8 unique elopement ideas in Asbury Park, NJ
You love Asbury and all of its uniqueness, artistic feel, live music scene, beach, and all of the amazing food. So naturally you decided that you want to elope here with your partner. Maybe it’s because you met here or had your first date here. Or share something special like your combined love for the town itself.
Living in Asbury Park, I’m able to get a different perspective on some ideas that I think would make for a really fun and unique elopement. These are all some original ideas I’ve had after spending a lot of time at local shops and photographing in the area. So I’ve laid out my top 8 ideas, as a wedding photographer, for eloping in Asbury Park. Let’s do this, these are in no particular order.
First — let’s talk about hair and make up (if that’s your jam)
If you’re eloping in Asbury Park, the perfect place to go for hair and make up is Lock and Shade! If you haven’t been in here yet, it will be such a treat! They are so good at what they do and the salon itself is just cool. I can’t recommend them enough. They’re also one of the vendors I have listed on my Allied and Inclusive Vendor Guide.
Next, while you can’t elope at the actual courthouse in Asbury anymore (big sad) you can still go and do your paperwork and pick up your certificate. From there, you can really do your ceremony kind of anywhere you’d like depending on what your vision is! All of the ideas listed below are just that— ideas. You or your photographer will need to reach out to these shops to confirm that this is an option and that it’s okay to get your photo taken inside. It helps if your photographer lives in the area and has some rapport with the local shops already. I always recommend supporting the local vendors when you’re able! And being a patron at any of the local spots below.
Unwind Records
You can elope on the beach and afterwards head to Unwind Records on the boardwalk where you pick out a couple of vinyls as a souvenir to commemorate your day. While you’re in there, your photographer can photograph the two of you having fun together while looking through all the records in your wedding attire. From there you have easier access to photos on the boardwalk, by the convention hall, and all of the nearby food. You can celebrate with a drink at AP rooftop or Watermark, and if you’re into dancing, there might even be a DJ playing for you to have your first dance with. And a pretty sweet view of the ocean! Most people think of Lola’s for a cocktail, and it’s indeed a legendary spot for espresso martinis, but there’s plenty of often overlooked spots on the boardwalk.
Freedom Rocks
I’m personally obsessed with this idea. Whether you ask to elope inside Freedom Rocks or elope on the beach first and then head here, I think this is a really cool and unique way to commemorate your day. You can look through their selection of crystals or stones, and find one that represents the month you got married. Or use their tarot vending machine for a surprise gift and fortune. My favorite idea though, is getting aura photos taken together and a reading. You can each get one individually and then get one together. So you can compare your auras with and without each other and when they do your reading, they can show you all the ways in which you balance each other and the energy you bring together. Plus they’re really colorful and cute and make a fun unique cool souvenir from your wedding day! You can frame them or hang on your fridge. They compliment professional photography perfectly because you’ll have digital files of your photos and instant photos for a physical souvineer. And I love thinking about couple’s doing the aura photos in their wedding attire. If you do this idea please reach out to me and let me know!
Shedhead Vintage
Another idea that I’m obsessed with. Before you elope, you can go to Shedhead vintage first and pick out something to wear together. Jewelry (currently obsessed with their 8 ball earrings), sunglasses, a button up shirt, a blazer — whatever you see that would be something fun to wear. The activity is thrifting!! Looking through the racks and trying stuff on together or finding something unique or even lowkey silly. And then you’ll have it to keep as a physical memento of your day and that new memory you created together. I think the best elopements feel like elevated dates where you’re celebrating by creating new moments together. Afterwards, you elope!! You can elope locally on the beach or in one of the parks in town. If you’re looking for something indoor, a lot of shops in Asbury are pretty open minded if you ask! And then get your photos taken in your fun new items around Asbury Park. While you’re walking around you can eat at places like Talula’s. If thrifting and vintage is really your vibe, you can head to the Shoppes on Cookman Ave and do some antiquing. Downstairs in the mall, there’s a photo booth which would make for another fun shared moment together.
Asbury Book Co-Op
Perfect for book lovers! I’ve seen Asbury Book Co-op turn into a space for local musicians to perform their music live — that’s where this idea came from. If it’s a quick elopement ceremony with just you and your witnesses, a lot of shops / restaurants in Asbury Park can be pretty open minded so long as you ask first and are being respectful of the space your in. But how fun would it be to elope and then browse books together, support the local bookshop (which is all volunteers and a non-profit!), and have your photographer document it all.
The park near Cross and Orange
You can get married in the park outside of Cross and Orange which overlooks the lake. It’s one of the smaller parks in Asbury, but it has the best access to Cookman Ave shops and restaurants. Afterwards, you can grab food and drinks in Cross and Orange. You can even invite guests and have a mini celebration after having private low-key nuptials. For your wedding and elopement day, there’s actually no rules. You can make it whatever you want it to be!
Love Sick / Home Sick
A perfect place to celebrate after eloping is Love Sick / Home Sick. I love the vibe in both spots especially when there’s DJ’s playing. The restaurants connect to each other inside. It’s one of my favorite spots in Asbury and such a perfect spot for cool photos. Please think of me if you elope and celebrate here because I would cry if I got to document it, thanks.
The bridges connecting Ocean Grove and Asbury
Picturesque af! Head into Ocean Grove afterwards for some photos with the victorians in the background of your elopement photos.
Over The Moon Art Studio
Here’s an idea that I think is cool and smart and totally private! You can rent out the space at Over The Moon Art Studio. There’s a couple of locations, one on the boardwalk and one on Main Ave. The one on Main Ave you can rent the space inside for an hour for $100 (last time I checked this was the quote they gave me). It’s really a perfect spot to privately say your vows with an artsy backdrop and lots of brick and natural light. It’s a cool space! This is what I mean by the local spots are pretty open minded to things.
For dessert — head out to any of the local restaurants. Cookman Creamery always has icecream cakes in the grab and go section. Or, my favorite choice, put in an order for a custom cake with Cats Luck Vegan or Killing Moon Vegan.
With all of these unique ideas listed, the classics are the classics for a reason! Eloping on the Beach or at a Park in Asbury beforehand would be top tier. Unless you are having multiple guests and plan on setting something up, you generally do not need to pay a fee. However, if you’re more type A, contacting the town of Asbury Park itself to confirm is always the best way to go. (I’ve never seen anyone have an issue with this unless you plan on doing a legit ceremony with a setup and more than a few people.)
I’d love to be your local guide! Interested in learning more about me, my style, or my approach to photographing your elopement day?