LGBTQ+ Friendly Destination Wedding Locations
Feeling safe on your elopement day is always the number one priority—whether that be physically or emotionally. I know that many couples who choose to elope often have reasons behind not including family or wanting such an emotional day be intimate. This holds especially true for LGBTQ+ couples. Unfortunately, minorities also have to worry about their physical safety when visiting other countries or even other areas inside of the United States.
Picking an elopement location is always a difficult task as there are so many options—but it can also be difficult to know where you are safe and where you might find yourself in danger for simply loving your partner. I’ve decided to help out all of my LGBTQ+ couples in compiling a list of LGBTQ+ friendly elopement locations.
BEST PLACES TO ELOPE FOR LGBTQ+ COUPLES
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Often considered the “San Francisco of Mexico,” Puerto Vallarta is a popular choice among same sex wedding destinations. If you’re dreaming of a sandy beach wedding with crystal clear ocean waters, this might be a good choice for your LGBTQ+ elopement destination.
2. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a renowned gay destination wedding location, and for good reason! The country’s landscape is extremely diverse, meaning you can find just about anything you’re looking for in gay or lesbian destination wedding packages. Manuel Antonio and San Jose are well-known for their LGBTQ+ communities.
3. Argentina
Argentina was the first country in South America to fully legalize same sex marriage, and has kept up with that legacy by becoming one of the best places to elope as an LGBTQ+ couple. Argentina has stunning mountains, deserts, and vibrant city culture. You can’t go wrong if you’re looking for an LGBTQ+ friendly wedding destination for your adventure wedding/elopement.
4. Ireland
Ireland offers lush green rolling hills, dramatic ocean cliffsides, and stunning castle ruins. This country is such a fantastic option for LGBTQ+ couples looking for a destination elopement!
5. Iceland
Iceland is known for being on of the most scenic countries in the world, and is a very popular elopement destination. It’s a great choice for LGBTQ+ couples looking to get married amongst incredible waterfalls, mountains, and glaciers. Fun fact: shorty after gay marriage was legalized in Iceland, the prime minister at the time married her same sex partner.
6. Spain
Spain has been ahead of most other European countries when it came to protecting rights for same sex couples, and it’s a stunning place to elope! With some of the best nightlife in the world, and some of the most beautiful beaches, it’s a great place to tie the know whether you’re looking for culture and city adventures or serene natures.
7. Canada
All of Canada is a great LGBTQ+ friendly place to elope (couples from the US used to travel to tie the know in Canada before the United States passed marriage equality). My absolute favorite regions for elopements in the country are Banff and British Columbia—talk about breathtaking mountains, moody scenery, and bright blue alpine lakes.
8. New Zealand
Don't let the size of New Zealand fool you—the small island has so much insane and diverse nature to offer from coastline, to large mountains, to volcanic parks, to even fjords. You’re also only a short flight away from Australia if island hopping is the plan.
9. Portugal
Portugal is a stunning country with rugged coast lines and beautiful tropical islands that look very similar to Hawaii! There are so many beautiful places for your adventurous elopement as an LGBTQ+ couple.
10. Norway
Norway offers stunning fjords paired with giant mountains. You can also experience the midnight sun during the summer or northern lights during the winter, offering a unique adventurous elopement experience. Norway was one of the first countries in the world to enact an anti-discrimination law explicitly including sexual orientation.
11. Austria
This country offers stunning mountain views in the Alps without all the crowds that come with Switzerland. Austria is also more LGBTQ+ friendly in their laws, making it a better option all around.
12. Scotland
Scotland has similar vibes to Ireland when it comes to ocean cliffsides, beautiful castles, and lush greenery—but Scotland also offers some really interesting and rugged mountains in the highlands. It is said that Scotland would be the most LGBTQ+ friendly country in Europe if it were separate on its own, so it’s definitely a great option for LGBTQ+ eloping couples!
BEST STATES IN THE UNITED STATES FOR LGBTQ+ ELOPEMENTS
Washington
This moody PNW state is a great option for LGBTQ+ couples looking to elope inside of the United States. The state offers everything from stunning mountains, rugged coastline, to even lush rainforest.
2. California
California has a bit of everything to offer when it comes to planning an adventurous elopement—rugged coastline, pristine beaches, stunning islands, desert landscape, incredible forests and larger-than-life mountains.
3. Hawaii
The most lush paradise—beautiful oceans and lush green mountains. Hawaii is great for those couples looking to have a tropical elopement, but want to stay within the states.
4. Colorado
This state has been long regarded as a LGBTQ+ safe state and Denver even has one of the highest percentage of LGBTQ+ residents. The state offers stunning mountain views and alpine lakes.
5. New York
This state is rated as one of the most LGBTQ+ welcoming states across the US. New York is also incredibly diverse as you can have the ultimate city views for your elopement or you can get married upstate in the mountains.
6. Oregon
Another PNW state that’s a fantastic option for LGBTQ+ couples! This state offers so much & is often regarded as the ‘Iceland’ of the United States. If you’re looking for lush green scenery, gushing waterfalls, rugged coastline, and even mountain views—Oregon is a phenomenal option.
7. Maine
Dreaming about beautiful fall colors, mountains, and rugged coastline? Maine has some beautiful scenery and it is LGBTQ+ friendly making it a great option for LGBTQ+ eloping couples.
8. Moab, Utah
While the state of Utah doesn’t have the most affirming laws for LGBTQ+ individuals, the town of Moab is very LGBTQ+ friendly and offers some INCREDIBLE southwest scenery—from canyons to arches. Moab also has one of the clearest skies in the United States, so definitely stay out to do some stargazing.
Some Final Thoughts…
Of course, just because same sex marriage is legal in a country doesn’t mean that the general culture will be accepting of all queer people. Equaldex is a great resource that takes into consideration multiple factors when trying to find an LGBTQ+ friendly elopement or wedding destination.
I’ve got my passport ready to go, tons of travel tips to share, and am here to help my couples like you put together LGBTQ+ elopement packages that are unique, true-to-you, and adventurous. Party of my job as a destination adventure elopement photographer is to help couples find the perfect spot to say “I do,” and navigate all the permits and logistical ins and outs of it all. If you’re ready to start planning the LGBTQ+ destination wedding of your dreams, click here to schedule a low-pressure, no-commitment consultation call.
Hey, I’m Sally! I’m a destination adventure elopement photographer based in Washington, but traveling worldwide!
