How to elope: The Ultimate Guide

So... how do you elope?

There are a few questions you'll need to ask yourself and a few logistics you'll need to figure out before you can say "I Do." In this "How to Elope" guide, we're going to be breaking it down for the couples who are seeking a truly memorable, once-in-a-lifetime wedding day!

Step One: Write down all of your wildest dreams!

Seriously- grab a pen and a notebook, and write down all of the things you've dreamed about. All of those "Imagine" and "I wish I could" moments. Think of who would be there on your epic day.
Would it be just the two of you, maybe your beloved fur babies, or even your closest family and friends?
Would you have a slow morning making breakfast together, or would you be on top of a mountain by the time the sun began to rise?
Would you be sipping wine on a sail boat or exploring on an ATV through the canyons?

Step Two: Figure out the WHEN and the WHERE.

Now that you have compiled a list with everything you dream of, it's time to determine what destination can fulfill those dreams and when the best time of year is to make it happen. Our biggest piece of advice is to come up with a list of the top destinations, as most couples tend to have a season or specific date that they want for their elopement. We recommend this because different parts of the world experience entirely different seasons and weather patterns, and you want to plan your elopement to be in the best possible time of year to visit your destination!
Take into consideration things such as the destination's typical precipitation patterns and averages, as well as when your destination's peak tourism is. If your planning your elopement in the mountains, you'll want to avoid winter and early spring due to high likelihood of snow and road closures, and you won't want to be visiting the beach when it's time for school to be out! Try to find a destination/ date that offers you favorable weather, less crowds, and allows you to do the activities you want to do for your elopement!

Step Three: Determine where you will legally get married.

If you're from the United States and planning to elope in a different country, you will want to plan on getting and completing your marriage license in the United States. If you are from the United States but want to elope in a different state than one you reside in, you have two options- file your marriage license in your home state, or in the state you plan to elope in!
One thing to consider if you are planning to elope in a different state from the state you reside in is what the state's marriage license requirements are, and if they require an appointment/ waiting period before your marriage license can be filed. Some states, like Alaska and oregon, require a 3-day waiting period before you can pick up your marriage license. However, some states may have no waiting period but may require an appointment in order to pick up your marriage license.
 Ensure you have all of the legal documents (typically a valid photo ID) needed to pick up your marriage license, as well as determine if you will need witness or an oficiant. Some states, such as Colorado, allow you to sign your own marriage license, whereas some states such as Wyoming and Utah will require an officiant (and possibly 1-2 witness) to sign your marriage license.

Step Four: Research lodging, flights, and vendors.

Now that you've found the perfect destination and you've narrowed it down to a specific date, it's time to do the hard part- planning the trip! Determine what vendors (photographer, videographer, hair and makeup, florist, private chef, etc.) you will need to make your dream elopement happen smoothly, and start getting an idea of what flight, car rental, and lodging options you will have.
If you aren't familiar with booking flights, it's important that you sort of watch the available flights and their ticket pricing until it's the prime time to book. We typically recommend waiting to book domestic flights until about 2-3 months out, and international flights about 2-5 months out as we've found this is the best time frame to get a good balance of both availability and price. However, it's important to go back and keep an eye on ticket pricing as they very frequently fluctuate. 

PRO TIP: Use an incognito browser or a different device every time you look for a specific flight. When you consistently search up a specific flight, they tend to show higher pricing than when you look on a private browser as they know you are interested in booking that specific flight!

Step Five: Create your itinerary.

Before you lock in your vendors, flights, and lodging- you first need to consider what you want the day to look like! Important things to consider when you are creating a timeline for your day is any necessary drive time between locations and activities, as well as distance from your lodging. This will then allow you to determine what time frame your vendors need to be booked for, as well as what lodging and airports will be within your preferred distance of your locations and activities!
Our biggest piece of advice as elopement photographers is to choose either sunrise or sunset for your ceremony, and then build the rest of your adventure around your ceremony! Sunrise and sunset offer the best lighting, ensuring you will get those glowy and magical photos for your ceremony. Take into consideration the specific location of your ceremony to get a better idea of what time will be ideal, as some locations such as forests, mountains, beaches etc. will have differing times for ideal lighting.

Step Six: Lock in your vendors, lodging, and transportation.

Once you know what date you will be eloping and have a timeline for the day, you can secure your photographer/ videographer, hair and makeup artist, and other vendors that will be essential for having your dream elopement experience!

Step Seven: Prepare for the adventure of a lifetime!

It's getting close, the reservations are all made, the vendors are booked, and the excitment is getting unbearable! EEEKKK!
Take the last couple of weeks before your elopement to relax, to enjoy being engaged a little while longer, and to anticipate your epic wedding day! It all comes and goes so fast, so taking a deep breath and enjoying even the stressful moments is all a part of the experience!
Make a detailed packing list, as well as a to-do list, to ensure you have everything you need to bring and that you've done all of the necessary tasks that you need to complete before your elopement. Be sure to be extra careful to avoid scratches, cuts, bruises, and other temporary blemishes. Also, avoid using new hair, skin, and body products within the few weeks prior to your elopement. You don't want to risk any sort of reactions coming up right before your big day!

Step eight: Have the time of your life!

You've been counting down the days for so long, and now- it's time!!
Soak in every second, embrace every bump in the road, and rejoice over marrying your best friend!! ALSO- Be sure to return your signed marriage license after your elopement!