Congratulations on deciding to get married! If you're looking for the best places to elope in Boston, or simply how to elope in Boston, this guide, updated for 2025 into 2026, will help.
Likewise, if you're planning a micro-wedding this Boston elopement guide is also for you!
Scroll on for the step-by-step to planning your perfect elopement ceremony in Boston and if you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to reach out.
Step One: Decide what time of year
Boston is beautiful throughout the seasons, but eloping in Winter is a very different experience than eloping in the Summer, and knowing when you plan to tie the knot will have an impact on everything from travel plans if you're coming from out of state, to paperwork, photographer availability, venue availability, and more.
As with all things in your elopement, think about what has the most meaning to you. If you love Fall, maybe you're dreaming of walking through the winding Boston Public Garden pathways as the leaves fall around you. Maybe you're a summer baby who loves the heat and a warm, August day walking around Boston Harbor or dipping your toes in the beach sounds perfect. Here's a quick guide depending on your vibe: (hey, that rhymes!)
Spring elopement: Plan for late April through mid-June for warm mornings and the gardens just beginning to burst to life.
Summer elopement: Don't mind the heat? It starts to warm up pretty significantly by late June and carries through until early to mid September, with August being thick with humidity. But, it's also one of the least rainy seasons and you're almost guaranteed to have lush greens and long days for your photos, so if that's something that's important to you, Spring might be perfect for you.
Fall elopement: By far the most popular time of year, and for good reason! Autumn in Boston is breathtaking. Leaf-lined walks along the Esplanade, hayrides, apple picking, all the pumpkin-scented things. Peak foliage is tough to nail down, but generally mid-September through mid-October is a safe bet. You can check out this website to track the foliage in real time and get estimates for when it will peak.
Winter: My own micro-wedding was in December, and I definitely have a soft spot for it! The air is beginning to chill, the blanket of white snow, the way everything smells like fireplaces and wood burning and toasty drinks to keep you warm...pure magic. If you're looking for snow, February is your best bet, but it starts to cool down in mid-November, all the way through about mid-March.
Step Two: Choose your location
The fun part!! Choosing where to elope in Boston means choosing the memories you're after. Do you want something private and serene? Grand and luxurious? Casual and low-key? There are a ton of options depending on what you want for your elopement or micro-wedding. A few popular locations are listed below, and you can click their names for more info.
- Boston City Hall Lots of couples choose a Boston City Hall elopement, and for good reason. It's a classic with lots of great locations nearby for photoshoots after, like the Boston Common and Boston Public Garden, Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, the North End, Beacon Hill, and more!
- The Boston Public Library a truly luxurious option that actually doesn't cost an arm and a leg when done for elopements or micro-weddings! The main branch offers one hour access for denominational wedding ceremonies with up to twelve guests, not including the officiant and photographer. They do book up quickly though, with openings becoming public about three months prior. So, if you're interested, this one does require advance planning, but it's worth it.
- Cambridge City Hall A beautiful location with an often lengthy wait time, if this one is more in your neighborhood or the decor is more your thing, it's a great option for an intimate ceremony.
- Dearly Studio in Somerville's Bow Market Described as hosting weddings that are "tailor made for huge hearts and a tiny guest list" with Vegas chapel vibes, Dearly Studio is an adorable spot for intimate elopements and micro-weddings. You can check out their website for availability and book ceremony packages directly.
- Boston Public Garden Did you know you can get married in the garden? It's true! Once you know your day, you apply for a special events permit, hire an officiant, and you're good to go! Elopements at the Boston Public Garden are only permitted from April to November between 3-5:30pm on weekdays or 11am-5:30pm on weekends, except legal holidays. This has to be one of the most romantic places to elope in Boston, so if you're looking at a May through November elopement, I highly recommend it!
- The Arnold Arboretum Speaking of parks and romance, this is another beautiful option, with a pond, an arbor, and plenty of green space. Plus, it's free to get married here! They just ask you keep it to under forty people. (micro-weddings for the win!) They don't require reservations so you can just show up day of though, it's always a nice idea to email/call and let them know ahead of time.
