The wedding industry is changing day by day and engaged couples are adapting and find new ways to take control back over their wedding plans. The 2020 trend that is taking over: Elopements! By postponing the big party celebrating your marriage and choosing to elope now opens the door to so many possibilities you might never have considered.  Plus, since elopements are generally much cheaper than weddings, you’ll be able to have the best of both worlds. Elope now, party later! If you are considering a Sacramento elopement, wedding photographer, Dee and Kris photography brings you 17 fun and unique ideas to create an elopement that will exceed all your expectations!

Dee and Kris love new and interesting places for elopements. It gives you and your photographer room for creativity to create magic that hasn’t been done every weekend! If you’re looking for a unique elopement location in Northern California, look no further! We’ve complied a list of rare locations for saying your vows for a one of a kind elopement experience!

A note from Dee and Kris: If you are interested in pursuing an elopement with one of our suggestions, please continue to research their rules and regulations and obtain any necessary permits. Due to the rapidly changing government restrictions in response to covid-19, please confirm that your elopement location is open and available for a special event.

Downtown Sacramento Elopement Locations

Punch Bowl Social

Located just steps from the Kimpton Sawyer at the Downtown Commons, the Punch Bowl Social offers a fun and light-hearted experience. This event venue is the perfect combination of food, craft beverages, and vintage gaming. Sheer adult FUN! Say your “I dos” in front of their “I love you SO MUCH” mural, or get creative by eloping in front of the bowling lanes! How fun would that be?! After your ceremony, bring out your competitive side with a round of billiards, darts, or pop into a private karaoke room to serenade each other. This venue is perfect for a couple who is looking for a vibrate night life vibe, complete with neon light, creative decor, and lots of fun!

Food and drinks are always flowing at this exciting venue. Try their lobster fries or the Malted Maple Royal Milkshake that features TWO strips of bacon. Yum!

The Kimpton Sawyer Hotel

This luxury hotel is one of our favorites in Sacramento. (We even hosted Kristina birthday party here!) Located in the heart of Downtown Sacramento and just steps away from the Downtown Commons (DoCo), the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel offers spectacular city vibes and modern luxury.

The Kimpton Sawyer has lots of different wedding options, but for elopements and micro-weddings, we love the roof top. It offers panoramic views of downtown and a one of a kind view of the Golden One Center. They also have chefs that cook farm to fork meals and will leave you and your guests thinking about the fine dining experience for years to come!

California State Capitol World Peace Rose Garden

California State Capitol World Peace Rose Garden, or simply called The Capital Rose Garden, is a Sacramento gem. Located right next to the California State Capital building, this Victorian-designed garden is blooming with more than 140 varieties of colors and fragrances of roses. If you are looking for a Sacramento elopement location that boasts strong messages of peace and hope, the World Peace Garden is perfect. 

This garden is completely open to the public so you might have friendly spectators who stop and watch your ceremony but we try our best to photograph in a way that makes it appear that you are the only ones there. To avoid large crowds, we suggest an early morning ceremony. A permit from the California CHP is required for all weddings and elopements at the Rose Garden and it free. 

Arcade Underground

The historic Arcade Underground is the perfect intimate Sacramento elopement location for couples who want a hip and industrial vibe to their elopement! They offer multiple ceremony spaces, including an indoor full length brick wall, an intimate courtyard or their iconic vintage white doors.

Just steps outside of Arcade Underground is the famous Old Sacramento. Your pictures will be set against vintage buildings and classic Sacramento history!

Antiquite Maison Privée in Midtown

The Antiquité Mansion, located in Midtown Sacramento, offers old world intimacy, perfect for those couples who want a small private ceremony surrounded by a collection of art and antiques. Considered “the Jewel of Midtown”, this historic Chatterton Building is filled with antiques that make it a one of a kind place to explore! Antique Maison Privée offer two different elopement packages specifically for couples looking to get married in 2020. They make is super easy to plan your day by providing florals, an officiant, a DJ, and catering all in one simple package. 

The Delta King

The Delta King is an important part of Sacramento’s history that dates back almost 100 years. After serving in World War II and renovated in 1984, this authentic river boat is a beautiful spot to elope on the Sacramento River. The Delta King offers elopement packages that will help you create a special evening complete with dinner on the river!

They offer multiple locations to say your “I dos” on the boat, a uniformed Captain to officiate your ceremony and reception essentials. For a one of a kind Sacramento elopement, check out the Delta King!

Citizen Hotel Penthouse – Downtown Sacramento Elopement

The Citizen Hotel is one of the most popular wedding venues in Downtown Sacramento, because of its incredible architecture, stunning views, and award-winning cuisine. If you don’t want to host a large wedding at the Citizen Hotel, consider booking the Citizen Hotel Penthouse suite for a balcony view of Downtown.

The Penthouse Suite features a 200 sq. ft. private balcony, a full living room, separate bedroom, an extra-deep tub with a built in wet bar, and a king sized bed. Not only will you have a perfect location for your private ceremony, you’ll have the most romantic room in Sacramento for your honeymoon!

Sacramento River Walk

If you are only looking for a spot to say your vows that screams Sacramento vibes, take a walk down down to Sacramento River Walk Park. On the west side of the river, River Walk Park offers stunning views of the Tower Bridge, Old Sacramento, and the “pyramid building.” If you’re looking to host a small picnic wedding, the park can be reserved next to the grand staircase. We often photograph downtown engagement sessions near the riverwalk and have been blessed with incredible sunset views every single time! You definitely can’t go wrong with these classic Sacramento views.

Greater Sacramento Elopement Ideas

Old St. Mary’s Church

The beautiful and historic Old St. Mary’s Chapel located in Rocklin and is perfect for a classic little white church wedding ceremony. Rocklin’s oldest building features the original design on its reconstructed steeple and a church bell so that everyone can hear those wedding bells ring after your ceremony! 

