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Eloping: A Step-by-Step Guide

Eloping does need less preparation, organization, and money than a regular wedding, it is true. However, this does not imply that couples don't spend sufficient thought, effort, and cooperation into planning an elopement-style wedding.


We'll lead you through the process to determine precisely how to elope, whether you're considering it seriously for your impending wedding or are just beginning to fantasize about it.

Step 1: Decide the Vibe

Making a decision on how you want your wedding day to appear and feel is the first step in finding out how to elope with your loved one. Location is crucial since it will determine how the ceremony will be conducted. Would you rather pick a site that is merely lovely or would you want to exchange vows in a place that has special value to you and your partner? Do you prefer being indoors or outside? When would you want to be married? Which day of the week is it? Are you going to decorate for the ceremony? Is there space for guests?

Making a decision on how you want your wedding day to appear and feel is the first step in finding out how to elope with your loved one. Location is crucial since it will determine how the ceremony will be conducted. Would you rather pick a site that is merely lovely or would you want to exchange vows in a place that has special value to you and your partner? Do you prefer being indoors or outside? When would you want to be married? Which day of the week is it? Are you going to decorate for the ceremony? Is there space for guests? Are you comfortable having people around you who aren't your visitors?


Step 2: Determine a Budget

Although it's perhaps the least interesting aspect of the wedding conversation, budget is undoubtedly one of the most crucial. Additionally, it's useful preparation for all of your future financial discussions, am I right? The amount you intend to spend overall on your wedding should be discussed with your soon-to-be spouse.

We advise determining on your maximum acceptable expenditure as a starting point. The cost of items should then be thoroughly investigated. Some usual costs to consider that can help you get started include the venue, ceremony attire, hair and makeup, rings, marriage license, officiant, photographs, food and drink, travel and housing (particularly if you're having a destination wedding).

Create a list of your anticipated costs and prioritize them, then compare it to your budget. Are there any places where you can cut back or make changes to save money? Do you have enough money to treat yourself to your biggest purchase? Long-term, creating and following a budget will save you a ton of time, money, and sanity.

Step 3: Decide Where You Need Vendors

Deciding which aspects of your wedding necessitate hiring assistance is the next step in finding out how to elope. It's probable that you'll want someone to record your wedding, so you should engage a photographer and/or a filmmaker. Remember to pick an officiant because you will also require someone to legally marry you. Do you want an expert to do your makeup and hair? Will you be bringing flowers? Is décor required for the location you have in mind?

If you are hosting an after-party or reception, don't forget to plan it as well. Will the party be at a leased location that requires extra vendors, or will it be in a restaurant or bar with some services already available there? Will you offer a meal and refreshments? Will there be a DJ or live music? It will be much easier for you to determine whether your services are practical for the location and your budget if you take the time to list and prioritize all of your prospective vendor demands.

Step 4: Choose Vendors with Intention

You've identified your areas of need; the next step is to identify the people you should recruit to fill those gaps. Since there are so many skilled suppliers available, this might be challenging, but we have some advice to help you limit your options. We advise couples to make a list of the traits or descriptors they want their ceremony to embody before searching for merchants whose products exhibit those traits.

Make careful to interview possible providers, especially if you're organizing your elopement alone. Each photographer, videographer, hair and makeup artist, and florist has their own own taste and design for their work. Consider how that vendor fits into your strategy while keeping in mind the mood, setting, and budget you've chosen.

Once you've chosen your suppliers, get in touch with them to discuss your wedding's concept. If you want to hire a photographer, be prepared with ideas for how you want your pictures to appear as well as any specific requests, such as pictures of select members of your family or in a certain setting. Video is no different. Discuss the script, the vows you wish to exchange, and the duration of the ceremony with your officiant when you meet with them.

If you plan to have flowers, schedule a meeting with your florist to go over flower varieties and your ideal floral design. In order to arrange any flowers that the florist may need to order or acquire from another place, we suggest couples to meet with a florist as soon as possible.

Step 5: Make It Official

It's important that you can get a marriage license, so be sure you can! States have different laws governing legal marriages and the granting of marriage licenses. If you are being married in a state other than your own, it is crucial to learn the criteria for acquiring a marriage license and certificate. Certain papers may need to be emailed ahead of time or brought with you.

Getting your marriage license abroad might be much more challenging and complex. It may be simpler to be legally married and receive your license at city hall in your home city and state for destination weddings abroad, then perform a symbolic ceremony at your preferred wedding location.

You are required to mail the marriage certificate to the courts in the city where you got married after saying "I do" and signing the document. This can be submitted in person or through mail. Your officiant may occasionally send it on your behalf. Converse with your partner on who is responsible for what other times. An formal marriage license will be issued to you and mailed to you in the mail as soon as the courthouse gets your certificate.

Be aware that it can take up to eight weeks to get your license, which can be too long in some situations where you need to provide legal documentation of marriage. If you need documentation sooner, go to the courthouse and ask to exchange your certificate for a marriage license in person.

Step 6: Think About Attire

Consider how your clothing complements the setting for this phase as well as how you'll transport it there. Will you wear your wedding dress if you're being married somewhere outside that needs trekking or walking, or will you bring it in? When are you getting married this year? Are preparations required for your protection from the elements?

Will it be simple for you to obtain your ceremony attire if you have to travel to another state or nation for it? While a huge, puffy dress is undoubtedly lovely, it might be challenging to transport on a plane. Picking a dress or attire that you can arrange to pick up in the same town as your wedding is something to think about. This can reduce the difficulty of attempting to pack and transport valuable clothing.

One of the most wonderful life events to celebrate is marriage. Eloping to be married isn't any less joyful, but some of your friends and family may feel disappointed they couldn't be present to witness your nuptials. There are a few methods to announce your marriage and provide an explanation for why you decided to elope in order to soothe resentment.


Remain quiet till it's official.


Although your loved ones will probably find this option the most unexpected, it ends any conflict about who you invited or did not invite to the wedding. Before making their marriage public via a Facebook post or an invitation letter, some couples choose to phone their nearest and dearest. To celebrate with your friends and family, you can either host a formal reception or an informal party.


You can send out a card or email as an announcement and then depart right away for your wedding without responding to any comments until you get back home. This also enables you to do a private, little ceremony while yet throwing a celebration party once you get home.

You may elope with a small number of your loved ones in tow whether you are having a destination wedding, getting married in a different city, or going outside. Following your return home, you can gather with all of your other friends and family members to celebrate your marriage.

It's possible that you'll be required to explain why you and your partner opted for an elopement rather than a regular wedding. Talk to someone about how important it was to you and your partner that your wedding day be a private occasion. It is very acceptable to desire to keep such a beautiful event to yourself.

Give a friend or family member another option to participate in the celebration if they feel left out. Plan a dinner date so you may celebrate your marriage and show them pictures from your special day. Or have a big celebration where you may invite everyone you care about.

In many respects, eloping is the straightforward path to a wedding, but that doesn't mean there aren't significant elements to consider and organize. With Simply Eloped, we guide you through the planning process, help you choose a venue, introduce you to fantastic suppliers, and ensure that everything runs well on the big day. We work hard to make your choice to work with us as easy as possible.


Contact us to get started planning your elopement!

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