Top 3 Reasons for Fall Elopement
Many coupes decide to elope in the fall for many reasons:
- Beautiful foliage ranging from yellow aspen to orange and red maples and oaks. Although deciduous trees on the East Coast provide the best photo opportunity and epic locations, the West has some amazing aspen grove with golden yellow leaves and beautiful mountains.
- Less crows: fall in many National Parks is still considered high season but in general crowds begin to wean off, which means easier logistics, higher chances for getting wedding permits and in general more space :)
- The weather starts to be very mild and pleasant, especially in places like Utah's desert. In the mountains of Colorado or Washington day s are still mostly sunny with colder mornings and evenings.
Best Places For Fall Locations
Here are some of my favorite locations for fall elopements in terms of natural beauty, colorful leaves and epic views:
If you want beautiful mountain views with some color:
Mt Baker Elopement in Washington state
When it comes to best elopement locations Mt Baker and Washington state are easily some of my favorite. Mt Baker offers gorgeous mountain views but also beautiful foliage in the fall. From red blueberry bushes to yellow larches, from blue alpine lakes to green evergreen forests. Mt Bake is an incredible elopement locations. There are many beautiful and accessible locations whether you like to hike or want.
Pros: Easy permit, unbeatable views, incredible hiking trails and many great spots accessible with a short hike.
Cons: It can get crowded in the summer, shorter window with good weather from July to October
If you want mountains and yellow aspen:
Maroon Bells Elopement, Colorado
Without a doubt the most iconic aspen grove in Colorado is Maroon Bells, also very popular elopement location. I wrote a blog about how to elope in Maroons Bell you can read here. If you want to elope in Maroon Bells you have to apply for special use permit up to a year in advance. There are numerous easy hikes that provide excellent photo opportunities with yellow aspen, sunrise is very popular among landscape photographers.
Pros: Gorgeous mountain views with yellow aspen. Very accessible, easy hikes around.
Cons: Very crowded in the season and very popular with weddings. You have to book the permit year in advance.
Elopement in Pando, Utah
Pando is the largest tree by weight and landmass and the largest known aspen clone. Pando is a largest single living organism because each of its stems possesses identical genetic markers. Pando is located in the Fishlake National Forest in Utah, a pretty desolate area which provides lot of great photo opportunities. The best time to elope in the fall in Pando is early October.
Pros: large aspen grove, lots of dispersed camping and locations for an intimate celebration, more private and isolated.
Cons: longer drive to nearby towns, harder to find vendors who would come that far.
Elopement in Kepler Pass, CO
Kebler Pass is stunning high-mountain pass connecting Crested Butte with Paonia to the west. It’s a gorgeous seasonal shortcut to Aspen in the Roaring Fork Valley.
The pass goes through the Gunnison National Forest. It’s probably best known as one of the premiere spots to be blown away by the fall aspens. It’s home to one of the largest aspen groves in the United States, situated in the West Elk Mountains.
Pros: unbeatable views, no permits if a small group, yellow aspen and alpine lakes.
Cons: very popular in the fall and summer, Crested Butte and Open are expensive places to stay
Element in Bonanza Fats, Park City
Bonaza Flats are located near Park City, Utah. Known for its scenic beauty and gorgeous aspen Bonanza Flats features alpine meadows, pristine forests, and breathtaking views of Mount Timpanogos, Guardsman Pass, and Brighton. It’s a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking but also intimate weddings because of its proximity to Salt Lake City.
Pros: definitely easy access from either Salt Lake City or Park City with gorgeous views and colors in the fall.
Cons: this area gets very busy with leaf peepers in the fall so privacy can be an issue. Parking is very scare and you can't park right by Bonanza Flats.
If you want red deciduous trees
Elopement in the Catskill Mountains, NY
Before moving to Utah I actually lived upstate NY I the Catskills and I always thought elopement in the Catskills would be such an incredible idea. The Catskills are located 2h from NYC and provide incredible mountain views, colorful foliage, fantastic hiking and lots of privacy. The wilderness in the Catskills provides never-ending privacy for romantic elopements known for their rugged beauty, dense forests, and charming small towns. Along with Adirondack Mountains the Catskills provide
the best colors in the fall for incredible photos.
Pros: stunning views, incredible foliage, many hiking
trails and elopement locations, charming town near by, a little over 2h from NYC
Cons: The Catskill Mountains are known for lots of rain, the season for best foliage is short from mid Sept to end of October.
Conclusion:
Eloping in the fall is a magical choice for couples seeking a romantic and unforgettable experience. With its crisp air, vibrant foliage, and cozy atmosphere, autumn provides a stunning natural backdrop that enhances the beauty of any ceremony. The season’s warm colors create breathtaking photos, while the quieter, off-peak travel times offer more privacy and affordability. From mountain vistas to charming countryside settings, fall’s charm sets the stage for a truly intimate and meaningful celebration of love, making it the perfect season to say “I do.”
