Jetting off somewhere exciting to say your vows, sacking off the guest list, the budget spreadsheet – if you love these ideas, elopement is for you! But even if you’re opting for a no-frills wedding, planning your elopement still deserves a little thought. You need to figure out where to do it, what to wear, how to make it special, and what to do afterwards, while handling all the emotions that come with it. Let’s take a look at some tips and ideas.
Consider The Reasons
Be sure you are ready to elope and won’t regret that your parents and other family and friends aren’t here to share the moment. Saving money, avoiding fuss, keeping things intimate and personal, or avoiding family drama, are all completely valid reasons to elope – just make sure you’ve thought a lot about your decision, and it’s what you both want.
If you don't like mess and fuss, if you feel adventurous, go for an elopement somewhere exciting.
You may choose any place and destination to elope, it's only about you two.
Don’t Feel Guilty About It
Couples often feel guilty about their decision to elope. Whilst this is completely natural, you shouldn’t feel you have to justify your decision to anyone. All good friends and family will understand, and for any that have difficulty coming to terms with it, try to remember it’s only because they love you and want to share your moment too, not because they’re being difficult. Don’t feel upset if somebody isn’t that happy to hear the news.
Make It All About You
If you’ve decided to elope, then one of the biggest benefits is that you can make it all about the two of you! Make sure you do exactly what you want to do, be as formal or as informal as you like, all that matters is that the day is special to you as a couple…so say goodbye to wedding conventions and hello to your personalities.
Show off your personalities, tastes, interests and everything about you tow, nothing else matters.
Enjoy doing what you like on your wedding day and realize the decor that feels like you.
Hire A Wedding Planner
There is a tendency to think that on a smaller scale you can manage things yourselves and of course you can. However, if you’re eloping, it probably means you’re going abroad and are unfamiliar with the area, in which case you’ll have to hire hire a wedding planner. There may only be two of you, but you still need to source each of the suppliers, so hire yourself a helping hand. Such a person also knows some quiet locations for your vows or portrait session, so take advantage of their insider know-how.
Meet everyone who’ll be in attendance, ahead of time as you’ll be saying personal vows in front of these people. Meet the photographer and make sure you are happy with him or her, it’s very important.
To make sure you'll get everything the best, meet your vendors before the wedding.
A wedding planner will help you organizing everything you need and will find proper vendors to organize.
Planners and stylists will help you create a perfect ceremony space and setting anywhere you want.
Locals usually know the best places to make portraits, photo shoots and other cool places.
Don’t Dismiss The Legalities
Make sure you read up on the legalities of where you’re getting married; how long you need to register in advance, what ID and paperwork you need to bring, and whether the marriage will be valid in your own jurisdiction. Don’t forget to collect your marriage cert before you fly home!
Expect Some Costs
A lot of couples will plan an elopement to save on the expense of a big wedding, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be costs. Your wedding license, bouquet, outfits, hair, makeup and celebrant will all cost the same, no matter how many guests you have. That said, if you can afford it, it’s no harm splashing out and upgrading to a fancy hotel or a plush suite on your wedding night, treating yourself to a fabulous meal or going all in on the champagne – what’s the point in eloping if you can’t indulge a little?! Do whatever it is that will make your wedding day feel special and truly memorable, don’t be afraid to splurge!
Rock stylish decor - arches, altars, your wedding reception to make your elopement unforgettable.
Be ready to splurge on some elements to make the elopement cooler.
Have some fun together and indulge as you want - rock a fancy hotel, enjoy couple's massage and champagne.
You may need a venue even for you two if you wanna escape to some special place, fro example, the woods.
organize a picnic or a cool styled reception for you two, it's really a cool idea.
Wear Something Gorgeous
It doesn’t have to be white or formal. It doesn’t have to be a dress or a suit. And it certainly doesn’t have to be “wedding appropriate”. Wear whatever you like on your wedding day, whether it’s a sequin bridal jumpsuit, a little white dress, your granny’s pearl necklace, your favorite Hawaiian shirt – or indeed full formal wedding day attire. Have some fun with your look and make sure you feel incredible on your wedding day!
Rock cool shoes and a dress that you think is appropriate for your wedding day.
Your wedding gown shouldnnn't be wedding-appropriate or white, choose whatever you like.
Your groom may be dressed in any way he likes, too, have some fun matching your look.
You may rock casual, formal or any other attire you conside appropriate and play with colors and textures.
Elopement wedding dresses are really special and here brides can really go crazy without caring of somebody else.
Don’t Make A Wedding Day Timeline
Take time with your hair and makeup, have a long breakfast or pre-ceremony lunch, have a couples’ massage, or go all out with your photography session – just make sure there’s a flow to your day so you can keep up the excitement and momentum.
Have a Reveal Plan
You might want to throw a big party when you get back, and let all your pals know you’ve eloped, you may want to send out announcement cards, or perhaps you want to quietly tell your nearest and dearest about your good news and leave it at that. When it comes to parents, siblings and close friends, it’s important that they hear the news from you, ideally in person, and not through the grapevine or worse, on Facebook! You both need to be on the same page when it comes to letting friends and family in on your big surprise.
You may think of taking some special pics of your elopement to use them for the announcement.
Decide how you want to announce your elopement together with your partner.