Top 9 Places to Elope in Massachusetts

The Best Locations to Elope in MA

SWELL & STONE / Massachusetts Outdoor Wedding & Adventure Elopement Photographer

How to Plan Your Massachusetts Elopement

So you’re engaged and now you’re looking for the best places to elope in Massachusetts. Luckily, Massachusetts is one of the leading places in the country for elopements and I offer a variety of Massachusetts elopement packages. From its incredible east coast dotted with islands and beautiful beaches to its mountainous western slope that boasts great views and plenty of forest land. Make sure to reach out if you’re looking for MA elopement packages. Couples can plan a spectacular beach getaway or a remote forested mountain elopement. Regardless of your style, there is an incredible landscape to match your vision in Massachusetts. Want to spread your search a little broader? Here’s my New England elopement guide. Check out these articles if you’re looking for Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, or Upstate NY.

Because of the varied landscape, the first thing you’ll need to decide is what type of view you’re looking for on your elopement day. If you’re into waterfalls, rivers, lakes, mountains, and forests, stick to the western part of the state. And if you’re looking for beaches, sand dunes, seagrasses, lighthouses, and islands, you’ll find those on the eastern side. Maybe proximity to family is important as well. Keep all of these things in mind, but remember that Massachusetts is a relatively small state in terms of driving distances, and you can drive across the whole area in about 3.5 hours.

So if you’re looking for seclusion and views, like renting your own private, active lighthouse for the night, or having a stunning sunset view after a mountaintop ceremony, get in touch and let’s start planning your dream elopement.

When planning an elopement, especially one in the summer months, it is always best to plan on a weekday. If you plan on having no guests, or just your immediate families, it is ultimately less expensive, plus easier to plan ceremonies with fewer crowds. This list is ever-changing as I photograph and find more hidden gems in MA. So buckle up and enjoy, and feel free to reach out with suggestions of your favorite places as well! Without further ado, here are some of the best spots to elope in MA.

Where to Elope in MA?

Cape Ann Peninsula

One of my friends grew up here and several years ago my then-boyfriend, now husband and I attended her wedding here. We were blown away by the crystal clear waters, I mean, really shockingly clear, and the lighthouse views, sandbars, and quintessentially quaint towns certainly didn’t hurt. There is a lot of private property on the peninsula, so I usually recommend that couples either rent an Airbnb with a great view and they can hold the ceremony there. However, if you are from here or know people from the area it is much easier to get access to some incredible sites for wedding ceremonies. Beyond that, it’s great to explore the beaches’ incredible views for photos after the ceremony.

Borden Flats Lighthouse

Ok, someone please hire me to shoot part of your elopement at Borden Flats Lighthouse ASAP! I say part of your elopement because it is an active lighthouse in the middle of the bay, so once you get out there for the evening, there’s not much to do but take in the view. Obviously, the photos would be phenomenal, but I would recommend spending part of your day exploring the mainland and then jumping on the private boat that takes you out to this beautiful spot at 5 pm, which is check-in time. You can host a little celebration with a few guests on the lighthouse and then the sunset photos would be incredible as you’re surrounded by 360 degrees of water! The guests and I can hop back on the private boat, as only two people are allowed to stay the night as honorary guest lighthouse keepers. What an incredible and unique wedding experience. But this place books up fast, and you need to plan up to a year in advance to make sure you secure your stay here.

The Berkshires

This is a large area, but I couldn’t just choose one spot, and I’m always finding new ones, so I’m including the general region here, which encompasses the westernmost portion of the state. The rolling forested mountains here make up the predominant views, and I always think of low lying fog when I think about the area as well. it has a sort of magical, mystical, ethereal nature to it. Some of the best spots here are Bish Bash Falls and Jiminy Peak, which are both detailed further below.

Bash Bish Falls

At 80 feet, this is the tallest single-drop waterfall in the state. Bash Bish can be found right on the border of Massachusetts and New York. It is part of a larger State Park area that joins Taconic State Park in New York and Bash Bish Falls State Park in MA. The trail is about 2 miles round trip from the MA side, and it’s wide and relatively flat most of the way through a gorgeous old-growth forest. There are a number of gorgeous spots to stop and take in the river scenery along the way. This is a crowded area in the summer and I highly recommend choosing a weekday or the offseason if you decide to elope here.

