BellaOnline Forums Relationships Weddings can anyone suggest a place to elope?

He proposed, its going to be a long engagement we arent planning on getting married until my youngest graduates from high school in 3 yrs. We are 40 and 48 y/o, its a 2nd marriage for both of us. We have decided on either a very small wedding or to elope. I would love to get married barefoot on a beach on the east coast and then maybe stay at a bed and breakfast. Im thinking anywhere between maine and south carolina. We both live in Michigan. I did find a place in Connecticut called the angels watch Inn. It looks beautiful and they have elopement packages there. But I thought I would keep looking in case I find something we like better. I was also considering Boston (we both love historic places) or Hilton Head Island in South Carolina (or North, not sure). I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. Thanks.
Kim

If you are looking for a beach wedding in Maine and a B & B stay I can hardly think of a more perfect place than Oceanside Meadows Inn in Prospect Harbor Maine. www.oceaninn.com
They have a gorgeous white sand private beach, romantic rooms in an historic sea captains house, fantastic breakfasts, hiking trails, proximity to Acadia National Park etc.

The Innkeepers are delightful people, ecologists and a font of knowledge about the area. They have a series of concerts and lectures throught the summer on the property. And of course Maine=lobsters.

It is magical.

Diane

Beaufort, SC would be a wonderful place for an elopement or small family wedding. It's a rustic fishing village with some outstandingly beautiful antibellum homes. The people there are just fantastic. They define "Southern Hospitality." It's in between Charleston and Hilton Head, making day trips to either very easy. Activities in the area include boating, fishing, birdwatching, you name it for nature activities, or you could just chill out at the waterfront park and do some shopping. They have some great little shops there.

It's a very small town and everyone is a bit "laid back."
There are 4 B&B's you should check into. They all have websites.
Beaulieu House at Cat Island - glorious seclusion!
The Beaufort Rhett House Inn - fantastic house
TwoSuns Inn - right on the Intracoastal Waterway
The Cuthbert House Inn - grand antibellum house

In case you're wondering, I'm from Charleston, SC. However, when I wanted to get away for a weekend, I would go to Beaufort. It's a bit like going back in time and doesn't have the tourist crowds of downtown Charleston or Hilton Head.

The Navy transferred us to Southeast GA, but we have a trip planned to Beaufort in November for the festival.

I would suggest early spring as the best time to visit for the flowers and outdoor activities. Early April is great for the dogwoods and azaleas. The magnolias will be blooming in May. Not being from the area, you should probably consider going in Spring before the bugs, heat and humidity get there.

Late Fall would be good as well, end of October or 1st part of November. By then the daily thunderstorms have pretty much subsided and there's less chance of a hurricane. I've done quite a few outdoor weddings (including my own), so I always consider the weather factor in any plans, indoor or out.

Hope this information helps.

My husband and I eloped recently. We planned it all via smokeymountainweddings.org

It was really GREAT and so easy. We didn't have much time but if you have a bit more time there is a lot to do and see in the Smokey Mountains. The views are breath taking.

The cool thing is, if you get your license in a "tourist" area, like Sevier you don't have to pay the bigger license fee that TN has. It saves you 60 dollars! They give you a really nice frameable license too. Oh and there is NO waiting. You need to take your birth certificate and drivers license with you.

You can get a cake, a minister and everything right on-line and pay via Pay-Pal! It was so simple and easy and it worked out great. We got married by a covered bridge and creek. They have other options too, you can even plan a chapel wedding if you prefer right on-line.

I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Stephanie, that's sounds so lovely. I so enjoy the Smoky Mountains and we had our Honeymoon there.

Middleton Place, where some of "The Patriot" was filmed.

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Middleton Place in Charleston is a great suggestion. They have fireplaces in the guest rooms and a wonderful restaurant on site. It's very close to downtown Charleston, but there are many activities on the property, such as nature walks and horseback trails. Middleton Plantation and Magnolia Gardens are right down the road.

VEGAS, dahling!

Oh what fun we had! Stayed at the MGM Grand, got married by Elvis and won enough money at the casinos to pay for the trip.

HEAVENLY!

My favorite place and oh so historic has to be St Augustine, FL. I know there are places that will help you plan a wedding/elopement. You could get married right outside the Lightner Museum.