If you’re reading this, odds are that you are either planning an elopement in the near future or dreaming of a beautiful and unique elopement someday. The struggle with elopements is we don’t have an abundance of elopement guides, planners, or even friends that have eloped. It’s becoming more and more popular but the resources are less readily available compared to weddings.

Many of us are in the dark when it comes to the details of an elopement day and how we want it to go down, and that’s part of the beauty of elopements. They are all so unique and different. I do have a bit of advice for you and some launching points to send you in the right direction.

As I was considering the different elements of a truly special elopement day, I narrowed it down to four points that I’ll go over below. It was a serious challenge because there are so many lovely possibilities but these are a few make-or-break things to consider when planning your day.

Music

Does music mean a lot to you? It does to me and I have experienced what an impact it has on the atmosphere you’re in. Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean you have to cut out music altogether. If you want to incorporate music somehow, these are a few great ways to do so.

• Hire a musician. Depending on the location you pick, you may want someone with a portable instrument like a guitar, violin, or even a ukulele.
• Are either of you a musician? Bring your instrument of choice and play a song or two to commemorate the moment.
• Want something more low-key? Curate a playlist and bring a nice Bluetooth speaker. Choose songs that will add to the special moments. Totally customizable and super portable!

Location

This is, hands down, one of the most important elements of your day. Choosing a location that you love and that feels special to you both is key, but where do you begin?

• Work with your photographer and make a list of all the location options. Think of unique places that aren’t as common unless you’ve got a specific vision. Hey, if you want to elope in Yosemite, I don’t blame you. Can I come?
• Use the landscape and think of places that will naturally frame you or create a visually interesting background. You could even pick places that give the illusion of an arch, like a tree tunnel, an intertidal structure (like Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach), or even a forested area with a small clearing. Bonus points if it includes a time of day that the sunlight will pour into the spot like a cathedral skylight.

The magical possibilities are endless…but I’m going off on a tangent here so I’ll proceed to my next point.

Clothing

Clothing and accessories are incredible tools for accenting the location you decide upon. Sometimes having that perfect pop of color or beautiful, flowing dress will bring you to a whole different level!

Color is a huge factor. It’s so fun to creatively coordinate your colors. When choosing colors for your elopement, there are two main things to consider: season and location.

• What season will it be in the location and date of my elopement? I could probably write a whole blog about color, but I’ll refrain for now and give you a brief summary. Think strategically – do you want to blend or stand out?
• If you’re going to be in a sea of greens and blues in an evergreen forest, you may want to choose some contrasting colors like reds and oranges to bring focus to you both. This can be done with the bouquet, lipstick, a flower crown or headpiece, or so many other things.

When choosing clothing and accessories, think of the elements and what can be used to embrace what is already there. If you choose somewhere that is known for its gusts of wind, you could choose a long veil, a flowing dress, or an elegant cape that will catch the wind and look absolutely fantastic.

Post-Ceremony Activities

Imagine this: You’ve said your vows, had your first kiss, and snapped a few photos in celebratory bliss that you’re now married to your soul mate. What’s next?

This question can be answered in so many ways – and that’s the fun of it. Think about what you and your partner would want to do to celebrate one of the best days of your lives. Maybe you want to go to a picnic that’s been set up for you and sip your favorite wine together and soak in those sweet, romantic moments surrounded by the landscape.

Or maybe you’re feeling more daring and decide you’ll just grab a snack for the road as you take off on a helicopter tour of the area or hop on a speedboat to a remote island and go for a swim in the warm, evening sun. I know that sounds a little too boujee but hey, you’re saving a lot of money by not having to pay for food for 200 guests. You only live once, right?

I hope you’ve found these points helpful for you as you plan your elopement day. These are just a few things to consider out of the endless possibilities that you can incorporate into your day to make it more special and more you.

If you’re feeling excited and ready to get your elopement ideas off the ground, contact me and let’s start planning your unique elopement experience.

Thanks for reading and happy elopement planning!