While eloping is yet another template in a world of weddings, it might be the one that offers the most options. Don’t be hasty to downplay or balk at eloping, it could offer you exactly what you’re looking for but especially if your goal for your wedding is to
Please and satisfy all of your senses
Celebrate everything that makes your love special
Indulge in unthinkable splurges
Spend time together, truly being together.
then eloping might be exactly what you’re looking for.
What does eloping mean?
Eloping is weddings for essentialists. Wherein essentialism means that when you say yes to something, there are things you have to say no to. Therefore you should be putting value into your yes, and not be afraid to say no. Tap here to get a more in-depth explanation of essentialism. But basically if you’re not saying “hell yah” to whatever wedding decisions you’re making then the answer should be no.
For elopements, it means planning a day that’s most meaningful to you.
If the idea of paying for food for 100+ people does not appeal to you, you can say no. If wedding favors, centerpieces, or the constant buffet/sit down dinner discussion annoys you or just makes you cringe, you absolutely don’t have to do those things.
I think a lot of people move forward with wedding planning because society naturally pushes us in that direction but if moving forward with wedding planning feels meaningless, stressful, or draining if might be because it’s just not for you. Lucky for you, eloping is an option with unlimited ways to go about it.
Is it cheaper to elope?
The short answer is yes. But…
The truth is that eloping is saying yes to spending your money in the ways that fulfill the two of you the most. So yes, you can elope and spend less than you would if you had a big wedding but you could also spend big eloping. Spending on an elopement just means spending your money in the ways that make fulfills you the most.
People having big weddings may be fulfilled by gathering with all of their family for an evening. So they feed their 100+ guests, hire a DJ or a band, and have an open bar.
Wherein eloping couples might be fulfilled by having an adventure together and sharing that adventure with an exclusive amount of guests. Some eloping couples opt for more time to be spent with their guests so they’ll hire a private chef to feed everyone on their exclusive guest list during a week long vacation. In addition, these couples want to give their exclusive guest list extra attention, so they’ll plan excursions with groups separately.
It’s really less about spending less and more about how you’re spending.
Where can couples elope?
A common misconception is that you can only be wed in a church by a pastor/priest/spiritual leader or in a courthouse. But that is not the case. In fact, here in the U.S. there are mobile officiants, like ourselves, who can and will marry you anywhere you like. Sometimes that may require a permit or permission from a property owner, but those are all processes we can handle for you.
Find out our favorite summer locations here.
Is eloping legal?
Absolutely. Any marrying couple who wants to be married in the eyes of the law can fill out a marriage license application and apply for a certified marriage license once the wedding is over. The only time a marriage is not legally acknowledged is if that marriage is symbolic, in which case none of the marriage license filings are required.
Which brings us to how….
Here’s how we plan each one of our custom elopements.
Step 1. Choose Your Location
Consider locations with all of the things you want to see and do. If you love the water or water sports, consider places with beaches, lakes, rivers. If you want to see the desert, consider places like Nevada, Arizona, California, Utah, Egypt, Africa. Maybe you want a little outdoors action but a fancy dinner on the same evening. Consider a place where you can do both – Denver, CO, has the Rocky Mountains but amazing downtown Michelin star restaurants. Lake Tahoe is known for its beautiful mountain ranges, the lake, but also Michelin-star restaurants and chef’s table experiences.
Step 2. Choose Vendors
Yes, elopements can have vendors too. Because, of course, there are things that are important to you and those needs should be served. If you want custom clothing, hire a dress/suit maker. You want a beautiful bouquet? Hire a florist. If you need a photographer, hire one. I’m biased, but I feel every couple should have a photographer they vibe with. If you need an officiant, because in some states you don’t require one, hire an officiant. Choose food experiences that you love, whether that’s Michelin-star dining or meals created by a private chef. Even your snacks should be delicious, get a grazing board done or an Edible Arrangement. Choose vendors you want to intentionally support who offer services you want specifically for your elopement.
3. Invite Your VIP
Even though you’re eloping, you’re more than welcome to bring who you like along. That’s just the benefit of eloping. You get to have your closest folks there. These are the people who make you happiest. They bring out the best in you, and by whom you don’t feel judged. Your VIP is there to celebrate you in every way, not just for the free alcohol and food, but because they love you, believe in you, and support you both.
4. Plan it All Out
Once you’ve found your vendors, set your location, and invited your VIP, put it all on a timeline. A timeline is your itinerary, and you can choose how fluid or solid that schedule is. You can read about real timelines here.
