10 THINGS YOU NEED FOR AN

UNFORGETTABLE ELOPEMENT

Elopement Must Haves — Photo by Love, Anneliese Photo

Make it Official (The MARRIAGE LIcense)

This one may seem easy, but you would be surprised how many people forget their marriage license the day of their wedding or even the mere fact they need to apply for one. For a lot of destinations (especially outside of the U.S.) the legalities of when, where, and how you tie the knot are extremely important. You might need multiple witnesses, a special courts clerk present, or the country you are in may even restrict the location in which you are allowed to marry. For this reason, many couples will opt to officially marry in their home town and perform a commitment ceremony that is exactly how they imagine it somewhere exotic or meaningful to them. Just because you choose to take care of legalities on a separate day does not make your elopement any less important or meaningful than someone else’s!

2. LOCATION. Location. Location. (The Destination)

Remember that this day is about you and your love. The people who you want to be there will make it happen, and those who cannot, will celebrate with you later! Don’t choose a location to satisfy the travel desires, scheduling needs, or the random Saturday afternoon wishes of anyone else but you and your love. After all, you’ve decided on an intimate celebration of love for a reason. Go for it friend, this is your chance to put your wedding and honeymoon destination travels into one! This is your chance to travel to the Maldives or the epic Grecian coastline you have dreamt about for a decade. Pick a spot that will mean something to you and that you will be able to tell your grandkids or grand-pups about someday!

3. Give some Extra Attention to where You’ll be Kicking Your Shoes off at night (The Stay)

Whether you are traveling across the world or eloping in the mountains of your home base state, a relaxing place to stay and soak it all in is a MUST. After planning for this special time in your life, you are going to want to take some time to take in the scenery and just bask in married life for a minute before getting back to the rush of everyday life. Not to mention, you are going to need a nice place to get ready for the big occasion. If you are bringing in a photography and/or videography team, it’s a good idea to keep in mind you will have a few extra people in your ready-space. Take our word for it. Splurge a little extra on the place you will be resting your head at night. You won’t regret it!

4. have your cake + eat it too. (The Dessert)

Just because you are planning for a smaller group, doesn’t mean you have to skimp out on the details of the day or miss out on cutting the cake! Especially since you are planning for a smaller group, this means you’ve got all the freedom in the world. Maybe you are even just planning for you and your love - take some time to think about your dream dessert. Maybe cake isn’t your thing. Have a pancake or champagne tower. Do something that you will remember to seal the deal and toast to your new beginning together.

5. KiCks to Take on the Adventure (THe SHoes)

Don’t be afraid of accessorizing your look for both comfort and style. Chances are likely the ceremony location and where your photographer takes you to get epic photos afterwards might require some movement on the big day. Maybe you are exploring a national park or galavanting through the city…regardless you are going to want to have a set of comfortable walking shoes to do it all in when your dogs start howling. This is your chance to get creative with it - buy the CELINE’s. Customize those Nike’s.

6. A Vendor Team you can count on (The A Team)

Planning and executing an elopement may sound simpler than a large wedding celebration, but just because it is smaller and more intimate doesn’t mean the details of the day (or series of days) require any less attention. You still want to look and feel your best. You shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not you’ve budgeted enough time to hike that mountain after hair and makeup and still make it to the top before the sun sets. You shouldn’t have to carry your things all over the city all while your photographer is trying to capture you and your lover taking in the sights. Vendors still require a timeline, reservations still need be to be secured, and travel is just one more added part of the crazy equation that most likely just came into play. Having a team of A-plus vendors that you know will have your back is key to making your elopement a success. Having a planner to make sure everyone’s on the same page and you don’t have to worry about a thing will make enjoying it all so much easier.

7. Attire You’ve Always Dreamt of (The Look)

This is your opportunity to get spicy! Your personality and love should shine through whatever you wear for this unforgettable moment in time. Give some thought to not just the physical things you have on but also your cologne, perfume, accessories, what you carry for flowers or even what you use as part of your beauty routine in your hair or on your face. The most smooth feeling gloss or the perfect scent is just one more way for you to hang on to this perfect day forever.

8. A Statement Piece (The DECOR + FLoRALS)

When you elope, you don’t have a wedding party to worry about or any reception decor to spend on. This is your chance to really think about the backdrop of where you will be tying the knot, what you will be holding for florals, or maybe something really unique for your intimate dinner for two. Consider spending a little extra in this area and finding the best in the business to bring your vision to life. The last thing you want to be worrying about is tracking down fresh flowers for your bouquet, getting those orchids through customs, or assembling a backdrop in a foreign country. Leave this one to the professionals so you can sit back and soak in the beauty of it all when your day arrives!

9. Make it Personal (The LOVE)

Take some extra time to write personal vows or sit down with your officiant to talk about the nitty gritty of the ceremony itself. Speaking of your officiant, when selecting this person make sure you are not only comfortable with them, but that they are willing to take the time to actually get to know you and your partner before diving into the standard ceremonial side of marriage.

Maybe the formalities are just that to you and sharing your favorite meal or a unique drink is more your speed. Whatever it is that makes your day feel unique to you, make sure you get to do it! After all, this is about you and your lover’s story, no one else’s.

10. Consider Unique Transportation (The Getaway)

When it’s all said and done, take a moment to consider how you want to cruise back to the hotel or your Airbnb at the end of your night. Checkout Turo.com (like Airbnb for cars) and antique car clubs (if you are looking to hire a chauffeur for the day) local to the area you are going to be exploring. These are both great resources for unique rides worth writing home about!

Creative Partners in the Featured Photos Above