How much does it cost to elope?
How much does it cost to elope?
$1,600 – $22,000 average total cost
Average cost to elope
The average cost to elope is $1,600 to $22,000, depending on whether you're traveling for the wedding and the location. Some couples elope at a local courthouse, while others exchange vows wherever they're honeymooning. Eloping instead of planning a traditional wedding can save you a lot of time, money, and stress.
| Factor | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $20 – $100 |
| Photography | $700 – $3,600 |
| Attire | $500 – $2,700 |
| Flowers | $100 – $350 |
| Rings | $300 – $8,000 |
| Officiant | $0 – $1,000 |
| Flight* | $200 – $3,500 |
| Hotel* | $300 – $2,800 |
| Average total cost | $1,600 – $22,000 |
*Optional
Marriage license
Before you can get married, you need a marriage license. These cost about $20 to $100, depending on your location. A marriage license typically expires after about 30 to 90 days, so make sure it's still valid before you elope.
Photography
Wedding photography costs $700 to $1,200 for elopement packages, which typically include one photographer for 2 to 3 hours. Travel photographers or wedding photographers who specialize in elopements charge more than local professionals.
Attire
Wedding dresses cost $500 to $2,500 from a retailer or boutique, although many couples who elope buy dresses that cost far below average. A tux or suit rental costs $90 to $180 if your groom doesn't already have a suit.
If you find your dream dress online or even thrifting but it doesn't fit perfectly, you can always have it altered. Wedding dress alterations cost $150 to $700.
Flowers
Wedding flowers cost $100 to $350 for a bridal bouquet. If you want a boutonniere, decorative floral arrangements, or centerpieces at dinner afterwards, you'll pay more.
Rings
An engagement ring costs $1,000 to $6,000 on average for diamonds or $100 to $3,000 for gemstone rings. Wedding bands cost $100 to $1,000, depending on the material.
Officiant
Hiring a professional wedding officiant costs $200 to $1,000, depending on the ceremony type and your location. If you have a friend or family member you trust enough to perform the ceremony, you could pay as little as $0 to $80 to have them ordained temporarily.
Flight
If you're flying to your preferred destination, you'll pay anywhere from $200 to $500 for domestic flights or $1,500 to $3,500 for international flights. If you opt for business class or extra in-flight perks, you'll end up paying more.
Hotel
If you're booking a hotel during your trip, you'll pay about $100 to $400 per night, depending on the location and how long you're planning on staying. For 3 to 7 days, that comes to $300 to $2,800 total.
Many cruise ships offer all-inclusive wedding packages with rings, attire, photography, and a license for $1,800 to $10,000+. This option lets you combine your wedding and honeymoon!
Elopement cost factors
Some other factors that may influence the cost of your elopement are:
Location: Some locations cost a lot more than others. For example, eloping in Paris or Hawaii will be harder on your budget than Las Vegas or a beach in Florida.
Rental car: If you rent a car during your stay, you'll pay upwards of $30 to $100 per day.
Documents: You'll need to get vital documents like birth certificates, IDs, or divorce decrees if you don't have them already. The cost is minimal, but you can't skip this step.
Food: If you plan on going out to dinner or ordering room service during your trip, remember to factor that into your budget. If you're including any family members or friends in your plans, make sure to account for a wedding dinner or restaurant.
Permit: National parks and other popular elopement locations often require permits, which cost $75 to $500 on average.
Hair & makeup: This is an optional service, but wedding hair & makeup costs $180 to $600.
Honeymoon: The average cost of a honeymoon is about $4,500, including a flight and hotel stay. However, since many people choose to travel when they elope, those costs are already covered.
Eloping vs. traditional wedding costs
Eloping or having a courthouse wedding are the most affordable ways to get married compared to the average cost of a full-on wedding ceremony and reception with lots of guests.
If you want a semi-traditional ceremony but don't want the hassle and cost of a big wedding, consider having a ceremony at a courthouse, loved one's home, barn, church, botanical garden, or beach. Standard wedding venues cost $50 to $250 per guest on average.
| Wedding type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Eloping | $1,600 – $22,000 |
| Traditional wedding | $25,000 – $35,000 |
| Courthouse wedding* | $30 – $450 |
*Ceremony only
Traditional wedding
The average wedding costs $250 to $350 per guest or $25,000 to $35,000 total, including the ceremony and reception. The larger your guest list, the more you'll end up paying. If your budget is on the modest side, try reducing the guest list to close friends and family.
Courthouse wedding
Courthouse weddings cost $30 to $450 for just the ceremony, not including the dress, rings, or photography. You can get a courthouse wedding as part of your elopement, but many people who have courthouse weddings have a reception afterwards.
The table below shows the most common reception expenses:
| Factor | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Catering cost | $30 – $150 per guest |
| Wedding cake cost | $3 – $8 per guest |
| Open bar cost | $10 – $40 per guest |
| Wedding videographer cost | $1,400 – $3,600 |
| Wedding DJ cost | $150 – $300 per hour |
| Live wedding band cost | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| Wedding insurance cost | $100 – $500 |
Benefits of eloping
Eloping is much simpler and costs much less than the average wedding. Here are some benefits of skipping the traditional wedding and eloping instead:
Privacy: Eloping allows you to have complete control over your guest list—whether you invite a few close friends or family or no one at all!
Less stress: You won't have to worry about decorating, bridesmaids or groomsmen, venue costs, or seating arrangements.
Locations: You're free to choose the location, whether that's at a courthouse, garden, national park, or foreign country.
Speed: You may have to plan some things in advance, like booking a flight or getting your marriage license, but you won't have to wait months or years in advance to book the perfect venue.
Elopement FAQs
What does "elope" mean?
To elope traditionally means running away to get married, usually without your family knowing. Nowadays, eloping means a non-traditional wedding, either involving just the couple or a small wedding party.
Where can I elope?
You can elope almost anywhere: a local courthouse, a national park, an international vacation spot, or even a cruise ship! Some popular elopement locations include:
Las Vegas
Hawaii
Ireland
Paris, France
Italy
Lake Tahoe, California
Bora Bora
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Iceland
Zion National Park, Utah
Is eloping a legal marriage?
Yes, eloping is a legal marriage, as long as you have a valid, signed marriage license and use a properly ordained officiant.
How does eloping work?
The process for planning an elopement is roughly the same as a normal wedding ceremony, only on a smaller scale. All you have to do is:
Get your marriage license.
Decide whether there will be a guest list or not.
Plan the location.
Make sure you have a dress and rings.
Hire a photographer and officiant.
Should I elope?
You should elope if both you and your partner prefer to keep things simple and private. Sometimes a couple may not have a good relationship with one or both sides of their family and prefer to keep their marriage private.
Other times, they just don't want to stress over factors like a venue, caterer, decorating, a DJ, the cake, bridesmaids, or other traditions.
Tips for planning an elopement
While planning an elopement, follow these steps:
Check with local officials to find out if you need a permit or witnesses.
Ask for advice or recommendations from couples who got married recently.
Choose a qualified, reputable wedding photographer.
Look for professionals with good reviews on Fash and Google.
Questions to ask local officials
Ask these important questions when hiring people for your elopement:
How long have you been performing marriage ceremonies?
How much do you charge?
Are you available on my wedding date?
Can we hold the ceremony at this location?
How long do we have until the marriage license expires?
Will we need witnesses? Can you provide any?
Can we practice at all before our wedding day?
Do you have any decorations for wedding ceremonies? Does that cost extra?
Do you offer discounts for service members?
What are the best restaurants in the area?
Can you recommend any local officiants, florists, or photographers?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.