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.