Nantucket

This island holds hands down one of the coolest spots in the state for elopements, Great Point Light. It’s on a nature preserve, it’s secluded, and spectacularly beautiful, especially at sunrise and sunset. And the cool part is that it has great views in every direction. This area has sand road access, and if you’re not comfortable driving your car out there it’s a bit of a hike. It’s an adventure for sure, and one with super rewarding views and some solitude. Not to mention the rest of the island, which is really a perfectly idyllic place. First, start by taking the ferry over from the mainland, stay at one of the many spectacular properties, preferably with a view, and make sure to eat your way through town as well.

Martha’s Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard is a little bit more built up and crowded than Nantucket, partly because it’s only 7 miles from shore and Nantucket is 30, but it’s also the bigger island of the two. There is less in the way of public lands for wedding ceremonies, but there are plenty of places to rent for the occasion. The island also has interesting topography and some cliffs and rolling hills. In fact, the Aquinnah Cliffs on the west side of the island are a spectacular spot for photos, and there is also a picturesque lighthouse there. Access is a bit easier to Martha’s Vineyard as it is only a 35-minute ride over on the ferry. Check out this gallery.

Cape Cod National Seashore

The first time I visited this place I was absolutely in awe of the GIANT sand dunes, the vast coastal views, and the barreling waves. I had never seen a place quite like it. Here’s the thing about Cape Cod National Seashore, it can get Busy with a capital “B” during the summer season. But if you’re willing to walk through the sand and the dunes for a while, you can always find a little seclusion. Most people stay close to the parking lots and facilities, so if you have a bit of an adventurous side, you can hike to the ceremony spot. If you have older guests joining for the day, eloping on the public lands in this area becomes a bit more difficult, and I would recommend one of the great small wedding venues in the area that boast incredible views and easy to access facilities for older guests. But if it’s just of the two of you and you’re willing to walk a little, there are some awesome secluded spots in this area. Check out this gallery.

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort

This is more a small outdoor wedding location than an elopement, but I thought I’d add a couple of these in to mix it up. Jiminy Peak offers the option to hold your ceremony at the summit of the mountain by taking the chairlift to the top. How cool is that?! If you have some guests that are less than excited to ride the chair lift you can opt for the Brookside ceremony location under the canopy of trees and near a babbling brook. There are also options for reception spots. The Clark Room accommodates up to 40 guests and is a great indoor/outdoor space with a deck that has views of the slopes.

Bascom Lodge, Mount Greylock

Bascom Lodge is an awesome place to hold a small outdoor wedding if you’d like to invite some friends and family who may not be up for a hike but still love the mountains. There are beautiful views on the grounds, and they have a gorgeous enclosed porch that works as a lovely dining area. They only allow up to 50 guests, so it’s a dream location for a couple who wants the stunning views and a detailed and lovely space for an intimate reception all in one place.

How Do You Get Legally Married in Massachusetts?

To get married in Massachusetts you will need to be at least 18 years old. You will need to fill out the marriage license, which can be done in person or by mail. After your application is processed, you will receive a marriage license. You can then have your ceremony within 180 days from the date

One of the requirements for marriage in MA is the presence of at least two people who serve as witnesses to the ceremony.

What is the Cost to Elope in MA?

The average cost of wedding venues in Massachusetts is $3,000 to $5,000, and the average cost of a full, traditional wedding is around $35,000. But if you choose to get married by eloping in the great outdoors that cost can go down significantly. Check out an elopement cost calculator here. Eloping couples choose to pay for what they care about and forget the rest. For some couples, creating an adventurous experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives is more important than paying for a party for a large number of friends and family, most of whom they don’t see that often. Eloping couples often choose to spend more on the experience and the process of documenting their day, than the guests involved.

Whether you’re from Massachusetts, New England, or somewhere else, MA is an incredible place to elope or have a small outdoor wedding. From epic island destinations to lush forests, lakes, and rivers, there are a lot of options to host the perfect outdoor elopement getaway. So if hiking down a wide-open beach, walking through sand dunes, or paddling to an island sound like your idea of a great elopement day, get in touch. I don’t just take a small outdoor wedding and elopement photos. I help you plan your perfect, adventurous day from beginning to end.

Cape Cod National Seashore Elopement with Kids | Cape Cod Elopement Packages

Denise & George’s Magical Cape Cod Elopement

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / MASSACHUSETTS & BEYOND

Denise and George’s Cape Cod elopement, which included their two kids, was such a heartfelt and adventurous day. When Denise first called and mentioned they’d love to adventure on the Cape, my first thought was this remote and secluded lighthouse that was only accessible via a 4x4 vehicle and a permit. They were completely game and even went a couple of days early to make sure they could secure the permit and test drive the route to see if their vehicle could make it! Needless to say, they accomplished it, and what followed was an incredibly beautiful and adventurous day with their two kids along for the ride.

