Everything You Need to Know About Getting Married or Eloping in Vermont
One of the best parts of living in New England? The endless options for breathtaking elopement destinations!
If a romantic, nature-filled adventure is what you’re dreaming of, Vermont is truly stunning—no matter the season. Whether you’re envisioning reading your vows on a mountaintop, a waterfall backdrop, or a cozy fireside celebration at a luxury Airbnb, this guide has everything you need to know about how to elope in VT and create an unforgettable day.
(I’ll let the photos do the talking!)
YES PLEASE! BE OUR PHOTOGRAPHER.
Still deciding whether to elope or have a small wedding? This post should help!
seriously though
If you’re thinking of getting married or eloping in New Hampshire, this page answers:
01. The Best Time of Year in Vermont for Getting Hitched
02. Best Places to Elope in Vermont: 5 Mountain Locations
03. Small Wedding Venues in Vermont
04. Vermont wedding & elopement packages
05. Vermont legal stuff & logistics
06. Wedding Vendors You Might Want to Book
07. What to Know about Wedding and Elopement Dresses and Fits
08. Deciding Where to Stay After Your VT Elopement (or Wedding!)
09. Meet Your new hampshire wedding & elopement photographer
Scroll through it all or tap above to skip wherever you’d like.
The Best Time of Year in Vermont for Getting Hitched
VT IN THE SPRING
VT IN THE Summer
As winter fades, Vermont comes alive with vibrant greenery, rushing waterfalls, and the most beautiful blooming wildflowers. Spring is the perfect time for couples who love a mix of adventure and quiet time, with fewer crowds and fresh mountain air.
While early spring may still have patches of snow, by May, the landscape is bursting with life.
Summer in Vermont is all about warm days, cool mountain breezes, and endless outdoor adventures. It’s the perfect season for water activities, scenic hikes, and golden sunset views.
Whether you’re exchanging vows on a mountaintop or relaxing at a local brewery, summer offers vibrant, sun-filled moments to celebrate your love. It’s a true New England summertime paradise.
VT IN THE fall
VT IN THE winter
If a cozy, autumn elopement is your dream, Vermont is the place to make it happen. The mountains go all out, bursting into bright shades of red, orange, and gold—like something straight out of a painting. The air is crisp, crunchy leaves are everywhere and the scent of apple cider in the breeze makes fall in Stowe feel straight-up magical.
A snowy elopement in Stowe, Vermont, is truly something special—the perfect blend of natural beauty and winter charm.
With endless outdoor adventures, it’s an ideal spot for couples who love to embrace the season and all its snow-covered beauty.
"Our photos are achingly gorgeous. She found the best spots in Vermont for us ahead of time, ran through the full route the day before, and was just generally all we could have asked for in our wedding photographer."
Heather & Sarah
(If you want more info, check out my elopement packages and my small wedding packages.)
Best Places to Elope in Vermont: 5 Mountain Locations
1) Mt. Mansfield
3) camels hump
4) Trapp family lodge
2) killington ski resort
As Vermont’s highest peak, it gives you the most beautiful views that are tough to beat. You can either take the Auto Toll Road or the Gondola SkyRide to the top.
With its rugged ridgelines, alpine meadows, and golden light pouring over the mountains at sunrise or sunset, it’s a place that feels like a scene from a freaking dream!
This is such a great location for all seasons! Known as the "Beast of the East," Killington offers sweeping mountain views, cozy alpine vibes, and endless spots for unforgettable photos—whether you're saying your vows on a snowy summit or tucked away in a quiet forest glade.
It's a place where laid-back meets epic, perfect for couples who want their day to feel both wildly free and deeply meaningful.
If you're dreaming of a just-us kind of day with breathtaking views earned by every step, Camel’s Hump is calling. This VT peak offers one of the most scenic hikes in the state—and rewards you with panoramic views that stretch across rolling hills and distant mountain ranges.
It’s ideal for couples who crave a little adventure with their vows! Camel’s Hump is all about quiet moments, epic landscapes, and a love that’s as grounded as it is wild.
If you're dreaming of a cozy, mountain-view elopement with European flair, Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe is a perfect fit. Set on 2,600 acres of rolling meadows and forested trails, this Austrian-inspired resort offers panoramic views of the Green Mountains without requiring a strenuous hike.
Whether you exchange vows in the blooming gardens or on a hilltop meadow, the backdrop is pure Vermont magic.
Small Wedding Venues in Vermont
2Bridgewater Corners, VT
Nestled between the Green Mountains and the charming town of Woodstock, OQ Farm offers panoramic views, meadows, and a tranquil river.
Accommodations across eight unique buildings can host over 30 guests, allowing your closest friends and family to share in a weekend of celebration.
Underhill, VT
Tucked under Vermont’s tallest mountain, on several hundred acres, Squabetty provides an escape parallel to none.
It is the perfect spot for a backyard, chill intimate wedding!
Chittenden, VT
Nestled on 700 private acres in Chittenden, Vermont, Mountain Top Resort offers a breathtaking setting for couples seeking a blend of rustic charm and natural beauty.
This resort provides multiple ceremony sites, including a lakeside beach, a hilltop meadow, and a cozy barn loft, each offering unique and stunning backdrops for your vows.
