How to Elope in the White Mountains: White Mountains Elopement Guide
Did you know you do not have to go to the west coast to have a stunning mountain elopement?! Yup, that is right! New Hampshire is home to some of the most beautiful mountain views in the northeast, making it the perfect place for an elopement! Whether you want to elope on a mountain or next to a waterfall, the White Mountains are perfect. This guide reviews everything you need to know to elope in the White Mountains, including why, when, where, and how to have a White Mountains elopement.
Why You Should Elope in the White Mountains
The White Mountains are the perfect place to elope if you want stunning mountain or waterfall views on the east coast. Not only do the White Mountains have beautiful mountain views, but they are home to some of the tallest mountains in the northeast! Talk about mountain views for days! The White Mountains is a hiker’s paradise and the perfect location if you are looking to have an adventure elopement. And do not worry if you are not interested in hiking your entire elopement day. You can have a White Mountains elopement that consists of stunning views that only require a short walk or hike. If you want to elope in New England, I highly recommend considering a White Mountains elopement!
When to Have a White Mountains Elopement
Weather in the White Mountains is very unpredictable, as it is in all mountain areas. I always recommend packing layers and appropriate hiking gear to prepare for mountain weather in every season.
spring
Spring in the White Mountains is stunning when the snow melts and everything begins to bloom. Flowers take over the fields and valleys, bringing beautiful smells and bright colors. Spring is also the perfect time to elope in the White Mountains if you want to say your vows next to a waterfall. After the snow melts, the waterfalls are gushing and beautiful!
Tips for planning a spring White Mountains elopement: Winter can linger in the White Mountains, so it is important to pack layers and check recent trail reports if you will be hiking. Even though the spring brings warmer temperatures, the higher elevations will have lingering snow, so packing proper hiking gear is crucial.
summer
One of the most beautiful times to elope in the White Mountains is the summer because the days are long and the weather is warm. The activities you can incorporate into your White Mountains elopement are endless. You could spend the day hiking, swimming, boating, or enjoying the beautiful weather.
Tips for planning a summer White Mountains elopement: Because the summer brings beautiful weather to the White Mountains, it brings crowds. Summer is one of the busiest times, so I recommend eloping on a weekday or during sunrise or sunset.
fall
Fall is one of the most stunning times to elope in the White Mountains. The weather is perfect, and the vibrant foliage paints the mountains and valleys in a way that will leave you breathless. One of the best parts about a fall White Mountains elopement is you do not have to hike to get beautiful views. The foliage takes over everything in the White Mountains, so you will have beautiful colors surrounding you anywhere you elope.
Tips for planning a fall White Mountains elopement: The fall foliage brings many people to the White Mountains, especially on weekends. I highly recommend planning your White Mountains elopement on a weekday or during sunrise or sunset to avoid most crowds.
winter
If you do not mind cold weather or love the snow, you should consider eloping in the White Mountains in the winter. The White Mountains are beautiful in the winter, with snow-capped mountains. Winter is the perfect time to elope in the White Mountains if you want to incorporate skiing, snowshoeing, or exploring ice castles!
Tips for planning a winter White Mountains elopement: Winters in the White Mountains bring cold and snowy weather, so I always recommend packing plenty of layers. You can add a thick shawl or faux fur jacket to your wedding attire to keep you warm and look beautiful in photos.
Where to Elope in the White Mountains
Finding a place to elope is where I come in. Not only am I a White Mountains elopement photographer, but I am an elopement guide, too. I will scout out the perfect location that fits everything you envision. Here are some of my favorite areas to elope in the White Mountains!
franconia notch state park
Franconia Notch State Park is one of my favorite places for a White Mountains elopement. As soon as you enter Franconia Notch, you will be in awe of the stunning mountains that surround you. It offers a ski resort, short hikes with beautiful views, gorgeous waterfalls, and strenuous hikes with epic views. Franconia Notch State Park has an elopement location for everyone!
north conway
North Conway is the iconic mountain town in the White Mountains that offers more than just a cute downtown area. North Conway is home to beautiful ski areas, waterfalls, hikes, and lakes! And all of the stunning views are close to downtown North Conway, so you do not have to travel far to get to your elopement location. North Conway is one of the best places to elope in the White Mountains!
