Top 10 Best Small Elopement Wedding Venues for 2026
Planning a small elopement wedding? We’ve got the best venues for an intimate celebration in 2026. From charming historic locations to beautiful natural settings, discover the top 10 places perfect for your special day. Keep in mind that Los Angeles wedding venues may require booking well in advance due to high demand, particularly for intimate settings.
Key Takeaways
Small elopement weddings create intimate and meaningful experiences by focusing on emotional connections and reducing stress.
Los Angeles offers a variety of charming small wedding venues, each with unique features and a personal touch for couples.
Personalizing your elopement through custom packages and adding individual touches makes the day special while keeping it budget-friendly.
Why Choose a Small Elopement Wedding?
Choosing a small elopement wedding can transform your big day into an intimate ceremony celebration of love. A minimal guest list enhances emotional connections and interactions during the ceremony, making it a more personal and meaningful experience. Intimate ceremonies allow couples to focus on their partner and chosen guests, fostering deeper connections that might be lost in a larger intimate weddings.
The benefits of having fewer guests at a wedding include:
Reduced expenses related to food, venue, and other arrangements, allowing couples to allocate funds towards elements that truly matter to them. The cost of small wedding venues in Los Angeles can range from $2,000 to $30,000 depending on various factors.
Reduced planning stress, enabling couples to focus more on their partner and the special moments rather than being bogged down by extensive wedding planning and managing the guest count.
Less stress leads to a smoother, more enjoyable experience.
Small elopement weddings also offer significant budget savings, giving couples the flexibility to indulge in meaningful experiences or perhaps a luxurious honeymoon. Additionally, the ability to incorporate free or low-cost activities, like a romantic picnic or an outdoor adventure, further enhances the elopement experience while being budget-conscious. An elopement allows couples to celebrate their love in a unique and intimate setting, away from the pressures of a big wedding.
Top 10 Best Small Elopement Wedding Venues in Los Angeles
Los Angeles County is a city of endless possibilities, and its wedding venues are no exception. Whether you’re looking for historic charm, natural beauty, or urban chic, LA has something to offer for every couple. Outdoor wedding venues in Los Angeles offer panoramic views and natural beauty, creating a picturesque setting. Small wedding venues in Los Angeles provide intimacy, charm, personalization, and affordability, making them perfect for couples seeking a unique and memorable elopement. From the historic Maxwell House to the picturesque Whispering Oaks Chapel and the chic Carondelet House, each Los Angeles wedding venue offers a distinct ambiance that sets the stage for a beautiful, intimate wedding. Many historic wedding venues in Los Angeles feature high ceilings, vintage chandeliers, and unique architectural beauty, adding to their timeless appeal.
Couples planning their elopement can choose from a variety of venues that cater to different tastes and preferences, such as:
The Lombardi House, which offers historic charm
The Houdini Estate, providing a romantic garden setting
Albertson Wedding Chapel and The Terrace, which accommodate smaller guest lists, ensuring a cozy and personalized experience
Italian villa-style houses or venues with garden courtyards and natural landscapes, offering unique and picturesque settings for your special day
Pasadena City Hall, a popular and beautiful location for small elopements, though it may not be private due to public access.
Let’s dive into the details of some of the best small elopement wedding venues in Los Angeles.
Historic Charm: Maxwell House
Maxwell House combines historic elegance with affordability, making it an ideal venue for small weddings. Key features include:
A cozy garden courtyard, perfect for an intimate wedding ceremony
Guest capacity of up to 40 guests
Boutique wedding package priced at $3,500, offering a grand feel without the hefty price tag
Imagine hosting your cocktail hour in a space that exudes timeless charm, allowing your guests to mingle and celebrate in style. The historical features of Maxwell House add a touch of sophistication to your special day, making it a memorable venue for couples seeking an elegant yet intimate setting.
Natural Beauty: Whispering Oaks Chapel
For couples who dream of an outdoor ceremony surrounded by nature, Whispering Oaks Chapel is the perfect spot. The chapel is renowned for:
Its picturesque countryside setting
Providing a beautiful backdrop of lush greenery and natural light for your wedding photos
Exposed beams that add charm
Ample parking that adds convenience
Outdoor spaces that enhance the overall experience
These features make it a charming small wedding venue.
Whispering Oaks Chapel offers a serene and intimate atmosphere, making it one of the best small wedding venues for couples who appreciate the beauty of nature. The bridal suite ensures a comfortable and private space for pre-ceremony preparations, enhancing the overall experience for the couple and their guests.
Urban Chic: Carondelet House
Carondelet House is the epitome of urban chic, featuring an Italian villa style that is perfect for modern and stylish elopements. This venue boasts unique features such as:
a fireplace
bridal suite
lounging vignettes
a baby grand piano
outdoor courtyards providing a versatile and elegant setting for your wedding.
Located in downtown LA, Carondelet House offers in-house catering and planning services, ensuring a seamless and stress-free elopement experience. The combination of its chic style and comprehensive services makes Carondelet House a top choice for couples seeking an urban yet intimate wedding venue at the Los Angeles River Center.
Customizing Your Elopement Package
1 Photographer
Up to 4 hours of coverage
150+ beautifully edited hi-res photos
Online gallery of all images to share with friends and family, available for one year
Unlimited high-resolution downloads
1 Videographer
Up to 4 hours of coverage
3-5-minute cinematic highlight film
1-2 minute trailer
Private online gallery available for one year
Unlimited downloads in full quality
Elopements offer the advantage of customizing your wedding day to reflect your unique love story. Many elopement packages include essential setups such as a basic wedding officiant, photography, and stylish floral decor. Simply Eloped, for example, offers tailored elopement packages that cater to the couple’s individual needs. Additionally, Epic Elopement helps plan and book adventure elopements in Los Angeles, including vendor arrangements. Many small wedding venues in Los Angeles offer all-inclusive packages that cover essential services like catering and decor, simplifying the planning process.