While small, the church has all the amenities for a ceremony and small reception on the dazzling landscape patio. If your looking for a cute little white church for your Sacramento elopement, check out Old St. Mary’s Church and let the wedding bells ring!

Cante Ao Vinho Wine Bar

Directly across the street from St. Mary’s Church is the incredible wine bar Cante Ao Vinho. Set in the historic Barudoni Building in Rocklin, this rustic and cozy wine bar is the perfect spot for an intimate wedding! The cellar room and the tasting room are both available for private rentals for small receptions or a quite spot to say “I do!”

The family owned, Cante Ao Vinho offers an extensive wine list that makes their wine tasting a fun and unique experience!

Jensen Botanical Garden in Carmichael

Jensen Botanical Gardens is a stunning and quiet garden filled with an array of plants and rich history. This beautiful park located off of Fair Oaks Blvd. in Carmichael, CA features a perfectly landscaped garden filled with costal Redwood, Oaks, Magnolia, Japanese Maples, and dogwood trees! In order to keep the garden peaceful and pristine, they only allow small events and elopements on a very limited basis. 

Lake Natoma Trail Access Point under the Folsom Overpass

This special little lake access point doesn’t technically have an official name, but according to Google Maps, we’ll call it the Lake Natoma Waterfront and Trail Access. Just down the hill from Folsom’s famous Sutter Street is a beautiful cove with a bench and close access to the water. It’s part of the Jedediah Smith Memorial trail, but tucked into a dead end that doesn’t see a lot foot traffic. If you’re looking for a small quiet place that’s close to home we recommend checking out this special spot for your vows! This location is small and intimate, which makes it ideal for a private elopement for just the two of you.

There are so many beautiful spots along the trail to photograph in. You’ll have fews of the unique architecture of the Folsom Overpass and the famous Rainbow Bridge! Plus, after your intimate ceremony we recommend popping into Karen’s Bakery for a sweet treat.

The Fair Oaks Red Bridge

The oldest locals of Fair Oaks will argue that the bridge’s real name is The Fair Oaks Bridge, however everyone knows this popular hometown bridge as simply: The Red Bridge. On one end of the bridge you’ll be sitting in the Upper Sunrise Recreation area with easy river access and lots view points on the American River Bike Trail. Then, on the other side, you’ll be greeted with the small town vibes of Old Fair Oaks and their free range chickens. 

This location makes for incredible sunset photos and would be a perfect backdrop for and evening elopement ceremony! You’ll have the opportunity to say your vows near the water, on the bridge of even off the trail edge. Just be cautious of the busy traffic that uses the trail regularly. 

Hotel Winters

This newly built hotel is the perfect location for a destination feel, while still be close to Sacramento. If you’re looking for a luxurious getaway with small town country vibes, check into Hotel Winters! They offer multiple event spaces and in-house authentic Italian cuisine and spa packages, perfect for your elopement. Hotel Winters is conveniently located across the street from Winters City Hall for that classic City Hall elopement picture!

After eloping, you’ll want to spend time exploring the city of Winters. Check out the Winters Theater company or one of their many vineyards, then head out to the lake for water sports and hiking! There is so much to do in the town of Winters, you’ll want to visit year after year.

The UC Davis Arboretum

The UC Davis Arboretum is one of the most popular engagement session locations in Sacramento, but it also serves as a beautiful backdrop for an elopement! The arboretum is separated into different collections of plant species that create tons of unique locations for your elopement ceremony. Choose from the California Foothill Collection, the Desert Collection, the Hummingbird Garden, or many of the other areas of beautiful landscapes.

Dee and Kris couple, Sarah and Chris, recently eloped at the UC Davis Arboretum near the spot where they had their first date. Following their ceremony preformed by Jennifer Tan, of Tan Events, the couple found a cozy spot to enjoy their favorite pie together.

Eden Vale Inn

The incredible Bed and Breakfast in the Sierra Foothills has gone above and beyond to help couples create a safe and small weddings during the pandemic. They have extensive cleaning policies and flexible reservation policies to aid you in planning during this unpredictable time.

In order to make the planning process super easy, Eden Valley Inn provides multiple elopement and intimate wedding packages. Their packages offer a variety of amenities: lodging, florals, a ceremony site, and champagne.

If you’re looking for a rustic wedding venue for your elopement that values safety and cleanliness, the Eden Valley Inn is definitely worth looking into!

The Sacramento Zoo

I’ll be honest, I had no idea you could say “I Do” at the Zoo. But it’s true! According to the Sacramento Zoo’s website you can host your intimate ceremony at four different locations, including overlooking the giraffe yard, surrounded by the big cats, or next to graceful zebras. This is truly a unique opportunity that you probably won’t see anywhere else!

The Sacramento Zoo offers special packages with admission for your guests, a coordinator, and a complimentary one-year membership to the zoo for the couple. If you want to take your zoo wedding up a notch, ask about reserving a private animal encounter or private stage show.

Ready to book your Sacramento elopement with Dee and Kris? We can’t wait to help you plan the perfect day!

The Cache Creek Lavender Farm

The Lavender farm is a beautiful and unique location for a small wedding celebration. Plus, the venue is hosted by one of our favorite Sacramento wedding coordinator, Tan Weddings & Events, so you are guaranteed a stress-free and organized wedding day.

Located in Capay Valley, the Opper family planted their first crop of lavender in 1997 and since then, their farm has bloomed into a stunning grove of lavender that will surround your ceremony with the sweet smell you’ll remember for year to come. Every year, the family hosts a lavender festival that you will want to continue to visit year after year!