Congratulations on your engagement!! This blog is a complete guide to helping you plan your elopement. You have made the most wonderful decision, to elope with the love of your life. Marrying the person, you want to wake up to every day and go to bed with every night is gold! Committing to be there for each other like no other person on this earth, now that is true love! 50 years from now, you will stare into your beloved’s eyes and remember your elopement day like it was yesterday.

As a professional traveling photographer, I have had the honor of photographing many beautiful elopements. Whether you are considering eloping at an Airbnb, on the coastline, or in the desert, this blog will help you prepare for the elopement of your dreams.

Elopement Location

Do you have a destination or location in mind for your elopement? Think about special places where you both love to go. Or somewhere you have always dreamed of going and never found the time to. Think of the landscape you want to breathe in on your elopement day. Imagine your elopement photos and the backdrop you want to see in them. What grabs your senses, and heartstrings? Mountains, desert, coastal, forest, safari, open fields, city lights, overseas? There truly are so many location options for picturesque elopements. I can always suggest beautiful destinations if you are finding it difficult to narrow down a location. The sooner you nail the elopement location the sooner you can plan the next step.

When to Elope

If you can have holidays at any time of the year, please choose the season that is right for your location elopement landscape. Avoid the super-hot summer days, remembering your bridal attire, hair and makeup will need to feel lovely and comfortable. Avoid the rainy season, although you can’t control the weather, you can choose months with less rainfall than others. Fall and spring all around the world are generally the best months to marry. In saying that early and late winter and summer can provide beautiful weather too. Investigate tourism and see what works best around the busiest elopement and event months. Knowing your location is paramount because for e.g., the desert is going to be a definite no in summer, but the woodlands might work out fine.

Elopement Guests

Elopement couples are so happy to share their special elopement day in an intimate way with only a small number of guests to celebrate. This can be difficult when you have so many people that love you and want to celebrate with you. However, if this is a destination elopement it is easier to only include your inner circle. Most people will understand, and you can have an elopement party down the track if you want to. So how many guests if any, do you plan to invite to your elopement.

Elopement Vendors

These fabulous professionals make a whole world of difference when it comes to how to plan your dream elopement. If you get an elopement planner/specialist they will connect with the local florists, find you an Airbnb, local hair/makeup stylists, food caterers, etc. I would LOVE to be your elopement photographer, you can find out more about my elopement packages here >

Elopement Attire

Of course, you will both have your own unique style for bridal attire. Plan to choose what is not only a beautiful look but practical for the landscape you choose. Are the terrain and your shoes a match? Heels are near impossible to hike up a mountain or walk across the sand dunes. Accessories like hats, faux-fur coats, umbrellas, etc are important to think about. They not only add your personality and elopement style but are also a practical addition.

Elopement Timeline

Decide what you want to do! There are so many options in most of the elopement destinations, so make your time special. A few ideas: have a picnic, go for a hike, rent a canoe, get tattoos, jump in the ocean, go bungee jumping, sky diving, or go rock-climbing the options are endless! Remember to book well in advance so as not to miss out.

Elopement Permits

Apply for a marriage license, they are usually valid for 60-90 days. Secure permits if they are needed. Locations such as national parks, state parks, sand dunes, etc, may require a vehicle or elopement permit. These are easy to obtain, and most are filled out online or at the entry. Check your destination location requirements or ask me or your elopement vendor planner.

If you would like to connect and chat about elopement photography, please click the link! I am happy to answer any questions you have about your elopement ideas.