mount washington
Have you ever considered eloping on the tallest mountain in the northeast? The White Mountains is home to Mount Washington, which is the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River and offers some of the best views in New England! Mount Washington is the perfect place to elope if you want an epic hike or the ability to drive to a mountain summit. Yup, you heard me right! You can drive to the top of Mount Washington! It is one of the most epic locations to elope in the White Mountains.
franconia ridge
If you know of the White Mountains, you probably have heard of Franconia Ridge. Franconia Ridge is one of the most iconic spots and hikes in the White Mountains because it offers what most consider the best views in New England. There are multiple summits along Franconia Ridge, with Mount Lafayette being the most iconic, but I promise you, the others are just as beautiful. Franconia Ridge is the perfect place to elope in the White Mountains for those who want to spend their day hiking an epic trail to stunning views!
welch mountain and dickey mountain
So you want to hike, but you do not want to spend your day hiking. Do not worry! The White Mountains have so many incredible elopement locations that do not require a full day of hiking, such as the Welch-Dickey Loop. Welch Mountain and Dickey Mountain are typically hiked together and provide insane views of the surrounding mountains. And the best part? It is only five miles! If you want to incorporate hiking for your elopement but not for the entire day, the Welch-Dickey Loop is perfect!
kancamagus highway
If you want beautiful mountain views without hiking, the Kancamagus Highway is the perfect elopement location in the White Mountains! It is known as one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the world and does not have a shortage of spots to elope. It has stunning overlooks that do not require hiking and fun hikes that offer even more incredible views. The Kancamagus Highway is one of the best places for a White Mountains elopement!
I have an entire spreadsheet filled with White Mountains elopement locations that are just waiting for you! Regardless of your elopement location, you should practice the Leave No Trace Principles.
How to Plan a White Mountains Elopement
Eloping in the White Mountains is relatively easy! All you need is to get your marriage license within 90 days of your elopement day, find an officiant, and obtain any permits necessary to elope at your chosen location.
new hampshire marriage license
To elope in the White Mountains, you will need to get a New Hampshire Marriage License at any City or Town Clerk in the state. You and your partner need to be present to complete the Marriage License Application. You will need to bring identification documents, such as a driver's license, passport, or certified birth certificate, and payment for the fee. Once everything is complete, you are good to go! New Hampshire does not have a waiting period, so you can get married as soon as you have your marriage license, and it is valid for 90 days!
You can read more on the entire process here.
officiant & witnesses
Your elopement in the White Mountains must be performed by any of the people listed here, and you do not need any witnesses!
white mountains permits
Some locations in the White Mountains require a permit to hold a ceremony. When I recommend places for your White Mountains elopement, I will provide permit information and the person to contact to obtain one. Most permits are pretty easy to get and only require a small fee.
Find & Hire Your White Mountains Elopement Vendors
Whether you only want a photographer or an elopement vendor for every detail, this is an important step! I highly recommend hiring your elopement photographer first so you can secure your date on their calendar. If you are ready to find your perfect White Mountains elopement photographer, reach out to me! I have a passion for documenting White Mountains elopements! I also provide personalized vendor recommendations and timelines!
Fine-Tune the Details for Your White Mountains Elopement
After you picked your date, location, and vendors, it is time to fine-tune the details. These details can include any travel, accommodations, or anything else you will need before your big day!!
Celebrate Marrying Your Best Friend in the Beautiful White Mountains!
Seriously, you should consider eloping in the White Mountains. You will not regret spending your elopement day in one of the most beautiful places in New England!
Check out this White Mountains elopement for inspiration!
Hi there,
White Mountains elopement photographer serving New England & beyond
My name is Alex, and I am an adventure enthusiast, travel addict, and your dream-making wedding photographer! I am a New Hampshire elopement photographer and wedding photographer but will travel well beyond New England to capture your elopement or wedding day.
I got my start in photography capturing stunning landscapes around the world but realized my true passion was capturing beautiful photos of a couple’s love. There is something about the magic of love that draws me to couples like a magnet.
Over the years, I have met so many amazing couples, and I am so excited to get to know YOU! I am here to provide you with beautiful photos of your elopement or wedding day, so you can look back and relive those memories forever!
