Elopement. Probably one of the most Googled words of 2020 thanks to the current pandemic, and I’m not complaining! There are so many mind-blowing places to elope in Europe and I love shooting intimate elopements and micro weddings as much as I love shooting huge traditional ones.
Elopements in Europe, and elopements in general have been a popular way to exchange nuptials in a private ceremony, yet it’s a trend that’s becoming mainstream as we leave 2020 behind and head into 2021!
Even though elopements have spiked in popularity, not necessarily for reasons in favour of the soon to be brides and grooms, I think this trend is here to stay. Who doesn’t want a relaxed, non-traditional, super epic wedding day?!
If your plans have changed or if you’ve been planning an elopement all along, I know a few rad and picturesque spots to elope in Europe where the magic happens!
Places to Elope in Europe: The Isle of Skye
Hello, Scotland! Yes, it’s amazeballs! I’ve shot there twice. Once for the wedding of Moggie and Toby, and again for the engagement of Anna and Fergal. The Isle of Skye is truly an epic place that is perfect for a European elopement. Obvious for its amazing moody views (except when I shot here on the longest day of the year—Hello, sunshine!), it may come as a surprise to some that the area has no shortage of picturesque spots to say, “I do” AND a lot of magical hiking trails. The Isle of Skye is 50 miles long and includes spots such as: Old Man of Storr, Talisker Beach and Fairy Glen.
Elope in Glencoe, The Scottish Highlands
Glencoe is another gooder in Scotland! Although I haven’t photographed anything here yet, it’s on my list because—besides the serious scenery and quaintness of the village—this area has been used in films (like the 2012 James Bond movie Skyfall and for Hagrid’s home in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)! If you’re a diehard Bond or Harry Potter fan, I’d say this would be the ideal spot for your European elopement!
Eloping in The French Alps
The French Alps is an epic location for adventurous couples who are looking to have their backdrop as big and as beautiful as they are and it’s one of the best places to elope in Europe! The French Alps are a part of the Alps Mountain Range (the largest mountain chain in Europe) within France, which includes Mont Blanc, the most symbolic peak of the range and holds some seriously superb spots for an elopement ceremony!
Snow-capped mountains and waterfalls within forests were the background for this ridiculously romantic shoot with Kasia and Nicholas in The French Alps.
Elope in Iceland
What better place to elope in Europe than in the most sparsely populated country and THE MOST popular elopement spot in Europe—Iceland! I’ve been lucky enough to shoot in Iceland a handful of times and, let me tell you, it never gets old. Massive glaciers, lava fields, and endless rolling greenery keep me going back for more! And, of course, my amazing couples!
Brygida and Tomek, Julia and Rob, Elyssa and Brian, Lissa and Tom, and Joey and Perry to name just a few!
Ireland Elopements
The Dingle Peninsula
The Dingle peninsula, also known as Corca Dhuibhne, is on the south-west coast of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way! This area is filled with mountain ranges that includes one of my favourite spots on the way to Dingle— Connor Pass, where I shot the engagement sessions of Kristi and Dave!
I’ve also spent 2 days with one of my couples, Linda and Steve, driving around the West Coast of Ireland shooting in various spots, and let me tell you, it was ridiculously magical! We shot in Limerick, Killarney, Ross Castle, Cliffs of Moher (listed below), Connor Pass and Dunquin Pier—which is a very epic, Instagram-worthy spot!
The Causeway Coast
I’ve been to a few places along the Causeway Coast and Glens in Northern Ireland thanks to one of my couples, Hanna and Zach! We shot at Dunluce Castle, Dark Hedges, and Ballintoy Harbour, which were all Game of Thrones shoot locations, cool right! Besides that interesting fact, The Causeway Coast’s landscapes draw people in with the natural cliffs, beaches, forests, rocks, and ancient landforms.
The Cliffs of Moher Elopements
This spot is also in Ireland, but deserves it’s own snippet! The Cliffs of Moher has to be one of the most epic European elopements spots of all time! Every time I visit this place I’m totally blown away by…wind…(haha) and the spectacular and dramatic landscapes.
The Cliffs of Moher are sea cliffs located at the Southwestern edge of The Burren region in County Clare, Ireland. This spot is a tourist destination, for good reason, and could be your European elopement location! I had the amazing experience of shooting both Candice and James, and Betty and Tai on The Cliffs. Both were weddings, but equally as intimate as an elopement as both couples kept their wolf packs small!
Elope in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is unreal. It has everything you’d want when traveling to an exotic place. Cliffs, mountains, sand dunes, the ocean, and—to top it all off—amazing weather! Gran Canaria, also known as Grand Canary Island, is located in the Atlantic Ocean and is the most populated spot in the Canary Islands.
While organizing an anniversary shoot with one of my couples, Sony reached out to me to make a promo video (of myself) using their cameras! Initially, we were planning to shoot the 10th wedding anniversary of Tomek + Agata in Iceland, but with the days getting shorter and colder, Kosmos (the video dude) suggested Gran Canaria! And, that’s what we did! We spent 2 days driving along the island filming and shooting. The days were jam-packed with laughs, sunshine and wicked footage! Our work was shot with two Sony A7RIII’s—check out the video clip.
I’ve enjoyed many good times in these locations and can’t wait to shoot and explore more of Europe! If you want to explore one of these magical locations or introduce me to a new one for your European elopement, let’s chat! I’d love for you to share the details of your story! Let’s make magical memories together!
