how to elope
You're considering an elopement and you're probably wondering what the hell you do next, and that's totally normal! Once you throw tradition out the window, all of that freedom can be daunting. Fear not- I'm here to help you navigate this process and have the best day ever. On this page I'll go over everything from choosing locations, vendors you might need, activity ideas, and so much more. Let's do this!
So you're thinking about eloping...
start planning
your elopement!
pick a location
This step could come after you book your photographer, but some couples come into planning with a location in mind. I love to help my couples find the perfect spot, so don't feel any pressure to have it figured out! I'll send a questionnaire to help you narrow things down before I send a location list, but there are a few things you can do in the meantime. Think about the places you've been dying to visit- the dream vacations and activities you've always wanted to do. Or think of the places you've visited together that have a special place in your hearts.
step
one
book a photographer
Hiring the right photographer is such a huge factor in how your day will go. You want someone whose work you love, but also that you connect with. Whether you vibe with someone more quiet or one who will hype you up and have a dance party after your ceremony- hopping on a phone call before booking can help you get a better feel for their personality!
step
two
pick a date
Most couples are pretty flexible on their date, which helps when planning an outdoor elopement. Your photographer can help you decide the perfect date based on weather, crowds, and other things like when Yosemite's waterfalls are flowing or when the snow melts in the Cascade mountains.
step
three
get your permits
Getting married in the outdoors gives you a lot of freedom, but public lands usually require some kind of permit for elopements. These will vary from park to park, with different deadlines, applications, and fees. If you have any questions be sure to reach out to your photographer for guidance!
You'll also need to obtain a marriage license in the state where you're eloping. I go over this here.
step
four
book your vendors
This is when the fun stuff starts! You get to start planning all of the details- minus the stress of a big wedding, of course. Consider what you might want for your day. Will you need a caterer for a private dinner, an officiant, florist, hair and makeup, a licensed guide for an adventure, a helicopter, etc? The possibilities are truly endless and I have a killer 100-page elopement guide to help you figure out what the heck you want to do!
step
five
do the damn thing
This step is obvious- wake up, have an incredible stress-free elopement day that you'll never forget. Then wait anxiously for your photographer to send the gallery!
step
six
the process
choose a location
book a photographer
choose a date
get your permits
book your vendors
do the damn thing
This step could come after you book your photographer, but some couples come into planning with a location in mind. I love to help my couples find the perfect spot, so don't feel any pressure to have it figured out!
Hiring the right photographer is such a huge factor in how your day will go. You want someone whose work you love, but also that you connect with. Whether you vibe with someone more quiet or one who will hype you up and have a dance party after your ceremony- hopping on a phone call before booking can help you get a better feel for their personality!
Most couples are pretty flexible on their date, which helps when planning an outdoor elopement. Your photographer can help you decide the perfect date based on weather, crowds, and other things like when Yosemite's waterfalls are flowing or when the snow melts in the Cascade mountains.
Getting married in the outdoors gives you a lot of freedom, but public lands usually require some kind of permit for elopements. These will vary from park to park, with different deadlines, applications, and fees. If you have any questions be sure to reach out to your photographer for guidance!
You'll also need to obtain a marriage license in the state where you're eloping. I go over this here.
This is when the fun stuff starts! You get to start planning all of the details- minus the stress of a big wedding, of course. Consider what you might want for your day. Will you need a caterer for a private dinner, an officiant, florist, hair and makeup, a licensed guide for an adventure, a helicopter, etc? The possibilities are truly endless and I have a killer 100-page elopement guide to help you figure out what the heck you want to do!
This step is obvious- wake up, have an incredible stress-free elopement day that you'll never forget. Then wait anxiously for your photographer to send the gallery!
Do we need to hire an officiant?
How can I include my loved ones?
Do we need to bring a witness?
How can I elope outside the U.S?
Is eloping legal?
What the heck does an elopement ceremony look like?
This depends on a few factors, but the most important one is simple- do you want an officiant? Some couples opt to have a private ceremony on their elopement day and take care of the legal stuff at another time.
If you want to have an officiant, be sure to do the research for your elopement location. Some states allow couples to self-solemnize (marry themselves) and some require an officiant and several witnesses.
There are so many ways to do this. Lots of couples choose to include their friends and family in the wedding by having a small elopement ceremony (this could mean having up to thirty guests). This can limit your options for ceremony locations, so other couples choose a private vow exchange in their ideal location followed by a ceremony with family, or a private ceremony followed by a reception with their guests. You could choose to have the reception the same day or a week, month, even a year later!
