9 Elopement Planning Decisions
Elopement Planning Tips
The first 9 big decisions to make when planning your destination elopement
So you sat down and decided the whole traditional wedding thing just wasn’t for you… Awesome, we think they are kinda stressful too!
Cool, but now what?
Elopement Planning Article Overview:
Setting your budget
Hiring your wedding planner
Book your essential creative team
Setting your date
Choose your witnesses if necessary
Choosing your vow ceremony location
Researching permits & legal requirements
Booking the rest of your vendors
Booking your travel & accommodations
Things to consider when planning your elopement
There are TONS of guides on how to plan for a big fancy wedding, but not a whole lot of resources on how to elope. Probably because until recently, elopements were looked at as quick courthouse weddings or a swift trip to Vegas. Well, that is definitely NOT the case anymore.Elopements are intentional, deeply emotional and all about your love for each other! It’s not about the caterer, pleasing your guests or making a huge show in front of a room full of family, friends and total strangers or even a dismissive wedding ceremony that happens in less than 30 seconds at a courthouse.
That’s not to say it’s totally without some planning tho, just because you choose to elope somewhere epic, doesn’t mean you don’t have any details to work out. Let’s be honest tho, it’s more like planning a vacation then a wedding! But hey, here are some big decision starting points and advice to get ya started on your way to your dream elopement!!
Setting your budget
Do some quick research to help outline a reasonable estimate for all the big stuff. Like your travel & lodging, floral, wedding attire, wedding vendors, etc. Keep an open mind and a solid priority list when setting your elopement wedding budget. Remember, just because you chose to elope, doesn’t mean you should skimp on the details. Your love is so WORTH IT! So splurge a little, it’s a once in a lifetime kinda adventure!
Save a little extra on travel - Sometimes combining your destination wedding & honeymoon together for one epic adventure can save some serious travel coin. Or maybe you want to elope on El Capitan in California, then want to celebrate your honeymoon somewhere tropical like Maui. Try researching one way tickets from California to Hawaii, then Hawaii to home. Saving you a ticket! Also, track those tickets for a couple weeks on google flights, you will receive an email any time the price changes, allowing you to track price trends and book when the prices are at their lowest!
Hiring your wedding planner
Consider hiring a vendor that will help you plan everything for you. Planning even a small wedding can be very time consuming, why not get help from someone who does this kind of thing all the time. We will assist you in picking your dream elopement ceremony location with you based on your expectations.
But maybe you want to have a totally hands off, stress free experience, reach out to some local elopement planners to help take care of all the little intricacies of the day for you!
Book your essential creative team
Adventure photographer, videographer, etc. You don’t need to have a location or even a solid date yet. If you have a vendor you LOVE and is a must have at your elopement I recommend reaching out to them as soon as you know your eloping! The sooner the better, vendors can book out up to 2 years in advance sometimes. It’ great if you and them can get figure out a date together, not only to ensure you get to work with them, but they may be able to provide some insight into where the heck to do this thing and what’s the best time of year to do it! As adventure elopement photographers this is something we do frequently, we offer planning assistant with loads of custom location guides, timeline creation, vendor recommendations, literally all the things you need to plan an stress-free experience!
Also, if you are planning a hiking elopement, sunrise ceremony or any other adventurous event, talk to your vendor to ensure they are up for it! For example, not all officiants will want to wake up at 3am and summit a mountain with you, or hike in 5 miles to a secluded waterfall - but we know some that do and can connect you!
The full elopement team with eloping couple! Hiking officiant, team of 3 photographers (us and our friend Traci) and a team of adventure videographers!
Setting your date
Yay, it’s time to set your date! Chances are you probably have a rough estimate of the year and maybe the month you want to get married. Just make sure to research your location to make sure you are heading there during the best time of year. You don’t want to head to Costa Rica for a dreamy beach wedding and get caught out in the rainy season.
Also, you know that amazing florist you follow on Instagram? Make sure they are available & can ship your bouquet to you in time for your big day! It’s totally okay to reach out to your favorite vendors before you are 100% set on your wedding date! That ensures you are surrounded by your favorite wedding pros, that will help make your dream elopement come true!
PRO TIP -Eloping on the weekday means less tourists! Also, most popular destinations have a “busy season.” Going in their off season or shoulder-season, just before or after can mean A LOT more seclusion!
Choose your witnesses if necessary
We can be that for you too! But, if you are hopping to hop on a plan and explore somewhere super epic with your two favorite people, make sure to get them in the loop as soon as possible! The more time they have to book their accommodations, put some travel money away, and request off work the happier they’ll be and the more apt they will be to travel across the country with you to celebrate!
Choosing your vow ceremony location
Time for some more research (or just ask us, we’ll be happy to do that for you) to ensure the exact spot you want to have your vow ceremony is available and accessible on your date. This is especially true for couples looking to elope in National Parks you need a permit, trails can be inaccessible for the season, parking areas can close for maintenance, or elopement ceremonies are only permitted in specific areas only.
If you plan on having some family and friends there as well, consider the terrain & any physical restrictions of your guests. Not having a good idea of the overall trail conditions, how steep the incline is or wether they are handicap accessible, can mean an important family member not being able the make the walk safely and missing your ceremony all together.
Here’s a great guide on how to start thinking about Where to Elope!
Researching permits & legal requirements
Each state is different, so make sure you find out what their laws are & what you need to do in order to be legally married in that state. For example, you can self- solemnize in Wisconsin, Colorado & Pennsylvania. Meaning you can marry yourselves with no need of an officiant, 3rd witness or any other parties involved. But most other states require some sort of officiant or persons marrying you.
Don’t forget to file for your marriage license before hand as well!
Booking the rest of your vendors
Now that you know where you’re going to elope, it’s time to book the rest of your vendors you need for your day. Think hairs and makeup, florist, catering or private chef, baker, etc. Don’t forget any guides you may need for adventures you want to do on your day like a hiking guide, pilot, kayaking outfitter, etc.
Booking your travel + accommodations
Airfare, rental car, Airbnb, etc. When you are all finalized with your ceremony location & elopement date, it’s time to book your travel stuff.
I like to have a little written trip itinerary next to me when I start booking lodging. Chances are you won’t want to stay in the same place the entire trip, so think ahead at some of the places you will want to see, parks you will visit, or mini road trips you might want to go on. Then you can have an outline of where to book along the way. This way you aren’t stuck in one area the entire time, feeling like you can’t really get out there and explore.
Congratulations You Just Planned Your Elopement!
And a big congrats on making the brave and totally badass decision to get married your way! Celebrating your deep love for one another, completely & intentionally all while remaining totally present & devoid of stress! YAY! Reach out if you need any advice planning your elopement or want to invite us along for your elopement adventure!
More elopement planning resources + stories:
Ready to get started planning your elopement with us?!
