Tip 3 | How to make an elopement special

Bring along meaningful relationships (or don’t).

Once you’ve officially decided to elope, you’ll then need to answer that pesky question, “Just us?  Or are we bringing anyone?”

Again, only you know the answer, but there is so much value in answering the tough questions like this one thoroughly on how to make an elopement special.  You’ll need to look at why you’re eloping.  Are you eloping because family drama is too much and this seems easier?  Are you eloping because it’s more cost effective?  Are you eloping because crowds aren’t your thing and eloping is more private?  Are you eloping because mother nature is way more beautiful than any venue you’ve checked out?

Questions like these will help you determine if you should bring anyone along to your elopement, and if so, who are you bringing?  (PS dogs totally count, and if you have furry littles PLEASE bring them to your big day!!)

Bringing along those relationships that mean the most to you can add so much to an elopement day!  It doesn’t mean they’re with you the whole time–just the parts you need them at!  Perhaps you want to do a sunrise vow exchange and explore some Montana glacier lakes together for a bit.  Then you can meet up with your family at sunset to have a public ceremony for them so grandma can walk you down the aisle!  Eloping gives you the option to bring along only those you deem worthy to be there and to give them the appropriate role on your wedding day.  Answering how to make an elopement special can be as simple as asking, “Who can I not picture my wedding day without?”

On the other hand, bringing guests along can sometimes be just as stressful as that big wedding if they’re not the right folks or if you don’t envision them being a part of your day.  Your wedding day should give you a sense of safety and security.  You should feel the warm-fuzzies when you think about it!  And if having guests at your elopement doesn’t give you the warm fuzzies, then you deserve to have a “just us” elopement experience!  

Finding out how to make an elopement special for you will become much clearer when you can determine who makes you feel safe and what you want to prioiritze on your wedding day.

Tip 4 | How to make an elopement special

Create your elopement timeline to be full of doing the things you love.

One of the most joyous experiences many of our eloping couples have in their elopement planning experience is seeing their final timeline come together for their elopement day.

They learn how to make an elopement special by adjusting their schedule to fit around exactly what they love and value!  It takes some time to adjust to the thought, but eloping really does give you complete flexibility as to what you do on your wedding day and when you do it.  Some couples even opt for a multi-day elopement so they can make their elopement special by filling it to the brim of all they love.

Here are some questions to get you brainstorming on what you could add to your elopement schedule to make it special:

• What do we already do together that makes us feel connected and comfortable?
• What activities does our elopement location offer us that we want to prioritize experiencing?
• Do we want to experience something new together outdoors?
• If we’re bringing guests along, what could we all do together?
• What type of food do we want to eat to celebrate?
• Are we going to be doing anything during our elopement trip that we want to be sure is documented in photographs?

How to make an elopement special can boil down to creating your perfect day if all is right in the world and then adding a vow ceremony somewhere in it! 🙂 

Here are some examples of what we’ve seen adventurous eloping couples do to make their elopement special:

• Hiking
• Kayaking a new view
• Booking a helicopter tour
• Ice climbing
• Swimming in a glacier fed lake

And if you’re less adventurous we’ve also seen couples engage in these too:

• Watercolor painting
• Fishing at a local pond
• Dance party with their guests at an Airbnb
• Personal cooking class with private chef
• Charcuterie picnic

And the list can go on & on as to how to make an elopement special for you!  You’ll notice that some of the activities couples choose to make a part of their timeline (and thus captured in photos) may seem not so significant like a simple picnic or taking an hour to fish.  However, we believe that every moment of your elopement deserves to be captured.

You see, there’s this thing that happens called wedding day amnesia when it comes to having that big wedding.  Eloping couples can experience it too if they’re not careful to prioritize a relaxed timeline and photographs of all the moments.  You’ll want to look back and have photo evidence of every moment, because every moment is and should be meaningful on your elopement day.  This tip on how to make an elopement special should be prioritized very carefully! <3