I’ve photographed on beaches all over the world, so I know exactly how to find those great stretches of shoreline that become so much more than a flat patch of sand. I’ve touched every ocean, from the Arctic to the Southern, and I can confidently say that finding the perfect beach to get married on comes down to three things: scenery, seclusion, and logistics.
Some of my favorite beaches in the US are located in the Olympic Peninsula, which is the only place in the lower 48 where you’re able to go from mountains, to redwoods, to beautiful rocky, hidden beaches all in one day. Plus, the mist from the rain and ocean here makes the sunsets truly spectacular.
But there are so many other kinds of beaches around the world that you have to choose from—like picturesque white sand and palm trees next to turquoise water, black volcanic sand dotted with glaciers, or hidden coves on Mediterranean islands… how the heck are you supposed to pick?!
Keep reading—I’m using my 15 years of international travel and 10 years of wedding photography and breaking down my favorites for your elopement day from all over the globe. So you know what beaches are going to land you those perfect just-you-and-me moments in an insanely beautiful setting.
(Psst! I’ve also created a searchable map database so that you can quickly scan the world for great spots, including filters for scenery types, activities, and more! Click here to be taken to it.)
Cannon Beach, Oregon
This is one of the most famous spots along the Oregon coast, and it’s not without good reason! The sand here is wide and stretches on forever, making it easier to break away from the crowds despite how popular this spot can be. Haystack Rock takes up a huge chunk of the coastline, but other seastack rocks nearby also help add to the vibe! When the fog and mist rolls in here as the temperatures cool, it can create crazy beautiful lighting, turning the whole ocean and sky into shades of pink and purple. The beach town here is also super cozy and romantic!
Best for: Forest, Coast and Beach
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Anse Source D’Argent, Seychelles
If you’re looking for a spot that will take your breath away, why not head to what is said to be one of the most photographed beaches in the world? What makes this beach so unique is the massive, smooth granite boulders that rise up behind the beach in between palms, giving you an insanely unique backdrop. This would be a perfect ceremony spot for a couple looking to have multiple types of scenery all in one eyeful. The water here is also nice and shallow, so it’s perfect for walking through or swimming in after you’ve said your vows!
Best for: Beach, Coast, Forest and Rocks
Best months to get married here: Year Round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Snorkeling, Paddleboarding
Diamond Beach, Iceland
This beach is everything awesome about Iceland combined into one location. If you love the sea and want to see it in a super unique way, this is going to be a great pick! Volcanic black side dotted with crystal clear icebergs, this spot embodies the land of fire & ice. This is one of my favorite places in the world. You have the power of the sea, super cool and unique geology at work, and a crazy cool backdrop for your wedding photos. It’s also changing all the time, with different chunks of ice washing in and out, so you’ll never take the same photo here twice!
Best for: Mountains, Beach, Glacier, Lake
Best months to get married here: July to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Kayaking, Boating
Virgin Islands National Park, US Virgin Islands
Virgin Islands National Park is located on the island of St. John, known for its natural beauty and nature preserves. Whether you’re a couple who are National Park completionists, spend your free time gazing at stars, or have a love of beach spots that still feel natural and serene, this could be a great spot for your elopement. As a bonus, this area is also known for their sea turtles! Cinnamon Bay is located in the park and gives immaculate beach-side camping opportunities as well as other amenities (like cottages to rent if tents aren’t your thing).
Best for: Forest, Beach, Mountains
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Swimming, Boating, Kayaking, Camping
French Riviera / Côte d’Azur, France
Picture this for your elopement day: blue Mediterranean waters, French luxury, and Italian island amenities. That’s what the vibe of the French Riviera is. There’s countless famous, notoriously gorgeous towns along this stretch of coastline: Cannes, Monaco, Nice, Saint-Tropez… all full of perfect white-sand beaches that will leave you feeling like you’re fully on vacation while you’re getting married. This region has notoriously moderate temperatures and can draw crowds all year round—stay in a resort to make things extra special for yourself and get access to some of the private beaches around with fewer people on them! Either way, it’s worth it.
Best for: Beach, Coast, Cities
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Helicopter, Sailboat, Paddleboarding
Milos, Greece
Think of Milos as Santorini’s less tourist-laden cousin. This whole island was formed by a volcano, and you can definitely tell! Get out on the water and take a boat tour so that you can see the island from the outside—you’ll discover just how many alcoves, sea caves, and tucked away beaches there are to explore here. Beaches here are often surrounded by sheer white cliffs, which make the water look somehow even bluer by comparison… and also give you a great place to start off if you’re wanting to leap into the sea after you say your vows!
