Elopement weddings have soared in popularity over recent years. Many couples now decide to elope as it takes the stress out of deciding on all the tiny details that go into a big traditional wedding. Instead, they opt for a smaller, more intimate ceremony.
But which locations can be crowned the top elopement destination? The experts at Prime Casino have looked at Google searches, Instagram posts, the cost of marriage certificates, hotel prices, and weather data to find out. They’ve also delved into the data to find out the most publicised celebrity elopements.
The Best Elopement Destinations
1) Las VegasElopement index score: 7.93/10
Vegas can be crowned the best elopement destination, with an elopement score of 7.93 out of 10. It takes the top spot for Google searches over the last 12 months with 115,600. The city also has the lowest rainfall in the index at 157 mm annually and places in the top five for average annual temperature at 20.3ºC.
2) San DiegoElopement index score: 6.97/10
Up next is San Diego, taking second place with an elopement score of 6.97. The Californian city is one of the driest on the list, averaging only 272 mm of rainfall per year. It’s also one of the most popular on social media, with over 34 million Instagram posts. San Diego also ranks in the top 10 for both Google searches at 10,810 over the past year.
3) Gretna GreenElopement index score: 6.62/10
Rounding out the top three is Gretna Green, with an elopement score of 6.62. The Scottish village has the lowest hotel price at £96 for a weekend night. Thanks to its location, Gretna Green also has the third lowest price for a marriage license at £10. However, the destination is let down by its low number of Instagram posts, at only 34,657, the lowest on the list.
The Elopement Destinations With…
The most Google searches - Las Vegas (115,600 September 2023-August 2024)
Often dubbed the ‘wedding capital of the world, ' Las Vegas has taken the top spot for Google searches with 115,600 over the last 12 months. You only need to fill in a small amount of paperwork to get married in the city, and unlike other locations, it has no waiting period. With over 75 wedding chapels, the city offers flexibility and variety, from Elvis impersonator officiants to all-inclusive packages.
The most Instagram posts - London (166,932,793 posts)
London is the most picturesque elopement destination on the list, with over 166 million posts on the platform. The city boasts a wide variety of historic landmarks and iconic views which make the perfect backdrops for your wedding photos. The capital is also famous for its vibrant culture and arts scene, making it perfect to explore before or after your wedding.
The cheapest marriage certificates - France and Italy (Free)
While there might be some administrative costs involved in eloping to both France and Italy, you won’t have to pay for a marriage certificate in either country. Both countries regard marriage as a fundamental civil institution that money shouldn’t hinder. This makes it easier and less stressful to elope to either country, and you’ll have your choice of some of Europe’s most romantic cities, like Paris and Rome, to elope to, too!
The cheapest hotel prices - Gretna Green (£96 per weekend night)
The Scottish village of Gretna Green has the cheapest hotel prices, at only £96 on average for a weekend night. The village became famous as a romantic destination in the 18th century when English law prohibited couples under 21 from marrying without parental permission. Due to Scotland’s more relaxed laws, couples eloped across the border.
The highest temperatures - Orlando (22.1ºC)
If you’re planning an outdoor wedding for your elopement, Orlando has the hottest average annual temperatures at 22.1ºC. The city’s warm sunny climate makes it perfect for open-air weddings, even in the winter months. The city is also in close proximity to world-class luxury resorts and even Walt Disney World if you’re planning a fairy-tale experience.
The lowest rainfall - Las Vegas (157 mm)
While rain on your wedding day is considered good luck by some, too much could spoil your special occasion. Fortunately, Las Vegas has the lowest average rainfall on the list at 157 mm annually. If you’re planning on honeymooning in your elopement destination, too, you can enjoy the sights and sounds of your chosen destination without worrying about weather disruption.
The Most Publicised Celebrity Elopements
While celebrity weddings might conjure up images of lavish ceremonies in exotic locations, some celebrities opt for a smaller, more intimate ceremony. Elopements are meant to be private affairs, away from the prying eyes of journalists, but which celebrity couples have seen the most publicity?
The Most Searched Celebrity Elopements
1) Scarlett Johansson and Ryan ReynoldsGoogle searches: 79,280
Despite getting engaged way back in 2008, Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds’s elopement tops the list for searches over the last 12 months. The pair exchanged vows in a wilderness retreat on Vancouver Island on Canada’s Pacific Coast in May 2008. However, the marriage only lasted two years.
2) Jennifer Lopez and Ben AffleckGoogle searches: 50,400
Up next are Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, with 50,400 searches. The couple wed in an intimate ceremony in Las Vegas in 2022. After honeymooning in Paris, the couple returned and held another ceremony on Affleck’s Georgia estate.
3) Mila Kunis and Ashton KutcherGoogle searches: 21,800
In third place are Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher. The couple eloped in 2015, more than 10 years after they first met on the set of That 70s Show. The private ceremony took place at a ranch in Oak Glen, California.
1) Jennifer Lopez and Ben AffleckNews articles: 12,000
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s elopement is the most publicised on our list. The couple’s nuptials have been written about 12,000 times. This could be due to the couple’s highly publicised divorce, which was officially filed in August this year.
2) Sophie Turner and Joe JonasNews articles: 1,830
Far behind in second place are Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas. The couple have 1,830 articles written about their elopement. Turner and Jonas eloped to Las Vegas back in 2019, a wedding which reportedly cost them only $600.
3) Cardi B and OffsetNews articles: 1,360
In third place are Cardi B and Offset, with 1,360 news articles. The couple met in 2017 and married in the same year. The private ceremony reportedly took place in B’s bedroom, with her cousin the only witness.
Methodology
Beginning with a list of elopement destinations, we analysed each one on the following factors. We then gave each elopement destination a normalised score out of ten for each of the factors before taking an average across each of these scores to reach our final overall score out of ten.
Google searches
The total number of Google searches for the terms “elope to [destination], “eloping in [destination]”, and “[destination] elopement” from September 2023 to August 2024, according to Google Ads.
Instagram posts
The total number of Instagram posts using the hashtag #[destination].
Cost of Marriage Certificate
The total cost of a marriage certificate in each destination, according to government websites.
Average Hotel Cost (Weekend Night)
The average cost of a hotel room for two people on a weekend night, according to Kayak.
Average Temperature (ºC)
The average annual temperature in each destination, according to Climate Data.
Average Rainfall (mm)
The average annual rainfall in each destination, according to Climate Data.
Celebrity elopements were sourced from list articles. Google searches for each celebrity elopement using the keyword “[celebrity couple] wedding“ between September 2023 and August 2024 were taken from Google Ads.
The number of articles on each celebrity elopement was taken from the Google news tab using the keyword “[celebrity] wedding”.
Currencies were converted using xe.com on 17/09/2024.
All data correct as of 19/09/2024.
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