Pre-Elopement Self-Care to Stay Calm and Present Through Planning
In this Blog Post:
What to Do to Prep for Your Elopement Day
Create a Backup Plan With Time in Advance
Book All Your Pre-Elopement Appointments Early
Keep Your Body Moving Everyday
Organize Your Daily Schedule in Advance and Prioritize Sleep
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Pick up Journaling or Meditating
Treat Yourself to Weekly Dates
Elopement Checklist to Plan Your Day
What to do to Prep for Your Elopement Day
Your elopement day will be one of the most meaningful moments you share together. It’s the start of a new adventure!
But even when you’re planning a smaller, more intimate celebration, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by logistics, timelines, and endless details (agh).
That’s why self-care during elopement planning is so important!
When you take time to rest, recharge, and nurture yourself, you’ll step into your day feeling calm, confident, and fully present. Think of it as part of your elopement preparation not just an extra task.
So let’s talk about how to care for yourself along the elopement planning journey.
Create a Back Up Plan With Time in Advance
One of the most underrated forms of self-care during elopement planning is preparing a backup plan. Weather changes, trail closures, or unexpected events can pop up even with the best preparation.
Instead of letting that possibility create anxiety, give yourself the comfort of knowing you have pre-planned options.
A back up plan doesn’t have to feel like a downgrade (or like you’re already expecting things to go south) it’s just another version of your day, in case it’s needed.
So while you make your plans, talk with your elopement photographer about your concerns and to see if creating a back up plan is possible.
This includes looking into alternate locations or timeline adjustments accordingly so if a transition is necessary, it feels easy and doable.
On your end you can research:
Nearby ceremony spots that offer a similar atmosphere
Keep an eye on permits and know what’s transferable (can the date or time be changed? Is there a fee?)
Maintain an open mind to the idea that a different backdrop can still feel beautiful and true to you
Knowing you’ve already thought ahead of possible issues gives you space to stay calm, grounded, and flexible, no matter what comes your way.
PLAN YOUR ELOPEMENT: Elopement Planning Worksheets | Elopement Checklist
Book Your Pre-Elopement Appointments Early
Looking and feeling your best isn’t only about hiring vendors, it’s also about taking care of yourself.
Adding a few things towards your wellness routines into your planning timeline will help you feel polished and comfortable on your elopement day.
When you schedule these self-care appointments ahead of time, you avoid last-minute stress and give yourself a chance to enjoy them as a form of pampering.
If you haven’t already, make sure that you book the following elopement prep appointments:
Haircuts + Color Touchups: Book 2–4 weeks before your elopement to let your hair settle naturally.
Skincare Treatments: Facials, peels, or tanning should be scheduled 1–2 weeks ahead to avoid irritation.
Manicures + Pedicures: A simple but impactful part of elopement self-care as your hands will be in photos, so neat, hydrated nails for both you and your partner will help you feel confident.
Keep Your Body Moving (Gently)
Movement is one of the best self-care practices for elopement planning.
It’s not about changing how you look but about supporting your energy, mood, and mental health while navigating the details.
Gentle activity gives you a steady boost and helps you feel more present.
And that goes without saying that if you’re planning to elope in a location where you have to walk or hike to your ceremony spot, coming up with a workout routine early on will help you feel stronger and fit for the trek.
Go for daily walks, yoga sessions, or short hikes to release tension and feel grounded.
Stretch before and after to avoid soreness or small injuries.
Remember: consistent, gentle movement is more effective than pushing yourself. Even 10–20 minutes at home each day helps with stress relief.
Think of it as creating space for both your body and your mind to relax while you plan.
Organize your Day-to-Day Tasks and Prioritize Sleep
One of the most underrated elopement self-care tips is getting organized. Not just with planning but also in life and your work.
It’s my opinion that when we handle tasks early, we create more room for calmness and clarity in our minds.
And pairing that with quality rest, it’s the perfect recipe for feeling much more balanced leading up to your big day.
You can start getting things in order by:
Getting ahead on big projects at work or home 1–2 months before and delegating what you can
Prioritizing sleep by creating a bedtime routine with dim lights, setting aside screens, or trying calming activities like a warm bath before bed
Breaking tasks down with a checklist so you can make intentional planning much less overwhelming (this helps keeping you stress-free!)
Good organization and rest aren’t just productivity hacks, they’re also crucial parts of your overall self-care and wellness while planning your big day.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
Hydration is one of the simplest yet most powerful forms of elopement self-care.
Staying hydrated supports your skin, energy, and mood, helping you feel refreshed and present as your day approaches.
Water affects nearly every aspect of your wellbeing, from energy levels to mood to skin appearance so staying hydrated in the weeks leading up to your elopement is important!
Plus it’s the easiest way to feel more balanced, alert, and present everyday. Here are my tips to ensure you’re hydrating as much as possible on the lead-up to your day:
Create a water drinking routine where every morning you have 1 glass of water
Carry a water bottle or set reminders for the rest of the day, if it helps
Limit sugary drinks, energy drinks, and too much caffeine as they can dehydrate you and leave you feeling off balance
Pencil in journaling or mindfulness sessions
Your mind needs as much care as your body.
During elopement planning, journaling and mindfulness practices can help you process thoughts, release stress, and focus on what truly matters.
These are grounding self-care habits that bring more meaning into your journey. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:
Try meditation, deep breathing, or mindful walks for a few minutes each day
Journal to organize your thoughts, release worries, or reflect on your excitement and intentions
Invite your partner to join you! Shared mindfulness adds deeper connection and balance to the planning process
These practices bring clarity and joy, making your elopement feel intentional and mindful from start to finish.
Treat Yourself to Weekly Fun Dates (Seriously!)
Self-care isn’t only about staying organized and hydrated, it’s also about joy.
So don’t forget to give yourself permission to celebrate small wins and treat yourself along the way during the elopement planning journey.
This keeps your planning light, enjoyable, and less stressful for your and your partner. Here are my top tips on how to seriously treat yourself:
Plan simple treats or activities at least once a month: a cozy night in, a casual date, or a favorite snack after booking vendors.
Mark milestones on a shared calendar or board, like confirming outfits or finalizing travel plans, to make the journey feel intentional and enjoyable.
Self-care doesn’t need to be extravagant; the goal is to nurture yourself so you can show up fully on your elopement day.
Grab Your Elopement Checklist to Plan Your Day
Hopefully, these tips help you feel calm, grounded, and present as you prepare for your elopement.
When you start feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath and give yourself permission to pause and step away from planning.
After all, caring for yourself isn’t about adding more to your list. It’s about creating space to stop and embrace wellness, mindfulness, and intentional planning.
In return this will bring you an elopement day that feels relaxed and stress-free.
And if you’d like a bit more planning support and help capturing those moments on your day, you can grab your elopement checklist and check out my elopement photography services here!
Want to keep this handy? Pin it for later!
Hey, I’m Sara!
I’m a California elopement photographer based in the Central Valley.
If you’re recently engaged or ready to start planning your elopement day, I’m cheering you on and I’d love to help!
Let’s talk about your vision, gush over stunning locations and spend the day creating memories.
I’m here to guide you through the process + capture your day how you dream it.
YOUR PERFECT DAY STARTS HERE
