How to Plan the Perfect Short-Notice Elopement
So the two of you have decided to throw caution to the wind and just freaking do this thing? I’m so incredibly excited for you! Coming from someone who planned her own wedding in just 4 months, planning an elopement in just a few months (or weeks) is TOTALLY doable!
I’ve outlined 5 steps to help you plan your last-minute elopement—let’s tackle this together!
Step 1: Decide where to elope
Deciding where you want to elope is going to be the first and most important step because it will affect everything else for your elopement. To determine the right location for you, answer the following questions:
Is there a place you’ve always envisioned yourself getting married?
What kind of scenery do you picture yourself being surrounded by on your elopement day?
Is there a place the two of you have shared a memory together that’s become special to you?
Do you want to bring a few family or friends with you?
If you don’t have a spot in mind after asking those questions, don’t worry! I have incredible locations to suggest to my couples; we’ll find the right spot for you!
Step 2: Research permit requirements and state marriage license laws
Permits
Now that you know where you’re going to elope, you’ll want to sort out all the legal stuff. If you’re getting married in a national park, you’ll need a Special Use Permit. The good news is, a lot of parks have very short timeframes for obtaining that permit. Some will allow as little as 14 days before your elopement day, and others have a minimum of 30 days.
Not every location will require a permit, so I’ll determine whether that’s the case and go from there!
If you’re planning an elopement in less than 30 days, location options will become a lot more limited, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find one! That’s what I’m here for. If this is your situation, go ahead and scroll all the way down to the bottom of this page and fill out the inquiry form so we can chat about your options if I’m available for your desired date! I’ll be sure to respond same-day so you’re not left waiting.
Marriage License
Each state has its own laws and requirements for getting a marriage license. Some require two witnesses, some require 0, and some have a waiting period after applying for your license before you can marry.
If it feels too overwhelming to get the legal things in order, you don’t necessarily have to get legally married on your elopement day.
Sometimes, getting proper documentation to present to the county, dealing with waiting periods to get your marriage license, and finding an officiant can be a lot if you’ve only got a few weeks to get everything together. While it may not sound ideal at first, I want to be the person to give you permission to do what it takes to have the elopement experience you’re dreaming of. If the legal things get in the way of making that happen, don’t worry about it. You can take care of that part of it after so your elopement day can be everything you want and more.
Step 3: Book accommodations and secure your vendors
Vendors
The great news about eloping is that the “stuff” you need is extremely limited. Once you know where you’re eloping and have the legal side of things sorted out, the rest starts to fall into place.
I have a master list of incredible vendor recommendations, and if you need suggestions, I offer those to my clients included as a part of their package! From florists to hair and makeup artists to cake makers, I can help save you a ton of time researching.
If you want to keep things really simple, have a vendor-less elopement! (With the exception of a photographer, of course *wink wink). Here’s how you can DIY some of the things you still may want to include:
Build your own bouquet from artificial stems on Etsy or at a local craft store
Purchase a pre-made bouquet from Etsy (there are some seriously stunning arrangements on there!)
Accommodations & Lodging
Booking hotels or Airbnbs on short notice is usually a matter of two things: cost and availability.
Depending on where you’re eloping, finding a place to stay might be a little more daunting of a task than in other locations. If you’re eloping in peak season at a particularly busy national park, try and find a place to stay a little further away and be willing to drive a bit longer to get there on the day-of. But, if you’re eloping on a weekday in off-season, you should be able to find something.
When searching for a place to stay, I recommend filtering places with high ratings, within your budget, and within a reasonable distance from where you’re eloping. There’s no need to break the bank if it would cause you undue stress, but you also don’t want to stay someplace that will kill the romance just to save a bit of money. Remember, just because you’re eloping quickly doesn’t make your day any less valuable or important.
Step 4: Find your elopement attire & plan your ceremony
Finding Attire
Elopements are all about doing things that feel right for you, so you don’t even have to wear the traditional attire! You can wear something in a unique color or pattern, or piece together an outfit that feels like you. Heck, you can even put something together with items you already have if that’s your vibe!
Here are a few places you can find affordable and quick-to-obtain dresses:
Etsy
Amazon
Lulu’s
Liquidation stores (I found my wedding dress at a liquidation store for $500 and had it tailored in the sweetest lady’s basement for literally $50. Ask around, someone you know may know someone who can help if your attire needs to be changed a bit!)
Thrift stores (yes, really!)
Local bridal shops with the option to purchase sample dresses
Wear a hand-me-down dress from a loved one
If you’re purchasing online, just be sure to read the reviews and look at photos of the attire on real people, not just models. Make note of the common likes and dislikes and compare them to how you feel about clothing. And remember, the most important thing is that what you wear feels like you. Also, make sure to check shipping times to ensure your attire arrives on time!
Ceremony Planning
You’ll want to think about what you want your ceremony to look like while searching for your attire. I pair this with finding your attire because, at this step in the process, your elopement is starting to shape into something more than just what you’ve envisioned in your head, and the idea of picturing yourself in that dress or suit in the location you’ve chosen will help finalize this part of your day.
Do you want to exchange rings? Do you want personalized vow books to read from as you promise your lives to each other? Do you want to include religious or cultural elements? Is there a certain time of day you want to have your ceremony such as sunrise or sunset?
Step 5: Sit back and relax while I help plan your day!
Now that all the essential stuff is taken care of, the two of you can take some time to relax while I’m hard at work creating your timeline. I include personalized timeline building in all my packages, and it’s honestly one of my favorite parts of helping plan elopements!
A timeline isn’t about having a rigid minute-by-minute schedule. It’s all about creating space for all the things you want to include in your day without feeling like you have to compromise on anything because you don’t have time.
Timelines create structure, and they actually leave more room for spontaneity than if you have a whole day ahead of you with no plans. Check out some example timelines that I wrote here!
Having a timeline that emphasizes capturing your authentic moments and allows the two of you to interact naturally is what I’m all about because it truly does make for the best photos. Having your memories documented with intentionality and purpose is how you’ll be able to remember your elopement for years to come.
You deserve an elopement day you can look back on with joy forever
No matter how fast your elopement is approaching, remember that it matters how you get married. Just because it’s coming quickly doesn’t mean you have to have a day that feels rushed or generic.
Elopements are all about bringing the right things into focus, placing value on intentionality, and creating a day that’s all about you and your relationship. If you’re ready to say yes to a day that gives you the chance to do just that, get in touch with me and I’ll get back to you super soon so we can get started planning right away!