Opting for an all-inclusive elopement package can streamline the planning process by managing vendor communication and handling last-minute changes, providing peace of mind for couples. Additional services and other services available through various wedding packages may include a matching bouquet and boutonniere, professional officiants, and videography to capture the ceremony and first dance.
These packages allow more couples to focus on what truly matters—each other—while ensuring that every detail is perfectly in place.
Capturing the Moment: Elopement Photography and Videography
Capturing the emotional essence of your elopement is crucial, and photography and videography play vital roles. Videography allows you to relive the sounds, movements, and emotions of your wedding day, preserving moments that photos alone cannot convey. Services like Arrakis Films Wedding offer a ‘Runaways in Love’ elopement film experience, capturing unique moments of the day in a cinematic style.
A combined photography and videography team simplifies planning and ensures a cohesive style in capturing your elopement. Recording your vows and exchanging vows on video allows you to revisit the heartfelt promises you made, preserving the emotional weight of your words for years to come.
Whether you prefer nostalgic film formats like Super 8 or a modern cinematic approach, capturing these moments ensures that your special day is truly unforgettable.
Planning Tips for a Stress-Free Elopement
A stress-free elopement involves strategic choices and staying organized. Los Angeles offers a diverse range of settings for elopements, including:
Beaches
Mountain overlooks These provide the perfect backdrop for your intimate wedding. Hiring a photographer or planner early can:
Streamline the process
Provide essential support
Ensure that every detail is taken care of.
Building a reliable vendor team is crucial, as experienced vendors can significantly reduce stress during planning. Delegating tasks to friends, family, or your planner can also alleviate stress and facilitate smoother planning. Starting the planning process by identifying the most important elements helps maintain control and joy, allowing you to focus on what truly matters.
Creating a backup plan for weather or other uncertainties is essential for a relaxed elopement experience. Some venues provide digital photo booths as part of their elopement packages for guest entertainment, adding a fun element to your special day. By following these tips, you can ensure a stress-free and enjoyable elopement.
Adding Personal Touches to Your Elopement
Adding personal touches to your elopement can make your wedding day even more special. Consider incorporating:
Both traditional and personalized elements, such as custom vows
Symbolic rituals like handfasting or pouring sand
Meaningful traditions, such as the ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’ custom
These can add depth and personal significance to the ceremony and enhance its emotional significance.
Enhance your elopement by including activities like a first dance, a champagne toast, or even a small wedding cake to celebrate your union. Various bouquet options are available for couples in elopement packages, allowing for personalization that reflects your personality and style. By incorporating these personal touches, you can create a unique and memorable elopement experience.
Budget-Friendly Elopement Ideas
Elopements can be both beautiful and budget-friendly. Here are some ways to lower costs, especially in Los Angeles:
Choose a small wedding venue, as many offer affordable elopement packages.
Trim your guest list.
Use local vendors.
Plan your elopement during off-peak seasons to reduce travel and accommodation expenses.
Planning your elopement during off-peak seasons can also provide additional savings on venue costs and other arrangements. Considering budget-friendly options and making strategic choices allows couples to create a memorable elopement without breaking the bank.
Elopement vs. Micro-Wedding: Making the Right Choice
Choosing between an elopement and a micro-wedding depends on the couple’s preferences and priorities. Elopements typically involve:
Very few attendees, usually just the couple and a few close family members, totaling around 10-15 individuals
A more spontaneous and adventurous experience
A focus on the couple’s love and commitment
Micro-weddings, on the other hand, can feature a larger guest list, often accommodating between 15 to 40 guests, allowing for a more traditional wedding structure with intimate gatherings like dinners. Couples who prefer a small gathering with family and friends might find micro-weddings more appealing, whereas those seeking intimacy and adventure might opt for an elopement.
Ultimately, both options allow for flexibility and customized personalization, ensuring a memorable celebration of love.
Summary
In summary, small elopement weddings offer a unique opportunity to celebrate love in an intimate and personalized setting. From the top small wedding venues in Los Angeles to budget-friendly ideas and customization options, there are countless ways to make your elopement special. By focusing on what truly matters and adding personal touches, couples can create a memorable and stress-free wedding day that reflects their unique love story. So, why not take the plunge and plan your perfect elopement in 2025?
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of choosing a small elopement wedding?
Choosing a small elopement wedding allows for deeper emotional connections and a more personalized experience, all while saving you money and reducing planning stress. It's a beautiful way to focus on what truly matters!
What are some of the best small wedding venues in Los Angeles?
If you're looking for intimate settings, definitely check out Maxwell House, Whispering Oaks Chapel, and Carondelet House for your small wedding in Los Angeles. Each offers a unique charm that can make your special day unforgettable.
How can I customize my elopement package?
You can customize your elopement package by selecting essentials like photography, floral decor, and officiants, tailoring it to what you truly desire. Companies like Simply Eloped make it easy to create a package that perfectly reflects your unique vision.
Why is videography important for an elopement?
Videography is crucial for an elopement because it beautifully captures the emotions and moments of your special day, letting you relive those memories. Plus, it's a meaningful way to share your adventure with loved ones who couldn't be there.
How can I plan a budget-friendly elopement?
For a budget-friendly elopement, pick a small venue, keep your guest list minimal, use local vendors, and consider off-peak seasons to save money. This way, you can focus on what truly matters without overspending.
