The Ultimate Guide To Eloping; How To Plan Your Dream Elopement Virtually Anywhere

The Ultimate Guide to Eloping; How to Plan Your Dream Elopement

Eloping isn’t what it used to be, in fact, it’s only in recent years that people have begun to really explore what modern elopements can mean. Once thought of as a quick, impromptu, (and sometimes elusive), escape to the courthouse, today’s version of elopements have evolved into deeply intentional and personal celebrations of love, commitment, and adventure. This is the ultimate guide to eloping.

Whether you’re daydreaming of exchanging your vows on a mountain top surrounded by cloud inversions, or by the crashing waves of the ocean with the sun setting on the horizon, an elopement offers you and your partner a flexible opportunity to celebrate your marriage in a way that breaks free from the expectations of society’s traditional wedding structure. It’s a chance to have a truly out-of-the box, intimate experience that blends adventure, luxury, and personalization together seamlessly. 

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to plan the ultimate elopement experience virtually anywhere – from visualizing the day to planning the logistics, ensuring that your elopement is as unforgettable as the connection you share. 

Eloping is more than just another way to get married, it’s a journey beyond tradition. 

Storyboarding and Visualizing Your Elopement Experience

We live in a time where there are boundless ways to rectify marriage. Because of this, it’s easy to get lost in the noise and chaos of planning something as special as your wedding. The first step in creating the elopement experience you want to have is to visualize with intent. Think about how you want to feel, what moments are going to be the most sentimental for you, and the elements you couldn’t imagine having this experience without. 

To start, think of your elopement as a story – a narrative that unravels from the very moment you wake up, to the final moments that pass as the sun sets. As you’re considering these things, write your thoughts down. By making physical notes, it becomes easier to organize and further navigate your ideas. 

A tool I recommend to all couples who are considering eloping is storyboarding. Storyboarding is a creative process that maps out the visual plan of your elopement. It highlights personal expression and key moments that are important to you, while organizing the overall flow of your day. It considers the meaningful moments that will shape your experience, and thoughtfully connects them to form a cohesive and purposeful tale.

Consider moments you want to document. These can be things from small details like handwritten vows or love notes, to wide and breathtaking shots of the landscapes that will surround you. Think about how the day flows. What activities reflect your relationship? How do you want the setting to mirror your style? What emotions do you want to convey? 

Start by answering these questions:

• How do you want your day to feel? Romantic, adventurous, spontaneous, slow-paced?
• What landscapes or locations speak to your love story?
• Are there specific rituals, heirlooms, traditions, or moments you want to incorporate?
• What colors, lighting, or weather set the mood or vibe you’re aiming for? Which of these elements do you want to dominate your photos?

Visually mapping out your elopement experience allows you to communicate your vision with not only your photographer, but other vendors who can help you bring your elopement dreams to fruition. Click here to download my free Storyboarding Guide + Template to start creating your very own version for your elopement. 

Choosing a Location that Speaks to You

One thing that sets elopements apart from other wedding structures is the mere fact that the world becomes your backdrop. You are not tethered to any one locale, giving you the freedom to roam. Whether you’re drawn to coastal cliffs, glassy lakes, alpine forests, open deserts, or towering mountain peaks, one of the most exhilarating parts of planning your elopement is choosing a location that becomes a major staple of your experience. Wherever your hearts lead you, the location you’ve decided on will forever be symbolic of the gravity of your commitment to each other, and that is something incredibly special. Your location sets the stage for your story.

Here’s what you’ll want to consider:

• Natural Allure: Choose a place that resonates with you both – a location that brings out the adventurous side of your spirit, offers a sense of awe and serenity, and/or holds a wealth of meaning and connection to your lives.
• Accessibility: Consider how easy it will be for you (and your photographer) to access the site. Some remote destinations will require hiking, other means of transportation, or special permits. While you shouldn’t let these obstacles deter you, be proactive and prepared so everyone can plan adequately.
• Climate and Season: Weather plays a huge role in the mood and comfort of your elopement. Research the best seasons for your chosen location, and have a few backup options in case of weather changes. Your photographer should be able to help you with this, ensuring that your elopement experience will be extraordinary despite almost any weather or climate condition you may potentially face. 
• Legalities: Some locations, like national and state parks, will likely require permits for your elopement. It’s important to familiarize yourself with specific regulations to be legally prepared, especially for internationally foreign destinations. Different jurisdictions follow separate protocols. Remember, what may be true for one place, may not be true for another.

Again, these are all tasks your elopement photographer and/or your elopement planner should be able to assist you with. Don’t hesitate to rely on your elopement professionals for support, their guidance can make all of the difference.