- Seaport Over the years, Boston's Seaport has really become a lovely destination for an evening stroll or even an elopement by the water. With an officiant in tow, you can have your ceremony on the Harborwalk, with the water and the boats in the background. Plus, it's outdoors and public space so if you want to elope with your dog, you can! Huge plus!
- The North End What's cuter than a cannoli and a ceremony? Boston's North End is a great spot for elopements, not only because of it's historic charm but its proximity to delicious food and adorable photoshoot locations. There's lots of incredible spots by the water for the ceremony itself and it's right near Christopher Columbus Park and the merry go round, and The Boston Public Garden is only a few stops away if you want to incorporate more green space or the T. If you're looking for the a sweet treat with the cutest vibes after, Cafe Vittoria is my favorite. Try the hot chocolate!
- Charles River Esplanade is perfect for Fall elopements in Boston, especially, but really, it's gorgeous any time of year . It's also close to downtown and the parks for photoshoots after.
- Beacon Hill It's hard to beat all the brownstones of Beacon Hill, one of Boston's oldest neighborhoods. It's home to the famed Acorn Street where you can get a classic photo of you in your wedding outfits against the old brick and cobblestone streets. It holds that classic charm that you really can't replicate anywhere else.
- South End Another spot for those classic brownstone shots, and surrounded by delicious food to boot, Boston's South End is a great option for elopements. Like Beacon Hill, it's full of tree-lined streets, Victorian architecture, and plenty of green space, including some smaller parks and little hideaways that make for the best elopement spots and photoshoot after.
- Peerspace When it comes to where to elope in Boston, if you're looking for something totally different than the usual civil ceremony locations, this is your spot. People and companies rent out their space for different events, including elopements and micro-weddings. and a lot allow for outside food and drink to be brought in and start as low as $100 an hour, so it can be a really affordable, unique option. I did a quick search recently and some options include mill buildings, lofts, art spaces, and even a spot in a SoWa art gallery or music rehearsal space. Not to mention all the rooftop lounges!
Step Three: Get your marriage license
I know, it's not very romantic, but it is important. Once you know your date, the next thing you'll want to do is get your marriage license. You can get this at your local City Hall, it doesn't need to be in the city you're getting married in. You'll need to go together in person and have your ID and usually cash. It's not expensive, usually under $50, and should be ready to pick up after the state-mandated three-day waiting period. Your marriage license is good for sixty days, so you must get married within those sixty days.
Step Four: Choose your photographer & Vendors
Once you know your time, date, and location, it's time to book your elopement photographer and any other vendors such as videographer, florist, etc, if you're having them. Many of the couples I photograph choose to keep it super small—just them and their photographer, but it's completely up to you and your vision for the day.
Of course, I would love to be considered, as elopements and micro-weddings have such a special place in my heart. My own was a micro-wedding and I think there's something so special about taking a day that's so immensely special and keeping it to just the two of you or your closest family.
Having grown up just south of Boston, and living in the city itself for the last seven years, I know all the iconic spots just as well as the hidden gems (and where to get the best cannoli!) I'll help with your elopement timeline, location scouting, and assist in curating that one-of-a-kind, live-in-the-moment experience that captures the feelings and moments that are most important to you. If you think we could be a fit, please get in touch for information on Boston elopement packages.
Step Five: Make a Day Of it
And get excited, because it's finally here!
Once you've chosen your Boston elopement photographer, your flowers, your location, the date and time, all that's left to do is actually get married and make a day of it!
With even the most intimate weddings, there's nothing small about choosing your person and saying yes to forever, so it's time to celebrate it! This might mean a lavish day of spa treatments and fancy dinners, or a relaxed day in your PJs, and strolling hand in hand around the city after saying I do. Whatever your plan, I'm happy to help however I can, from timeline planning to answering all the questions.
The best part is, you get to do whatever you want! You can make up the rules up as you go. Pizza at 2pm and cake by the Harborwalk for dinner? Why not! Fancy steakhouse and midnight stargazing at Fan Pier in Seaport? Sure! Make it about you and your partner and the memories you want, and you can't go wrong. I'm here to help however I can along the way. And once again, congratulations!
