Eloping Amongst the Stars in 2025
Planning a Starlit Elopement in 2025
Eloping under the stars is the ultimate way to celebrate your love in a truly unique and intimate setting. Whether you dream of saying "I do" beneath a blanket of twinkling stars or with the Milky Way as your backdrop, a starry elopement promises a magical and unforgettable experience.
For a complete guide, including more destination ideas, planning tips, and inspiration, visit my complete
The Phases of the Moon in 2025
Moon Phases
The phase of the Moon can make all the difference in creating the perfect stargazing experience. For the darkest skies and the brightest stars, aim to schedule your elopement around a New Moon. During this time, the Moon’s light is minimal, allowing the stars to shine in all their glory.
On the other hand, a Full Moon, while breathtakingly beautiful, can wash out the stars with its bright light. That said, a Full Moon can create a magical, romantic atmosphere for your ceremony and photos. Imagine saying "I love you to the Moon and back" with the glowing orb lighting up a stunning landscape.
New Moon Activities:
Stargazing
Camping
Soaking in the hot springs
Full Moon Activity Ideas:
Snowshoe or cross-country ski by the Moonlight (and headlamps)
Fat tire biking
Outdoor yoga and meditation
Moonlit picnic
For specific dates and names of the 2025 Moon phases, check out our detailed chart below:
Location is Everything
Choosing the right location can make all the difference when eloping under the stars. From dark sky preserves to remote wilderness areas, the perfect spot ensures you’ll have the clearest views of the cosmos for your special day.
Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park
The park is open 24 hours, and they have a robust Dark Skies Program which includes events like their Grand Canyon Star Party (June 21 - 28).
For all of the best locations, check out my Guide to Eloping Under the Stars.
Eloping Under the Northern Lights
Imagine exchanging vows under the ethereal glow of the northern lights dancing overhead. The aurora borealis, a natural wonder best seen in the Arctic skies, paints the night in hues of green, purple, and gold, creating a breathtaking backdrop for an intimate elopement. Whether you choose the icy landscapes of Norway, the rugged beauty of Iceland, or the undisturbed wilderness of Alaska, the northern stars offer a timeless, romantic setting for the start of your forever.
Photo by Visit Greenland from Pexels
The Best Months to See the Northern Lights
To maximize your chances of witnessing this magical phenomenon, consider planning your elopement between September and March. These months offer longer, darker nights and optimal solar activity, creating the perfect conditions for the auroras to shine brightly. We'll update this information once we know when the Northern Lights will appear in U.S. territory for 2025.
The Best Places to See the Northern Lights in 2025
In 2025, some of the most stunning destinations to experience the northern lights include:
Fairbanks, Alaska: With its clear skies and remote location, Fairbanks is one of the best places in the U.S. to see the lights.
Lapland, Finland: For a truly magical experience, head to this snowy wonderland, where the auroras often light up the sky.
Reykjavik, Iceland: Surrounded by dramatic landscapes, Iceland’s capital is a prime spot for aurora hunting.
Tromsø, Norway: Known as the "Gateway to the Arctic," this charming city offers a perfect blend of culture and natural beauty.
Those lucky enough to witness the northern lights on their special day are destined for a life as remarkable as the skies above.
Your 2025 Celestial Calendar
In 2025, the sky will be illuminated by 12 full Moons, plenty of meteor showers, one eclipse and three Supermoons!
I’ve compiled all the important 2025 details (aside from the previously phases of the Moon) here for you.
March 8: Mercury at Greatest Elongation East– This might be a good time to try and spot Mercury: the planet appears at its farthest distance from the Sun in the evening sky.
Activity Idea(s):
Sunset hike
March 14: Total Lunar Eclipse– This lunar eclipse will be visible in its entirety from almost all of North America, including the contiguous United States and Central America, as well as from most of South America. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and a full moon. The moon moves through the Earth's shadow, which darkens the moon.
March 20: Spring Equinox– Spring officially begins on this day when there are nearly the same exact amounts of daylight and darkness.
Activity Ideas:
Nature Walk or Hike Bird Watching
March 29 - Partial Solar Eclipse– The solar eclipse will be best viewed from northeastern Canada, but will also be visible to a lesser extent from most of Europe and parts of North Africa and Russia.
