How to Elope: Your 2025 Elopement Planning Guide

Your Step-by-Step Guide on How to Elope!

If you are wondering how to elope, then friend, you are in the right place! Choosing to plan an elopement is one of the most exciting decisions you can make. You’re choosing adventure and love and fun! How rad is that! But I also know it can also be a little overwhelming to know where to start. Today, I’m sharing a FULL guide on how to plan an elopement from start to finish. It covers what exactly is an elopement, a 14 step elopement planning guide (including location, permit, and transportation and accommodation tips), and the most common questions I hear from couples about how to elope. I’m a huge fan of full transparency, so I’m not holding anything back! Let’s dive in 🙂

What is an Elopement?

Before we get into how to plan an elopement, let’s first talk about what it means to elope. The definition of eloping has changed a LOT over the years- and can still be a source of confusion (and sometimes contention haha). So, to help you understand what it means to elope today, I thought I would share a few things that an elopement is and some things it is not:

An Elopement Is: 

• An intentional wedding celebration: elopements today are all about placing the focus on the couple and how they want to celebrate.

• An authentic way to get married: many couples who elope choose to do so because it feels more like them. Some couples don’t enjoy being the center of attention or hosting large celebrations, and an elopement allows them to celebrate in a way that remains true to who they are.

• Whatever you want it to be: THIS! This is really what elopements are chalked up to be. There is no one way to elope and that’s a huge part of what makes them so special. Your elopement can take place anywhere you want, include anyone you want, and be filled with ::literally:: whatever you want!

An Elopement Is Not:

• Secretive or Shameful: while elopements CAN sometimes be kept a secret (depending on the couple’s preference), they are not always secret and there is no shame in eloping like there used to be. Elopements today are *celebrations*.

• Selfish: Hot take- there is nothing wrong with getting married the way you want – even if it looks different than what others might expect. You are 100% allowed to craft a wedding day that feels safe, authentic, and fun for you and your partner. There is nothing selfish about being intentional about starting this next chapter of your lives together (and I think others thinking they are entitled to your money and time with a big wedding are actually the selfish ones… but I digress).

• Cheap weddings: elopements often do cost less than traditional weddings, often a lot less, but that does not necessarily mean they are cheap. Instead, elopement budgets focus more on the couple’s experience rather than on decorations, venues, catering, napkins…and other hosting elements. It’s a true “experience and memories” over “things” decision. A lot of couples have the mentality “if we are going to spend this money, might as well spend it on a trip of a lifetime and turn our wedding into our honeymoon.”

To learn more about elopements, check out these resources

How to Elope: Your Step-by-Step Elopement Planning Guide

Alright, the meat and potatoes! I know this is what you’re here for so let’s dive into how to elope! 

Step 1: Dream and scheme!

The first step in learning how to elope is where all the fun starts. Well, the fun technically started the moment you got engaged (congratulations, by the way!). Being engaged is one of the most exciting phases of a relationship. Together with your partner, you get to start dreaming about what’s possible. And, I’m going to bet that one of those dreams includes planning an elopement.

No matter what your reasons are for eloping, it’s a bold and exciting choice. As a (totally unbiased) adventure elopement photographer, I can say without a doubt that eloping is so SO awesome!

There are *countless* ways to elope – destination elopement, adventure elopement, micro wedding, just to name a few. The best way to start planning your elopement is by gathering inspiration. Instagram and Pinterest are some perfect places to start as you can see what kinds of elopements are out there and which ones resonate with you the most. 

Pay attention to what sticks with you- is it a type of scenery, type of attire, vibe of the day, certain activity. If there’s something you keep coming back to over and over, pay attention to that. Listen to your gut 🙂 If you see some locations and think to yourself, “Yes! This!” Amazing. And it’s also totally okay to not know the exact place you want to elope yet- even knowing “We want to get married in the desert” or “We want to elope on a mountaintop!” is a fantastic place to start.

Step 2: Choose a date and general region for your elopement

Once you have an idea of what kind of elopement you want, it’s time to narrow down your list of elopement locations and choose your elopement date. If your elopement date is firm, you may need to be flexible on the location as not all outdoor elopement locations are accessible year-round.

