Planning an Elopement: What You Should Know Before Eloping

There’s no denying that a simple wedding for two is romantic and easier to plan. During the pandemic, we saw a lot of couples run away to get married. This gives anyone thinking about doing the same, whether abroad or in their own country, new ideas. But even if you want a simple wedding, you should still think about how to plan your elopement. You need to figure out where to do it, what to wear, how to make it special, and what to do afterward, all while dealing with the emotions that come with it. You’ll also need a plan for telling your parents and friends. So, we’ve put together a little guide on how to elope, including the things you must do and should never do.

Don’t do it for the wrong reasons.

If you want to get married without your friends and family, make sure it’s something you really want and that you’re doing it for the right reasons. There are many good reasons to elope, like saving money, avoiding stress, keeping things small and personal, or avoiding family drama. Just make sure you’ve given it a lot of thought and that it’s what you and your partner want.

Don’t feel bad about what you are doing

Elopements can cause a lot of guilt, so this may be easier to say than to do, but try not to feel bad about your choice. You don’t have to explain it to anyone. Some of your friends and family might be sad at first that they won’t be there for your big day, but once they get over the shock, they’ll probably be very happy for you. I think the saying “get ready for the worst, but hope for the best” is very significant here. Hope that everyone will be rooting for you, but don’t be too upset if a few people aren’t as happy about your news as you’d hoped.

Do Have a Plan to Reveal

You might want to throw a big party when you get back to let all your friends know you eloped, you might want to send out announcement cards, or you might just want to quietly tell your closest friends and family about your good news and leave it at that. Plan how you will tell people about your plans to run away. It’s important that your parents, siblings, and close friends hear the news from you, preferably in person, and not from someone else or, even worse, on Facebook! Prepare a bit of a script. As I said, you don’t need to explain yourself, but you both need to be on the same page when it comes to telling friends and family about your big surprise.

Don’t forget about the legalities

Make sure you know the laws of the place where you want to get married, like how long in advance you need to register, what kind of ID and paperwork you need to bring, and if the marriage will be legal in your own area. We all dream of a romantic, spur-of-the-moment wedding where you just book your flights and say “I do,” but even the dreamiest actions need some planning. Oh, and before you fly home, don’t forget to pick up your marriage certificate.

Think about the Destination in Advance

Do you want a chic city wedding in Paris or New York, island vows in the Caribbean or Thailand, or would you rather go to New Zealand, South Africa, or Japan to cross a place off your bucket list? Once you know where you want to go and what you want your elopement to feel like, you can start making a plan. (For ideas and tips, check out OFD’s destination guides!) It might not be a bad idea to hire a local planner who can help you with the legal stuff, find you a celebrant, photographer, and any other vendors you might want, as well as set up transportation and food for the big day. They will also know some quiet places for you to say your vows or take pictures, so use their insider knowledge. You don’t want to spend your trip looking for a florist and making taxi reservations.

Don’t Forget to Hire a Photographer

We think it’s always a good idea to hire a photographer for your wedding day, and even more so if you’re eloping. Having pictures to show your friends and family will make them feel like they were a part of your day. Plus, you’ll have something to remind you of your wedding vows. After all, if you don’t have pictures, what’s the evidence of your elopement? Right!

Finding a great elopement photographer is a tedious task to do. But you don’t need to worry we’ve done this for you. Check out the California elopement photography by Brwest. They are one of the top-rated photography agencies in California.

Set up an Amazon Wedding Registry

If you’re eloping, chances are your guests will have to wait to shower you with gifts on the day of your wedding. So why not set up an Amazon Wedding Registry? This way, you can give your family and friends the chance to buy you something special after they’ve heard the good news.

Make this day Memorable

Your elopement shouldn’t be boring just because you don’t have 120 guests to entertain, feed, and drink with. Do whatever will make your wedding day special and memorable, like writing your own vows, splurging on a fancy limousine, eating wedding cake for breakfast, or going to a Michelin-starred restaurant for dinner. The best part about running away is that you can do whatever you want.

Conclusion

Planning an elopement may seem overwhelming, but with the right planning and enough research, you’ll have the perfect day to remember. Planning an elopement is about creating the celebration that’s right for you and your partner. Have fun with it and make sure to enjoy every moment. The best thing about eloping is that it’s just the two of you and your love, so be bold and make it beautiful. And don’t forget to hire a photographer, so you can capture all the beautiful moments of your special day. Be sure to check out Brwest for California elopement photography. They are one of the top-rated agencies in California and they will make your special day extra memorable!