Eloping 101: Step-by-Step Guide on How to Elope
Your guide to planning an elopement and help you have a day you’ll enjoy with calm and intention.
YOUR ELOPEMENT IS ABOUT CREATING A HOME TO THE KIND OF WEDDING DAY THAT FEELS PERFECT FOR YOU.
No pressure and no performance, just the real, intentional moments you plan for with the person you love the most.
When you’re ready to start planning your day, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you’ll need, from the big-picture decisions to the smaller details that’ll make your day personal.
Let’s get you eloped!
Here’s how to elope and make the day intentional and a meaningful experience for you:
Nail Down Your Elopement Budget
Planning an elopement starts with getting a clear idea of how much you’re comfortable spending.
Elopements often come with a smaller price tag compared to traditional weddings, but it’s still important to know where your money’s going so you can make sure it’s for things that truly matter to you.
Here are some key areas to consider when creating your elopement budget:
Travel & accommodations: Will you stay local or are you planning a getaway for your elopement? This can affect your costs.
Photography: A great photographer is crucial for capturing your day. This is one area you’ll want to invest in, as those memories will last a lifetime.
Permits & legal fees: Certain locations require permits for your ceremony, and marriage licenses can vary by state, so make sure to factor in any legal requirements.
Vendors: Depending on your plans, you might want to include florals, an officiant, or even a private chef. Only choose what aligns with your vision for the day.
Attire: From your outfit to accessories, think about what you feel comfortable and authentic in.
The goal is to prioritize what truly enhances your elopement experience and skip anything that doesn’t fit the vibe you’re going for.
This is your day so your budget should reflect what makes it feel real and meaningful to you.
Plan Your Dream Day and Dive Into the Details
This step is all about envisioning the kind of day that truly reflects who you are as a couple. Think beyond the logistics and focus on the moments that will make you feel present and connected.
Maybe it’s a slow morning with coffee and a peaceful hike to a quiet sunrise ceremony. Or maybe you’re dreaming of beach vows followed by dinner under twinkle lights and your favorite food.
Ask yourselves:
What time of year or time of day feels most like you?
Do you want your day to be adventurous, cozy, relaxed, or full of celebration?
Would you love staying in a cabin, a cute Airbnb, or even camping?
Will you write your own vows, include a personal ritual, or keep things super simple?
Figuring out the big-picture pieces like your location, date, and vendor team can feel overwhelming at first, but a few elopement planning tips can help you move forward with clarity.
And if you’re wondering what’s actually involved in choosing to elope, reading a bit more about elopements can give you a clear sense of what to expect.
Don’t be afraid to go off-script by the way. If you dream of wearing something fun, exchanging vows in private, bringing your dog, or toasting with tacos, this is your day and you can make it work!
Gather Required Documents for Your Marriage License
It’s not the most exciting part of planning, but it’s definitely one of the most important.
Every state (and county, if you’re planning to elope abroad) has its own process for legally getting married, so you’ll want to get familiar with the requirements where your ceremony is happening.
A few things to look into:
Do you need an appointment and what documents should you bring to pick up your marriage license?
Is there a waiting period between when you apply, get the license, and when you can get married?
Is an ordained officiant and witnesses required (and how many)?
If you're planning to elope out of state or in another country, give yourself a little extra time to figure things out. Some places might need documents translated, notarized, or submitted ahead of time by mail.
Did you know? If you’re traveling to elope in California (where I’m based), you don’t need to be a resident but you do need to get your license in the state. There’s no waiting period, which makes it easy to stay on track with your plans once you arrive.
Book an Elopement Photographer That Gets Your Vision
Your elopement photographer will be there to document the feeling of the day, the in between moments, and the story you’re living as it unfolds in real time.
So it’s worth finding someone who truly gets your vision and understands how meaningful this day is to you.
A great elopement photographer does more than just show up with a camera. They often:
Help shape your timeline so your day feels smooth and unrushed
Recommend unique locations that fit your wants and accessibility needs (and avoid the crowds)
Help you feel relaxed, even if being photographed isn’t your thing
You don’t need to know how to pose or what to do with your hands. You just need a photographer who puts you at ease and knows how to document you in the best light.
Start by searching on Google and Instagram using location-specific keywords to where you’re eloping. Then dig a bit deeper by reading their reviews, browse their website, and reaching out to set up a consultation call.
Ultimately, you want an elopement photographer you click with and feel like you can trust from the first time you chat.
Craft Your Perfect and Ideal Elopement Timeline
Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean your day should be short or feel like it’s over in a flash. You deserve to stretch it out and enjoy every minute of it!
That’s where a thoughtful timeline will help your day feel calm, unrushed, and fully tailored to you.
It also gives you space to actually breathe, take it all in, and soak up this moment.
