Are you ready to plan your dream elopement? This ultimate elopement checklist can help you make your dreams a reality with little to no stress!
If you daydream about an easy, fun, and memorable wedding day – eloping is the way to go. As an elopement photographer, I’ve photographed and helped plan many amazing elopements.
In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know from start to finish for planning an epic elopement. I’ll also answer common questions and offer some helpful resources!
Here’s the best elopement checklist for the perfect elopement experience:
- Choose a location.
- Book your elopement photographer.
- Book other vendors.
- Pick a date.
- Apply for permits.
- Book your trip.
- Get your wedding rings and attire.
- Get your marriage license.
- Write your vows (if you want to).
- Enjoy your wedding day!
- Announce your elopement.
* Bonus: guest list and invites only if you want
Below, I’ll share the details you need for each item on your elopement checklist.
How does a couple elope?
Long ago, couples eloped by secretly running off for a quick courthouse marriage. Some couples still do this today, while others plan a unique, intimate ceremony away from home with or without a few guests.
The purpose of eloping is for couples to have a special day that’s all about them. Unlike traditional weddings, elopements allow couples to start their new chapter in a less hectic and more meaningful way. You can coordinate a day all about you and your love without wedding planning around guests.
Even though elopements are meant to be simple, you can still plan out details to make your day unforgettable.
As an elopement photographer and planner, I help couples plan the ultimate elopement ceremony. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy day to tie the knot or you’re dreaming of an epic adventure elopement, I have many tricks up my sleeve to help you!
The Ultimate Elopement Checklist
Now, for the fun part. Let’s learn how to plan your dream elopement!
1. Choose a location.
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve already been considering locations. You may even have your dream elopement destination in mind. With so many elopement and wedding venues worldwide, the opportunities are endless.
When choosing a location, I recommend considering the scenery you want, whether you’re looking for adventure or not, and how far from home you want to go. You may also decide to go to your local city hall, then have a ceremony at one of your travel bucket list destinations. Make this about you!
Read more about some of the best elopement destinations:
- The Ultimate Ireland Elopement: Tops Tips & Stunning Locations
- Colorado Elopement: When & Where to Elope (Everything You Need to Know)
- How to Elope in Alaska: A Complete Guide for an Epic Elopement
- The Ultimate Mountain Elopement Guide: Best Locations and Top Tips
- A Complete Moab Elopement Guide for an Unforgettable Experience
- A Telluride Elopement Guide( The Best Locations + Helpful Tips)
- How to Have an Epic Montana Elopement: A Complete Guide
2. Book your elopement photographer.
As an elopement photographer, I often hear from couples that beautiful photos capturing the elopement day are most important. Not to mention, many elopement photographers like myself double as a planner. That’s why I recommend this one at the beginning of your elopement checklist.
In fact, Among the Pines (that’s me!) doesn’t only take pictures to help you remember your big day and share it with loved ones, but I also help plan a personalized wedding day experience for you and your partner.
“You won’t find a photographer better-rounded than Brooke!”
-Krystal & Brandon
3. Book other vendors.
Depending on the size of your elopement, you might want to book other vendors.
I recommend booking your photographer first because many will help with other vendor recommendations.
Here are some examples of other vendors you might want for your elopement:
- Florist
- Caterer
- Private chef
- Hair & makeup artist
- Musician
- Driver
4. Pick a date.
Once your date is selected, it helps with the rest of your elopement planning. Here are a few things to consider regarding the best date for your elopement: weather, travel costs, and time off from work.
5. Apply for permits.
Various elopement venues require different permits. Some don’t require any at all, so you’ll need to look into this.
It’s easy to find these requirements online or by calling your location. This is also something your photographer/planner can also help with. Most permits cost between $50 and $300.
6. Book your trip.
Now it’s time to book your trip! Depending on how far you’re traveling to elope, you may or may not want/need to fly.
Tip: Look at flights on Google Flights to see the best date to fly if you’re working with a budget. You can also get notifications on Hopper for a specific flight to wait for prices to drop.
I suggest booking your flight first to confirm the dates before booking your accommodation. When you book your accommodation, keep in mind that you want your elopement location to be easily accessible.
With Among the Pines elopement packages, I offer advice on finding the most affordable flights and an Airbnb recommendation list for your elopement location if you’re interested.
7. Get your wedding rings and attire.
This is the most fun part of the elopement checklist for many people! Your ring exchange and attire can make your entire day. But, again, it’s all about what you want.
