Eloping? : The 10 Step Guide of How to Plan an Adventure Elopement
Many of my clients never know where to start when they decide they want to have an adventure elopement. So to help out with the planning, I put together this guide to take you from start to finish in planning your adventure elopement, so that you can rest easy knowing how to plan a stress-free elopement.
Step 1: Imagine your perfect day together.
What does it entail? What would you like to include in your elopement?
Your elopement should be exactly what you envision, in a way that suits the two of you and that tells your love story the best. Every partnership is completely unique, which is why there is no reason to go the cookie cutter route. Make your day exactly what you want!
It's a great idea to sit down with your partner and go over what you would imagine doing together in your perfect day. Would you go hiking, canoeing, sit around a fire, eat a fancy meal? The opportunities are endless. If you want to feel inspired, check out this blog post of 20 Activities to Consider for Your Adventure Elopement
You can include more than one activity in your day, or even better, make it a multi day elopement! Pick a bunch of activities that you want to be able to enjoy, and enjoy them over the course of 2 days, or even 3. The sky is the limit. But choose the events that will be meaningful to the two of you.
Step 2: Choose a location
There are so many amazing locations to elope, you could literally spend your entire life visiting every single one of them, which is why it may be difficult to narrow it down to just one.
Start by deciding if you want somewhere new or somewhere you’ve already been. Do you want somewhere that is uncharted territory for you both, or somewhere sentimental?
Then decide if there are any geographical features that you are looking for in a location, such as mountains, ocean, badlands, forests, etc. This will help you start narrowing it down.
Also consider if any of the activities you want to do are viable in that area. Rock climbing won’t be possible in a prairie region, and sailing wouldn’t be possible in most mountainous regions.
Step 3: Pick a date.
While a date might sound like the easy part, there is several things to consider!
Weather: What is the weather historically like where you are going? Will it be cold, hot, snow, hurricane season? Depending on what the weather will be like affects what kind of activities you may be able to do, or whether they will be enjoyable. Having a beach day in the middle of winter will likely be cold and unpleasant, where having a ski elopement in the summer is practically impossible unless skiing on a glacier in some very limited areas. Do you and your partner enjoy warm days and long nights? Or do you prefer cooler days?
Popularity: Depending on your own personal preferences will also affect how you feel about tourist season. Many popular adventure destinations are also overrun with tourists during peak season, and can make it difficult to have a quiet, intimate elopement with your partner. If you have picked a location that has a peak season, perhaps consider shoulder or off seasons instead. If you would like to go during peak season, pick off times for your ceremony, perhaps sunrise or sunset, as it will allow you and your partner to really just enjoy the intimate time together, without a bunch of other people who do not know you milling around.
Accessibility: While we all might like the idea of hiking 20 miles to a beautiful location to get married, the truth is not everyone is able to or would actually enjoy the journey. Consider how accessible your location is during the time frame you are considering for the date. Perhaps snow makes the location impassable, or ice makes travel perilous.
Work Schedules: It might seem like a very basic concept, but don’t forget to consider your work schedules! Will it be possible to take time off at a certain time of year? Is there busy seasons to avoid booking time off during?
Step 4: Start reaching out to your important vendors
You don’t want to wait on booking your vendors. Many vendors book over a year in advance, and you don’t want to miss out on your dream vendors!
Vendors to remember to book:
Photographer
Videographer
Celebrant
Elopement Planner
Florist
Hair and Makeup Artist
These are just the basics, and while your ideal day may not include all of these, they are a good base to start with. Other vendors could include a private chef, a baker for a cake, musicians, etc. Depending how basic or extravagant you want your elopement to be, will also be a determining factor on who you will want to hire to help with your elopement.
Step 5: Decide if you are inviting any guests, or if it will just be the two of you.
Elopements don’t have to be just the two of you, but they certainly can be! Sometimes it is also great to include your closest family and friends in at least part of your day, and there are various ways to do so. You can include them in the ceremony, have an afterparty, do an intimate dinner together, or include them in it all. It is completely up to you!
The term elopement can vary in meaning, but generally can include up to 10 people before it becomes an intimate wedding. If you need help deciding who to invite to your elopement, check out this blog post here.
Once you have decided on what you would like to do during your day, now is the time to really flesh out the details. Will you need to book a guide for any activities? Rent equipment? Are you considering sunrise and sunset, and when you would like to have your ceremony? Make a basic timeline, and as it gets closer to your day be prepared for your plans to change!
Necessary things to include in your Elopement Timeline:
Getting Ready
Ceremony and vows
Official documentation signing
Celebrations
Optional things to include:
Breakfast together
First look
Unity ceremony
Fancy supper
Adventure activitty
Step 7: Book accommodations/lodging, flights, and car rentals if needed.
If you are travelling for your adventure elopement, don’t forget the essentials such as flights, hotels, and perhaps a car to get your from A to B!
Accommodation:
There are so many great options for places to stay during your elopement. If you are planning a camping or backpacking adventure, reserve your tent pad in a beautiful location to wake up to on your wedding day. Staying in a local town? Airbnb, Bed and Breakfasts, and hotels provide many options from everything from a townhouse to an intimate room with a hot tub and view. Looking for a place in the country? Cabins, treehouses, sailboats… the world is your oyster.
Flights and Travel
Unless you really like road trips, chances are if you are travelling more than a few hours away, flights will have to be booked. I suggest arriving to your destination at least a couple of days prior to your ceremony; you don’t want to be delayed and miss your own wedding!
Other ways to travel to and during your elopement can include:
Car rentals: whether you are renting from a large rental company, or private car hire, there are vehicles for everyone
Motorcycles or scooters: not recommended if you have never ridden before, and make sure you have the correct licensing, but these can be great fun!
Cruise ships: take a cruise ship to your elopement destination, or even consider getting married on the ship
Sail Boats and Catamarans: an alternate and dreamy mode of transportation, unless you get sea sick
4x4: who doesn’t love offroading? Find a trail and get married in the backcountry
Helicopter: Consider helicoptering in to your dream elopement destination.
Step 8: Outfits and Details
Each person’s idea of what they want to wear and include on their elopement day can vary greatly. There is no right or wrong for what to wear, and alternative options of clothing such as black dresses, pant suits, and capes are becoming more and more popular.
Also think of details such as: do you need a ring box? Do you want vow books? Do you have any accessories you would like? Proper footwear? When you are having an adventure elopement, remember you will need more than you usually pack for any adventures, as you will be including wedding items as well.
Having troubles deciding what you should wear for your elopement? Check out this blog post
Step 9: Paperwork
Each country, province/state has different allowances on who and where they can get married. Make sure you have all the necessary paperwork filled out to make sure you are legal.
Marriage licenses: some places require you to apply to get married months in advance. Make sure the location you are headed has allowances for your timeline, and apply through the proper channels.
Permits: Some National Parks and other areas require permits to perform a marriage ceremony. Check with your location before solidifying plans.
Step 10: Pack your things, and have an incredible adventure together!
You have done all the planning, now don’t forget to enjoy this incredible adventure! And don’t forget to document it to look back on for years to come.