Things to consider including:
Getting ready time (and first looks, if you’re planning on that)
Travel time, driving or hiking, to your ceremony location
Ceremony, vow exchange time
A post-ceremony celebration like a small picnic, a chef-made meal, or just time to be still together
Portraits during golden hour for soft light
Additional activities like a slow morning walk or stargazing
Don’t forget to leave plenty of room for the in between for unforeseen delays so build in buffer time into your timeline. This way you won’t be watching the clock all day.
Choose Your Guest List or Keep Your Elopement Day Intimate
Eloping doesn’t have to mean just the two of you, though it absolutely can.
But these days, it’s totally normal to invite a handful of people who feel like home, if you want to include them.
Whether that’s your parents, siblings, grandparents, a few close friends, and even your dog, you get to make the choice that feels right.
You can include up to 25 guests (depending on the venue/location) and still keep the experience laid-back, personal, and true to the whole reason you chose to elope in the first place.
Here are a few things to ask yourself when it comes to inviting guests:
Will they bring calm, support, and genuine joy to your day?
Will they respect the experience you’re creating from planning until the day of?
Are you inviting them because you truly want them there or because of obligation?
Most couples keep it just the two of them and celebrate with a dinner or gathering later on.
Others mix it up by including a few people on the day and planning a relaxed celebration afterward.
Honestly, there’s no rulebook so make the plans that make the most sense for you two.
Secure Your Elopement Ceremony Permit
If you’re dreaming of eloping in a national park, on a beach, or at a beautiful public overlook, chances are you’ll need a permit for your ceremony and photography. It’s just part of making sure these incredible places stay open and protected for everyone.
The good news? Permits are usually affordable and pretty straightforward. You just need to plan ahead a bit so you are able to secure the date and location you want.
Here are a few practical tips:
Check the park or land management website for up-to-date guidelines
Apply as early as you can. Some permits can take a few weeks or even a couple of months to get processed!
Double-check group size limits and what is and isn’t allowed for setups like chairs, arches, or general decor
Follow leave no trace principles (and share that with guests too) so you’re treating the land with the care it deserves
If this feels a little overwhelming, you’re not alone. Many elopement photographers (myself included) help couples navigate permits so you’re not stuck in paperwork mode when you should be daydreaming about your big day.
Finalize Booking All Your Elopement Vendors
Once you’ve chosen your vendors, it’s time to make sure everything is official.
This step keeps everything organized and ensures your team is fully on board for your elopement day.
Here’s what finalizing usually looks like:
Confirm the date and what’s included in the package you’ve requested
Sign contracts to lock in services
Pay any required retainers or deposits to secure your date
Share the basics of your plans so vendors can start prepping (things like location, timing, and guest count if you have one)
Set a reminder for when final payments are due
It’s also a great time to open the line of communication with your vendors.
Whether it’s your florist, your private chef, or your officiant, staying in touch makes planning feel a lot smoother and makes sure everyone’s working toward the same easy, meaningful day you’re imagining!
Pick Your Dream Elopement Day Attire
Now that the logistics are mostly (or fully) taken care of, we move onto the fun part: Finding what you’ll wear when you say “I do.”
Your elopement attire should feel true to you and make sense for the setting you’ve chosen so think beauty meets practicality. Here are a few tips to guide you:
Choose fabrics that move easily (and bonus if it cleans easy too!)
If you’re headed somewhere chilly plan for stylish layers you can add or remove as needed
You can always wear your heels and oxfords but pack hiking shoes for the trek
Jumpsuits, colorful dresses, boots, capes... it’s all fair game
In the end, you want to be comfortable so don’t dwell on trends and focus on what fits and feels right to you.
Stay Extra Organized With an Elopement Checklist
When you're planning something as meaningful as your elopement, staying organized isn’t just helpful, it’s a game-changer!
That’s why a few simple elopement planning checklists can make this process feel way more doable (and way less chaotic).
Instead of keeping everything swirling around in your head, create three main checklists:
6 Months (or more) Before: Things like travel bookings, vendor contracts, permits, marriage license research, outfit try-ons
1 Week Before: For things like final vows writing, packing important documents and essentials
1 Day Before: Things like double-checking travel plans, charging and packing your phones and other electronics, packing your day-of bags
If you’re someone who loves crossing things off a list or struggles to keep a clear vision of the process, consider this your official reminder that you can accomplish planning your day with ease!
Looking for more hands-on elopement planning help?
Hi, I’m Sara, your elopement photographer and planner based in California!
I hope this guide has been helpful as you start planning your elopement. My goal is to help you create an experience that feels true to you, thoughtfully and lovingly. If you want to exchange vows in the mountains, find a quiet spot in nature, and include personal touches that speak to your story together, I’m here to help bring it all together.
When you’re ready to take the next step, whether you need a photographer or additional resources, just reach out, I’d love to help however I can!
Elopement Inspiration and Next Steps
