2020 has been a year of change and weddings have been no exception. As a wedding photographer, I have seen first hand the struggles that couples have endured this year.
Wedding plans have been adjusted, adjusted again, postponed, relocated, and some even replaced with a courthouse wedding after the couples gave up on having the wedding they originally planned. The positive that has come from this season of change is that the focus has shifted somewhat from how perfect the ceremony and reception can be to how much the two of them really just want to be married.
The resulting impact on the wedding industry is that many couples want to avoid planning a huge ceremony only to have to possibly change it later, so they have decided to elope. When I was younger, it seemed so off the wall for someone to elope. It seemed as if they needed to have a secret wedding foe some reason if they chose that route. These days, however, the term elopement has become much more alluring. It is intimate. It involves travel. It is a wedding and honeymoon wrapped into one. And oftentimes it is much less expensive.
Let’s talk about the elements of an elopement.
People
Who do you want to be there? Some couples take an officiant and a photographer and that’s it. Others opt for a couple of close friends or maybe both sets of parents. Usually, when a couple has decided to elope, their reason is that they want to keep it small-scale, though, and once you start adding other people into the mix, it becomes hard to draw the line.
Place
This is my favorite part. You get to choose a gorgeous setting for your wedding! Those images that you swoon over on Pinterest and Instagram get to be yours. Do you love the photos of a bride and groom standing on a cliff in the desert? How about a mountain trail? National parks are popular elopement destinations and for good reason. They are insanely beautiful, at the right time of day/year on the right trail, they aren’t crowded, and they don’t cost thousands like some of your local venues. You can often get a permit for less than $100.
Time
You’ll need to research the area and figure out the best time of year. Mountains will be covered in snow from late fall through winter, and the desert will be brutally hot during mid summer. Think about your surroundings and the look you want to create - fall colored leaves? Green trees and grass? Wildflowers blooming? Also, the time of day is important. Do you want to capture the golden hour and sunset or maybe a sunrise when the area isn’t crowded? How long will it take to get to your spot? Can you drive part of the way, or do you need to walk the whole way? How long will you be out there? Do you need to carry snacks or maybe a full meal? Your photographer should be able to help you with the planning of the time of day and year and give you an idea of the different impact on the photos that each choice will have.
Photographer
I’m not trying to sell this just because I’m a photographer. If you are traveling to some incredible destination, you are definitely going to want to have it documented in a way that shows off the beauty of your surroundings and also the emotions of the ceremony. Make sure you choose an experienced photographer who will create a set of images you can show off to all of your family and friends who couldn’t be there in person. For my weddings, I deliver the photos in a gorgeous online gallery that is easily shared with all of your loved ones. I can also provide prints, albums, announcements, whatever you need. Finally, if you’re going to be hiking, make sure you choose a photographer who is up for an adventure and is physically able to carry a heavy bag of gear around all day.
Dress
The dress will be determined by your personality, your location, and your style. If you’re getting married in the mountains or the desert and hiking to your location, you’ll need to carry your dress and change when you get near the site. This means you won’t be able to have a multilayered princess style ball gown. The boho style dresses are super popular for mountain and desert locations and they are fabulous! I can send you some examples from one of my favorite vendors if you’d like!
Shoes/Accessories
You’ll need hiking shoes and good backpacks to carry everything where you need it if you opt for an out of the way site. If you choose a beach, you may decide to go barefoot.
Hair
Will you wear a veil? A flowered headpiece? Will you need to hire a hair and makeup artist, or will you bring a friend along to help with it, or even do it yourself?
Groom’s Attire
It’s a little easier for the guys, but some planning is still involved. Will he wear a tux? Maybe gray pants with a white button down and suspenders? A traditional tie or a bow tie? Any fun additions like cool socks? Will he have a boutonniere? If you’re hiking, do you need to carry along a battery operated steamer for wrinkles?
Decor
When you choose the right location, not much (if any) decor is needed, but some couples choose to add a gorgeous rug or a simple arch. Flowers are not allowed to be brought into some of the national parks, so you’ll need to review the guidelines when you get your permit and plan to keep things as simple as possible.
The Legal Stuff
This is the part that scares some couples out of eloping, but it really isn’t that hard. The simplest solution that many couples take is to simply take care of the official part in their home state then have the ceremony be just that - a ceremony. Those couples usually recognize the ceremony as their actual wedding since that’s when they say their vows, but the court documents will show the date the official marriage was recorded in their home state. If you choose to complete everything at the destination, make sure you check the laws for that state. You’ll need to take all of the legal documents to get your marriage license there, you’ll need an officiant who is certified in that state, and you’ll need witnesses (the photographer can serve as one of those).
Travel
The final element is to decide how you’ll get to/from your destination. Couples sometimes cover the cost of travel for the wedding party (when one is included) and those whom they hire for the day (photographer, HMUA, officiant), but that is not always the case. Either way, it is something that needs to be discussed. Accommodations vary greatly from one place to another. Some options are hotels, lodges, cabins, Airbnb’s... You’ll need to decide if you want a separate room for the bride and the groom the night before the ceremony. If a wedding party is included, sometimes they’ll stay for a short vacation, and sometimes they will head straight back home. The photographer usually spends most of the day of the ceremony with the couple, documenting everything then leaves the day after the wedding, and the couple often stays for a honeymoon so that they can enjoy the area for longer.
Elopement Site Suggestions
Utah is one of my favorite places, so I wanted to suggest a few locations that I think would be gorgeous for a wedding in that state. Dead Horse Point State Park, Zion National Park, Arches National Park, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, and Bonneville Salt Flats. A couple of other sites that I have visited and think would be fantastic backdrops for a gorgeous wedding are Yosemite National Park and Glacier National Park.
WHEW… there you have it! When I said Ultimate Guide, I meant it. I tried to be as comprehensive as possible to help you plan your amazing wedding. Are you ready to hop on a plane and go get married in a beautiful location yet? If you decide that elopement is the route for you, I would love to chat with you about possibly being your photographer. Fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page and let’s talk!
If you have already eloped or know someone who has, feel free to drop some ideas into the comments! I’m always up for suggestions - and I definitely love to add new destinations to my travel bucket list.
