Getting married is a journey in itself. Sometimes the path from deciding to get married to the actual marriage part is long and fraught with price tags. Millennials are eloping more and more these days, and with good reason: the average wedding costs 30k these days. If you don’t want to deal with bills, budgets, or who makes the cut for the guest list, go ahead and cut them all. Elope instead! These wildly romantic images of elopements all across America — starting west and moving east — just might get you thinking about running away from it all … together.

1

Hawaii

Obviously.
Photo: Riboldi Ventures

2

Moody Washington

Washington State is ripe with mountains and coastline. If woodsy and wild is your game, this could be the place to say "I do."
Photo: Delilah Summer Rayne

3

Misty Oregon

Back on the mainland, Oregon's got that coastline we all know and love. With such massive beaches, there's no trouble finding a private spot. If the fog rolls in, all the better.
Photo: Myrtle and Moss Photography

4

Wed among giants

Not too far from Oregon lies another grand option: Sequoia National Park. Stand among these trees and simultaneously feel teeny tiny while having the biggest moment of your life.
Photo: Helena and Laurent

5

Or under the stars

Like the ones that come out in Joshua Tree.
Photo: Victoria Johannson Photography

6

City Hall

Sure, you could go to just any city hall. But why not go to the one in San Fransisco? It's kind of a pilgrimage site for elopers.
Photo: Helena and Laurent

7

The aptly named Wedding Rock

Found outside Trinidad, California. And yes, it's still an elopement with a small crowd. You do need some witnesses, after all.
Photo: James and Melissa Photography

8

Nostalgic Palm Springs

If you aren't about Cali Beaches, move inland. Arid Palm Springs has that heyday California feel about it from bygone times.
Photo: Laura McCormick

9

That arizona heat

If you've got boho style, desert, stone ruins, and cacti are waiting for you and your vows. This image is taken in Scorpion Gulch, outside of Phoenix, Arizona.
Photo: Jennifer Van Son

10

Las Vegas. Of course.

The epitome of eloping. Except, you don't have to do the Strip. Head out into the desert instead.
Photo: Candida and Max Jan.

11

Roaming the fields of Idaho

Like Palouse. Be there in the soft end of day light - you won't regret it.
Photo: ShutterKey Photography

12

Grand love

Begin a new chapter under the magnificent Grand Tetons, WY.
Photo: Rosey Red Photography

13

Run Away to the Mountains

Like these ones, in Colorado.
Photo: Maddie Mae Photo

14

Wide open Texas

Stand on the edge of Palo Duro Canyon and shout your vows into the wind.
Photo: Ritter Collective

15

The Appalachian mountains on fire

Just outside of Nashville, TN, in this case.
Photo: Katherine Ilona Photo

16

Dusk over New York State

Peer into the trees and watch the stars come out in Keene, New York.
Photo: Mountainaire Gatherings

17

Engulfed by the Big Apple

Run away to the big city.
Photo: Kathryn Cooper Photography

18

US Virgin Islands

Because this list begins and ends in paradise.
Photo: Kathryn Cooper Photography