Pittsfield, VT
The farm offers an array of picturesque spots for your ceremony, from the lush meadows to the charming barns, each providing a unique atmosphere.
Guests can also stay on-site at the cozy Amee Farm Lodge, making it easy to relax and enjoy the celebration with loved ones. With a dedicated team to help bring your vision to life, Riverside Farm ensures every detail of your wedding is thoughtfully planned.
“Erica is a talent and a treasure. She took the reins in finding the best spots, is a joy to be around, and made us feel special, important, and understood.”
“Her talent behind the lens is unmatched, and her ability to make you feel comfortable is remarkable.”
Jazzed up about getting married or eloping in Vermont?
If you two are a hella cool couple looking for a photographer who will support you every step of the way (and deliver a bomb gallery to look back on it all), I’d be super down.
My VT Small Wedding Packages Include:
+ Up to 100 guests
+ A minimum of 8 hours of coverage
+ An online gallery & printing rights
+ Check-in calls
+ A wedding planning guide
+ Vendor recs & timeline support
+ 48 or 72-hour sneak peeks
+ 3-15 Polaroids
+ Travel costs included
Small wedding photography packages for VT begin at $5,400+
SEE SMALL WEDDING DETAILS
MY VT Elopement Packages Include:
+ Up to 20 guests
+ A minimum of 6 hours of coverage
+ An online gallery & printing rights
+ Multiple check-in calls
+ An elopement planning guide
+ Vendor recs & timeline support
+ 48 or 72-hour sneak peeks
+ 3-15 Polaroids
+ Travel costs included
Elopement photography packages for VT begin at $5,400
SEE SMALL elopement DETAILS
Eloping and Getting Married in Vermont: Legal Stuff and Logistics
How to Get Your VT Marriage License
- You can obtain a marriage license from any Vermont town clerk.
- No residency requirements and no waiting period.
- You’ll need an officiant and at least one witness (your photographer can sign!).
Finding a Marriage Officiant
Anyone who is ordained can act as an officiant at your wedding or your elopement in New Hampshire. And getting ordained (AKA getting your marriage officiant certification) is super easy. Apply here.
If you’re looking for a pro to marry you, you can hire an officiant (I have some recs!). Or if you’re working with an ordained photographer like me, I can act as “officiant” and legally marry you two. (Basically, I make sure the paperwork is filled out and signed correctly.)
- VT officiant (look at the section above!)
- VT florist
- VT hair and makeup person
- A photographer (heyyy, me.)
- Band/DJ
- Private chef/restaurant that caters
- Rentals (tables, chairs, silverware, etc.)
(And by the way, when you hire me as your photographer, I can help you with all of this, pointing you in the direction of Vermont wedding planners or sending over vendors for you to book… just saying.)
Wedding Vendors You Might Want to Book
What to Know about Wedding and Elopement Dresses and Fits
(One little tip, if you’re both planning on wearing white, try for the same tone of white, it looks more cohesive in photos!)
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN PICKING YOUR DRESS OR SKIRT
- Go for whatever color you want
- If you’re doing an outdoor elopement, consider how the breeze will flow through your dress
- For longer hiking elopements, avoid heavy dress materials like corsets, tulle, puffy skirts, etc. (they’re challenging to pack in a backpack!)
- Make sure you can move in it freely so you can jump, dance, skip, and swish as you please
PLACES TO BUY WEDDING DRESSES AND SKIRTS:
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN PICKING YOUR SUIT OR TUX:
- Your top doesn’t have to match your bottom, and mixing and matching colors can be a fun way to spice up your attire
- Ditch the black (if you want) and go for fun patterns or cool materials (hell yes to leather jackets or shirts with dogs on them)
- Add more personality with unique accessories like vests, bolo ties, scarves, belts, pocket watches, and more!
- Consider layering options for temp changes (vests, jackets, etc.)
PLACES TO BUY WEDDING DRESSES AND SKIRTS:
- Asos
- Athletic Suits (State & Liberty)
- The Black Tux
- Madewell
- Wild Fang
Deciding Where to Stay After Your VT Elopement (or Wedding!)
When it comes to your wedding or elopement, where you stay is such an important part of your wedding experience (it’s the place you’ll wake up together on your wedding day and where you’ll return to after getting married!). Think outside the box (oceanside villas, treehouses, yurts) and go for whatever fits your vibe.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BOOKING YOUR NH LODGING:
- Are you using it as a getting-ready space? If so, are there good windows? Does the decor match your vibe?
- How close is it to the activities you want to do and to your ceremony spot?
- Do you want privacy or would you prefer a place that includes food and activities nearby (like a B&B or hotel)?
- Do you want guests to be able to stay nearby?
- Are you bringing pets?
There are so many amazing places to stay in New Hampshire (I always send my elopement couples a bunch of options), so thinking through what you actually need the space for will help narrow it down.
I’m Erica, by the way—a Vermont elopement and wedding photographer
I probably should have introduced myself wayyyyy earlier, but I was too pumped about sharing all these New Hampshire wedding and elopement tips. (Sorry.)
I’m the kind of person who cares a lot about the people in my life (clients included). The type of wedding and elopement photographer who helps create the feel-good moments and captures the candid. And the kind of vibe picker-upper who knows what to say, when to step in, and the best dad joke to crack to keep you two having a good time always.
Sound like your vibe?
