While planning a large wedding is the dream of many brides, there are some couples who prefer getting married without all of the fuss and bother. Eloping offers an alternative to the traditional formal wedding and a way to begin enjoying the honeymoon without the need to stress over seating charts and matching fabric swatches first.

Destination weddings and the idea of running off someplace exotic and abroad have become increasingly popular; however, the idea of eloping still has a strong element of romance. There are numerous locations right in the good old USA where you can combine your desire for travel and the ability to get married in an intimate ceremony with just the two of you.

Read on to scope out the best places to getaway to say your "I Do's" and begin enjoying a spectacular honeymoon.

When most people think of Nevada and eloping, they automatically think of Las Vegas. While Las Vegas may be the wedding chapel of the world, Reno offers a more relaxed and less commercial elopement location. In Reno, you can enjoy all of the great benefits offered by getting married in Nevada, such as no waiting period and no blood test requirements. In addition, it is quite easy to obtain your marriage license. The Reno courthouse opens at 8 a.m. every morning and remains open until midnight every night.

The Sierra Nevada Mountains as well as Lake Tahoe provide the perfect backdrops to exchange your vows. Numerous ski slopes and mountain lodges abound in the area. You can find super deals on Reno hotels if you book in advance. Whether you choose to hit the slopes after exchanging vows or decide to cuddle up in front of a roaring fire, you will find plenty of wonderful options to help you build memories that will last a lifetime.

Getting married in Utah is also quite easy as no waiting periods apply. The rugged mountain ranges and powdery snow of this breathtaking locale may just be the perfect place for you to join your lives together.

There are certainly plenty of lodges and hotels to ensconce yourselves in during your honeymoon. The most sophisticated and luxurious hotel is without a doubt the newly opened Sky Lodge. This five star property offers haute design, private whirlpools and fabulous views.

If you are looking for tropical romance within the continental United States, look no further than the Florida Keys. This laid-back state makes eloping as easy as can be with no blood test requirements and no waiting periods if you are from out of states.

In-state residents are subject to a three day waiting period or taking a pre-marital class to waive the waiting period. Say your vows at sunset while wading barefoot in the surf on Key West or head to Duck Key, a private island, to exchange vows with dolphins as your witnesses.

The Poconos have become synonymous love and romance. Most people head to this beautiful location after they have said their vows, but there is certainly nothing stopping you from eloping to this idyllic setting. The variety of all-inclusive resorts offers you the opportunity to relax and be pampered as you begin to enjoy your new life together.

The beautiful Smokey Mountains and the quaint wedding chapels of Gatlinburg create a unique and memorable locale to run away and get married. No waiting period is required, which means you can arrive in town, obtain your marriage license and get married all in the same day. While you are in town, make sure you take advantage of the opportunity to ride the aerial tramway, the Ober Gatlinburg. This is the best way to view the spectacular beauty of the Gatlinburg area.

The beautiful Smokey Mountains and the quaint wedding chapels of Gatlinburg create a unique and memorable locale to run away and get married. No waiting period is required, which means you can arrive in town, obtain your marriage license and get married all in the same day. While you are in town, make sure you take advantage of the opportunity to ride the aerial tramway, the Ober Gatlinburg. This is the best way to view the spectacular beauty of the Gatlinburg area.

This quaint island, located just off the coast, offers you a completely private and laid-back way to get married. From Cape Cod, the two of you can hop on a ferry and then arrive on the island. Any of the romantic and beautiful B&Bs on Nantucket will happily cater to your every need during your stay, while the wild beauty of the windswept beaches are the perfect choice to hold your intimate ceremony for two.

It really couldn't be any easier to get married in the Big Easy because Louisiana offers the opportunity for out of state residents to be married with no need to wait after obtaining their marriage license. Great sites for your ceremony include Audubon Park and the famous French Quarter.

Whether you are looking to get married on the beach at sunset or you are more in the mood to exchange vows with the mountains as your backdrop, you will find plenty of romantic locations to join your lives together.