Best for: Beach and Coast
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Jeep/4×4, Sailboat, Paddleboarding, Helicopter
National Park of American Samoa, American Samoa
Located on the island of Tutuila (the third largest in the Samoan Islands), National Park of American Samoa is a gem in the South Pacific. Picture lush, thick tropical rainforests and craggy mountains rising off the white sands, covered in greenery. Snorkeling is very popular here given their reefs and wildlife, and hiking through the park leads to dramatic vistas with panoramic views. The park is also rich in wildlife, from dolphins and fish to fruit bats!
Best for: Rainforest, Beach, Coast and Waterfalls
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Kayaking, Stargazing
Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Point Reyes is the place to be if when you think of beaches you think of golden sunshine, wildflowers in bloom, rocky cliffs, and lighthouses. This is everything a California beach is at its finest. You have two options for experiencing the sea here—from hiking on top of Chimney Rock overlooking the entire area or from one of the crescent shaped beaches below, flanked by cliff faces and dunes. This whole area is a protected reserve, so your chances of seeing local flora and fauna along with your seaside views go way up.
Best for: Mountains, Forest, Beach and Coast
Best months to get married here: April to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Kayaking
Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand
The beaches here would be a perfect pick for a couple looking for sand and surf that still feels a little wild. This park is home to one of New Zealand’s “Great Walks” which takes place along the Coastal Track—a 3-5 day backpacking trip where you alternate between walking through incredibly beautiful scenery and either staying in one of four track huts or camping at night. If you don’t have that much time, take a boat to the beach to put your feet on golden sand and wade through bright teal water. The mix of lush green hills with blue skies and vibrant waves make this area next-level beautiful.
Best for: Beach, Coast and Forest
Best months to get married here: November to February
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Helicopter, Boating, Camping
Baía do Sancho, Brazil
This has literally been voted as one of the world’s best beaches… an impressive feat for a planet that’s 71% water. Baía do Sancho is located on the Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park, off the northern coast of Brazil. This is a super remote beach so your chances of having the super soft sands and crystal clear waters to yourself goes way up here! To get here you have to travel to the island, pay the entrance fee for the park, walk down a boardwalk, and then climb down a ladder. But at the end of it, you get amazing beach views! The temperatures here stay pretty stable all year, so visit in the fall to avoid rainy season.
Best for: Beach, Forest and Coast
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
As Catedrais Beach, Spain
As Catedrais is sort of like the end in a series of recommendations—if you’re in Spain, check out the Iberian Peninsula. If you’re on the Iberian Peninsula, go to Galicia. If you’re in Galicia, then you have to see As Catedrais! This beach doubles as a national monument, and this stunning stretch of coastline makes it super easy to understand why. Elope here at low tide and pick your way through huge, towering stone arches that emerge straight out of the sand into a natural altar. Or take it all in from above from a stone bridge or cliff. This is EPIC seaside scenery.
Best for: Beach, Coast, Rock Arches
Best months to get married here: May to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Tofino, Canada
Located on northern Vancouver Island, Tofino is an unreal blend of beach and coastal town while having thick rainforests and rocky ledges. This is a spot that has taken amazing care of their nature over the years and has the untouched landscape to prove it. This is the pinnacle of a relaxing and absolutely stunning place to take both your elopement and your honeymoon. Between sandy beaches and beautiful surf, world-class sunsets on the water, tide pools, and lots of options for paddling, there’s no bad spot here.
Best for: Forest, Mountains, Beach and Coast
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Helicopter
Praia da Marinha, Portugal
There’s a good reason Marinha is renowned around the world for its beauty. The waves have sculpted out super unique rock formations here over the years that form beautiful cliffs, arches, and seastacks. The water here is also SUPER clear, letting you see right through the turquoise waters and straight to the sand on the bottom. Take a boat tour of the caves to get an even better look from the ocean itself! Bring a picnic to enjoy on the sand or visit the restaurant on the beach.
Best for: Beach and Coast
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating
Uig Beach, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
Uig on the Isle of Lewis is most famous for its sheer size, with super wide stretches of sand that are perfect for exploring. The end result is tons of space to wander, perfect puddles of sea water left by the tide that form reflecting pools in the sand, and waves that you can still go and greet that come from a bright teal bay. They’ve found artifacts here from the 12th century, so you’re also getting a slice of human history along with your views! When you’re done on the beach, you can head to the Uig Sands restaurant for a wedding dinner with an overlook of the entire area.
