5 Steps to Planning an Elopement
FIVE steps to planning your adventure elopement
Step 1 to planning your elopement: Start Dreaming!
This is where the fun begins! One of the best parts about an elopement is the fact that the day truly revolves around what you and your partner want to experience. What sounds the most meaningful to you? Do you connect the most when you’re doing something you both love to do together? Then maybe consider adding in an activity that you both are excited about! Do you have a location that is super meaningful to you both? Consider eloping there! Or do you both love to travel? Then consider having a destination elopement in a place that is on your bucket list! The possibilities for elopements are endless and you can really craft the day to be unique and authentic to your partnership!
Tip: Make this step into a date! Go hit up your local coffee shop and brainstorm together! Or order takeout and have a night in to dream up the perfect way for you to get married together! Let the dreaming run wild as this isn’t about logistics!
Step 2 to planning your elopement: Make some decisions!
Okay, so now that you’ve come up with a list of meaningful, fun, wild, and/or adventurous adventurous ideas it’s time to make some decisions. Below are some questions you should have general answers to:
Who do you want to include in your day? Family? Friends? Your pets?
Where do you want to elope? In your state? A different state? A different country?
What kind of landscape/scenery do you want? Do you want to have your ceremony overlooking a lake? Or in a church? or maybe on top of a mountain?
How long do you want to be there? Do you want to have your honeymoon there?
What time of year do you want to elope?
Tip: Make sure you consider the typical weather and season of the place you want to elope before you decide on a date! Or pick a date and decide on a location based off that date/season!
Step 3 to planning your elopement: Plan details, vendors, and logistics
Now that you have an idea of where you want to elope and who will be there, its time to start planning out the details! Below are some questions you should have answers to:
What activities do you want to do?
What do you want to wear for your wedding attire?
Where are you going to stay? How are you going to get there?
What date do you want to elope?
What vendors do you want to include? Do you want to custom cake? A videographer? A ceremony arch? A custom “we eloped sign”?
How do you legally get married in the location you are eloping? or would you prefer to take care of the legal stuff before/after your elopement?
Who is going to officiate your ceremony (if you’re getting legally married)? Fun Fact! I’m ordained and if you truly want to keep your ceremony as small as possible, I’m happy to officiate your elopement!
Tip: Pick your photographer either during or before this step. As an elopement photographer, I help couples with the entire planning process! The earlier you book with me the more I can help you plan. I have exclusive planning guides that go into a TON of detail and provide helpful tips and ideas for planning a meaningful and intentional elopement experience. I also provide location scouting, permit assistance, and timeline assistance! Finding the right photographer is super important because you spend the entire day with them and it’s often the only other person you are with besides your partner.
Step 4 to planning your elopement: Create an elopement timeline
Okay, this is where everything comes together! You want to make sure that you’ve planned out the day so that you have plenty of time for everything you want to do! I suggest making a physical timeline for the day so that way you know you’re set up for success! Usually there is some sort of adjustment that happens the day of (things happen), but having a general timeline can really help the day go as smoothly as possible no matter what comes up along the way! Below are some questions you should have general answers to:
When will the ceremony be?
Do you want a sunrise or sunset elopement?
How long does it take to get from your lodging to your ceremony location?
How long do you want your ceremony to be?
Tip: Consult with your photographer about the day of timeline! For the best photos, photographers want to prioritize portrait sessions around the best light! They can help you decide what makes sense based off the location and the available light during that time of year. Your photographer also has experience building timelines and can help make sure you save adequate time for each part of the day!
Step 5 to planning your elopement: Finalize any last minute items, pack, and get stoked!
Okay, so now you’ve booked everything, have your timeline solidified, and have all your special details figured out. Now is the time to make sure you’ve collected everything you need, pack it up, check in with guests (if you have any) and then double check everything! Once you feel solid that you have everything finalized make sure you remember to relax. This day is about you and your love! You decided to elope for a reason and I can bet that reason was not to be stressed about your elopement day! Keep your focus on you, your love, and having a great time! Even if you forget your shoes or don’t remember to grab the champagne out of the car, you can still have the perfect elopement day!
