Top 10 Places to Elope in Europe for 2027

A bride emailed me a month ago with some location doubts. She had hired me to plan and photograph her elopement next year in the Dolomites. When she first emailed me and told me her plans, she sounded very excited, and everything aligned with a “typical” Dolomites elopement. But then this bride told me she was rethinking everything. She loved the plan we made together but was feeling like maybe she wanted a different landscape altogether. And that’s what sparked me to make this post on my top 10 places to elope in Europe. Yes, this is my personal list.

After suggesting a few different ideas around the Dolomites, I asked her if she would be open to changing up her location all together. I told her other locations I’m happy to travel to with her, and based on what she told me, I matched up which ones I thought would fit best for what she wanted. And now we’ve gone from an early summer Braies + Siusi + Cadini elopement to a northern lights arctic adventure in either Norway or Finland (still TBD!)

I thought it might be a good idea to make a post about the best places to elope over here in Europe, and what makes them great. Hopefully you can use this as a tool to help you decide what kind of vibe you really want!

As an elopement photographer and experience designer living right in the Italian Dolomites, I spend my life scouting wild terrain across the continent. These are my absolute top 10 places to elope in Europe for 2027, in no particular order. I mean… I could never choose my absolute favorite…they’re all so beautiful!

1. Iceland: The Wildest Place to Elope in Europe

• Best time to go: June through September
• Why it’s special: Iceland has some of the craziest, out-of-this-world landscapes I’ve ever seen. During the summer months, you get 24-hour midnight sun, blooming purple lupines (early summer), and full access to the rugged Central Highlands. Whether you want to stand beneath roaring waterfalls, walk across black sand beaches in Vik, or just drive around and find a spot that feels right, Iceland is perfect for that. And yes, it can have crazy weather, so you need to be ready with a plan A, B, C, and an attitude that can embrace the weather!

2. The Faroe Islands: The Most Dramatic Place to Elope

• Best time to go: June through October
• Why it’s special: Small, raw, and fiercely beautiful, this North Atlantic archipelago is built for couples who thrive on moody weather and ocean views. Because the island network is compact, you can easily explore sea arches like Drangarnir, dramatic cliffside views at Klakkur, and turf-roofed villages all in one trip. Plus, if having a herd of friendly sheep as your main wedding guests sounds ideal, this is your spot. Like Iceland, you do need to be ready to embrace some weather and have some good backup plans.

3. Lofoten, Norway: The Best Arctic Place to Elope in Europe

• Best time to go: December through March (for winter wonderland & Northern Lights) OR June through September (for summer hiking & midnight sun)
• Why it’s special: Razor-sharp peaks shooting straight out of turquoise Arctic fjords make Lofoten unforgettable. Winter transforms the islands into a snowy fairytale with pink polar light during the day and dancing Aurora Borealis at night. If you prefer green coastal hiking and 24-hour sunlight, the summer window delivers world-class cliff views. But. my personal preference is winter…I just love those northern lights, cozy cabin days, and winter activities. You should plan some extra days here to make sure you get clear skies at least once!

4. The Dolomites, Italy: The Best Jagged Peaks Place to Elope

• Best time to go: June (wildflowers & full lakes), September, and October (golden larch trees)
• Why it’s special: I might be biased living here, but nothing rivals the limestone peaks of the Dolomites. June brings lush green meadows and alpine wildflowers, while late September and October transform the mountain passes into sea-of-gold larch forests with crisp air and zero summer crowds. Exchange vows overlooking Tre Cime di Lavaredo or Lake Braies before heading to a cozy mountain rifugio for wine and polenta.

5. Greenland: The Most Remote Place to Elope in Europe

• Best time to go: July through August
• Why it’s special: For couples who want true, untouched frontier adventure, Greenland is the ultimate off-grid choice. July and August bring the warmest weather, long daylight hours, and open fjords. You can charter a private boat through Disko Bay past house-sized icebergs, take a helicopter onto massive glaciers, or soak in natural hot springs surrounded by drifting ice. If you’ve ever dreamed of having giant icebergs as your backdrop, Greenland is the place.

6. Zermatt, Switzerland: The Most Iconic Mountain Place to Elope

• Best time to go: July through August
• Why it’s special: Dominated by the legendary silhouette of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is high-alpine luxury mixed with world-class trekking. July and August ensure high-altitude trails like the Five Lakes Walk are clear of heavy snow, allowing you to catch crystal-clear lake reflections of the Matterhorn right at sunrise. I highly recommend staying overnight in a mountain hut to get the best sunrise and set without too many people.

7. Sardinia, Italy: The Sun-Drenched Coastal Place to Elope in Europe

• Best time to go: Mid-September to early October
• Why it’s special: Skip the mid-summer heatwaves and tourist rush. Early autumn in Sardinia is perfection: the Mediterranean Sea remains warm from months of summer sun, while outside air temperatures drop to a comfortable 22°C–25°C. You get private access to electric-blue coves like Cala Goloritzé and limestone sea cliffs without sweating through your wedding clothes.

8. Slovenia: The Most Underrated Gem Place to Elope

• Best time to go: June through October
• Why it’s special: Slovenia packs alpine peaks, emerald rivers, and fairytale lakes into one easy-to-navigate destination. You can hike in Triglav National Park, paddle out on Lake Bohinj, or explore the neon-green waters of the Soča River. It delivers all the mountain drama of neighboring Austria or Switzerland, but with a far more relaxed, budget-friendly vibe.

9. Appenzell, Switzerland: The Storybook Place to Elope in Europe

• Best time to go: July through September
• Why it’s special: If you want rolling emerald ridges and dramatic cliffside mountain huts without the massive crowds of the Bernese Oberland, Appenzell will satisfy that LOTR dream of yours. Summer opens up iconic hiking paths like Saxer Lücke and Seealpsee, where you can grab a local beer at a cliffside gasthaus right after saying your vows.

10. Äkäslompolo, Finland: The Winter Wonderland Place to Elope

• Best time to go: December through March
• Why it’s special: Located deep in Finnish Lapland, Äkäslompolo is the definition of a cozy winter escape. Picture snow-laden pine trees (tykkylumi), husky sled rides, snowshoeing through silent forests, and warm fires inside glass igloos while watching the Northern Lights swirl overhead. It is raw, romantic, and deeply peaceful. And I happen to know a place where we can visit wild reindeer safely!

How to Choose Your Dream Elopement Location

• Decide your weather preference: If you hate heat, stick to shoulder seasons (autumn/spring) or northern regions (Iceland, Faroes, Lofoten). If you want warm coastal waters, aim for early autumn in Southern Europe.
• Match your activity level: Destinations like Sardinia or Slovenia offer easy-access drive-up vistas, while places like Greenland or Appenzell shine brightest when you hike into the wilderness.
• Get the help you need to plan: Whether that be from the photographer you hire (me!) or a planner, you probably need some assistance to elope in a place that you may have never been before! This is probably the first time you’ve eloped, and us professionals have organized hundreds of these. So let us help you plan your most amazing day ever in the place you want those memories.

Need some warm layers for your winter, northern lights elopement? Try these ethical shops:

Icebreaker

Patagonia

Want to read more?

How to Elope in the Faroe Islands

Daria & Roman’s Iceland Elopement

5 Signs That an Adventure Elopement Might Be Exactly Your Thing