April 21: Mercury at Greatest Elongation West– Mercury will appear farthest from the Sun in the sky than at any other time in the year, making this the best time to see the planet in 2025. The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 27.4 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for the planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
Activity Idea(s):
Sunrise hike
April 22-23: Lyrid Meteor Shower– This meteor shower features comets that can produce fireballs and is usually one to stay up late for. The Moon will be only slightly illuminated and should not interfere much with the display. The Lyrids is an average shower, usually producing about 20 meteors per hour at its peak
Activity Idea(s):
Go camping
Stargaze with telescope
Stay in a backcountry yurt or cabin
April 23 - 24 / April 30 - May 1 : Earthshine Mornings– The Waxing and Waning Crescent Moon phases in April and May are the best time to see Earthshine, where the unlit part of the Moon becomes visible. It is also known as Da Vinci glow.
Activity Idea(s):
Sunrise hike
Sunrise hot Air ballooning
May 5 - 6: The Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower Peaks– This meteor shower, produced by Halley’s Comet, is typically one of the more stellar ones of the year. The Moon will be mostly illuminated, which may make it harder to spot this shower.
Activity Idea(s):
Go camping
Stargaze with telescope
Stay in a backcountry yurt or cabin
June 20: Summer Solstice– Summer officially begins on this day– the longest day and shortest night in the Northern Hemisphere.
Activity Idea(s):
Backcountry grill out or picnic
Hike and camp in the mountains
Kayak, canoe or rafting trip
July 31: The Southern Delta Aquariid meteor shower peaks– The Moon will be only slightly illuminated, so it should not interfere much with views of this shower.
Activity Idea(s):
Go camping
Stargaze with telescope
Stay in a backcountry yurt or cabin
August 12: Perseids Peak Meteor Shower– This meteor shower almost never disappoints. You can expect to catch up to 100 shooting stars each hour, and even some fireballs. The Moon will be almost full, which could make it much harder to see many of these meteors.
Activity Idea(s):
Go camping
Stargaze with telescope
Stay in a backcountry yurt or cabin
September 7: Total Lunar Eclipse– A total lunar eclipse takes place when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon and its shadow covers the Moon. Eclipse watchers can see the Moon turn red when the eclipse reaches totality.
Activity Ideas:
Stargazing
Night hiking
Night jeep touring
September 21: Partial Solar Eclipse and Saturn at opposition– Saturn will be at its brightest and most visible of the entire year, so this will be the best time to see it.
September 22: September Equinox– Also known as the autumnal (fall) equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, the September Equinox is considered by many as the first day of fall.
October 8: Draconid Meteor Shower– The first of two October meteor showers, this one will last from October 6-10 but reach its fiery peak on October 8. This show is typically not as robust as others and produces a few meteors per hour.
Activity Idea(s):
Go camping
Stargaze with telescope
Stay in a backcountry yurt or cabin
October 21: The Orionid meteor shower peaks– This shower will peak during a new Moon, making for excellent viewing.
Activity Idea(s):
Go camping
Stargaze with telescope
Stay in a backcountry yurt or cabin
November 17: The Leonid meteor shower peaks– The Moon will be a slightly illuminated crescent and should not interfere much with the display.
Activity Idea(s):
Go camping
Stargaze with telescope
Stay in a backcountry yurt or cabin
December 14: Geminid Meteor Shower– The Moon will be about one-third illuminated, which could partially reduce the visibility of this shower, but there will still be plenty to see.
Activity Idea(s):
Go camping
Stargaze with telescope
Stay in a backcountry yurt or cabin
December 21: Winter Solstice and Ursid Meteor Shower– The winter solstice is the day when the Earth's axis is tilted furthest away from the sun, resulting in the shortest day and longest night of the year. The Ursid meteor shower in 2025 will be active from December 17–26, with the peak on the night of December 21 and the morning of December 22. The shower is expected to produce 5–10 meteors per hour.
Activity Idea(s):
Enjoy a “yule log” campfire
Hike by solstice lantern
Go camping
Stay in a backcountry yurt or cabin
There you have it! All the heavenly happenings of 2025!
Ready to Celebrate Your Day Your Way?
Elopement Photographer Andrea Enger (Portrait by Realm Studios)
Find out how I can help make that happen!
If you’re ready to get the ball rolling to secure your photographer, that’s great!
You can do that by filling out the form below, by emailing me directly at andrea@andreaengerphotography.com, or by calling/texting me at (720) 739-0784. I look forward to hearing from you!
If you’re still in the research phase, I hear ya! Here are some more resources that my couples have found helpful. I hope you do, too!