Some couples who elope opt for traditional wedding bands, while others keep it simple with new-age silicone rings. It’s entirely up to you and your partner’s style and budget!
As for attire – think about what you want your wedding day to look like. From simple or adventurous to bohemian or luxe, there are many options. If you’re going for an adventurous elopement, don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes.
8. Get your marriage license.
If you plan to elope legally, you’ll need to contact the local city hall to find out the legal requirements for obtaining a marriage license. Again, your photographer/planner can help with this.
You’ll want to ensure you have legal documents like birth certificates, driver’s licenses, etc. You may also need an appointment to apply and a witness and/or officiant.
Fun fact: I’m a wedding officiant and love to officiate elopements for the couples I work with. This saves you money too!
9. Write your vows (if you want).
One of the most fun parts about eloping is doing whatever you want. You can write personalized vows to read to each other or exchange traditional vows. Up to you!
10. It’s time to elope.
We’re finally to the good part! After you’ve followed all the steps to get to this part of your elopement checklist, it’s time for your big day. Don’t forget to stay present and appreciate the experience for what it is.
If you’ve booked a photographer/planner to help you, it’ll be even easier for you to have a stress-free, fun, and memorable day.
11. Announce your elopement.
Yesss! You’re finally married, and it’s time to share the big news with your loved ones.
You may have already told the people closest to you, but many couples also send elopement announcements to all their friends and family. You can even use your favorite elopement photos to create announcements to mail or share online.
Read more: Announcing Your Elopement: Top Tips & Elopement Announcement Ideas
Bonus Elopement To-Do: guest list and invites if you want
If you’re inviting guests (yes, you can have guests at your elopement ceremony!), you’ll need to make a guest list and send invites. Since most couples that elope want an intimate, stress-free wedding, it’s best to keep your guest list small.
Tip: If you’re inviting guests, I recommend limiting your guest list to 8-10 loved ones.
You can make your guest list early on if you want to consider your numbers as you plan. You can also plan your elopement and make your guest list around your plans.
If you’re inviting guests, you’ll want to send out invitations with enough time for them to plan accordingly. A good rule of thumb is sending invitations for a destination elopement at least 3 months ahead of time.
Don’t forget that there’s nothing wrong with eloping without guests. Your special day is about you!
Other Tips for Having an Unforgettable Elopement
- Before you start planning, dream up your best day. Think about what you’d want your elopement day to look like if there were no boundaries. You can turn this activity into a date night with your partner as you write down all your ideas.
- Make the big decisions first. These are things like if you’re going to have a guest list, where you’re getting married, and how long your trip will be.
- If you’re not having guests for your elopement but want to include the special people in your life, there are many unique ways to do this. You can throw an engagement party, have them help you pick out your attire, ask them to write letters you’ll read during the ceremony, gift them some elopement days photos after the ceremony, and/or have a reception with them after your elopement.
- Don’t forget to plan fun activities for after the elopement ceremony if you have a few extra days (or even just 1 day) after your big day.
Elopement Checklist FAQ
Here are answers to common elopement questions.
What do you need to do before eloping?
Before you elope, you want to decide your location and timeline, book your vendors, and plan the logistics of your wedding day.
Use this elopement checklist to guide you:
- Decide if you’ll have guests. Create your guestlist if so.
- Pick your location.
- Book an elopement photographer.
- Book other vendors.
- Choose a date.
- Apply for permits.
- Book your trip – flights, accommodations, activities, etc.
- Get your wedding rings and attire.
- Obtain your marriage license.
- Write personalized vows or go with traditional vows.
What should be included in an elopement?
The most important part of your elopement is you and your partner exchanging your vows. You might also want to include:
- Vow books
- Wedding rings
- A bridal bouquet
- An Officiant
- A Photographer
- A first dance
- Fun activities
- Comfortable attire (or clothes to change into)
- A champagne toast
- A wedding cake
Read more: How to Make an Elopement Special: 15 Unique Ideas for a Memorable Day
Who to invite to an elopement?
Since eloping is all about you and your partner having an authentic experience, you can invite whoever you want. Most elopements are limited to about 10 guests. You can invite your closest loved ones and those you know support your elopement. You might also choose not to invite anyone but your officiant and photographer.
Do elopements have bridesmaids?
Most elopements don’t have a bridal party. However, there’s nothing wrong with having bridesmaids and groomsmen if you’d like. That said, I recommend limiting planning elements and guest count to ensure you can stay in the present and enjoy your elopement day with your love.
