So you’re engaged, think you’ll be getting engaged soon, or you and your partner just decided to tie the knot without a formal engagement.
I’m stoked for you that you’re planning to elope! Eloping is all about you and your partner dreaming up your best day ever, and going after that dream by creating the type of wedding day that feels right for you.
I know it can be overwhelming – trying to figure out where to begin, planning #allthethings…but you’re in the right place. If you want a step by step guide to how to plan an elopement, keep scrolling!
How to plan an elopement: step-by-step
Dream Big
Get Inspired
It’s no secret that elopements have taken the world by storm recently (thnks Covid), so it’s pretty likely that you’ve seen some photos of elopements across your social media or even the news.
Make a Pinterest board
Save anything that speaks to you, makes your jaw drop, or makes you say ‘holy shit, that’s so cool’. Before you know it, some trends will start to emerge. Maybe 90% of your Pins are from elopements in a forest, or near the ocean. Maybe you love bright colored florals, or you’re skewing more neutral. Is boho your vibe, or is it a more clean and modern feel?
Pinterest can be such a great place to see what’s out there and draw inspiration from. It’s also a great way to share your vision with vendors! I always ask couples to send me their Pinterest boards (if they have one) so I can gain a better understanding of the vibe they’re looking for.
Narrow Down the When and Where
This is when it starts to feel real…it’s time to pick a date and location! You’ll need these two pieces of info to start booking your vendors (step 3!)
It’s important to point out that if you’re pretty flexible on your date, I recommend reaching out to your *must-have* vendors to make sure they’re available before you choose a date.
Likewise, if you can’t decide on a location, that’s something I can help you with! As a destination elopement photographer, I help couples find the perfect elopement location for them, anywhere in the world.
Book Vendors
Once you have your date and location picked, you’re ready to lock down your other vendors! For some couples who like to DIY or are looking to keep it super simple, that means booking just a photographer. But if you want a little more help, book some great vendors!
- Photographer
- Videographer
- Florist
- Elopement Planner
- Hair + Makeup
- Caterer/restaurant reservation
Book Travel Arrangements
If you’re planning a destination elopement, it’s time to book your travel!
- Flights: Set up some Google Flight alerts (or sign up for Scott’s Cheap Flights* – it’s a game changer)
- Rental car: Depending on where you’re headed, these can be hard to come by these days (or just super expensive). Definitely book a rental car asap – Expedia and Kayak usually offer free cancellation if your plans or dates change. Another great option is Turo (yes I’ve used it, yes it was awesome).
- Hotel or Airbnb: If you’re going to take a long trip, or if you travel a lot – I like to use Hotels.com because after 10 stays, you get a free night! Of course, Airbnbs are great too – I tend to prefer them for elopements because they can be so unique and beautiful which makes for some pretty photos. They can often have better lighting and amenites than hotels too!
Pro tip: you’re probably realizing how quickly these items add up 😅 I highly recommend using a travel rewards credit card (assuming you pay it off right away) to rack up poinnttttsss!
What to Wear?!
*Grinch voice* But what would I wear?! But for real – I know for some people this is the fun part, and for others it is…not fun at all. My best advice is do what feels right. Is that wearing something you already have in your closet? Is it bringing your closest friends to a boutique to go try on dresses? Or going to the tailor and getting a custom-fitted suit?
This is also a great time to look back at your Pinterest board – what outfits were drawing your eye?
The Details
It’s time to talk logistics! I know I know – it’s not as fun as making a Pinterest board or booking dreamy hotel rooms, but alas, they are necessary pieces to the elopement puzzle! On the plus side, these are something I help my elopement clients with…so if you feel a little out of your depth, let me help!
Permits
When you choose to elope somewhere like a National Park or many other forms of public land, oftentimes you’re required to have a Special Use Permit. The application process and cost vary, but generally speaking it’s pretty painless.
Timeline
Whether you’re a Type A personality or not, trust me when I say every elopement needs a timeline. It’s less ‘here’s a rigid schedule we need to stick to’ and more ‘here’s the flow of the day, let’s make sure we have time to eat and not miss sunset’.
The Legal Stuff
Let’s remember why we’re here in the first place: to get freakin’ married!! And with marriage, comes paperwork (ah, so romantic). The legal process varies from state to state and county to county, bu it’s usually pretty straightforward.
The caveat to that is if you want to get married in another country. I always recommend getting married in your home country prior to traveling for your destination elopement, but if you have your heart set on getting legally married in another country it will be a bit more difficult.
A recap: how to plan an elopement
As you work your way through the planning process, remember that this is *your* day (and by your, I’m talking about you and your partner of course), and it can look however you want.
That’s the first step: dreaming up your best day ever. Dream big – no filter. What does that look like?
If you’re ready to take a step toward your dream day and want a little help making it come to life, that’s where I come in. Check out my elopement packages for the deets on how I help make your dream a reality.
If you’re ready to take a step toward making your dream day a reality – I’m here to help! Check out my elopement packages or these helpful planning guides:
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[…] you’ve already read my post about how to plan an elopement, you know that the first step is to ✨ dream big […]