Another really meaningful and special way to include loved ones, without having them present, is by having them write letters to you, then reading them together after your private ceremony. You can ask them to write to you as a couple as if they're giving a speech at your wedding.
Every state is different, so be sure to do your research on this one. It can totally depend on where you choose to get married- some places require witnesses and some don't. You actually don't even need to get legally married on your elopement day! You could take care of the legal stuff before or after your ceremony and still consider your elopement day as your anniversary.
If you want to have a legal ceremony on your elopement day, you have a few options. First, you can bring along two friends or family to sign as witnesses. They don't have to watch your ceremony to have witnesses- they can fill their legal duty and give you privacy for the actual ceremony. Second, you could have strangers on the trail sign as witnesses! This is way more common than you'd think and it's actually a really fun, spontaneous thing. Strangers are usually super excited to do this and be part of someone's special day. I can also sign as a witness!
Once again, this it totally dependent on where you want to elope- some countries are super easy (hello, Iceland) and some are more difficult (we're talking blood tests, waiting periods, and legal complications). If you're set on eloping in a different country, I would highly recommend having your legal ceremony at home and then have your dream elopement day abroad. This is definitely the easiest way to elope in a different country and doesn't take away from the magic of your elopement day!
In short, yes! Legal requirements will depend on where you're getting married, but you can absolutely have a legal elopement. Be sure to do some research into your elopement location and think about how you want your ceremony to go.
I go over this in more detail in my blog post all about How To Make Your Elopement Legal. But keep in mind, you don't necessarily need to have your legal ceremony on your elopement day, especially if you're eloping abroad.
Every elopement is going to be different, but here is a sample outline for an elopement with no guests:
• Get ready separately
• First look at hotel or Airbnb
• Arrive at ceremony location
• Exchange vows
• First dance
• Read letters from loved ones
• Pop champagne
• Picnic together and enjoy the view or head to a brewery in town for dinner
• A private vow exchange before a ceremony with guests
• Have your loved ones write you letters and read them together
• Bring your dog
• Have a first dance to your favorite song- ask your photographer to download it and play it on a speaker
• Perform any religious ceremonies that are meaningful to you
• Hire an officiant or have someone close to you officiate the ceremony
• Write letters to each other to read while getting ready
• Pop champagne after the ceremony
There are so many ways to have a really special elopement ceremony, but it all comes down to the two of you. What do you value? What do you love to do together? Do you want your loved ones to witness it, or will it be a "just us" experience? It's totally up to you!
frequently asked
Here are some ideas for customizing your elopement ceremony:
tips & tricks
One of my favorite things about elopements is that couples are free to plan a day that is totally them. Forget the hectic timelines packed with traditions you don't care about. Start thinking about how you really want to spend your day. I find it's helpful to research your location as if you're doing any other vacation- you'll find lots of tour guides, and many of them offer private tours.
What do you like to do together? Any shared outdoor activities you enjoy doing? Any activities specific to your elopement location? You can hire a guide to take you out and learn a badass new skill that you can keep doing throughout your married life. I highly recommend hiring a certified guide to take you out on any technical activities- some photographers will take couples out on these activities, but it's best to be safe and hire someone who is properly trained. This will give you peace of mind and help prevent any accidents on your elopement day. Getting airlifted to a hospital is not my idea of wedding day fun.
If you don't want to be active on your elopement day, but still want to be adventurous there are tons of options! Helicopter tours, planes, and even hot air balloons are incredible ways to see a location in an unforgettable way. You can also look into off roading by renting a Jeep or hiring a driver to take you on some 4x4 trails- Colorado and Utah have some great options for this!
tips & tricks
This is probably the biggest decision you'll make when planning your elopement- well, besides hiring your photographer! Some couples come to me with locations already in mind, while some are looking for guidance.
I like to ask a few questions when helping my couples choose a location to help them narrow things down. Do you have a dream vacation spot? Why not make a trip out of it? Do you have a place you've visited together that holds a special place in your hearts? What about activities you love to do? If you love off roading, maybe head to Moab or some off the beaten path spots in Utah- I have lots of secret spots that I've scouted! Climbers? Head to Utah, Yosemite, or Washington. Hiking? There are so many options for you whether you want a national park or a quiet trail on BLM land.
Another thing to consider is weather, especially if your date is already set. If you hate the cold, then you probably won't want to head to the mountains in the winter. Same thing goes for people who hate the heat- any desert locations are going to be a no-go during the summer.
