ELOPEMENT ON A BUDGET! HELP!

I'm not sure if Austin's what you are looking for. But there is a little outdoor Chapel here called Chapel Dulcinea. It's FREE. You pay to book online, but then get your deposit money back the day of your wedding. I love what it says on their home page...

"Chapel Dulcinea sits daringly on the edge of an ancient walking trail on the Wizard Academy campus, approximately 20 minutes southwest of downtown Austin.

Yes, it's an outdoor chapel and the weather isn't always perfect. But life is like that, isn't it? Anything can happen.

Walk into your marriage with open eyes, ready for whatever might come your way, even on your wedding day."

Here is the story of what they are about:

http://www.chapeldulcinea.org/who-is-dulcinea/

Some photos are below. If you Google Chapel Dulcinea, you can find a ton of others or links to photog blogs who have shot there. You could then plan a few days away after exploring San Antonio (the Riverwalk is amazing), or the Hill Country has wine vineyards, there's luxury cabins in Wimberley or an awesome bed and breakfast in Dripping Springs too. I know it's not as exotic as Bahamas or Carribean, but it could be cheaper and more "hole in the wall". I know brides have come from all over to get married there, so it's been done. Anyway, best of luck!!

I love elopements!! So romantic. We are doing an intimate DW in Jamaica, Sandals who offers great wedding packages. Elopement package is free with your booking. We chose Jamaica because it was the most cost effective for our group. The Bahamas look beautiful. We did like Lake Tahoe in CA also but I read that July was the warmest time and we didn't want to wait that long

A cruise is an excellent budget. All-inclusive elopement choice. Carnival has a "just us" package in fact.

Niagara Falls new York state or Niagara falls Canada. Check websites very elopement friendly.

What kind of budget do you have? We are eloping in August in Jamaica.

Sorry, I just have to say it -- officiant, not officiate.

Speaking of officiants, talk to a few who have elopement packages listed on their websites. If they can't do the wedding because you want it to take place in an exotic location, I'm sure they could point you in the right direction. Either that, or start googling "elopement packages international".

Thank you.

We have dozens of B&B's that we work with and many of our couples are coming from the UK or Australia to get married in Central Park and have a city weekend. A boutique hotel would be another great idea, but I think you have to narrow down what you want; city? Mountain? Shore? Cruise?

I found an elopement package at a resort in Sedona AZ. It was exactly what we were looking for, all inclusive and beautiful setting.

If you're into the desert wedding idea, look at L'Auberge de Sedona. There are other resorts around that do weddings too, but L'Auberge offered the elopement package. You can also choose to do the ceremony out on a trail in the red rocks (with the right officiants who will do it).

We are doing a DW in Jamaica, but you can easily elope there with a Weddingmoon package. Just the two of you and a week stay usually equals a free wedding.

The Couples resorts in Jamaica are good for an elopement.

Look at Haiku Mills in Maui. We were going to elope there and they are super reasonably and there are condos near by you can rent for about $100 a night. We ended up choosing local but I still love that place

After getting married, I came across an IG that made me regret not eloping. I don't know if you want to stay in Illinois, but check out Elope to Chicago. They have a website, FB, and IG you can check out. From what I have seen, the packages include up to flowers, photography and an officiant. Good luck!

Colorado has a bunch of all inclusive places and ranches that are really pretty & in the mountains. I'm not sure about pricing or what you're looking for exactly but, I thought I'd mention it.

New Orleans, you can elope on the river boats

We would like to spend 3000 or less. But, could save more if needed.

I am loving all of the ideas!!

The Austin location blows my mind! So sweet of them to have a free venue and very beautiful. I have also really wanted to look into Colorado. I thought I would be more likely to go to a warm location. But Colorado's breathtaking photos make me wonder!

Thank you for all the recommendations.

Now I want to elope because I hate being the center of attention for stuff like that.

A cruise elopement is easily doable in under $3000

If you do Colorado, I suggest Lyons, CO. It's a little beautiful town outside of Denver/Boulder and near Estes Park. No idea about venues and the like (although they have restaurants) just that it is one of the prettiest places I've been. There's also Nederland up in the mountains which is stunning.

@mlw- thank you for your post. My FW and I are now very seriously considering using that as our venue!

Gatlinburg is a wonderful place for brides. There are so many gorgeous places with beautiful views that offer great elopement packages! If the recents fires were a concern just know it impacted very little of the Smokies as a whole. & almost everything is open again at this point.