Organizing the Logistics of Travel While Planning Your Elopement

While not always the case, eloping often means traveling for many couples. Whether your travels take you right down the road, a few hours away, or halfway across the world, ironing out the logistics of it all might seem daunting. With careful planning, you’ll discover that managing the details isn’t terribly difficult to do. Staying organized can actually enhance the quality of your overall experience.

Here’s a categorical breakdown that makes organizing logistics easy:

• Travel Documents: If you’re eloping abroad, make sure your passports are up to date and valid for at least 6 months past the expiration date. Research any required visas you may need to obtain, and apply for them as soon as possible. Depending on your destination, certain health or travel insurance requirements may apply, (and are generally a smart thing to have even if they aren’t necessary). 

Tip: If you want to be prepared for any possible scenario, keep physical and digital copies of your travel documents. Be sure they are easily accessible. These include credentials like your ID or passport, and documents like travel visas, licenses, and permits.

• Accommodations: You will want to book a stay that positively adds to your experience in an exciting way. Your accommodations should feel like an extension of your elopement in some shape or form. Allot an ample amount of consideration into deciding where you’ll be. Look for places that can account for your specific needs and wants. Comparatively browse Airbnb and hotel listings to see which of these options have the inclusions, amenities, and aesthetics you’re looking for. Read through reviews thoroughly.
• Transportation: Depending on the structure, location and the activities you choose to be a part of your celebration, it’s imperative to arrange the proper transportation. If you plan on moving between several locations throughout the day, map out your routes ahead of time. If you’ll require special means of transportation, (via ferry, train, airplane, gondola, etc.), be sure to schedule in advance. Essentially, you’re organizing how you’ll get from Point A to Point B in a stress-free and seamless manner. If you can, as mentioned above, keep digital and physical copies of your transportation arrangements to avoid any confusion or delay.
• Packing: I recommend making multiple packing lists that are simple to check off as you go. Create a packing list that’s specific to toiletries and products. Then create one for your elopement attire and accompanying details. Finally, create one for any other clothing/shoes/comfort items you want for the duration of your excursion. When packing delicate or sentimental items, it’s important to stay mindful of general packing restrictions. Be especially selective with what goes into your checked luggage versus your carry-ons. Ensuring your belongings are safe and secure will give you peace of mind as they make their way to your destination.

Tip: Use an AirTag, Tile, or a tracking equivalent in your luggage that allows you to see the location of your belongings at all times. In the event that you were to be separated from your luggage, using a tracking device can aid in a smoother recovery. It also provides you a sense of security when traveling with sentimental items.

Creating the Ceremony

Your ceremony can be the core of your elopement. Because eloping allows for such vast freedom, you can craft it exactly as you envision. Unlike traditional weddings, there are no rules. You can choose the type of ceremony you have, the time it takes place, the setting where it occurs, and the words and rituals that align with you as a couple.

Here’s what you might consider when building your ceremony together:

• Vows: Whether handwritten, religious or secular, recited, or entirely spontaneous, your vows should reflect your relationship. Take time to write them in a way that feels authentic and true. Your vows can be any length, and they do not have to follow any specific criteria. You may also choose to record them in personalized vow books, in a letter, a note app in your phone.
• Using an Officiant or Self-Uniting: Some couples bring an officiant to conduct their ceremony, while others opt for a self-uniting marriage, (learn more about Self-Solemnization here), where no officiant is needed. This is a worthy option for couples wanting an entirely private moment. The type of ceremony you choose will determine whether or not you’ll need an officiant. Legally binding ceremonies typically require one, whereas commitment ceremonies do not.

Tip: Many elopement photographers, myself included, have become ordained to better serve couples, regardless of how remote or accessible their elopement location may be. Some couples prefer this to preserve the seclusion and uniqueness of their elopement experience. I am ordained through the Universal Life Church, learn more about this organization here.

• Incorporating Traditions: From handfasting to lighting candles, weaving in cultural or familial traditions can add depth to your ceremony. These rituals can be a beautiful way to ground your elopement in something timeless. While some choose to revive ancient practices, and others choose to create new traditions, every avenue can be a meaningful pursuit. Incorporating anything of this nature is not mandatory, but it can make for a vibrantly memorable addition to your elopement.

Deciding on Activities to Incorporate Into Your Elopement

One of the most appealing things about eloping is the ability to create a day that isn’t rushed, strictly scheduled, or filled with obligations. Instead, you have the chance to design experiences that resonate with you and your partner. Nowadays, couples are building both bucket list-level and everyday activities into their elopements. It’s a way to cement the individuality of their relationship into their wedding day.

