Ten Ways To Make Your Elopement Day Authentic

There is no right or wrong way to plan your elopement day, but we do know that when dreaming up your perfect elopement day it should be 100% a representation of YOUR love story. We have photographed tons of weddings and elopements and have seen couples just settle for the “wedding day norm”.

We aren’t here to bash the traditional wedding standards. We are here to educate couples that want to approach their elopement day with intention, and plan a day that is unique to them! This is YOUR greatest adventure, make your day exactly how you dreamed it would be!

1. Finding and choosing a perfect elopement location that speaks to YOU

Close your eyes and imagine your dream elopement.

What time of year is it? Are you immersed within the beautiful mountain ranges of Colorado, or lost in the lush green forests of Kauai’i? Do you hear the waves crashing along the coast of Oregon, or do you feel the warm sun on your skin in Joshua Tree? Maybe it’s a location that reminds you of when you two first met, or a place where you spent a lot of time when you were a child. So often we see couples settling on a location because it’s convenient. Instead, find locations that inspire you, that speak to your relationship and your values. What better way to celebrate your love, share your vows, and create an unforgettable experience with one another.

**2. Ditch The TRADITIONAL “ Wedding Venue”**

DID YOU KNOW that on average a couple spends between $6,000 and $13,000 for their wedding venue?

That may or may not include the ceremony space, reception space, catering service, plate per guest, tables, chairs, linens, bar service and any other additional costs. By ditching these traditional wedding venue options, you can save money by putting your money towards a non-traditional wedding venue, like an Airbnb, State Park or National Park for added experience and return on investment (i.e. going to a place you truly love, or haven’t visited before!).

Most Airbnb’s have a “host event” option. Let your host know that you are in town for your elopement, and that you are using the Airbnb for your ceremony and/or reception. Some rentals may have to pay an additional fee for this, but don’t fret, this is still a more valuable use of your money. Find an Airbnb that overlooks the mountains, have your ceremony in the backyard, and enjoy a celebratory dinner with guests in the same space!

When eloping in a National/State park, be sure to confirm that all permits are acquired ahead of time! For example, Joshua Tree requires both a Special Event and Photography permit. A typical National or State Park “special event” permit runs anywhere from $50-200.

Check out this Airbnb in Yucca Valley, just outside of Joshua Tree National Park: The Hi-Desert Ranch
The Ranch, The Honeymoon Suite, The Lower House all sit on 10-acres of land. You can book the entire property for one week - $7,404.

Check out this Airbnb in the heart of Breckenridge, Colorado: Bella Monte
Mountain House 5 Bedrooms, 5 Bathrooms, Beautiful views of Breckenridge Ski Resort.
One week stay - $7,224.

3. Turn your Elopement into an extended Weekend or a Week Long event!

If you read the last section (#2, Ditch The Wedding Venue), you know that you can rent an Airbnb for a week in the same price range as a typical wedding venue. Wedding Venue investments only last a day, and oftentimes only hours. Opting for a week long or extended weekend event allows you to enjoy activities and events in the area with (or without) your guests. PRO TIP: Rent a van and plan a road trip right after your elopement and explore other beautiful locations that are nearby!

4. Make your Elopement more of an Experience for YOU

How about a Helicopter tour? A special hike that your love? A new one that you MUST conquer?

The best part about ditching wedding traditions and having an elopement is that you don’t have a strict timeline! Have breakfast and get ready together. Hit the slopes before your afternoon ceremony. Take a doors off helicopter tour after your sunrise ceremony. The options are endless! Do something that you love together and celebrate your commitment to one another in the most epic way. Anything is possible!