However, if your date is flexible and you’d rather prioritize your elopement location here are a few things to keep in mind: 

1. Landscape and scenery: what type of landscape are you drawn to? Do you prefer deserts, mountains, lakes, forests, or a combination?
2. Weather and season: is there a preferred time of year you want to get married? Also, consider that the landscape you choose could look completely different at different times throughout the year. 
3. Crowds: many elopement locations (such as national parks) can become VERY crowded at certain times of the year. This can greatly affect your elopement experience (and not always in a positive way). Consider eloping during the off-season or shoulder season for your area in order to get the best possible experience. 

Looking for some ideas of where to elope? Here are some of my favorite elopement locations EVER!

Finding the best elopement location and choosing the right elopement date can feel a little bit like a puzzle. My biggest piece of advice is to listen to your gut. If you have a location you keep coming back to, or that you keep envisioning, or that you compare everywhere else to… listen to that! And, if you feel stuck or don’t even know where to start, your elopement photographer (see step 5) can help provide specific location recommendations based on your elopement vision. 

Step 3: Decide if you want to invite guests

Yes, an elopement totally CAN include guests! It does not always have to be just the couple. Choosing whether or not to invite loved ones to your elopement is a 100% personal choice for every couple. 

When deciding who to invite to your elopement, sit down with your partner and talk about your elopement vision. Who do you see there with you? How do you want to feel? How important is it to YOU to have others there on your wedding day? Is there anyone you can’t imagine getting married without? 

These questions can help you both understand how important it is to invite loved ones to your wedding. And, if the answer to the above questions shows you that you want to celebrate with just the two of you – THAT IS TOTALLY OK! It’s your wedding after all, and you deserve to celebrate it however you want. 

If you are thinking of inviting guests to your elopement, I recommend no more than 15 people total (especially if you do not plan to have a venue- like a VRBO or amphitheater). 

Pro Tip: I know family dynamics can be tricky, but this is YOUR day. Only invite folks if you truly, in your heart of hearts, want them there. 

If having your loved ones there makes the day – amazing! Bring them along. 

If you’re only thinking of bringing folks out of obligation, there are loads of other ways to have family feel included. 

And, if you want an adventure day and a family day- you CAN have both. Two-day elopements are a perfect fit to make sure you have a day dedicated to spending time with your nearest and dearest and having a day just the two of you to adventure to your heart’s content.

Did you know there are lots of ways to include loved ones on your wedding day whether they are present or not? Check out my guide below for some ideas.

Step 4: Set an elopement budget

I know, I know- the big elephant in the room. The topic no one wants to talk about. Before you go any further in your elopement planning process, you’ll want to set your elopement budget. As mentioned earlier, elopements are not necessarily inexpensive weddings. The cost of an elopement can vary depending on what you want to include in your day. I firmly believe you can have a beautiful elopement on any budget- but it’s important to be realistic about the cost of things and know exactly what your priorities are.

I recommend coming up with a list of those priorities and understanding what items are most important to you. Then, assign a dollar amount to each item, allocating more money to the higher priority items (aka your non negotiables). 

If you’re looking for creative ways to save money for your elopement, here are a few ideas:

• Make your own bouquet: buy flowers from the grocery store or local market and make your own arrangements
• Do your own hair and makeup: you can totally do your own hair and makeup if you feel comfortable, or even ask a trusty bff
• Rent your wedding attire: or buy it secondhand. There are some *great* shops that also partner with charities, like Brides for a Cause!
• Elope during shoulder or off-season: eloping outside of peak season can save you SO much money on travel and accommodations
• Elope with just the two of you: the more guests you invite, the higher your costs will be

Remember: an elopement is every bit as special a day as a wedding. Budgets are a real thing (no matter what type of event you plan), AND it’s equally true you deserve to have the wedding day of your dreams. We only get one chance to live this life and have these adventures- I want to empower you to chase the day of your dreams.

