How to Elope: Learn How to Plan Your Elopement

You’re engaged – congrats! Maybe you’re deep into wedding planning and feeling overwhelmed, or maybe you already know you want to elope. Either way, you’re probably here because you found yourself wondering: how do you elope?

Luckily, you landed in the right place. I’m an elopement photographer who loves helping couples plan incredible elopement experiences! I’ve helped couples from all over the country plan elopement days that were full of fun, joy, and perfectly tailored to their personalities.

So, if you’ve found yourself wondering what exactly an elopement is, how to go about planning an elopement, or what you need to legally elope, you’re in the right place!

This is how to elope 101: everything you need to know for an amazing, personal, and intimate wedding celebration.

Just What Exactly is an Elopement?

Before we get too deep into how to plan an elopement, we need to establish what an elopement is.

In the past, eloping was synonymous with running away and getting married in secret. Think running off to Vegas or when Sybil and Tom ran off to elope in Downton Abbey.

However, in the 21st century, the definition of “elope” is quickly changing.

As you start talking about the idea of eloping, you’ll quickly find that everyone has their own opinion on what an elopement is, but here’s how I (an elopement photographer) define elopements:

“An elopement is an intimate wedding with roughly 20 or fewer people. It can take place just about anywhere, from a backyard to a National Park. It keeps the day focused on the couple, their vows, and a celebration of the beginning of their lives together.”

Elopements tend to look wildly different from one couple to the next, because the focus is no longer on tradition, and is instead placed on creating a personalized wedding day that is meaningful to the individuals getting married.

Learn more about what eloping means today!

How to Elope

Now that we’re all on the same page about what an elopement is, we can focus on the big question of the day: how to elope.

Whether you already have inspiration for your elopement day or you’re just getting started, this is your step-by-step guide to planning every aspect of your elopement.

How to Plan an Elopement

1. Get inspired
2. Begin research
3. Narrow down a location
4. Hire an elopement photographer
5. Decide on a date for your elopement
6. Establish the details
7. Book the accommodations
8. Get your marriage license
9. Pack the right gear
10. Have an incredible elopement!

Get inspired

The first step in planning your elopement is getting a vision for your day. This is a great time to dive into Pinterest, the wedding magazines, and long talks with your partner about what your dream day could look like.

As you’re dreaming up your elopement, keep in mind that there are no right or wrong answers here. Whether you want to celebrate alone or bring family with you, get married halfways across the country or at a local park, do something exciting like take a helicopter tour or keep it simple with a picnic.

Don’t get too caught up in the logistics yet. This part of the process is all about casting a vision and figuring out how you want your elopement day to feel.

Some prompts to get started:

• What kind of scenery do you want to surround yourself in as you share vows?
• What kind of wedding ceremony is important to you?
• Do you want to include any guests or keep it to just the two of you?
• What do you imagine yourself wearing?
• Would you like to include your favorite hobbies, like hiking, playing board games, horseback riding, rock climbing, etc.?
• Do you want your elopement day to feel relaxed or are you adrenaline junkies?
• What kind of food experience do you want?
• Are there any traditions you want to include? Such as a first dance, first look, cake cutting, etc.

Tip! If you’re a visual person, try putting together a mood board or a Pinterest board to help gather your ideas.

Begin research

Once you begin to get a vision for your day, you get to dive into research. This is personally my favorite part, but I know it’s not everyone’s.

Here are some starting points for research:

• Start Googleing elopements with the type of scenery you want (i.e. mountains, ocean, rainforest, etc.) and see what you’re drawn to.
• Begin to look at different photographers and see what style of photography you’re into. Do you like photos that are more posed or candid? How about editing style? Do you like photos that have natural colors, more bright, or moody?
• Start thinking about a time of year, and keep that in mind when looking at locations.

Set a Budget for Your Elopement

I know this one isn’t as fun, but it’s an important step.

Sit down with your partner and determine a budget for your elopement. Money can be stressful, but don’t worry; eloping is one of the most affordable ways to get married!

While the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. is $30k, most couples who elope typically spend between $5k-$15k. If you’re on a tight budget, there are many ways you can keep expenses low while still having an amazing elopement experience!

When determining your budget, you’ll want to account for your biggest expenses. Typically, the most expensive parts of an elopement are your photographer, travel (airfare, car rental, etc., if you’ll be having a destination wedding), and lodging.

Here’s a rundown of some of the most common big elopement expenses:

• Airfare
• Lodging
• Care rental (if flying)
• Venue or wedding permit
• Elopement photographer
• Elopement videographer and other vendors
• Food
• Special Activities (such as a boat rental or private driver)

Once you know what you want to include in your day, start your research to understand what each item will cost and build your budget. Remember that you can prioritize anything important to you and leave out anything that won’t make your day feel extra special.