Do you have an engagement party if you elope?
Whether or not you have an engagement party is entirely up to you. Many couples who elope have an engagement party to celebrate with loved ones. This is also an excellent way to make sure everyone feels included. You can either have a party with friends and family before or after your elopement.
Elopement Checklist: Final Thoughts
I hope this ultimate guide and elopement checklist have you feeling ready to plan the elopement of your dreams! While anything as special as your wedding day requires planning, elopements should be as stress-free as possible.
Among the Pines can help make this experience fun and (mostly) effortless for you. I offer elopement photography and planning for adventurous dreamers, and I’m ready to help you execute your perfect day!
kinsley + caden
“Brooke was the perfect choice for our wedding day! We had a micro wedding at Sapphire Point in August. I had never been to Sapphire Point and Brooke was so helpful suggesting vendors, picture locations, parking, marriage license info etc. She was so kind and helpful before and during the whole process and was a large part of why the day went so smooth. She does so much more than just show up and take pictures, Brooke will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect! The photos are gorgeous and I keep getting so many compliments! I truly cannot recommend her enough!”
"Brooke was a large part of why our day went so smooth and will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect!"
We chose Brooke to capture our Colorado elopement and she did exactly that and more. She made it easy to plan our day out with locations and timelines so that we could focus on ourselves. We decided last minute to change our afternoon/evening elopement to a 6am sunrise one so beat the heat of the day. Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise. She was kind and understood what we wanted in terms of our elopement and we are so grateful to have her capture the day. Our photos turned out beautiful and truly helped us relive the day. I would recommend Brooke to anyone wanting their special day photographed.
"Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise."
erica + stacy
kirstie + colin
Brooke not only photographed our mountain elopement beautifully, but she put so much thought into the details and knew all of the answers the questions I didn’t even know to ask. She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had. She even helped pick the perfect spot for us and advised us on the logistical details like securing a reservation at the mountain lake where we wanted our ceremony. She is SO easy to work with and very friendly and chill. My husband and I are super awkward in front of a camera but she made it so natural and easy - and the shots came out better than we could have imagined.
"She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had."
amanda + jace
Brooke is many things; talented, calm, flexible, experienced/ knowledgeable, patient, incredibly responsive, organized, resourceful in a pinch, supportive, creative, professional yet a blast to work with, and goes above & beyond w her clients. Our wedding was a spectacular dream and we couldn't be more grateful that she made that single day last forever. Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be. We couldn't recommend her more and we look forward to booking with her for all of our vow renewals, seasonal and family pictures for as long as she'll have us.
"Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be."
linden + brent
Working with Brooke was a dream come true! Before we even met, my husband Brent and I were impressed by her portfolio. After meeting, we were even more convinced that her photography skills and knowledge, and her fun and easygoing personality were exactly what we were looking for in an elopement photographer. Brooke was able to take our vision and facilitate everything so that it worked out beautifully, especially when it came to finding the perfect location (the incredible mountains surrounding Ouray). Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible, and made it clear that her goal was for us to be 100% happy. In the end, her creativity and our happiness totally shine through in every single photo.
"Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible."
lauren + branden
I can't begin to express my gratitude for the intimacy and beauty behind Brooke's photographs. In capturing our wedding day, she went above and beyond to document our story, our families, and the depths of our love in ways that I'll forever be grateful for. Brooke has an eye for not only capturing the adventure and magic of your love, but deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way. She is truly an artist and tells your story in an authentic and creative way for you to look back on for years to come. We are forever grateful to Brooke for spending the time to get to know us, our story, and capturing the memories that we'll relive for years to come.
"Brooke deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way."
heather + jedd
“If you're contemplating which photographer to go with, THIS IS YOUR SIGN TO CHOOSE BROOKE!!!! She is so so so talented and was able to capture our elopement exactly how I pictured and wanted! We eloped in Ridgway, CO this past September and she was so helpful figuring out picture locations, recommendations of timeline for the day, and just made the whole day feel so smooth. She schedules multiple check ins, phone calls, etc., leading up to the big day to ensure everything is as you want it. Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever after just the first time of meeting."
"Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever."
christy + austin
Brooke is the absolute best. She truly went above and beyond for my fiancé and I to be able to get our engagement photos taken with the fall colors. Brooke is so sweet, fun, personable and incredibly talented. We could not be more in love with our engagement photos! Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever.
"Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever."