Step 5: Hire an elopement photographer

One of the first vendors you will probably hire when it comes to planning your elopement is your elopement photographer- lots of elopement photographers (like me!) help with the planning aspect of things, so you don’t feel like you’re in this alone. I help with location selection, vendor recommendations, timeline construction, packing lists, location and elopement informational, and more. I *want* people to lean on me and use my expertise- most folks have never eloped before, and I’ve photographed over 100 elopements. I want to be here to not only capture the moments of your day, but help along the way. There’s a reason sometimes an elopement photographer is the ONLY vendor couples hire when they elope. 

When choosing your elopement photographer, here are a few things to look for: 

• Images you LOVE: after all, your photos and memories will be the one of the few things that remain after the day is over
• A human you feel connected to: you’re going to spend a majority of the day with your photographer, so choose someone you feel comfortable with
• A photographer who fits your elopement budget: there’s that word again. Truly though, it’s an important piece to consider
• Someone who is experienced in adventure elopements (bonus points if they have previous experience in your area): you want to work with a professional who knows the ins and outs of elopements. Plus, an experience photographer does SO much more than photograph. They can also help you plan, provide their expertise to help reduce risk and ensure that your day goes as smoothly as possible

Once you have found a few photographers who work you connect with, reach out to get to know them and ask them questions. I recommend contacting no more than three photographers. Otherwise, decision-making paralysis comes in and things can get SUPER confusing.

Check out this guide where I go into even more detail about how to find the right elopement photographer for you!

Step 6: Pick your specific elopement location(s)- and your plan B locations!

Remember that general elopement location you chose earlier? Now it’s time to choose a specific ceremony/adventure location (or multiple locations – eeeek!). This is one of the most exciting elopement planning steps! This is where you get to dream even further and start to envision what your elopement day will look like and where it will take place. 

When we get to this step, I send all my couples a location questionnaire to help get an idea of what types of locations and landscapes speak to their heart. After they complete the questionnaire, I send a custom location guide with recommendations based on the answers they provided. I also come up with plan B locations just in case things don’t go according to plan.

One of my biggest elopement location tips is to be realistic with what you want and what you (and your guests) are capable of. If you don’t enjoy hiking don’t pick a spot that involves a 6-hour hike. If you are inviting elderly guests, young children, or guests with mobility issues, choose a ceremony location that is accessible to everyone. 

Step 7: Apply for your elopement permit

Once you’ve finalized your elopement location, you may need to apply for a permit. Not all locations require a permit, but most national and state parks do. These permits help the parks monitor the events going on around the park and make sure that the events do not interfere with access for other park visitors. 

The rules and requirements vary from location to location, so you’ll want to do some research on your chosen area once you’ve decided. If this feels overwhelming – don’t worry. This is something I (or your elopement photographer) can help with during elopement planning. 

Step 8: Hire additional vendors 

While you do not have to hire any elopement vendors, doing so can help bring your elopement day to life. Even couples who have a “just us” elopement often hire a few vendors. But again, there is no right or wrong way to go. It all depends on what you prioritize and what’s included in your elopement budget. If hiring elopement vendors is something you want to do, here are a few you may want to consider: 

• Hair and makeup artists: these vendors are perfect for the wedding people who don’t want to attempt their hair and makeup on their wedding day. HMU artists can not only help you look and feel your best (which can help you feel more confident) but getting professional beauty services can also add a special touch to how you look in your elopement photos. 
• Florists: flowers are one of the best ways to show your personality. Oftentimes, they are some of the only details included in an elopement. Plus, having a bouquet to hold can act as a prop and give you something to do with your hands while also creating more dimension in your photos. 
• Officiant: (fun fact- I’m ordained! So I can legally sign off as your officiant if you legally get married on your elopement day). Whether you are getting legally married on your elopement day or not, an officiant can be a great elopement vendor to hire! Officiants can help lead the flow of your ceremony and include personal touches that get you feeling all the feels. If hiring an officiant isn’t for you, another option is to have a family member or friend lead your ceremony. Anyone can become ordained for free at the Universal Life Church. 

Other elopement vendors you may want to consider are a private chef (for a top-notch, custom dining experience), jeep driver or helicopter pilot (for the ultimate adventurers), caterer, rentals, and musicians (for intimate celebrations with guests).  