5. Consider a Sunrise Elopement Ceremony

Having a sunrise ceremony allows you to spend the entire rest of the day together, married! Go on an adventure, or partake in an outdoor activity you typically enjoy together. You can go on a hike, lay on the beach or go skiing for a few hours. Afterwards, you can come back after a full day of fun and celebrate with your friends and family! Last year we photographed a wedding on Kauai, and the ceremony was at sunrise. The reason why the couple opted for a sunrise ceremony was so that they could enjoy being married all day! They hung out, went surfing and enjoyed the sun and sand with their friends in Hanalei Bay. Later that afternoon, they invited all of their guests to celebrate with dinner, drinks and of course dancing.

6. Get Ready Together

Don’t want to get ready together? Have a first look instead. Both of these options allow you to have an intimate moment together where you can read your hand written vows to each other and take the time you need before your ceremony. Even if you are hiking to a mountain peak, you can still experience a first look once you have changed into your dress/suit get up!

7. Not EVERYONE has to be invited to your Elopement

72% of couples admit that they are worried if their guests are having a good time.

If you plan on inviting guests to your elopement, set a guest limit. Be strict, and honest with yourself. We are here to let you know that not everyone has the right to be at your wedding! Far too often we see many guests during a ceremony fully distracted on their phones, trying to capture the perfect “first kiss” photo. We’ve had intimate moments taken away from couples during portraits because guests wanted to take a quick selfie. This list, unfortunately, is endless.

We love small groups, family and close friends. We also totally support the no guest list elopement to focus on each other. 72% of couples admit that they are worried if their guests are having a good time. This leads to spending more of their wedding budget on giving their guests an experience, instead of focusing on what they want for themselves.

We like to encourage our couples to plan an authentic elopement day that is focused on one thing - the commitment you are making to one another. Whether that’s with friends and family, or not, is completely up to you! If you are on the fence about eloping because of family conflicts or having to please everyone around you, there are plenty of options to have your dream elopement day and celebrate your relationship’s new chapter with your friends and family! We have had couples plan a private ceremony in their favorite location, and have a celebratory party back home inviting all of their friends and family!

8. Take on DIY Projects to make your Elopement Authentic

DIY projects are fun, and can double as fun planning/bonding experience ahead of your special day.

DIY with intention, but don’t take on too many projects and become overwhelmed. Try making a list of potential projects and decide which ones are realistic to do yourself and which need to be outsourced or handled by a professional. You can start by designing a mood board with different color schemes and styles to get an idea of what you want your elopement to look like. Other examples of DIY projects include but aren’t limited to:

Build a unique arch that compliments the landscape you are getting married in.
Design and build a custom bar for your small reception.
Design your dinner table with elements that compliment your style.

Taking on DIY projects is not only a good way to save some money, but it adds a personal touch. The ROI on these DIY projects could get you a future piece for your home or be sold to get some money back after your elopement. We have made two arches for elopements we have photographed, and each arch cost ~$100 to source the material. We were able to sell both of these arches for $300!

9. Hire an In-Home Chef OR Make a Dinner Reservation for an Intimate Dinner

Imagine you just got married in your dream location. Surrounded by your closest friends and family, or just the two of you. We drive to the perfect location for sunset portraits, and then head back to you Airbnb for your intimate dinner celebration. A team of professional chefs has prepared a three course meal paired with your favorite wine, beer or cocktail. All of your closest friends are gathered around a perfectly designed table that you designed yourself, and everyone is sharing stories about the two of you. This can actually happen! So many couples just settle for the typical catered three option meal, rather than exploring other options for their celebratory dinner. If you are the “hit the town” type, find a unique restaurant that has a private dining area for you to share a meal together or a restaurant that can host a small party!

10. Celebrate this new chapter together!

We’ve seen a handful of different unique ways that couples have celebrated their commitment to one another. You could take a shot of your favorite liquor, or enjoy your favorite beer. You could pop a bottle of bubbly or share a bite of your favorite donut. Your friends and family could toss biodegradable confetti in the air while you seal your marriage with a kiss. Bring a portable speaker and share your first dance as a married couple on top of a mountain! But most of all, take a moment and process what you just accomplished. This is the very beginning of a new chapter. Celebrate it well!