Planning an elopement wedding? There are so many ways to make this romantic and intimate wedding choice memorable and personal to you as a couple. Here are 10 amazing ideas and tips to help you make the most of your secret or intimate wedding day.
What is an Elopement?
Years ago, couples deeply in love would go to a location such as Gretna Green and get married in secret or without the permission of their parents. Perhaps because there was a baby on the way or because their parents disapproved of their relationship. Today, an elopement wedding is a romantic and personal wedding ceremony, celebrated with just the couple and their witnesses or with a small handful of loved ones. The secrecy is much less important now, but it's definitely still a romantic wedding option!
Top Ideas and Tips for an Elopement Wedding
Here are 10 amazing ideas and tips to help you make your elopement super special and personal.
1) Treat yourselves!
Just because you are having a tiny wedding doesn't mean you need to keep everything simple (unless you want to, of course!). Getting married is something to celebrate no matter how big or small the guest list. So, use this moment as an excuse to treat yourselves. Get a couples massage the day before the wedding, upgrade your hotel room to a suite for the wedding night or pop open a bottle of Dom Perignon to share between the two of you. This is a special day, so you should celebrate accordingly!
2) Personalise everything
While you may be keeping your wedding small, this is the perfect opportunity to go all out on personalisation. Make sure all the aspects of your wedding, from the venue to the wedding meal are personalised to your tastes or are meaningful to you as a couple. This personalisation will make your wedding extra-memorable and every detail will reflect you as a couple.
3) Write your own vows
Your ceremony is going to be super private, so why not take the opportunity to write and read your own wedding vows? This is a great way to express to your partner just how much they mean to you and make promises that are personal to your relationship. These can, of course, fit around the legally binding vows needed for a civil ceremony or church wedding where necessary, but are especially epic if you are having a celebrant-led ceremony.
4) Stick to (some) wedding traditions
While some wedding traditions may not fit your elopement style, we recommend choosing a handful of your favourite traditions and honouring them on your big day. Whether that means you get ready separately in the morning, you enjoy a private first dance by candlelight or simply cutting the wedding cake, you'll still want this to feel like your wedding day. So, keep the traditions you really like in place. Of course, this is still YOUR day! So, if the usual wedding traditions are really not up your street, then you can always put your own twist on those traditions or throw the wedding rulebook out the window completely!
5) Consider hiring a wedding planner
No matter how simple your elopement wedding is, there is still some planning involved. If you really don't like the idea of having to plan a wedding or just lack ideas on ways to make it super special, then consider hiring a wedding planner to assist you. They will be able to organise everything, leaving you to do the absolute minimum when it comes to preparation. If you still want to be involved but need someone with the expertise and skills to create something amazing, they can help you there too. So, you can arrive on your special day ready to marry the love of your life without a care in the world!
6) Plan a first-look moment
A first-look moment can be incredibly romantic. You can still get ready separately on the morning of your wedding day and have that special moment where you see each other in your wedding outfits for the first time. Make sure you have someone there to capture your genuine reactions, whether that be a close family member, one of your witnesses or your wedding photographer.
7) Live stream or record your ceremony
Many couples choosing to have an elopement feel a little guilty about not being able to include their extended friends and family in their special day. If this is the case for you, why not live stream or record your ceremony? Then you can send it to those you care about so they can be a part of your special day from afar. A professional videographer will be able to help you have a high-quality stream if you want your friends and family to witness the event, live.
8) Consider the small details
The small details matter at any wedding but, as elopements are a very personal way to get married, they can be extra important. You should look at the small details of the day and ensure they fit what you are dreaming of. Perhaps you want a specific menu for your wedding breakfast or want to walk down the aisle to your favourite song. Speak to your venue or relevant wedding supplier and discuss the specific small details you are really wanting for your day. They will do all they can to accommodate your wishes and make your day extra special.
9) Pick your ultimate ceremony location (and time)
If you are eloping, you probably don't want a traditional wedding. So, make sure your ceremony is extra special for you. Whether you want to have a celebrant-led ceremony on the edge of a cliff, a romantic destination elopement in Dubai or are wanting a private ceremony in your local church, make sure the location of your wedding is an important setting for you and your partner. Plus, if you are having a celebrant ceremony, you are not constrained by time of day. So, if you are wanting an evening candlelit ceremony or want to say your vows as the sun rises, do it!
10) Make a wedding reveal plan in advance
If you are going for the secret elopement, make sure you have a plan in advance of the day for how you will tell people you've tied the knot and, crucially, make sure you are both on the same page about it. Do be prepared for a bit of comedown following the reveal. There may be some friends and family who are disappointed they weren't able to witness the occasion. Also, the conclusion of the excitement and anticipation of sharing this secret between the two of you may give you the blues. But remember, if this is what you want, you won't regret it! Your reasons for eloping, whether to save money, avoid family politics, keeping things intimate or just because you want to, are all completely valid! So, be true to yourselves and remember the moments fondly.
Some ideas for a wedding reveal can include:
- Inviting your extended friends and family to a big wedding celebration party (a sequel wedding) and including the fact you've eloped on the invitation. This is especially useful if you are fearing some family politics getting involved.
- Keeping it simple and telling your closest family and friends personally first, and then posting about it on social media.
- Sending an email invitation to the live stream, surprising everyone about the elopement but inviting them to witness the occasion from afar.
So, whether you are having a secret wedding or inviting a small handful of guests to witness this special moment, we hope you have the most magical day! Find elopement wedding venues in your dream location today.