At this point in their relationship, Denise and George had been together for over a decade and had known one another even longer. They wanted a day to truly celebrate their “little love pack” and include parts of the adventure that everyone would enjoy while keeping the focus on their union with one another. They visit the Cape every year, so this year they thought they would go one extra time and include a special day for celebrating their love.

The kids were totally game to enjoy the day with them and had an absolute blast the entire time. From running around in the sand to seeing a seal to eating lobster rolls it was their idea of a great day too. The fog rolled in during the evening ceremony, and although we didn’t get a dreamy sunset we did get a really cool misty aura that surrounded us. I like to tell my couples that every type of weather is truly special and memorable if you go into it with the right attitude. In fact, it’s some of the “bad weather” days that make for the best days in my opinion, and some of the perfectly sunny days that make for the toughest lighting conditions as a photographer. They had a great attitude and even managed to sneak in an outfit change in the middle of the day.

The drive out on the 4x4 road wasn’t too bad, just a little soft and deep in a few places. But George kept his speed through those spots and managed it perfectly. We found a little spot on the dunes with both views of the lighthouse and the ocean for the ceremony spot. The couple exchanged heartfelt vows and the kids looked away when their parents shared their first kiss as married people. Everyone ran down the dune after, ready for some celebration dinner, and spotted several seals bobbing in the water checking out what was going on. There was only one other car way down the beach and almost out of sight. It truly felt like they had a private beach completely to themselves for their day.

We laid out a picnic blanket and watched it get dark while enjoying the sounds of the ocean and the food. Then we started the drive back, making a stop at the lighthouse for some photos, before doing the rest of the 4x4 drive. Luckily, we didn’t get stuck, as digging out in formalwear would have been a unique challenge. All in all Denise and George created a day that they will remember for a lifetime, and their kids will as well, no doubt.

Emotional, Unique Micro Wedding on Cape Cod

Ally & Michael’s Small Outdoor Wedding in Brewster, MA

Swell & Stone / Adventure Elopement Photographer / Massachusetts & Beyond

Ally and Michael’s Cape Cod micro wedding was unique, emotional, and fully and truly them. They had originally planned the ceremony to take place on the Brewster Flats, a phenomenon created by the ebb and flow of the daily tides when the waters recede out of Cape Cod Bay over 1 mile to reveal sandbars, clam beds, and tidal pools teeming with sea life. It’s a place that’s super special to them, but on the day of their wedding the winds exceeded 50 mph, and the low tide was unusually high. We walked down to check out the area and were nearly blown away. Add that to the mid-30’s temps of the day, and it was a recipe to be windblown and freezing.

But alas, outdoor weddings do not always go as planned, especially in November. But the most important thing to both of them, at the end of the day, was that they were married, and they had their closest family around with them when they said their vows. So they pivoted to a beautiful little patch of forest nearby called the Brewster Conservation Trust. The winds were completely subdued in the forest, and the sun shone through the trees, making it significantly warmer.

Ally’s sister Sarah, who also served as the officiant for the ceremony, was wheeled out on a beach wheelchair, which made going over all the roots and rocks easier. And the rest of the family followed soon after. Everyone had a comfortable seat in solidarity with Sarah would is undergoing chemo.

Michael loves Crocs, and Ally has fully embraced them, so they both wore white Crocs, Ally’s were bedazzled with a variety of meaningful emblems. Ally wore a super chic, non-white dress white a nice warm layer over the top. Everything about their day was uniquely them, and they prioritized the things that meant something to them, and let go of the things that weren’t important.

During the ceremony, family members read pieces that were important to them, and Sarah led a beautiful ceremony that included personalized stones. After the ceremony, the group packed up and hiked out. Back at home they were picked up by a gorgeous white trolley and brought to The Pheasant, where the staff there had prepared an incredible gastronomical tour! Kate from Flora Chella Design had turned the already beautiful space into a stunning display. Ally, Michael, and their families were ready to begin the celebrations, and they were treated to wine tasting and a wide array of delectable food. As the sun sank low on the horizon, we went outside one more time to enjoy the final moments of daylight. The speeches of the evening were as heartfelt and emotional as the ceremony itself, and at the end of the night, the newly married couple seemed very content.

“Extremely grateful to have had Kat photograph our elopement! She’s an expert in her niche, exudes warmness, and made everything about the day easy and lovely. Just received the photographs and they perfectly capture the feelings of the day. If you’re considering working with her, do it! She’s your gal :)”

— Ally & Michael