The first rule of elopement is that there are no rules.

There are countless wedding traditions, but you should do what is meaningful to you. If standing in front of a crowd makes you nervous, or you’d rather have a completely intimate vow ceremony at an epic location, elope with just you and your partner! Can you not imagine getting married without your siblings and parents in attendance? You can absolutely bring them too! This is really your day to do what you feel is meaningful and important to you and your partner. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, because how boring would that be?

So, what is an elopement?

Once upon a time, eloping meant sneaking off to the courthouse and getting married without telling your parents, usually because they didn’t approve of your partner. But not anymore! Now, eloping means that you and your partner have intentionally opted for an intimate and personal ceremony that is meaningful to you. 

How many people can be there?

That is entirely up to you! In general, eloping refers to having 25 people or less in attendance, and there’s definitely a little bit of a grey area between mini/micro/intimate weddings and elopements. Ultimately, you should call it what you want. The main difference, in my opinion, between elopements and tiny weddings is that elopements is an extremely intimate ceremony and it is more focused on the experience of the day. A tiny wedding may have the same number of attendees, but is based more around the standard wedding day of ceremony and reception. 

What if my family wants a traditional wedding?

This is probably the most complicated part of eloping. There is no hard and fast answer to this one, because every family is different. My advice is that you and your partner are the only ones whose opinion on the day really matters. It’s your wedding day, and you are the one who needs to be happy with your decision. On a slightly bleaker note, no matter what you do, someone will be unhappy about it, so you might as well be the happy ones! 

Where can I elope?

Literally anywhere. That’s the beauty of eloping! You can elope in your hometown, at your dream vacation spot, in the busiest of downtown metros or on a remote mountaintop.

I love the adventure elopement photos, but I don’t want to hike ten miles round trip on my wedding day. What can I do?

There are a LOT of people who love the outdoors and all it’s beauty, but don’t want to hike on their wedding day. That is totally fine! I can help you find a location that meets all of your needs.

I’m eloping, but I always dreamed of having a giant princess wedding dress. Is that too much for an elopement?

WEAR IT. Wear whatever you want to! Whatever makes you feel beautiful (or handsome!).