It’s also perfectly ok to hire no vendors at all! Not working with any vendors can provide couples with more freedom and flexibility, not to mention it’s great for elopements that are planned on a shorter timeline.

Step 9: Get your wedding attire!

If it hasn’t hit you already, this is often an elopement planning step that makes it feel real- you are ELOPING!

Choosing your wedding attire is an exciting step, but there are also lots of options to consider! My biggest tip for choosing your wedding outfit is to pick something that feels comfortable for you. If you aren’t a dress or suit person, you don’t have to wear a dress or tux. You also don’t have to conform to any gender norms either. You can and should WEAR WHATEVER YOU WANT!

Regardless of what you choose to wear, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Pick something you can breathe and move in: I know what you’re saying “Aimee, isn’t that obvious?”. One would hope, but hear me out. Chances are your elopement involves some kind of walking, hiking, or adventuring. Choose an elopement outfit that will allow you to move freely no matter what activity you are doing. Can you do a high step into a helicopter? Can you lift your arms above your head to move a pesky branch while hiking? 
• Choose something comfortable: You’re likely going to be wearing this outfit for several hours (if not all day). You don’t want to wear something that feels scratchy or is digging into your side. Choose something that you will be comfortable in for a long time. PRO TIP: Check to see if any texture on the bodice/shirt part of your attire scratches your arm. This is a sneaky source of discomfort for many, so be on the lookout!
• Wear what you love: This one’s worth repeating and is really the only tip that matters. Choose something that screams YOU and that makes you feel confident, bad-ass, sexy, *insert adjective of choice*. The only thing that matters about what you wear is that YOU love it!

Looking for some wedding outfit inspiration? Check out this guide for some of my favorite elopement and wedding dress shops. 

Step 10: Plan out your elopement activities

This is the one of the best parts of the elopement planning process! Elopement activities are a crucial part of designing a wedding experience that is totally, 100%, unequivocally you. I really want to encourage you to dream BIG and that you realize that anything is possible. The world truly is your oyster! There is no such thing as an activity too adventurous, or not adventurous enough to include. So, here are a few elopement activities you can incorporate into your day. 

• Getting ready together
• Writing your vows together
• First Look
• Hiking 
• Off-roading
• Kayaking / rafting / swimming (or any other water activity you can dream up)
• Helicopter tour / seaplane / hot air balloon ride
• Private chef 
• Picnic brunch, lunch, or dinner
• Brewery or winery
• First Dance
• Stargazing
• Lounging by a campfire

Some ideas that are harder to list- is there something that just screams you and your partner? Don’t be afraid to include that in your elopement day. I had a past couple that played Uno every day of their relationship, so they played Uno during their ceremony. Whatever your version of that, include it! It’s such a fun way to make the day feel intimate, special, and *you*.

Remember: this list is JUST the beginning. There are SO many more ideas and activities you can include in your day. If you’re looking for more elopement ideas, check out the blog post below!

Step 11: Book travel and accommodations

Elopement travel tips 

If your elopement is taking place out of state, then you will need to book travel and accommodations. Once you have landed on a location, research the best travel method and closest airport to your destination (if applicable). 

Pro Tip: Most nature elopement locations require some driving distance and it’s not uncommon for the nearest airport to be located 1-3 hours away. One option is to fly into a regional airport to short your drive time. Keep in mind, though, that these airports often experience more delays which could impact your elopement plans. 

Elopement accommodation tips

Choosing where to stay for your elopement can have a BIG impact on your elopement day overall. Since most eloping couples don’t have a venue, their accommodation is often their getting-ready location, ceremony location, reception location, or a mixture of all three! A few things to keep in mind when choosing your elopement accommodation:

• Look for a place with natural light and vibes that match your style: If you plan on taking photos at this location, you want to make sure it has good lighting and an aesthetic that matches your elopement style. 
• Choose accommodation based on your ceremony/adventure location: It’s possible you found an accommodation that you LOVE but before you book anything, check the drive time between your exact lodging and your exact ceremony location. (Don’t just google “BLANK National Park”. Public land areas are very large and sometimes Airbnbs or hotels mention things like “only 45 minutes from the park entrance” but your ceremony location could actually be a lot farther. It’s not uncommon to have to drive a few hours on your elopement day, but try to minimize this as much as possible so you can spend MORE time adventuring and LESS time driving in a car or stuck in traffic. 
• Don’t be afraid to splurge: It’s your elopement day, after all! Go for something a little bit extra and make your experience even more special. 
• Arrive early: I *highly* recommend arriving the day before your elopement. This extra time allows wiggle room in case you run into travel snafus. 

