How To Elope
Are we about to elope?
Does it feel like you are in uncharted waters? Don’t worry I promise the benefits are going to outweigh any uncertainty you may have now! My couples have given the full spectrum of reasons to elope. I mean… imagine you have the freedom to celebrate the two of you in the most authentic way possible. Sounds incredible, right?!
You may not want to be the center of attention, spend your resources throwing a party to uphold expectations other people or navigate complicated friend and family dynamics. Maybe a traditional wedding just doesn’t feel like you. Having a traditional wedding lays out the steps to follow and a checklist to complete but when planning something that is completely unique to you, it can be hard to know where to start or what to include! With that being said, you are already off to a great start by exploring an option that resonates and feels good to you.
On this page you will find answers to questions that couples like you have asked about how to elope! You’ll get tips on how to pick the perfect elopement location, how to travel and elope in another country. Also, is this legal? And more.
You can consider me your personal resource! Feel free to reach out with any questions…this is kinda my jam.
Common Questions When Learning How To Elope
How do we find our perfect elopement location?
Whether you want to explore your own state, your own country or travel to another country I’ll go wherever you go. You could go back to a place that has meaning and intention for you and your partner or travel somewhere you haven’t yet been!
A good way to start is by asking yourself, what the dreamiest, most epic way I could imagine getting married? What season is it? Is it warm and intimate or dark and moody? What can you see? Is there rich red rock, salt flats, deep jungles or open skies? What can you feel and smell? Are there snowflakes landing on your eye lashes, a salty breeze coming off the ocean or fresh mountain air?
What bucket list experience are you dying to do? What activities do you and your partner already love? Or would you like to do something you’ve never done before! Think rock climbing, helicopter skiing, hiking with elephants in the jungle or even laying in a field of wildflowers.
These questions can help you narrow down a location that will match the vision you have in mind! Next would be thinking logistically, how far you want to drive or how the flow of the day will go.
Not sure where to go or what the vision is? I’ve been exploring for quite some time and have endless ideas to help you create something that feels right for you.
How do we get married/elope in another country?
Getting married in another county is hands down dreamy. Some countries make it easy (hello Denmark!). While others require a handful of paperwork and/or even blood work. If you want to get legally married the same day you elope, you’ll want to do your research on what that will entail in the country you choose!
For many couples, the elopement is them getting married, regardless of when the paperwork was signed. If you want to get married in a country that requires an officiant, witness, or more paperwork than you would prefer… consider signing the paperwork a different day to reduce any stress on your elopement day!
Are elopements legal?
Yes! As long as you follow the laws and regulations of the state or country you are getting married in it is 100% legal! There are different rules for each state and country and to be honest, they won’t always match up with what you wish to do and that is okay! For many couples, getting married is about the day they elope – saying their vows and enjoying an epic experience together!
If the legal side of things are messing up your plans, you could save the paperwork for some time after your elopement or even do it sometime before! If you want to get legally married the same day you elope, heck yeah! Together we can research the laws and regulations for your perfect elopement location and make it happen.
Can our friends and family be involved in our elopement?
You make the rules and can decide who you would like include! You could elope just the two of you with a photographer or have an officiant, witnesses and invite some guests! Here at Develop Adventure Photography Co we shoot elopements and intimate weddings with usually less than 10 guest but sometimes up to 20!
Your friends and family could be included in a dinner or special part of your ceremony, and we would be happy to include them. Another great way to include the special people in your life is to have them write letters or make a video for you to watch or read on your elopement day! Each elopement is unique, you choose who to include and in what way!
Do we need an officiant and witnesses?
It totally depends on where you choose to elope! Some states require a combination of an officiant and witnesses but in other states you can legally marry just the two of you! Fun fact: I am ordained and could legally marry you. There are actually only two sentences that need to be said and the rest is 100% up to you. You could hire someone, or you could have a loved one be the officiant! Perhaps a parent, grandparent, brother, sister or friend!
Another option is to save the legal stuff for another day! If you want to get married in a state or country that requires a witness but would prefer to just have the two of you present on your elopement day, you could do that. Rules and regulations may get in the way of the vision you have for an intimate and authentic experience. Often a couple will choose to legally get married sometime before or after the elopement day. For many couples, the laws that say what classifies you as married isn’t what their elopement or relationship is actually about.