Best for: Beach, Sand Dunes
Best months to get married here: April to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Tunnels Beach, Kauaʻi, Hawaii
Tunnels Beach (also known as Makua) is one of the best ways to sit back and take in the stunning beauty of the Nāpali Coast. The blend here of golden sand, turquoise water, and bright green hills will not only leave you feeling totally transported for your elopement day, it’ll also stand out in any photos you take! This is a great spot to get a lot of views at once. There’s also snorkeling areas here that will give you beautiful glimpses of coral reefs and amazing fish species.
Best for: Jungle, Rocks, Beach, Coast
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos
Grace Bay is a gem of the Turks & Caicos, with super soft bright white sand, no interruptions to your view of the water, and bright blue waves. The barrier reef just off the coast means the waves here are exceptionally calm, making them perfect for spending part of your elopement day swimming or paddling. Or, if you choose to say your vows here, it means you’ll have an incredibly peaceful experience! This is a beach renowned around the world for its beauty—photos don’t do it justice, you have to see this in person. Visit in March or April for the best weather and lowest crowds.
Best for: White Sands
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Paddleboarding, Swimming, Hiking
Balandra Beach, Mexico
This beach lies on a sheltered cove in Baja California, giving visitors access to shallow, protected waters that show up bright blue against the white sand. Because of those attributes, this is an amazing place to rent a kayak or a paddleboard! You can wade safely here, going out farther from the shore than traditional beaches allow. Balandra is quiet and beautiful with so much room to explore, take scenic walks, or find your own private nook hidden away from anybody else. Bring a picnic and have dinner on the beach while the sun sinks down over the horizon.
Best for: Beach, Coast,
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Kayaking, Snorkeling, Diving
Fakarava, French Polynesia
Fakarava is a diver’s paradise. This protected atoll has unbelievable underwater diversity, from coral reefs to sharks. This is a world-class snorkel and scuba destination, so if you’re looking to spend your elopement day underwater, this is the place for you! Visit spring through fall here to avoid the wet season and make the most out of your trip.
Best for: Beach, Coast, Coral
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Boating, Snorkeling, Diving
Tortuga Bay, Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos, Ecuador
Not to be confused with Tortuga the island, Tortuga Bay is named after the animal—the tortoise! Think soft white sands and unbelievably clear waters. Snorkeling here would be an incredible wedding day activity and would let you see some of the many unique species that only live in the Galápagos Islands! There are also two different beaches in this bay—Playa Mansa, with calm and sheltered waters, and Playa Brava, with a strong current and panoramic views. Tortuga Bay may be a great fit for your elopement if you want to balance relaxation with exploration and don’t want to compromise on beautiful views!
Best for: Beach, Coast
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Snorkeling, Diving
Lofoten Islands, Norway
If you want super duper unique scenery but don’t want to expend a ton of energy before or after your elopement getting to/from the location you chose, may I introduce you to the Lofoten Islands? This chain of islands sits 100 miles above the Arctic Circle off the coast of mainland Norway and has a TON to offer for an elopement. Picture rolling green hills ending in craggy grey rock, fog settling into the valleys, wide beaches with great views, and chances to see the northern lights after the sun goes down. The weather here is notoriously moody, so this would be a dream come true for a couple who likes a little drizzle along with some sun.
Best for: Coast, Beaches and Mountains
Best months to get married here: June to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Stargazing, Boating, Kayaking, Camping
Provincetown, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
For a New England beach vibe that comes with a guarantee for safety for LGBTQ+ couples, Provincetown is amazing! The rich LGBTQ+ history in this area promises that you can truly relax, be yourself, and enjoy your elopement here. As the northernmost tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown brings all of the beauty of the area along with culture that will cement the area in your mind for years to come. Go whale watching, show up for the film festival, or come for Carnival Week to make your elopement a non-stop celebration.
Best for: Beach, Coast, City
Best months to get married here: June to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Paddleboarding
Luskentyre, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
This spot is full of rolling surrounding hills, grassy dunes, wide white sand, and beautiful turquoise water. Luskentyre manages to be somehow both quintessentially Scottish and feel unlike the UK at the exact same time. Sunshine can be hit and miss here, but you’ll have your best luck in April and May, when the air is cooler but the sun is out more. But honestly, the cool and cloudy climate is part of the charm.
