Four Tips to Planning Your Dream Elopement

I know a thing or two about eloping since I’ve done it twice myself (to the same man)! I’m sure you’re very confused right now. But, let me tell you a little about our story and why we eloped twice. This will help explain why you should trust me with planning your dream elopement day.

Okay so let me begin by telling you why I eloped twice… When I was 18 my husband, Cortland, and I decided now was the time to get married. I had known since I was 15 that he was my person, this wasn’t a spur of the moment decision. He had recently joined the Navy and was going to school in Florida. We decided we were going to get married at the courthouse and plan our big celebration for the following year. Well long story short, soon after we got married he was sent on deployment and it derailed our wedding planning.

When we got married we had just enough money for our wedding license and hotel for the weekend… Not a nice hotel either. We only had a few iPhone photos taken that day and every time I looked at them I got sad. Not because I wish my wedding day looked different but because that chapter of our story wasn’t documented. 

On our 5 year wedding anniversary we decided to “elope” again. This time we did it the way we had always hoped and dreamed of doing it. We travelled to Oahu and said “I do” again and it was the most perfect day of my entire life. And I’m here to help make sure your elopement day is everything you want and more. 

1. Make Planning the Dream Elopement Fun!

Chances are if you’re eloping you want it to be less stressful and all about you two. So here’s what you should do… Plan a date night either at home or at one of your favorite restaurants. Bring along your computer, a notebook, and a pen. Get on Pinterest and create a board for all your wedding day inspiration! Talk about what you want your day to look like. Would you want to keep it local or do you want to travel? Do you gravitate toward being by the coast or toward having a whole day out on the town?  Write down all your ideas and start pinning anything that inspires you to your Pinterest board. 

2. Pick a Location & Date

Once you’ve decided what you want your elopement to look like, pick a location and a date. If you’re flexible and don’t have a specific date in mind, reach out! Contact your dream photographer and see what their availability looks like. The nice part about eloping is, don’t have to search wedding venues and book a year or two in advance! 

Pro tip* weekdays are the best days to elope especially if you’re visiting a national park, state park or popular tourist cities! 

3. Find Your Vendors

Now that you have a date and a location, you can begin reaching out to vendors. You may need permits for certain locations. Make sure you figure out those logistics early, often times your photographer can help point you in the right direction. Start to think about the vendors you want included on your elopement day! Photographers, videographers, officiants, florists, hair and makeup artists, just to name a few examples. I have a list of other vendors I recommend to all my couples who ask! 

4. Planning Your Dream Elopement Adventure

This is my absolute favorite part because you can make this so personal to you and your relationship! On our original wedding day, we went to the courthouse, sealed the deal, lunch at Whataburger and went on a Dolphin Cruise! It will be something I always remember. On our elopement day in Hawaii we had a fun filled day from start to finish. On our adventure portion, we went snorkeling and it was probably one of my favorite things we’ve done together! 

This is something I help my couples with. I can help you brainstorm ideas that speak to you and your interest. I’ll do all the research to make it happen, your dream day happen. Here are just a few ideas of things you could do for your adventure elopement….

– You could go on a sunset sail via catamaran or sailboat!
– Take a motorcycle ride through the mountains and have a picnic
– Go camping in Yosemite
– Take a canoe or kayak to a small private island or sand bar
– Bouldering/rock climbing 
– A tacos and margaritas tour
– Skydiving