How To Plan Your Dream Elopement
Oh my gosh! You two decided to elope! That’s so freakin’ amazing and we couldn’t be more excited for you! Seriously, way to forgo the “big traditional wedding” and instead, deciding to focus on the marriage that is starting! This day doesn’t need to be stressful by any means. This special day is about the two of you and NO ONE ELSE. We are so happy that you are here and are so excited to share how to make this day everything you are dreaming of it to be. So let’s jump right in!
The first thing we recommend when planning your dream elopement, is booking an elopement photographer you see yourself vibing with (we usually suggest ourselves *wink wink*). But for real, it is so important to book with someone you know will be comfortable around and confident in. Photography is not something you want to skimp on for your wedding day. These are unforgettable moments, experiences and memories you will find yourself replaying over and over again in your head forever and pictures are a piece of those moments you can always come back to and relive. It is so important to hire a photographer who you know can capture every detail and fleeting moment of this day, so you can cherish it forever. There is so much that goes into photographing a wedding elopement that we could write a small book about it, but for now we will keep it simple; book with someone you can rely on for both quality and quantity of pictures!
How To Pick Your Wedding Photographer
Hire a pro! We are all for supporting budding photographer friends and family, but your elopement only happens once! Hire an experienced and reliable photographer once, and enjoy the beautiful photos for a lifetime.
Hire YOUR style. Just like there are styles and trends in fashion and art, the same goes for photography. Not everyone is the same, as experienced, or possesses the creative eye that is necessary to create poetic imagery. When looking for a photographer, ask yourself these questions; are you adventurous? Romantic? Whimsical? Classic? Focus on finding a photographer whose style resonates with YOU, rather than hunting for the cheapest deal.
Word of mouth is your BFF. Get recommendations from couples that have eloped and who LOVED their photographer!
So now that you have made this decision, what comes next? Now, you need to pick your location! Eeeek! So many freakin’ amazing places to choose from!
How To Pick Your Location
We have noticed most people try to pick a date before a location, but when it comes to eloping, we think it is totally backwards! So many locations are only accessible in the summer, and so many activities are available in the winter. It’s really important to take into consideration what you would like to be doing on your elopement day when picking your location. Do you see yourself helicoptering to the top of a mountain, hiking into a forgotten lake or saying “I do” in a fresh blanket of snow? Honestly, the options are endless! We like to tell our couples that this is your dream day, do whatever you want!
Keep in mind though, you will want to keep the activities to a minimum. This day is supposed to be fun and stress free. Cramming too much into a small window of time will completely defeat the purpose of this adventure. We recommend choosing 1-2 activities and then look into what locations offer it. Hiking is always a safe bet since it’s practically allowed everywhere and you get a beautiful view the entire time.
How To Plan Your Timeline
We usually suggest planning a slow, calm morning. Everything is 10x more fun when you’ve had enough sleep and don’t have to get up early! It’s always fun getting to capture the two of you just hanging around, being all snuggly and cute together before any of the getting ready begins so don’t feel like you can’t get any coverage until you start putting your wedding attire on! This is YOUR day, you call the shots so do whatever the hell you want!
Sunrise or Sunset?
There’s something really quite magical about being the only ones on the top of a mountain at sunrise with no one else around you. And, there’s something equally as romantic as watching the sunset with your hunny who you promised forever too. Both sound equally amazing and ultimately come down to personal preference. But, watching the sunrise requires getting up really early (anywhere between 3-4 hours before depending on if we will be needing to hike, and it’s usually in the dark). And watching the sunset could mean there are other hikers or unwanted people around taking in the beauty as well.
Soooo, you really have to decide what is going to be best for you and your vision for that day. If waking up early and hiking is a regular thing for you, then a sunrise elopement might be the best for you. But, if you like your mornings lazy and want the whole day to get ready, a sunset wedding is probably the best choice for you.
Where Should We Stay?
We ALWAYS suggest staying in an Airbnb over hotels. The light is always 10x better and there’s something just so much more personal and quaint about getting ready in a house. A-frame cabins are always a cute and safe bet for elopements!
Pick an Airbnb that is not more than 30-60 minutes away from the location that you are wanting to elope to. This will allow for more time to relax and getting ready. A lot of Airbnbs allow their guests to use any of their sports equipment at the house like canoes, which can be used for some very dreamy lake photos.
How Many People Should We Invite?
This is COMPLETELY up to you. If you were to close your eyes and visualize your dream elopement, are their people there? Are your Mom and Dad, and besties from high school there to celebrate or just you and your boo? There’s no wrong or right answer. If you want it to be just the two of you but want to celebrate somehow with the people closest to you, no sweat! A lot of people do an intimate ceremony with just the two of them and have a celebration back at home later! If the thought of including family, friends or anyone in your elopement causes you any disappointment or stress, do not include them. We promise, it’s okay not to have your parent’s there on your wedding day. It’s 100% okay to be selfish and plan this day EXACTLY how you want it.
One other thing to keep in mind when determining how many people will be attending is if you will need to get a permit for your elopement. Most National Parks require a permit for elopements to take place within the park and a majority of them have a limit on how many guests can attend. Ultimately, do what’s best for you and you only!
How Does The Ceremony Flow?
This part is completely up to you! Usually we recommend playing some form of music when the two of you are “walking down the aisle” to meet your officiant to help reinforce the mood and romance. This is usually followed with you reading your vows, crying a little (us too), exchanging rings or tokens, and then you’re pronounced hubby and wifey and you kiss! But, this isn't the end all be all of elopements. You are the creator and designer of your day, it can flow however is true to the two of you.
Ultimately, this day is 10000% for you, so plan it however you want! Now that we got that all covered, let’s get you booked so we can capture your unforgettable moments.