Where to Elope in the UK (and Beyond)

Dreaming of an intimate wedding surrounded by natural beauty, where you can slow down, breathe deeply, and say your vows in a place that looks as incredible as you feel? You're in the right place.

Eloping isn’t about running away — it’s about choosing something that feels real. A day that’s just for the two of you (or a few favourite people), rooted in connection, nature, and freedom. And the UK is full of breathtaking, wildly romantic places to do just that.

Here’s a guide to some of the best places to elope in the UK, with a special focus on the landscapes I know and love best.

You bring the love, I’ll bring the quiet lens.

— Fellside Weddings

Boat scene on tranquil water with lily pads and floral arrangements.

THE LAKE DISTRICT – MY HOME AND HEART

For couples who want mountains, lakes, woodland trails and winding stone walls, the Lake District is the ultimate place to elope in the UK. Whether you’re climbing a fell at dawn, exchanging vows on a quiet lakeshore, or staying tucked away in a romantic cottage, this landscape offers something magical in every season.

Wild elopements: Symbolic ceremonies on fell tops, forest clearings, and lakesides
Legal options: Charming registry offices in Kendal and Carlisle, or beautiful licensed venues tucked into the landscape for legal ceremonies. Or if you want to just opt for a symbolic ceremony, chat to me about the option of registering a marriage in the UK without a ceremony (known as a basic registration).
Stay nearby: Secluded Airbnbs, shepherd’s huts, and boutique B&Bs — some with private chefs or space for a tiny celebration.

💬 Not sure where to begin? I help couples plan and photograph their day with location ideas, gentle guidance, and space to just be yourselves. Let’s chat about it →

The Pennines – Hidden and Underrated

For something quieter and off the tourist trail, the North Pennines and Yorkshire Dales are full of moorland, wildflowers, waterfalls and winding valleys. Think raw beauty, big skies and barely another soul around.

Perfect for:

Wild vow exchanges in the hills
Couples who want something intimate and earthy
A slower, more solitary experience

This region is especially beautiful in late spring and autumn and pairs beautifully with a rustic stone cottage or quirky converted barn.

For my full day service, I don't charge additional travel for wedding and elopement photography in the Pennines. Looking for a part day, I'll just add reasonable fuel expenses.

Scotland – Wild, Romantic, and Remote

If you’re craving a dramatic backdrop and ancient energy, Scotland might call to you. From the Isle of Skye to Glencoe to the Cairngorms, it’s a land of lochs, mountains and myth.

Scotland allows legal outdoor ceremonies almost anywhere — a huge bonus.
You can hire a humanist celebrant and legally marry in the middle of a glen.
Ideal for multi-day adventures, handfasting ceremonies, or post-vow hikes.

It’s a little further afield, but so worth the journey if you want an epic, otherworldly feel.

For my full day service, I don't charge additional travel for the Scottish Borders. Looking for a part day or a service in northern Scotland, I'll just add reasonable fuel expenses.

A Note on Eloping in Europe

Want to go further? Some couples choose to legally marry at home, then celebrate abroad with a symbolic ceremony.

Popular ideas:

Italian lakes or Dolomites
French countryside chateaux
Norway’s fjords
Spanish coastlines or hilltop villages

If your heart’s pulling you toward Europe, I can help you figure out what’s possible, what’s simple, and what will actually feel good. We can even build a UK–Europe hybrid: registry office one day, vows abroad later. And I can bring the best team with me! Packages from £2,000 including travel.

Bonus: I often spend some time in Winter in Southeast Asia, so if you're dreaming of a celebration over there, I may be able to join you with no extra travel fees. Just ask! If there's an adventure to be had I'll do my best to be with you.