non-traditional • authentic • connection focused
What is an elopement?
Elopements are no longer a clandestine, run off in secret endeavor. In fact, elopements have evolved over the last several decades into a celebration that is parsed down from traditional weddings. This does not mean an elopement is any less significant versus a traditional wedding. I'd actually argue that it actually means that you're looking to infuse your union with more intention and meaning.
If you're here, you're likely on the fence about a destination elopement (or you've already decided!). There's just something that draws you to the idea of designing your wedding day to be focused on you and your partner. You're not interested in hosting or entertaining 100+ guests, extended family that you haven't talked to in years, or footing the bill for an exorbitant event that very well may leave you feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated, and exhausted.
This guide has been designed to help you decide if a destination elopement is right for you!
Destination Elopements: honeymoon + wedding all in one
Opting for a destination elopement presents a unique possibility of combining your honeymoon with your wedding celebration in a location that you absolutely love (or has been on your bucket list for years).
If you're thinking about kicking off your marriage with an amazing adventure story to tell years down the road, a destination elopement is the answer.
Marry the love of your life, experience a new place, explore nature together, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Where?
Unlike a traditional wedding, an elopement requires you to first sit down and imagine what kind of experience you want to share with your partner. Aside from getting married, what things are important to you? A pre- or post-wedding hike to a significant place of your choosing? Having your family there with you? Having dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant?
Take the time to sit down with your partner and dream together.
Your vision can be vague to start, but forget about any restrictions for a moment and just dream big! That's where you'll find what speaks most to you. You'll have time to figure out the details later.
Start dreaming up your experience
When?
Who?
Weather?
Is there somewhere that you both have been dreaming of visiting? Or somewhere that you've visited together previously that you love?
What time of year to you envision your wedding taking place? Where you see your elopement taking place will influence the when most likely. Just make sure to keep in mind tourist season if you're wanting privacy.
Just because you've decided to elope doesn't mean you can't have anyone with you. If you want to bring along a few close family members or friends, you absolutely can. What's important is that you and your partner feel safe to be yourselves around whomever you invite. (This includes your vendors, like your photographer!)
What kind of weather do you see when you imagine your wedding day? This will be heavily influenced by the location and time of year that you're thinking about. No matter the weather, know that your elopement is going to be a breathtaking experience for you and your partner.
How to choose your elopement location
Let's travel toegether and get lost in beautiful places
Here are some elopement location suggestions to get you started on dreaming up your own adventure
International Suggestions:
+ Reykjavik, Iceland
+ Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
+ Patagonia
+ Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia
+ Isle of Skye, Scotland
+ Mount Cook, New Zealand
+ The Dolomites, Italy
+ Vancouver Island, British Columbia
+ Antarctica
Domestic Suggestions:
+ The Adirondack Mountains, New York
+ Las Vegas, Nevada
+ Chugach Mountains, Alaska
+ Joshua Tree National Park, California
+ New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
+ Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah
+ New York City, New York
+ St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
+ The Poconos, Pennsylvania
Ready to start your own adventure?
Let your imagination
RUN WILD
and create a once-in-a-lifetime
EXPERIENCE
Now that you have a vision in place, it's time to check the feasibility. Not all of us have an unlimited budget, and this is when you will see which aspects of your vision carry a higher priority. Don't be afraid to think outside the box, either. For example: if you have your heart on eloping in Ireland at the Cliffs of Moher, but are concerned about travel and lodging costs, consider a shoulder season.
To get a start, below is a list of expenses that an eloping couple may see. You get to choose which are included in your own planning process.
Calculate the cost of your elopement
+ Transportation (flight, rental car, parking, tolls, etc.)
+ Lodging
+ Elopement Photographer
+ Permits and fees for marriage license
+ Permits and fees for ceremony (location dependent)
+ Florist
+ Private Chef
+ Dinner reservations
+ Makeup Artist
+ Baker
+ Officiant
+ Food, Snacks, Drinks
+ Wedding rings
+ Vow books
+ Musicians
+ Wedding attire
+ Videographer
+ Details (e.g., invitation suite, thank you cards, etc.)
+ Gift(s) for your partner and/or guests
When you've settled on your budget, respect it. The last thing you should be stressing about while planning or during your elopement experience is finances. You can absolutely have an amazing elopement experience together without investing in every single thing on that list.
While it seems a little unorthodox to hire a photographer before you may even have settled on a location for your elopement experience, it's worth it. If you find a photographer that you love who produces art that takes your breath away, book them. I work hard for all my couples to be an invaluable resource when it comes to elopement planning. I know full well how planning can easily start to feel like a full time job, and I'm here to relieve you of that stress.
Finding a photographer that specializes in elopements and elopement planning can be an absolute game changer. Need help finding the perfect location? Or learning about the permit process for your ceremony in a National Park? Or how about building a day-of timeline that takes advantage of all the best lighting throughout the day? I've gotchu. My priority is helping you build an experience that is authentically YOU.
Hire your specalized elopement photographer + planner
Elopement Packages + Info
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how to choose your elopement photographer
anyone. you. want.
Who do you bring with you?
If your elopement day dreams means bringing a few close friends and family along, that doesn't make it a non-elopement. It doesn't have to be just you and your beau if that's not what you want. A lot of the time it is just me and the couple because that's what they envisioned for their elopement day. But there are times where couples want to have a few important people with them through the whole day, or only during certain points of the day.
Either way, what you want is what goes. It's an elopement all the same, friend.
Each state or country has differing requirements. If you want to get married legally during your elopement experience, you must research ahead of time what steps are needed to make it legal. In New York, you are required to have an officiant/celebrant and two witnesses (your witnesses can be your photographer and/or other vendors if you want a "just us" experience), and in New York City, the officiant/celebrant must be registered with the City.
To marry legally abroad, you have several options:
+ complete the necessary paperwork to marry in the country you've chosen
+ marry in the US prior to your elopement experience
+ marry in the US after your elopement experience
If you choose to marry legally in the country that you've chosen, you will need to start with the US consulate in that country. They will have the information that you need to satisfy the requirements for a legal ceremony. In most cases, you will need to submit documentation significantly ahead of your elopement date. This may include a US marriage license, birth certificate, and passport information.
If you choose to marry in the US before or after your elopement experience, you will want to check with your local City or Town Clerk to satisfy the requirements for a legal marriage.
Alternatively, you can choose to forego marrying legally at all and opt for a symbolic ceremony for you and your partner.
Making it legal
One of the wonderful things about opting for an elopement is that there isn't a hard-fast rule to what wedding vendors you have to hire. Honestly, there aren't any hard fast rules about anything when you choose to elope.
What matters most is that you and your partner build the kind of wedding day experience that you both will love and be able to be fully present for.
But if you need help finding vendors that you want to include in your elopement day, I have a network of hand-picked creatives who can absolutely help bring your vision to life.
Finding the Right Vendors
Elopement Packages + Info
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