What to Do When You Elope: Making Your Elopement Special
Eloping doesn’t mean that you have a quick ceremony and call it a day – your elopement should be meaningful, special, and unique to you! This is your wedding day, after all, and choosing to have a smaller ceremony doesn’t change that. In fact, being intentional with how you get married and how you spend your day can make it even more meaningful! This guide will give you some ideas for what to do when you elope, and how to make your elopement feel special.
What to Do When You Elope
Here are a few ideas for what to do when you elope! Remember, every elopement is different, and what feels like “you” will be different for every couple. Use these ideas as inspiration, and do whatever feels right for the two of you.
Breakfast & Coffee
The last thing you want on the day you get married is to feel like you’re rushing. Waking up slowly and having some time to just relax, drink your coffee, and have a good breakfast will make a huge difference! It gives you some time together, allows you to prepare for the day, and ensures that you’re fueled for the adventures ahead of you.
Getting Ready
Getting ready is often one of the most fun parts of the day – you’re excited, anticipating the day ahead of you, thinking about marrying your partner in just a few hours. So, think of this as part of your elopement, rather than as the “before.” There are a few ways to make getting ready for your elopement feel extra special:
- Get ready together
- Get ready separately, but have your family with you
- Have your photographer there to capture this part of the day
- Write letters for each other to read
First Look
A lot of couples decide to do away with the tradition of not seeing each other until the altar, and do a first look instead. A first look is the moment you see each other for the first time in your wedding attire. To make this happen, your photographer will set one of you up so that you’re facing away, and the other will walk up behind, tap you on the shoulder, and you’ll turn around to face each other. This is always a really sweet, special moment that couples love! If you have guests, this gives you some time to yourselves, and it’s also a good time to take some couple’s photos.
Ceremony
The ceremony is the main event of the day, and when it comes to what to do when you elope, there are plenty of ways to personalize this and make it special! Here are some ideas for the ceremony:
- Write your own vows
- Incorporate family or cultural traditions
- Do a unity ceremony
- Have a family member officiate
- Have your guests speak or perform
Reception
One thing you can do when you elope is have a reception. Some couples choose to do an intimate ceremony, then invite more of their loved ones for the reception. This can be on the same day, or you can even plan a party for weeks, or months later. This way you get the best of both worlds – a private vow exchange, and to celebrate with the people you love. But, your “reception” can also be something low key and simple, something for just the two of you, or for a few guests. Here are some ideas for what to do to celebrate when you elope:
- Bring a speaker and have a first dance outside
- Roast s’mores on the campfire
- Have dinner with your guests, and do toasts
- Get a cake to cut
Photos
Photography is an important part of your elopement day – because you’ll want to remember this! Hiring a photographer is one way to make your elopement feel special, but choosing the right person for your day is important.
As a photographer, I think it’s important to capture the essence of every moment, rather than do a bunch of posed photos. I want to capture how your day feels, whether that’s family portraits or candids of the two of you. Make sure to hire a photographer that you feel comfortable with, and who can make you feel like you’re having an adventure, rather than a photoshoot!
Adventures and Activities
This is the most personal, most customizable part of your day. When it comes to what to do when you elope, you really can do absolutely anything! Planning an adventure is what makes your elopement truly special, so think about what you love to do, and what would make this an incredible experience for you. You might also decide to try something new! There are no limits, so let your imagination run wild with possibilities. Here are a few ideas for what to do when you elope:
- Go for a hike
- Rent a kayak
- Take a helicopter tour
- Have your ceremony on a boat
- Explore the city
- Hire a personal chef
More Ways to Make an Elopement Special
There are so many ways to make your day special and so many things you can do when you elope – the most important thing to remember is that you should be investing in the things that matter to you, whether that’s finding the perfect dress, an Airbnb with a hot tub, or plane tickets to somewhere across the globe. Here are a few more ways to make an elopement special!
Choose Your Perfect Elopement Location
Location matters a lot for your elopement day, and choosing a place that you love is huge. When choosing an elopement location, pick one based on what kind of scenery you want to see, and what you want to do.
Get Dressed Up
You should feel like a million bucks on your wedding day! When shopping for elopement attire, you don’t have to spend a ton of money, but the important part is that you love what you’re wearing.
Invite Friends and Family… or Don’t
If having your loved ones around would make your elopement feel more special, invite them! But if you feel like your dream experience is one that’s just you and your partner, you can absolutely do that. It’s all about what feels right to you!
Book an Elopement Photographer
A photographer is important for documenting your memories of the day, but also for how the day feels! You want someone who will forget the posed shots and forced smiles, and instead prioritize the adventure and connection that you have on your elopement day.
I’m all about making sure that couples have the day they’re dreaming of, so if you want to elope, and need help deciding what to do when you elope, contact me!