The beauty of eloping is that you don't have some strict, hectic timeline to follow. You can build your day exactly how you want it- whether that means Jeeping out to a great viewpoint, enjoying a quiet breakfast in a cabin, taking a helicopter ride to a glacier, or going to a brewery after your ceremony to have a beer with your loved ones.
Consider the things that you want to do on your elopement day and how they'll fit together. Your photographer will likely recommend an afternoon ceremony followed by some photos at sunset. Many couples also like to do a sunrise first look (a personal favorite) so they can take a nap and have lunch before their ceremony. This will give you some great quality time to enjoy together without all of the nerves.
I generally suggest to couples that they think about a full-day elopement because they deserve it. Their elopement day deserves the same time and care as any big traditional wedding. You don't need to spend eight hours taking photos in nature, either- your day can be filled with all of the things you enjoy doing. Isn't that what eloping is all about anyway?
Like everything else with elopements, this process can vary from couple to couple. Depending on your preferences, you might want to have more or less vendors. By this stage in the process you'll likely have a good idea of what you might want. I like to send my couples a list of vendor recommendations for their elopement location, but you might also want to do your own research.
When you look for florists, makeup artists, caterers, and officiants you'll want to find vendors who are local to your elopement spot or willing to travel. Look into larger towns and cities nearby if you're eloping in a National Park or remote area (Fresno if you're eloping in Yosemite or Grand Junction if you're eloping in Moab, for example). If you're doing a sunrise first look, ask your hair and makeup artist if they can meet you around 2 in the morning (depending on your timeline).
Your florist will depend on how much of a production you're wanting. If you have an altar or arch that requires florals, you might need someone to travel to you. If you just want a bouquet, you can probably pick it up in person on the way to your elopement.
Because elopements are all about doing what you want, you don't have to feel pressure to conform to traditional wedding norms here. I love when people really let their personality show through in their elopement outfits- whether that means a colored dress, a super cool patterned suit, a bridal jumpsuit, or something else entirely! Whatever you choose to wear, there are a few things to consider:
• Can you move easily?
• Do you care if it gets dirty? If so, skip the longer dresses
• Is the fabric right for the weather?
• Does it make you feel amazing when you wear it?
I go over elopement dresses more in depth in my blog post How To Choose An Elopement Dress. There's a ton of information on fit, fabric, and season in that post that should help you narrow things down. The number one thing to remember is that you're (probably) eloping outdoors, so make sure that you have the right footwear for your big day. Lots of brides opt for cute, durable hiking boots and I honestly think it looks super cute. Plus, the last thing you want is a sprained ankle on your big day!
Packing for an elopement really depends on where you'll be traveling, but there are a few items that can be helpful no matter where you're going. Be sure to do some research based on where you're going, what activities you'll be doing, and what the weather will be like. I like to recommend couples do their shopping at stores with generous return policies- REI is my favorite because it has a year long return window. That way, if you don't need something you brought, you won't be stuck with it.
Here are some items I recommend to all of my couples:
• Headlamp with fresh batteries
• Wool socks to wick moisture while hiking
• Reliable hiking boots
• A daypack with a hydration bladder
• Extra water bottle
• Snacks
• First aid kit
• Rain jacket
• Lightweight fleece for layering
• Portable phone charger
You might not need all of these on your elopement day, and I do carry some of these for you to use, but it's a good idea to have your own. Plus, you'll be prepared for any adventures you want to do without me!
choosing a location
planning your timeline
activity ideas
Pick Your vendors
What to wear
What to pack
Choosing a location
This is probably the biggest decision you'll make when planning your elopement- well, besides hiring your photographer! Some couples come to me with locations already in mind, while some are looking for guidance.
I like to ask a few questions when helping my couples choose a location to help them narrow things down. Do you have a dream vacation spot? Why not make a trip out of it? Do you have a place you've visited together that holds a special place in your hearts? What about activities you love to do? If you love off roading, maybe head to Moab or some off the beaten path spots in Utah- I have lots of secret spots that I've scouted! Climbers? Head to Utah, Yosemite, or Washington. Hiking? There are so many options for you whether you want a national park or a quiet trail on BLM land.
Another thing to consider is weather, especially if you have your date chosen already. If you hate the cold, then you probably won't want to head to the mountains in the winter. Same thing goes for people who hate the heat- any desert locations are going to be a no-go (during the summer months, at least).
The beauty of eloping is that you don't have some strict, hectic timeline to follow. You can build your day exactly how you want it- whether that means Jeeping out to a great viewpoint, enjoying a quiet breakfast in a cabin, taking a helicopter ride to a glacier, or going to a brewery after your ceremony to have a beer with your loved ones.