What will we do for our ceremony? Do elopements have "official" ceremonies?
This is part of why I am a HUGE fan of elopements! You decide what is a true reflection of the connection and love you have for each other. There are countless options, but a few ideas would be…
- Write and exchange handwritten vows – no need to follow a script
- Exchange rings
- Any religious or cultural marriage experiences
- Firsts – dances, kisses, cheers, food, and anything else you can dream up
- Custom ceremony or unity ceremony
- Read letters or watch videos from loved ones
You can personalize the experience to who you are as individuals and as a couple. You know best what would be special, unique and authentic for the two of you! Remember, there are no rules here, that’s kind of the best part.
Do we have to get legally married on our elopement day?
Absolutely not! It might be surprising to learn but most don’t. Getting married and eloping is about creating an experience that is unique, magical, wild and authentic. Its about creating an experience that you feel present, alive and connected in. Its about crafting something that imbodies who you are as a couple when you commit to each other. If you don’t sign the paperwork the same day you elope it doesn’t mean that your marriage is invalid, it just means you can’t file your taxes jointly. The paperwork could be done before hand or afterwards! I personally believe that rules and regulations shouldn’t prevent you from getting married how and where you want. So if the laws don’t mesh with what you have planned, don’t stress, you get to create an authentic experience that celebrates you two regardless!
Adventure Elopement Planning Process
1) Pick your elopement date/dates.
2) Pick your perfect elopement location. (Or have your photographer help!)
3) Hire your adventurous elopement photographer and planner.
4) Find & hire vendors that will help make your vision come together.
5) Research the local laws where you want to elope.
6) Purchase or rent your elopement attire.
7) Find the details items that add a special touch.
8) Come up with a backup plan!
9) Relax and enjoy your elopement!
How To Elope With Develop Adventure Photography Co.
Create A Vision
This is the stage where you dream up what you would to do for your elopement! If you could do anything, what is the best way you could image getting married? Don’t worry about making any concreate choices or even making a rough outline. Instead think of all of the possibilities and the details can come later!
Research & Plan
Once you’ve considered all of the possibilities, now is the time to start doing some research to see what can be done! This is when you’ll check if you need permits for places like national parks and what the laws are for getting married in the state or country you have in mind! You’ll want to know what the weather will be like depending on the time of year, how that will affect your elopement and how you would need to prepare. What activities do you want to do? Will you include a special meal, epic adventure and other events? Often this is when you hire your photographer! Whether you wait until this stage to hire your elopement photographer and planner or you are ready for help in stage 1, we can start when you already have an outline, or we can help bring your blurry vision into a plan!
Book The Big Things
Once you have done your research and know what you’d like to do, you are ready to start booking the big stuff! This is the stage where you nail down your date and location! Picking a date that is important to you or one that works really well for the location you choose! As far as choosing the location that you will get married in and say your vows, it can be discovered as the day progresses or picked out the day before! This is the stage where you’ll want to book accommodations and flights so that you’ve got the heavy lifting out of the way.
Finalize The Details
Now that you’ve got the big factors finalized you can shift your focus to the details! Things like vendors for cake and flowers, gathering important family possessions and special details that help making your elopement unique to you. Picking out your elopement attire, planning out the activities you’d like to do and crafting your ceremony are done in this stage!
Relax & Experience The Elopement You've Crafted
Now that all that planning is out of the way you get to enjoy the unique and authentic experience you created as a couple! Be present and don’t stress. If you allow yourself to relax and enjoy the experience, there will be amazing photos to follow! When you are comfortable and present it comes through in a way you can visually see. Once you return home you could have a party or some kind of celebration with family and friends plus you’ll have photos to show them of your epic elopement!
You're already off to a great start!
Look at you, gathering information and educating yourself on what this whole elopement thing is all about. Now that you know what goes into planning an elopement, you are well on your way to creating your perfect elopement.
I truly and deeply care about your elopement and your experience. Because of that, I don’t work with every couple that inquires with me, I couldn’t possibly be the best fit for everyone. I am passionate about working with couples that are adventurous, spunky, authentic and true to themselves. If you are reading through and the ideas I’ve discussed resonate with you, send me a message! I cannot wait to connect and hear what you have in mind!
xxx Sarah