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.
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.
We live in a time where there are boundless ways to rectify marriage, and because of this, it’s easy to get lost in the noise and chaos of planning something as special as your wedding day. 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 help you get started, it will be useful to 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, highlighting 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, 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, what settings mirror your style, and what emotions you want to convey.
Start by answering these questions:
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.
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:
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.
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, and doing so can actually enhance the quality of your overall experience.
Here’s a categorical breakdown that makes organizing logistics easy:
Tip: If you’re someone who likes to be prepared for any possible scenario, keep both physical and digital copies of all of your travel documents, and make sure they are easily accessible. These include credentials like your ID or passport, and documents like travel visas, licenses, and permits.
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.
Your ceremony can be the core of your elopement, and 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:
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, which you can learn more about here.
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 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:
While these are just a few possibilities, please know that the list of activities you can incorporate into your elopement is almost 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, while adding a layer of character and authenticity to the entire experience.
While elopements offer a certain sense of intimacy, documenting the day is paramount. Your elopement is an individualized adventure, saturated with quiet moments, raw emotions, and awe-inspiring scenery that deserves to be captured in a way that allows you to relive each facet of 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 because it will likely be one of the most meaningful days of your life. Photos and videos act as priceless keepsakes, allowing 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, and so, it would be a disservice to yourselves not to be able to relive the emotional depth of your special day 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 and articulately present 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.
The concept of eloping has transformed. Today, it’s not about escaping or avoiding tradition – 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 the motivation, eloping allows for the kind of freedom, closeness, 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. Whether you see yourselves frolicking around in a secluded forest or 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’ll be there to help bring your dream 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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