Step 12: Plan your elopement timeline

Alright, folks, this is one of the most *crucial* steps of how to elope! Your elopement timeline sets the agenda for your entire day and there are a lot of logistics to consider. But, the good news, is that you don’t have to do it alone! 

As your elopement photographer, part of my elopement planning process is to help you build an elopement timeline that doesn’t just cover all the important details, but also creates an experience that is fun, relaxed, and full of all the things you’re hoping for! During this step, I send couples a timeline questionnaire to help gather all the important details (addresses and locations, how many guests, meaningful moments, special surprises, etc.). From there, we hop on a call to finalize all the important details. Just like every elopement is unique, so is every elopement timeline. However, there are two tips I *always* include and recommend when mapping out your elopement day.

• Give yourself lots of time: this day is all about enjoying your elopement experience and being present during every moment of the day. Rather than try to cram a bunch of things into several hours, give yourself time to truly savor the moment and be present. That’s real enjoyment! 
• Transition times take more time than you expect: there are a lot of things we can plan for, but there are some things we can not- weather and traffic being two of the biggest things. The more locations you include and the more guests you invite, the more time we will need to get from place to place. This is why I always account for transition and buffer times in all of my couple’s elopement timelines.

Step 13: Final prep for the big day

Can you believe it? Your elopement day is right around the corner! I highly recommend starting to set things aside about a month in advance. This way, as you think of things, you can set them aside rather than scramble at the last minute and (inevitably) forget something. 

What to pack will depend on a lot of factors like where you elope, the type of adventure you are having, weather and time of year, etc. However, here are a few things almost every elopement needs! 

• Wedding rings
• Wedding outfits & jewelry
• Permit
• Marriage license
• Backpack
• Socks/shoes (or hiking boots)
• Snacks
• Champagne 
• Blanket
• Headlamp

You’ll also want to be sure to get lots of sleep, rest, and water the night or two before your elopement. This will help ensure you feel rested and are ready to enjoy one of the best days of your life! 

Step 14: Enjoy every second 🙂

The last step in learning how to elope is the easiest- HAVE FUN! Enjoy every second of your elopement day- plot twists and all.

I’ll be completely honest with you, eloping is a grand adventure. And, like all the best adventures, things don’t always go 100% according to plan. Just know that’s totally okay. Embrace it all and know I have your back- we’ll pivot like champs and you’ll have the time of your life no matter what.

FAQs about How to Elope 

What does it mean to elope?

An elopement is a small, intentional wedding celebration. Elopements can include just the couple OR the couple and a handful of guests. There is no one way to elope and I *fully* believe that an elopement can be anything you want it to be! There are absolutely no rules!

How much does it cost to elope?

Elopement costs can vary a lot depending on what you want to do. You can go down to the courthouse and get married for as little as ~$50 or you can travel, include special details, or host your loved ones and spend upwards of $10,000. 

Can we invite people to our elopement? 

OF COURSE! Eloping doesn’t mean you can’t have any guests – it simply means being intentional about who you choose to spend the day with and not just inviting people because it’s expected.

How much time do we need to plan our elopement?

How much time you need will depend on what you want your experience to look like. I’ve helped couples plan their elopement in as little as a few weeks. However, time of year, destination, vendor coordination, travel logistics, and other details do take time. Typically, couples start planning around 6 months to a year and a half in advance. This allows plenty of time to coordinate all the details AND allows you to enjoy the process. 

Now that you know how to elope, are you ready to start planning?

No matter what your day holds, my wish is that you have a peak existence wedding day. You deserve to have exactly what you are hoping for and more. If you did want to learn about me or what I offer, here’s why I became an elopement photographer and a little bit more about me. If you’re ready start planning, reach out. I’d love to chat!