Narrow down a location

Back to the fun stuff! It’s time to narrow down a location. While you don’t need to figure out an exact location for your elopement yet, this will help you in the next phase of planning. Narrowing down to a city, state, or even region will help with the next step of planning your elopement.

Need help narrowing down an elopement location? I’ve got you covered!

Check out my guide to finding your perfect elopement location!

Hire your elopement photographer

After you’ve narrowed down your location to at least a region or state, you’ll want to start looking for elopement photographers that serve your area.

I always recommend hiring your elopement photographer as early in the planning process as possible because many will help with planning the rest of your elopement (like I do!)

Looking for an elopement photographer to work with? I can help you choose an elopement location, create a timeline for your day, and more, as well as photograph your elopement experience! View my elopement packages or contact me to get started!

Some tips for finding an incredible elopement photographer:

• Always hop on a phone call before hiring your photographer. This way, you can get a feel for them, ask them about their process, and make sure you feel comfortable with them.
• Look at their portfolio, and ask to see full elopement galleries to see the full picture of their work.
• Read reviews from past clients to see what they have to say about working together.
• Make sure they know the area you want to elope in. Working with a photographer who knows the area well will provide you with more detailed and specific information than someone who’s never been to the location before.

Decide on a date for your elopement

If you don’t already have a date for your elopement, you’ll want to figure that out next. This is another piece your photographer may be able to help with if you have some flexibility. 

You’ll want to take your location into consideration when choosing a date to ensure you can access the areas you want for your day. Between the snowy season and wildfires in the summer, some locations have better seasons than others.

Learn about why you should consider an all-day elopement experience!

When you choose a date, remember that you’re not limited to weekends. It’s actually often better to choose a weekday to avoid crowds during popular seasons.

You can choose a date that has a special meaning (like an anniversary) or choose a day based on the moon phase. Get creative and find a day that feels right to you!

Tip! If you have flexibility on when you elope, wait until you book your elopement photographer to get their advice for the best date for your location, as well as their availability.

Establish the details

The details of your elopement are what’s going to turn this day into something really incredible!

Establish who (if anyone) is invited to your elopement

Remember, eloping doesn’t have to mean getting married alone. If it’s important to have your family by your side, you can absolutely include them in your elopement! And if getting married alone is what works best for you, then there’s nothing to feel guilty about.

Eloping takes away the pressure to invite friends and relatives that you don’t absolutely want to be by your side on your wedding day.

Whether you elope alone or bring a few guests with you, you can always celebrate with a reception party later on.

Read my guide to planning a post-elopement reception party!

Decide on Elopement Vendors

While elopements are typically pretty casual compared to big weddings, that doesn’t mean you won’t want to include vendors to make your day extra special. This is your wedding day, after all! While in the early planning stage, you will want to start thinking about what vendors you would like to include in your experience to help your day run smoothly.

Some of the most common elopement vendors are:

• Elopement Photographer
• Hair & Makeup Artist
• Elopement Videographer
• Elopement Planner
• Florist
• Private Chef
• Private Driver

When choosing your vendors, don’t just think about the price. Look at the quality of the work, their personal style, and their approach to their craft. Get to know the individuals you’ll be working with (especially when selecting your photographer and/or videographer!) to ensure you are a good fit to work together. Read their reviews and hop on a phone call to get a feel for them.

Selecting the right vendors for your day will make a huge difference in how your day feels!

Choose Your Ceremony Location

In many locations, you’ll need to choose an exact location for your ceremony in advance in order to obtain a permit. Whether a permit is needed or not will depend on the exact location, as different locations all have their own rules and regulations.

Some public lands such as National Forests don’t usually require a permit, but many State Parks, National Parks, and other public lands require a permit or reservation to made at least a few weeks in advance.

This is something that an experienced elopement photographer will be able to help you with and part of why I recommend working with someone who is familiar with your chosen location. They should be able to guide you to the best locations as well as walk you through the rules and regulations for holding your wedding ceremony there.

Helping couples find the perfect location, as well as walking through getting a permit (if it’s required) is a service I include in all of my elopement packages, and is part of why I specifically work in places that I have first-hand experience in.

Build Your Elopement Timeline

Once you know where you’ll be staying, when you want to have your ceremony, and all the fun details of the day, it’s time to put it all together in a timeline.

A well-built timeline will ensure that your day runs smoothly and is stress-free, so you can focus on each other instead of what comes next.

This is another area where a good elopement photographer can assist you, and is something I do for all of my couples.

Make sure to leave plenty of time for driving in case of unexpected delays (like a buffalo jam in Yellowstone or unexpected road work).

Tip! My biggest secret to a stress-free day is lots of time, so you’re not rushing from one thing to the next.