Consider the things that you want to do on your elopement day and how they'll fit together. Your photographer will likely recommend an afternoon ceremony followed by some photos at sunset. Many couples also like to do a sunrise first look (a personal favorite) so they can take a nap and have lunch before their ceremony. This will give you some great quality time to enjoy together without all of the nerves.
I generally suggest to couples that they think about a full-day elopement because they deserve it. Their elopement day deserves the same time and care as any big traditional wedding. You don't need to spend eight hours taking photos in nature, either- your day can be filled with all of the things you enjoy doing. Isn't that what eloping is all about anyway?
Plan your timeline
One of my favorite things about elopements is that couples are free to plan a day that is totally them. Forget the hectic timelines packed with traditions you don't care about. Start thinking about how you really want to spend your day. I find it's helpful to research your location as if you're doing any other vacation- you'll find lots of tour guides, and many of them offer private tours.
What do you like to do together? Any shared outdoor activities you enjoy doing? Any activities specific to your elopement location? You can hire a guide to take you out and learn a badass new skill that you can keep doing throughout your married life. I highly recommend hiring a certified guide to take you out on any technical activities- some photographers will take couples out on these activities, but it's best to be safe and hire someone who is properly trained. This will give you peace of mind and help prevent any accidents on your elopement day. Getting airlifted to a hospital is not my idea of wedding day fun.
If you don't want to be active on your elopement day, but still want to be adventurous there are tons of options! Helicopter tours, planes, and even hot air balloons are incredible ways to see a location in an unforgettable way. You can also look into off roading by renting a Jeep or hiring a driver to take you on some 4x4 trails- Colorado and Utah have some great options for this!
activity ideas
pick your vendors
Like everything else with elopements, this process can vary from couple to couple. Depending on your preferences, you might want to have more or less vendors. By this stage in the process you'll likely have a good idea of what you might want. I like to send my couples a list of vendor recommendations for their elopement location, but you might also want to do your own research.
When you look for florists, makeup artists, caterers, and officiants you'll want to find vendors who are local to your elopement spot or willing to travel. Look into larger towns and cities nearby if you're eloping in a National Park or remote area (Fresno if you're eloping in Yosemite or Grand Junction if you're eloping in Moab, for example). If you're doing a sunrise first look, ask your hair and makeup artist if they can meet you around 2 in the morning (depending on your timeline).
Your florist will depend on how much of a production you're wanting. If you have an altar or arch that requires florals, you might need someone to travel to you. If you just want a bouquet, you can probably pick it up in person on the way to your elopement.
Because elopements are all about doing what you want, you don't have to feel pressure to conform to traditional wedding norms here. I love when people really let their personality show through in their elopement outfits- whether that means a colored dress, a super cool patterned suit, a bridal jumpsuit, or something else entirely! Whatever you choose to wear, there are a few things to consider:
• Can you move easily?
• Do you care if it gets dirty? If so, skip the longer dresses
• Is the fabric right for the weather?
• Does it make you feel amazing when you wear it?
I go over elopement dresses more in depth in my blog post How To Choose An Elopement Dress. There's a ton of information on fit, fabric, and season in that post that should help you narrow things down. The number one thing to remember is that you're (probably) eloping outdoors, so make sure that you have the right footwear for your big day. Lots of brides opt for cute, durable hiking boots and I honestly think it looks super cute. Plus, the last thing you want is a sprained ankle on your big day!
What to wear
Packing for an elopement really depends on where you'll be traveling, but there are a few items that can be helpful no matter where you're going. Be sure to do some research based on where you're going, what activities you'll be doing, and what the weather will be like. I like to recommend couples do their shopping at stores with generous return policies- REI is my favorite because it has a year long return window. That way, if you don't need something you brought, you won't be stuck with it.
Here are some items I recommend to all of my couples:
• Headlamp with fresh batteries
• Wool socks to wick moisture while hiking
• Reliable hiking boots
• A daypack with a hydration bladder
• Extra water bottle
• Snacks
• First aid kit
• Rain jacket
• Lightweight fleece for layering
• Portable phone charger
You might not need all of these on your elopement day, and I do carry some of these for you to use, but it's a good idea to have your own. Plus, you'll be prepared for any adventures you want to do without me!
What to pack
© Mckayla sullivan photo 2021
your video goes here
Subscribe
Join our tribe and recieve our free opt-in, stay up to date with the latest news and projects in our studio.
