The ultimate guide to your NH Elopement

Eloping In New Hampshire: The Ultimate Guide (updated for 2024)

If you’re considering eloping in New Hampshire, then you’ve come to the right place! This guide will provide you with all the information you need to plan the perfect elopement in the Granite State.

New Hampshire is a beautiful state filled with the idyllic countryside, quaint towns, and stunning mountain views. It’s the perfect place to declare your love for one another in an intimate ceremony.

There are many things to consider when planning an elopement, such as where to have the ceremony, what time of year to elope, and how to obtain a marriage license. This guide will answer all of your questions and more so that you can plan the perfect New Hampshire elopement! The key to your elopement is being able to personalize it and make it as simple or extravagant as you want! You can customize your scenery, activities and personal preferences for your day!

To start, the definition of eloping has changed. It used to be this negative connotation that if you’re eloping, youre running away from family and friends to do it in secret. (which is so not the case anymore.) So let’s first discuss What is an elopement? An elopement is an intimate union of two people and their closest loved ones to help them celebrate their love. This definition can look different for everyone, but usually an elopement is anywhere up to 20-25 people. Elopements are meant to feel much more intentional and more focused on the two people getting married, rather than needing to feel like you are putting on a production for the family and friends you’re inviting. It should be about the two of you doing whatever it is you want to do! Your elopement can look however you want it to + there are no rules or traditions that need to be followed. With that being said, let’s talk about eloping in New Hampshire!

Here are the 8 main steps you’re going to need to follow in order to elope in New Hampshire:

1. Find your elopement vendors
2. Dream big- start from big to small ideas and narrow down what you’d like your day to look like
3. Pick a location ( your photographer or planner will help you with this)
4. Get an permits necessary
5. Identify what you want your elopement experience to be
6. Find your lodging + accommodation
7. Consider your timeline
8. Find an officiant and make it legal!
9. Fill in the smaller details

Why New Hampshire is the perfect place to elope

New Hampshire is the perfect place to elope for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the state is absolutely beautiful. (I’m a little biased as a New Hampshire girl who was born and raised here). From the stunning mountain views to the quaint towns and idyllic countryside, there’s no shortage of beautiful locations to exchange your vows. Another reason why New Hampshire is a great place to elope is that it’s relatively easy to obtain a marriage license in the state. In most New Hampshire counties, you can obtain a marriage license the same day you apply for it. Finally, eloping in New Hampshire can be relatively affordable. The state has several affordable elopement packages that can help you save money on your big day.

Top 8 Best Venues to Elope at in NH

• The Jackson Inn
• Top of the Ridge Farm Bed and Breakfast
• Inn at Pleasant Lake
• Christmas Farm Inn and Spa
• The horse and Hound Inn, Franconia NH
• Searles Castle (Southern NH)
• Preserve at Chocorua
• Whitney’s Inn, Jackson NH

What you need to know before eloping in New Hampshire

Before you elope in New Hampshire, there are a few things you need to know. First and foremost, you need to obtain a marriage license. In New Hampshire, you can apply for a marriage license at the town or city clerk’s office in the municipality where you plan to get married. You will need to bring a few things with you when you apply for your marriage license, such as proof of identity, proof of age, and proof of residency. You will also need to pay a small fee. Currently, the fee is $50, but that may change. Once you have obtained your marriage license, you will need to find an officiant to perform your ceremony. You can choose anyone you wish to officiate your ceremony, as long as they are at least 18 years old and authorized to perform marriages in New Hampshire.

How to become ordained to legally marry someone in New Hampshire

In order to marry someone in New Hampshire, you will need to become ordained online. The popular site to do this for New Hampshire weddings is the Universal Life Church. As long as you are able to ordain a marriage through this site and you have followed all the steps, you are all set! Once the ceremony is complete, you will file all the paperwork to the state of New Hampshire. You can file it to the local Town hall where you got married. You can either bring the signed marriage documents in to the town hall directly or mail it!

All you need to legally get your marriage certificate in New Hampshire can be found here (or read below)

• Government issued photo ID (Driver’s License, Non-Driver Identification, United States Passport)
• Certified Copy of Birth Certificate 
• Individuals having had legal name changes since birth and prior to marriage must provide a certified copy of the legal name change.   
• If either party was married previously, a certified copy of the document ending their most recent marriage is required.  

Photocopies or faxes of required documents are not accepted.  Documents in languages other than English require a certified translation.

The best time of year to elope in New Hampshire

The best time of year to elope in New Hampshire depends on what you’re looking for in a ceremony. Honestly, all seasons in New Hampshire are really beautiful depending on what you’re looking for. If you’re hoping for beautiful weather, then the spring, Fall or summer months are the best time to elope. Though, the summer months can become quite hot. The peak season in NH to elope is the Fall, so if you’re looking to avoid crowds, you’ll likely want to avoid this season or pick an elopement spot that is naturally less crowded. (cue hiring a professional elopement photographer based in New Hampshire who knows all the best spots!) The state is full of leaf peepers who are looking for peak foliage during the Fall! Keep in mind that the fall and winter months can be colder in New Hampshire, so you may want to consider eloping in a warmer month if you’re not a fan of the cold.