Book the accommodations

When it comes to booking accommodations for your elopement, think about both comfort and convenience. Choose lodging that matches the vibe you’re going for, such as a cozy cabin, a boutique hotel, or a glamping tent under the stars. Staying close to your ceremony location will save time (and stress) on the big day.

If you’re planning on bringing family or friends and want to stay together, short-term rentals (like an Airbnb) make for a great option! With larger spaces, more beds, and a full kitchen, they can host more people than a traditional hotel.

For travel, aim to arrive at least a day before your ceremony so you’re not rushing from the airport. But make sure you have a plan for getting your marriage license (which we’ll talk about next!) and take into account the waiting period, if applicable to the state you’re getting married in.

Book flights with flexible options if you can, and reserve a rental car that fits your needs, such as a high clearance SUV for adventurous locations. Double-check policies, keep all your confirmations handy, and give yourself a buffer so your elopement day stays as stress-free as possible.

Get your marriage license

You’ll need to find the local regulations for getting your marriage license and take that into account when planning your elopement. Some states have a 3-day waiting period between the time you receive your marriage license and when you can use it, while other states let you get married the same day.

You’ll also want to know if any witnesses are required, because this varies from state to state. If you won’t have any guests during your elopement, talk to your vendors to see if they can act as your witnesses, or you can find someone spur of the moment.

Pack the right gear

Having the right equipment with you will make your day that much better. Always do your research and come with the right gear.

If you’re having a destination elopement, be sure to create a thorough packing list with all the essential items, such as your wedding attire, accessories, marriage license, wallets, and more.

Make sure to pack specifically for the kind of experience you’re planning, such as proper hiking gear if you’ll be hiking during your elopement, some rain gear if there’s a possibility of getting wet, or sun protection if it’s the middle of summer.

I include a personalized packing list to all of my couples. The list is tailored to each elopement day and the kind of adventure we’ll be going on.

Tip! Keep an eye on the weather report leading up to your elopement and make any packing adjustments needed to come prepared for wind, rain, heat, or even snow!

Have an incredible elopement!

You did it! All that’s left to do is enjoy your elopement and make the most incredible memories. Congrats, it’s going to be amazing!

Frequently Asked Questions about Planning an Elopement

How Long Does it Take to Plan an Elopement?

You can take as much (or as little!) time as you want to plan your elopement! Many couples take 1-2 years to plan their elopement, just like a traditional wedding, but you can plan it quicker than that if you need or want to.

I recommend giving yourself at least 6 months to plan your elopement though. That way you can have enough time to pull it all together without stressing yourself out.

How Much Does Eloping Cost?

The average eloping couple spends between $5,000-$15,000 on their elopement. Compared to the average wedding being $30,000 these days, eloping is a much more budget friendly option!

Eloping can be as inexpensive as you need it to be, depending on the kind of day you want to have. It’s completely customizable to you and what you want to prioritize.

The biggest expense you’re likely going to have for your elopement is your photographer. But a good photographer is worth the investment! An elopement photographer will also be your planning guide and resource for bringing your elopement to life, not to mention the photos you receive will last forever! You’re not just paying for photos, you’re paying someone to capture your memories.

Can you bring guests to your elopement?

Absolutely! Elopements are typically capped at 15-20 people or fewer, but you can definitely still bring your family and closest friends along with you if you want to elope.

Is an Elopement a Real Marriage?

As long as you sign the paperwork, an elopement is considered a legal marriage.

Do we need witnesses to elope?

Whether or not you need witnesses to get legally married during your elopement will depend on the state. Some states require 2 witnesses to be present and sign the marriage license, while other states don’t require anyone but an ordained minister. You’ll need to find the local laws for your elopement location.

How to Elope with Me

Interested to learn more about what hiring me as your elopement photographer is like? Here’s what eloping with me looks like.

1. Send me an email

The first step is to reach out to me! I’ll reply with some more details and we’ll hop on a phone call to get to know each other to make sure we would be a good fit to work together as well as go over packages and pricing. This is a great time for you to ask any questions you have about working together!

2. Decide on a location and date (if you haven’t already)

If you don’t already have a date or location picked out, I can help you decide on both! I’ll send you a questionnaire to find out exactly what you’re looking for in a location and use the information you provide me with to send you a list of customized recommendations for your elopement!

3. Plan the Details

We’ll work together to plan the details of your day, like activities to include in your day, create a timeline for your elopement, and figure out vendors if you need recommendations.

4. Have an epic elopement experience!

You marry your best friend, celebrate, and have the best day ever while I document the whole experience! You’ll have freedom to celebrate on your own while I capture you candidly. You won’t feel like this is an all-day photoshoot, because that’s not what it is. It’s your wedding day!

Want to work together? I can’t wait to chat with you! Shoot me a message and let’s chat!

Happy eloping!