your wedding vibe is greenhouse-meets-Italian-architecture… Don’t miss the Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. This one looks like something straight out of a movie and is perfect for the couple who want something a little romantic and a little unique.
Love it already? Yeah. Same. Here’s what to know!:
The Botanic Garden hosts outdoor weddings from late May to early September and indoor weddings from October to early May. Both options are truly gorgeous, though springtime here is something special. Ceremonies can be held at 10:00 am or 6:00 pm, so plan your New England elopement day accordingly!
You can bring a few guests with you to tie the knot here. It’s a lovely little space for an intimate ceremony, and I love when my couples bring a few of their favorite people.
There are different costs for different packages here, depending on how many guests you’d like to have there with you. Wedding packages start at $1,750, with tons of add-on options to make it yours.
How to Plan an Elopement in New England: The Legal Side of Things (By State)
If you’re super Type A like me (umm, I love you already) and you’re looking for the logistics of planning a New England elopement, I’ve got you covered! Here’s a quick guide to laws pertaining to witnesses, officiants, and marriage licenses by state:
Massachusetts Elopement Laws
Marriage license: 3-day waiting period + must be used within 60 days
Officiants: anyone with legal authorization (even temporary!) can marry you in MA
Witnesses: none required
Rhode Island Elopement Laws
Marriage license: no waiting period + must be used within 90 days
Officiants: anyone over 18 with at least a one-day pass
Witnesses: 2 required
New Hampshire Elopement Laws
Marriage license: no waiting period + must be used within 90 days
Officiants: anyone who is ordained
Witnesses: none required
Connecticut Elopement Laws
Marriage license: no waiting period + must be used within 65 days
Officiants: anyone who is ordained
Witnesses: none required
Maine Elopement Laws
Marriage license: no waiting period + must be used within 90 days
Officiants: any ordained ministers, lawyers, or notaries
Witnesses: 2 required
Vermont Elopement Laws
Marriage license: no waiting period + must be used within 60 days
Officiants: anyone ordained (even temporarily!)
Witnesses: none required
How to Get a Marriage License for a New England Elopement
The process of actually getting your marriage license will depend on the county you’re getting married in, so always check local laws to see what you need to do for your specific New England elopement!
Permits Needed for Outdoor Elopements in New England State Parks
Similarly, each state will have its own permitting rules, so I always recommend checking its state park websites for your wedding.
FAQs I’m Asked About How to Plan an Elopement
How long of an engagement should you have for an elopement?
The beauty of an elopement is that it gets to be totally yours. You can plan it in a few days or a few years, and it totally just depends on how you’re doing it! I’m always here to help you with an elopement planning timeline as your New England elopement photographer.
Can you invite people to your elopement?
Yes! Elopements are typically considered 10 guests and under, but again, you get to make it feel completely true to you.
What are the best months for a New England elopement?
The early summer months are typically the best for a New England elopement, because the weather is so nice without being too hot, and everything is in bloom. Obsessed!
Best Elopement Photographers in New England | Ashley Olafsson
The cherry on top of your whole elopement plan is a good elopement photographer, and as a New England elopement photographer, my whole goal is to support you through the whole process of how to plan an elopement, then have a ton of fun celebrating you the day of!
You can learn more about me right here and inquire about booking me right here. I cannot wait to tell your story.
Xoxo, Ashley
Client Love: “Booking Ashley for my wedding was THE best decision! We planned our elopement in only 4 months, and we really lucked out that Ashley was available. We met with her a few times over FaceTime, but we didn't meet her in person until our wedding day. She immediately made us feel at ease with her easy to get along with personality and was the best hype woman to have photographing us. She had everyone laughing and enjoying the photography process instead of feeling awkward or weird. Not only is she an amazing human, but her work is just stunning. I am forever grateful that I will have our memories captured to enjoy forever. Thank you so much Ashley!!”
