How to Elope in Boston
Are you looking to elope in one of the most beautiful cities in New England? Boston is an incredible place to elope, offering harbors, skyscrapers, botanical gardens, historic buildings, and over 200 parks!
If you want to elope in a city in the Northeast, Boston is the perfect place! This guide reviews everything you need to know, including why, when, where, and how to have a Boston elopement.
How to Elope in Boston
Boston is one of the most beautiful cities in New England, making it the perfect place for a city elopement. It has everything from beautiful skyscrapers to beaches and gardens, and there are so many restaurants and hotels at your fingertips to add to your elopement day!
Boston Elopement Essentials
Eloping in Boston is pretty easy! All you need is to get your marriage license within 60 days of your elopement day, find an officiant, and obtain any permits necessary.
Finding elopement vendors: It is so important to find the perfect Boston elopement vendors, even if you only want a few! I highly recommend hiring your Boston elopement photographer first so you can secure your elopement date with them. Reach out to me if you are ready to find your Boston elopement photographer! I am so passionate about documenting elopements, and I can provide customized vendor recommendations.
Massachusetts Marriage License: To elope in Boston, you will need a Massachusetts marriage license. You can apply for your marriage license at any city or town office in Massachusetts. You and your partner need to be present and bring the license fee and identification documents. After you apply for your marriage license, there is a 3-day waiting period before you can pick it up, so make sure you give yourself enough time to get it. Once you have your Massachusetts marriage license, you can officially elope in Boston up to 60 days after! You can read more on the entire process here.
Officiant: Your Boston elopement must be performed by any of the people listed here, including in-state clergy member, in-state Justice of the Peace, out-of-state clergy or Justice of the Peace, or anyone with a 1-day designation. The 1-day designation is perfect if you want a family member or friend to officiate your elopement. They can apply online anywhere from 1 week to 6 months before your elopement.
Boston elopement permits: If you are eloping in an outdoor location, you will most likely need to obtain a permit. We recommend reaching out to a land or park manager to confirm what permits you need to have your Boston elopement.
When to Elope in Boston
Boston is a year-round destination! It has beautiful views and fun activities in every season, so you can plan your elopement any time of the year.
Spring is one of the most beautiful times to visit Boston as everything begins to bloom. Some areas in Boston have stunning cherry blossoms, too! Spring can bring a lot of rain, so it’s important to have a plan in place to stay dry or embrace the rain.
Summer is one of the best times to elope in Boston because of the warm weather arrives and long and beautiful days filled with sunshine. Summers in Boston have an incredible amount of daylight, so you can enjoy a fun-filled elopement day exploring everything Boston has to offer! Summer is one of the busiest times in Boston, so we recommend planning your elopement near sunrise or sunset to avoid most crowds.
Fall is another beautiful time to elope because the vibrant fall foliage takes over the city. The leaves change into beautiful reds, oranges, purples, and yellows, painting Boston beautifully! Fall is another one of the busiest times in Boston because of the stunning fall foliage, so we recommend planning your Boston elopement during sunrise, sunset, or a weekday.
Winter is a beautiful time in Boston if you don’t mind snow and cold weather. The weather during the winter is cold and snowy, but it creates a magical winter wonderland. Since winters in Boston are cold and snowy, we always recommend packing layers. You can also wear a thick shawl or faux fur jacket over your dress that will keep you warm and look beautiful!
Best Places to Elope in Boston
This is where I come in. Not only am I a Boston elopement photographer, but I am an elopement guide here to help you plan the best day! Boston is an incredible place for an elopement because you have access to a variety of different places.
If you want to elope in a venue, you can choose from beautiful hotels, rooftop areas, or historic buildings. If you want to elope outdoors, Boston has gardens, parks, and beaches. Boston has an elopement location for everyone!
Boston Public Garden and Boston Common
The iconic Boston Public Garden and Boston Common are incredible places to say vows. These beautiful areas are in the center of the city and offer something to do year-round! You can ice skate on Frog Pond in the winter or take a Swan Boat ride in the summer. The beautiful parks fill up with wildflowers in the spring and colorful foliage in the fall.
Seaport
One of the most beautiful places in Boston is Seaport. Seaport has everything, including stunning views of Boston’s skyline, delicious food, and beautiful buildings. If you are looking to say your vows on the water with the skyline as the background, Seaport is the best place!
If you are looking to have a unique Boston elopement, you could even get married on a rooftop or cruise ship! Many of the hotels and buildings in Seaport have stunning rooftop decks that you can rent. There are also small cruise ships that you can rent for your elopement!
Boston Esplanade
The Boston Esplanade is a beautiful place for an elopement if you want to get married along the Charles River. You can spend the day boating on the river and then saying your vows on a dock overlooking the water as the sunsets! The Boston Esplanade is in the Back Bay area of Boston, which has incredible restaurants to end your day eating some of the best food in the city.
Arnold Arboretum
The Arnold Arboretum is a beautiful and unique place for a Boston elopement. It is a 281-acre living museum with over 15,000 plants! It has a beautiful collection of rhododendrons, maples, lilacs, and so many other different types of plants. Trust me, it is stunning!
Fenway Park
Did you know you can get married at Fenway Park?! If you are a Red Sox fan, you should consider eloping at Fenway Park. You can set up a time to say your vows in the beautiful and historic ballpark, and let us tell you it will be INCREDIBLE. If you are a baseball fan, we highly recommend eloping in Fenway Park!
Martha’s Vineyard
Did you know there are beautiful islands off the coast of Massachusetts?! Martha’s Vineyard is a stunning island in Massachusetts and only a short car and ferry ride from Boston! If you are looking to escape the city, Martha’s Vineyard is the perfect place, offering lighthouses, beaches, and cliffs. Once you say your vows, you can spend the day exploring the island, eating delicious food, and watching the sunset on a scenic beach or cliff.
Nantucket
Nantucket is another beautiful island off the coast of Massachusetts that offers many incredible places to elope. It is smaller than Martha’s Vineyard but does not lack views. You can elope on many of its breathtaking beaches.
Boston is one of the most beautiful cities in the Northeast and does not have a shortage of stunning elopement locations. You will love eloping in the beautiful city with the love of your life!
Hi,
Boston elopement photographer serving New England & beyond
I’m Alex! If you are looking for a creative, passionate and professional wedding photographer with an easy to vibe with personality, then I’m your guy! I’m here to make your big day something to remember for a lifetime. Whether you are having a large scale black tux event or a small intimate garden wedding, I am here to bring your vision to life.
I have been a professional wedding photographer for over 5 years now and truly enjoy what I do. When I’m not taking photos, I am probably spending time with my wife and dog, reading a good book or oil painting!
Over the years I have met so many amazing couples and I am so excited to get to know you! I am here to document and plan the best wedding day experience, so you can look back and relive these memories forever.
