Catherine Luther Wedding Films analysed 100,000 Instagram images, that used the hashtag #elopement to determine the 25 most popular destinations for wedding elopements.
It was found that Bali was the most popular destination, followed by New York and Paris. As one of the largest social sharing platforms on the planet, Instagram is a popular place for couples to share their special day with friends and family, with more than 1.4 million images posted with the hashtag #elopement.
The research found that more and more couples are choosing to elope near and far for the intimate wedding of their dreams. For some, this decision may be down to avoiding the undesired limelight that naturally comes with a big wedding, and for others, it is a great excuse to avoid complicated family relationships ? or simply to keep costs low.
"The research was conducted by analysing the location data of over 100,000 Instagram images that were tagged #elopement,? says Catherine Luther. ?We?ve created a handy interactive map on our website that details the rankings and provides more information on elopement weddings.?
It seems that not having to consider a large guest list means couples are not limited geographically to where they can choose to tie the knot. For some couples, it is not just about saving money, but the appeal of a remote location to exchange vows with a beautiful backdrop for photographs.
The top five destinations were: Bali, Indonesia; New York, USA; Paris, France; Las Vegas, Nevada; and, Yosemite National Park, USA. It seems the allure of Bali?s natural beauty, along with its affordable accommodation, makes it the most popular destination.
Many couples also chose to elope in the United States, with three of the top 25 destinations being US National Parks ? Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and Rocky Mountain National Park.
