Elopement Planning Checklist

Couple eloping on the California coast

Our Unique Elopement Planning Checklist – The Details you Might Overlook

I’ve been planning elopements since 2002, and I’ve learned that, inevitably, a successful, stress-free elopement comes down to the small details. Every. Single. Time.

I think it’s easy to get bogged down in checking off the big things on our elopement checklist. Things like “interview officiants,” and “hire photographer.” Those aren’t the things I’m talking about. Besides, if you book an elopement package with us, we handle all that stuff for you anyway. If you’re worried about accomplishing those kinds of tasks, just Google “elopement planning checklist” and you’ll find a gazillion resources.

No, I’m talking about the minutia. The things that might not come to mind unless you do this every day. (I’m guessing you don’t). I’m going to assume you have the big pieces in place: the photographer, venue, officiant, lodging… all that important stuff.

But what about the rest?

Let’s get started
1.  To veil or not to veil.
  • This is a detail that many brides overlook. It’s ironic, because the very act of having an elopement wedding means you’re not being bound by tradition. But many brides forget, and they just stop there–thinking there are certain “must do’s” that are mandatory for getting married. And this goes for whether or not you choose to wear a veil. In my opinion (and it’s just that–so if eschewing the veil doesn’t resonate with you, then feel free to do your own thing), a veil can be cumbersome for an outdoor elopement. If the wind kicks up, you can spend more energy that you’ll want to exert to keep your veil under control.

Beach weddings are often not veil-friendly.

  • And if your photographer wants to walk you a little ways to get a once-in-a-lifetime background shot, do you really want to be focused on taming your veil on the way? On the other hand, if a veil perfectly complements your outfit, then go for it. And having a veil gives you some really creative opportunities for beautiful photos–like in the picture below. Either way, take everything into consideration before you decide.

Bride and groom with flowing veil | elopement planning checklist

2.  What about a first look?
  • Even if it’s just the two of you, a first look is still possible. It just means we have to get creative on how it’s orchestrated. It involves planning, but it’s doable. My favorite way to do a first look is to have the photographer come to your lodging and stage the first look there. After you’ve both had your moment, it frees you up to enjoy the rest of your wedding day without having to hide from each other. This is also the perfect time to do a first touch.
Bride and groom first look

A first look can easily be integrated into your elopement wedding.

3.  What are you going to do when you’re NOT getting married?
  • Lots of couples get so focused on wedding planning that they overlook the rest of their trip. if you’re making a honeymoon out of your elopement destination, or even if your time away is a shorter time period, it can feel anticlimactic if you don’t plan some fun activities to do in the hours and days after your wedding. Consider taking part in activities that are unique to the area, such as winery tours or train rides. Or splurge on things you wouldn’t normally do at home, like fancy dinners out, balloon rides, or a visit to a spa together. And don’t forget to add in down time to sleep in, eat out and take things at a leisurely pace.
Bride and groom at amusement park

Amusement parks are always a hit.

4.  Last minute expenses can come up. Bring cash.
  • It’s common for us to skip carrying cash in the age of credit cards, Apple pay and Google wallet. But your elopement is a time to keep some cash on hand. You may decide to tip your vendors on the spot, or maybe during your photo shoot in the city, you come up on a food truck and decide a photo of you two eating a footlong hotdog is a must. Carry some cash so you can take advantage of on-the-spot opportunities.

paying in cash

5. Confirm your lodging one final time before you leave home.
  • Before I started giving this tip, we had a couple show up for their elopement in Breckenridge to find the hotel had no record of their reservation. It resulted in a last-minute scramble for alternate lodging. Luckily, it wasn’t during ski season. And do you know that AirBnB allows their homeowners to cancel your reservation until the very last minute? Don’t assume the lodging you booked six months ago is good to go. Make a quick phone call to confirm a few days before your arrival.
6. Wear the right footwear for the conditions of your venue.
  • I can’t emphasize this one enough. Maybe those strappy sandals look awesome with your dress, but the allure is going to dim rapidly if you have to walk any length on your wedding day. Wear shoes that are appropriate to the conditions. If you must wear something impractical on your feet, then put on tennis shoes, carry your fancy footwear, and put them on when you get to your ceremony site. Your feet will thank you.

 

Gorgeous bride

Who would know that underneath this spectacular dress…

Bridal sneakers

… this is what the bride had on her feet.

7. Don’t forget to make it legal!
  • Although this hardly comes under the heading of “elopement planning minutia,” many couples get so caught up in having a great time that they forget about the legalities–namely the marriage license.Every state requires that you obtain a marriage license in the state where the wedding is to be held. So, you can’t bring one from home. (There are a few counties in Texas that are the exception to this.) That means you need to allow time out of your vacation activities to get over to the county clerk’s office to apply for your license. And since Covid, most county clerk’s require an appointment. If you’re working with Blue Sky, your officiant will advise you of the process. But do bear in mind that you have to have the license in hand on the day of the wedding, and most county clerk’s offices are not open on weekends.

Colorado elopement in autumn

8. Pack a day-of-wedding-emergency kit
  • Eloping does not bullet-proof you from mishaps (only from annoying people that you don’t want at your wedding!  Wedding dresses can tear, hems can come undone, accidents can happen, and all sorts of situations can arise. So, either put together your own kit or buy one pre-made. But be prepared. Here’s a good list of things to include.

In Summary

You don’t know what you don’t know when it comes to eloping. It pays to heed the advice of those of us who’ve been there. Pay attention to the details and the day will unfold smoothly. For more tips, check out my article on how to plan an elopement.