Although not a requirement, you may feel inclined to give some thought to some of these celebratory ideas:

• Hiking: Start your day with a sunrise hike to a scenic vista, where you can peacefully exchange your vows or personal sentiments in nature’s confidence.
• Picnicking: Hire a luxury picnic service to build your own customized picnic to enjoy after your ceremony. Alternatively, pack your own gourmet picnic with local cuisine.
• Horseback Riding: Travel through the forest or across sandy beaches on horseback. Absorb the scenery in an epically romantic, (and even cinematic), way.
• Canoeing or Kayaking: Gently paddle out on an alpine lake. Take a minute to indulge in the serenity of the landscapes around you.
• Star-Gazing: After the sun sets, lay under the stars or light a bonfire to admire the sparkle of the night sky. Try to see how many constellations you can identify together.
• Helicopter Tour: Booking a helicopter tour is a remarkable way to explore vast frontiers that are otherworldly, and otherwise inaccessible.
• Off-Roading: Rent an off-roading vehicle, and follow an experienced guide through different terrain. Stop along the way to appreciate the grandeur of these environments.
• Wine Tasting: Visit a winery local to your elopement destination. Treat yourselves to a delightfully curated wine tasting to relax alongside each other.

While these are just a few possibilities, the list of activities you can incorporate into your elopement is limitless. Whether you’re chasing an adrenaline-filled adventure or a peaceful retreat, the activities you choose will make your elopement feel like a celebration of who you are together. An activity can add a layer of character and authenticity to the entire experience.

The Importance of Documenting Your Elopement Experience

While elopements offer a certain sense of intimacy, documenting the day is paramount. Your elopement is an individualized adventure. It’s saturated with quiet moments, raw emotions, and awe-inspiring scenery. Your elopement deserves to be captured in a way that allows you to relive the experience for years to come. Your elopement highlights what the art of exploration means to you.

Preserving the feelings, events and memories of your elopement is essential. It will likely be one of the most meaningful days of your life. Photos and videos act as priceless keepsakes. They allow you to revisit those moments that seemed to have passed by all too quickly – from the butterflies in your stomach leading up to the “first look” or the ceremony, to the subtle glances that made your heart skip a beat. These are the things that are imprinted on our hearts forever. It would be a disservice to not be able to relive the emotional depth of your special day, even long after it’s passed.

Though an elopement is typically private, many couples still wish to share their love story with friends and family. Professional and high-quality photography and videography provide a pathway to connect with loved ones who weren’t physically apart of your elopement experience. Your photos beautifully articulate your day, allowing friends and family to understand the emotions that helped to shape these moments.

Your elopement documentation becomes a personal heirloom, a record and full retelling of the day you and your partner opted to redefine tradition, and celebrate your own way. Over the years, your photos and videos will serve as a tangible reminder – a visual legacy – of the commitment you and your partner made to each other, while honoring the emotions that have encapsulated your relationship. These are heirlooms that can be passed down through generations, a true testament to your love story that will live on as a part of your family’s history.

Eloping is for Everyone

The concept of eloping has transformed. Today, it’s not about escaping or avoiding tradition. That’s why I created the ultimate guide to eloping – it’s about embracing a path that’s true to who you are. Whether you prefer an intimate celebration or seek a grand adventure in a far-flung destination, elopements are a way to craft a day that speaks to your values, both individually and as a couple.

Couples choose to elope for a myriad of reasons. Some wish to forgo the pressures and expectations of a conventional wedding, others are drawn to a more budget-friendly option, and many simply seek a profound personal experience. Regardless of your motivation, eloping allows for the kind of freedom and spontaneity that is often missing from larger weddings.

Your elopement should feel like a natural extension of your relationship – a day steeped in purpose and authenticity. Maybe you see yourselves frolicking around in a secluded forest. Or maybe, you see yourself embarking on a daring mountain adventure. My role as your photographer extends beyond documenting the day. I’m here to help you design an elopement experience that is harmonious and significant.

I provide an exclusive 60+ page elopement planning guide, filled with expert advice, inspiration, and thoughtful guidance to walk you through every step of the process. From crafting the vision for your day to managing the logistics, I’m here to bring your dreams to life. With a documentary-style approach, I’ll capture the real moments that define your elopement, visually chronicling the essence of your experience.

If you’re ready to plan a day that is full of the things you love, and one that revolves around the entity of connection, I would be honored to be part of your journey. Let’s bring your elopement to life – together. Click here to learn more about the Wild Elements experience.

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