How to Elope & Where to Begin
“Let’s just elope!” Are you and your fiance saying this more often as you’re wedding planning? Maybe an elopement instead of a traditional, huge wedding is the path for you!
Elopements do not have to be just you and your love sneaking off to another state so family and friends do not know (although it can be). Nowadays, elopements are almost synonymous to microweddings. Family and friends can be involved.
To get started, answer some questions. Grab a pad of paper (or your notes app) and answer these questions.
Overall, said & done budget?
Date? (Just the season is a good start)
Location? (General is fine - mountains, beach, desert, courthouse, home, etc)
Guest count, if any? (Remember- elopement & microwedding are synonymous nowadays)
Pets coming along?
You’ve got your basics answered, now let’s get into it!
Location & Date
Maybe you have a specific state and town picked out already, or maybe you’ve just narrowed it down to a landscape. Now you have to find your exact location to tie the knot!
I have coupled location & date because your date may affect where you can get married or vice versa. Weather or seasonal road closures are some factors that could affect date or location.
If you do not have a preference on date, research the following prompts:
“Best time of year to visit (place)”
“Road closure dates for (place, year)”
“Average weather for (place, year)”
If you do have a preference on your date, research the latter along with your specific date. Tailor your location accordingly if closures or weather will land on your desired date.
Keep in mind that eloping does not equal total freedom when it comes to location, especially if you want your furry friend to come along.
A good place to begin looking is our public lands! National Parks, National Forests, State Parks, & BLMs. Some allow dogs, some do not. Be sure to research your location’s rules on dogs beforehand. These places will almost always require a special permit for elopements. This leads me to…
Permits & Licences
Be sure to research your location’s website or even call and ask what permits you will need. Often, they are free or very inexpensive. Some permits that the location may require are Special Use, Photography, Videography, Day Use, and Pet Use.
Never assume the location does not require a permit to elope. Always check before planning. It would stink to be questioned by a park ranger during your vows!
On the same subject as permits, be sure to respect the laws of your location. Two examples of common laws are the leash law for pets and no confetti (even natural).
Marriage license regulations differ greatly by state (and occasionally county) with regard to age, identification, fees, waiting periods, and license validity. Couples must check with the local county clerk where they apply. Important distinctions include the need for identification (passport or license), Social Security numbers, possible fee/wait waivers for premarital courses, and witness regulations.
Once you have your location picked out, phone and/or email that county’s clerk to get all the information you need. Here’s an example of what you can say to ensure you’re given all the needed info: “My fiance and I are eloping at (location) on (date). We are residents of (your state). Please inform me of the documents needed to obtain our marriage licence with your office, the date we need to come in to apply, and applicable fees.”
Budget
Booo who wants to talk about money?! While we’d much rather just chat about the fun stuff, we cannot plan an elopement without discussing budget. While elopements do cost much less than a traditional 200 person wedding, they still come with their expenses.
The national average for an elopement or microwedding is $12,500. That’s a range of $5,000 to $20,000. The main factors affecting how much you’ll spend are guest count (if any), number of vendors, and travel expenses.
No matter the budget, your elopement will be beautiful and unique to you!
If your budget is strict, I suggest deciding what vendors/experiences you absolutely do not want to go without. Book those first, then use any remainder of your budget to book the rest!
Find Your Vendors
Now that you have your date, location, and budget set, you can book your vendors!
Here is the order of essentials I recommend booking:
Photographer (Maranda Palmer Photography is ready to fly, hike, or even swim to photograph your elopement!)
Officiant
Lodging
Dinner reservation/catering
Here is the order of non-essentials I recommend booking:
Videographer
Hair/makeup
Florist
Reception venue
DJ
Always choose vendors with reputable websites, phone numbers, and reviews. NEVER book a vendor who does not have you sign a contract. A contract will protect you (and the vendor).
You’re ready to elope!
You’ve got your date, location, marriage licence, and vendors. You are ready to hop in the car, the plane, or hit the trail and marry the love of your life! Best wishes and happy trails from Maranda Palmer Photography!
