Photo via "Texas couple elopes to LGBTQ+ friendly New Zealand and their warm, moody beach wedding photos are to die for"
Eloping isn’t often what people immediately think of when they imagine a wedding. Instead, they envision a bigger wedding with a traditional ceremony and reception, maybe picturing traditions like exchanging vows or cutting a wedding cake. But elopements are a great alternative to a larger wedding, and you don’t have to lose out on all the personality and excitement just because you’re having a more intimate ceremony.
If you’re looking for inspiration or just want to feel warm and happy, here are a few of our favorite elopements and intimate weddings.
TEXAS COUPLE ELOPES TO LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY NEW ZEALAND AND THEIR WARM, MOODY BEACH WEDDING PHOTOS ARE TO DIE FOR
![](https://equallywed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Texas-couple-elopes-to-lgbtq-friendly-new-zealand-equally-wed-5.jpg)
HISTORIC ATLANTA COURTHOUSE ELOPEMENT
![](https://equallywed.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Historic-Atlanta-courthouse-elopement-25-1.jpg)
THIS TRAVEL-INSPIRED HOT AIR BALLOON ELOPEMENT WILL SERIOUSLY LIFT YOUR HEART
![This travel-inspired hot air balloon elopement will seriously lift your heart two brides Sophia Tolli Stella York white dresses tattoos](https://equallywed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/This-travel-inspired-hot-air-balloon-elopement-will-seriously-lift-your-heart-10.jpg)
SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL ELOPEMENT WEDDING
![joy-kayln-san-francisco-queer-city-hall-wedding](https://equallywed.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/joy-kayln-san-francisco-queer-city-hall-wedding.png)
MANHATTAN CITY HALL GAY ELOPEMENT
![](https://equallywed.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Patane_Tkaczuk_Sascha_Reinking_Photography_mikeyaj179_low.jpg)
THIS WINTER MOUNTAIN ELOPEMENT ON THE DOLOMITES IN ITALY IS SERIOUSLY COZY
![This winter mountain elopement on the Dolomites in Italy is seriously cozy two grooms black tuxedos tux snowy March mountains Lake Braies kiss](https://equallywed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Costanzo_Matteo_ManiSolWedding_costanzomatteo209SPB1527_big.jpg)
INTIMATE WASHINGTON D.C. ELOPEMENT
![Washington D.C. elopement](https://equallywed.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Intimate-Washington-D.C.-elopement-124.jpg)
FLOWER FARM WEDDING WITH S’MORES BAR
![Flower farm wedding with s'mores bar two grooms gay queer wedding elopement grey suits matching green bow ties](https://equallywed.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Flower-farm-wedding-with-smores-bar-cassandra-zetta-equally-wed-14.jpg)
GARDEN WEDDING MEETS DESERT IN PALM SPRINGS LESBIAN ELOPEMENT
![palm springs lesbian elopement desert wedding](https://equallywed.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/palm-springs-lesbian-elopement-desert-wedding-14.jpg)
Fin Leary Lavoie
Fin Leary Lavoie is an award-winning editor and journalist. He is currently the Communications Manager of the nonprofit We Need Diverse Books and on the faculty of Emerson College. Leary Lavoie was the senior editor for Equally Wed Magazine from August 2018 to March 2020. His work has been published in New York Times, Washington Post, Refinery29, Healthline, Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Boston Globe Magazine, and more. In 2017, he was awarded a Bookbuilders of Boston scholarship for his dedication to amplifying marginalized voices and advocating for an equitable publishing and media industry. Fin lives in Boston with his wife and their two cats. You can find Fin on Instagram @finleary.