Best for: Beach and Sand Dunes
Best months to get married here: April to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Rauðasandur Beach, Iceland
While most beaches in Iceland are known for their black volcanic sands, Rauðasandur is known for its reddish hue. This beach is tucked into the northwest corner of the country and its remote location can make it trickier to get to, so it may be worth hiring a guide to get you there. But once you’ve arrived, you’ll see how worth it it is! With wide, long beaches and shallow waters forming swirling bays or striations along the beach, you’ll be somewhere with totally unique scenery. You’re also more likely to have the place to yourself than at some of the more well-known beaches in the country!
Best for: Beach, Coast and Mountains
Best months to get married here: July and August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Caló des Moro, Spain
Caló des Moro is a narrow but breathtaking spot in Mallorca. The beach exists in a straight inlet back from the water, tucked away by rocky cliff faces and forests. The sand here is fine and bright and the water is clear and turquoise. This is also a less developed part of Mallorca, so you can still enjoy the nature in its natural state without resorts or restaurants. Come here early in the morning on a weekday to beat the crowds! This could also be a great off-season pick, especially if you are planning to do more observing of the waves than swimming in them
Best for: Beach and Coast
Best months to get married here: April to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
Want to elope on a beach that is literally award winning? Seven Mile Beach is calling! This beach is so beautiful that it borders on unreal, with bright white sands, verdant green palms, and clear turquoise waves washing up underneath an endless blue sky. Whether you’re staying in a resort along the waterline or want to walk all 7 miles during your elopement day as an adventure, there’s really no bad spots here. Visit May-August to get your best chance at getting a corner of this perfect view all to yourself.
Best for: Beach, Resorts
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Paddleboarding
Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico
For luxury in Puerto Rico, look no further than Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. This is lodging that prides itself on putting you in the middle of the most beautiful views imaginable, with floor to ceiling windows that give you a front row to the teal waters and palm trees outside. Spend your elopement getting in quality time with your partner and letting yourself truly relax into the moment, dipping in and out of private pools or stopping by the spa whenever you want to mix things up. If you’re eager to get out on the water, you can charter a sunset sailboat cruise. The energy here is slow, peaceful, deliberate, and lush. Who needs a honeymoon when you can have it all right now?
Best for: Beach
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Boating, Paddleboarding
Playa Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
This beach is part of Manuel Antonio National Park and takes up one side of a tiny isthmus on the coast. This narrow cove gives you so many sights all at the same time, with sand, clear blue waters, rocky outcroppings, and thick trees. This is a SUPER picturesque beach and would make for an amazing backdrop to any elopement day. As a bonus, there are lots of monkeys around here, so you may have capuchins and spider monkeys as your wedding guests!
Best for: Rainforest, Beach and Monkeys
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Birdwatching
Pink Sand Beach, Barbuda
Picture saying your vows totally surrounded by the most perfect pastel beach hues you’ve ever seen, standing on a pink beach at sunrise or sunset, with crystalline waves lapping in the background. Barbuda is gorgeous and so is the Pink Sand Beach, which gets its color not from the sand itself, but from hundreds of pink shells that wash up along the shore (which means this one is crucial to get the timing just right for). Elope here in late fall or early winter, when the colors are at their brightest.
Best for: Pink Sand
Best months to get married here: Year Round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Sailboat, Paddleboarding, Swimming
The Turquoise Coast, Turkey
Located along the southwestern coast of Turkey, the Turquoise Coast or the Turkish Riviera is known for the unique blends that contribute to its beauty. Here you’ll find ancient cities, luxury resorts, bright white sands, and naturally teal seas that will leave an impression you’ll never forget. You have your pick of coastal towns in the area… or you can plan to dedicate your entire trip to exploring as many as you can. The choice is yours.
Best for: Mountains, Forest, Beaches and Coast
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Kayaking, Paddleboarding
Drawn to a certain area or want to see what your options would be during a specific time of year? My interactive database is stocked with nearly 600 locations waiting for you to discover them! Filter by activity, season, or scenery and get back results tailored to your wishlist!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry—that’s where I come in. I’m ready to put my years of experience to work for you to hand-deliver you locations (including some too secret for this list!) that are exactly what you want so that you can have the wedding day you’ve always dreamed of. I’ll be your hype woman, travel planner, elopement expert, photographer, and officiant. All you have to do is get married!
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