Fall: The fall is beautiful in New Hampshire, + you won’t regret seeing it during this time. It is popular for a reason though, with the leaves changing colors. The fall is a peak tourist time of year. While you’ll have gorgeous colors and scenery, you are likely to run into some tourists. If you’re eloping this time of year, I highly suggest a mid week or sunrise elopement!

Winter: You can’t really beat the New Hampshire Winter. Snow covered trees, log cabin fireplaces roaring and snowbird activites all over. If you’re okay with the cold, this is the season to elope for you! Check out this epic snowboard elopement if you need ideas for a winter elopement!

Spring: The spring in New Hampshire is full of flowers and blooming trees (especially in all the orchards). It’s the best time to see all the gardens over-flowing so if you want a secret garden vibe for your elopement, this is your season! Everything gets to be more green again, which is great for your photography!

Summer: The summer season is a hot one, but is the most popular by demand in terms of elopements. For all you adventurers, this is one of the best times to do a hiking elopement. My best piece of advice is to start early in the morning before it gets too hot + before the summer tourist crowds roll in! You’ll have all the views to yourself!

How to elope on a budget in New Hampshire

Eloping on a budget in New Hampshire is easier than you may think. There are a number of ways to save money on your big day. First, you can choose to elope in the off-season. Eloping in the Spring or winter can help you save money on your venue fee. A lot of venues will discount their prices either for mid-week elopements or Sunday elopements, so ask your venue about this! Another way to save money on your elopement is to choose a less popular location. New Hampshire has a number of beautiful, lesser-known locations that can provide you with the perfect backdrop for your ceremony without breaking the bank. Next, you can also choose to have your elopement at an airbnb. I have an entire blog post written about how to do that here. In addition, you can find state parks or public places that don’t require you to pay a ceremony fee. I have a list of places that require either a very small fee or no fee at all. To plan your elopement with me, get in touch here! Many New Hampshire elopement packages include everything you need for your big day, from the officiant to the cake and florals but I do suggest that you invest in your elopement photography as that’s the only thing left over from your day.

The most popular spots to elope in New Hampshire

There are a number of popular spots to elope in New Hampshire. One of the most popular spots is Cathedral Ledge, with stunning mountain views at the top of an accessible drive. There is also the Mount Washington hotel that offers elopement packages. The hotel is located in the White Mountains and offers stunning views of the surrounding area. Another popular spot to elope in New Hampshire is the Omni Mount Washington Resort. The resort is located in the town of Bretton Woods and offers several beautiful ceremony and reception locations.

How to make your elopement unique

There are several ways to make your elopement unique. One way to make your elopement unique is to choose an unusual location. Instead of getting married at a hotel or resort, consider eloping in a forest or on a mountaintop. Another way to make your elopement unique is to choose a non-traditional officiant such as a friend. Instead of having a friend or family member officiate your ceremony, consider asking a local celebrity or public figure to officiate your wedding. Finally, you can make your elopement unique by choosing to elope in the off-season. Getting married in the Spring or winter can help you avoid the crowds and save money on your big day. Another way to make your elopement unique is how you choose to spend the day. Many couples choose activities surrounding their ceremony to partake in such as ATVing, horseback riding, hiking, kayaking, etc. To make your elopement special to the two of you, try to find something that is new to the both of you or represents you as a couple!

Steps to take after you’ve decided to elope in New Hampshire

Once you’ve decided to elope in New Hampshire, there are a few steps you need to take to start planning your big day. First, you need to obtain a marriage license. You can apply for a marriage license at the town or city clerk’s office in the municipality where you plan to get married. Second, you need to find an officiant to perform your ceremony. You can ask a friend or family member to officiate your ceremony, or you can choose a local celebrity or public figure. Third, you need to choose a location for your ceremony. New Hampshire has a number of beautiful locations to choose from, so take your time and pick the perfect spot. I have an entire list for all of my couples that sign on with me, so if you’re needing help figuring out your exact location, don’t worry! Finally, you need to choose a date for your elopement. Keep in mind that the best time of year to elope in New Hampshire varies depending on what you’re looking for in a ceremony. If you’re looking for foliage around you, Fall is the obvious choice. If you want mountain views and want to hike, you likely want to avoid Winter. During my inquiry process when you inquire with me, I go through everything you’re hoping for in an elopement and try to determine what the best time + date is with you! It’s actually helpful when you’re flexible and/or don’t know where you’d like to go yet!

Additional tips and resources:

For more information on eloping in new hampshire, consider checking out some of the resources below that can help you plan your dream day! Some of the articles go through eloping at an airbnb, how much you should plan on spending on your elopement, and more!

What you should plan on spending for your elopement wedding

How to include your friends and family in your elopement if you want to elope alone

Choosing your destination for your elopement, if not in New Hampshire

FAQs about eloping in New Hampshire

Q: Do I need a marriage license to elope in New Hampshire?

A: Yes, you will need to obtain a marriage license in order to elope in New Hampshire. You can apply for a marriage license at the town or city clerk’s office in the municipality where you plan to get married.

Q: Who can officiate my elopement?

Anyone that is ordained in NH!

Q: Can we hire you as our elopement photographer?

A: Absolutely! I would LOVE if you got in touch so we can begin planning your dream day!