I'm sure that you along with many others during this time had an amazing wedding day planned. You have been planning it for months, all for it to just have to wait. I am here to assure you that, even during this pandemic, you can still have an even more incredible wedding day experience than the one you were planning. Want to know how? I'll give you some insight!
Eloping is an option that many people are considering right now. But, what even is an elopement? I describe it as follows: Elopements aren't what they used to be. Elopements are a meaningful way to get married with the guests being the closest people to you at a location that is meaningful. Guest count is usually 25 people or less. Locations range from backyards, mountaintops, ocean cliffs, or to other countries. They are focused solely on you and your other half celebrating your love and getting married.
In other words, eloping allows you to have your dream wedding day if you so wish! Now I will say, eloping isn't for everyone. But if you have been stuck, trying to find a way to get married to the love of your life soon, it is definitely an option to consider!
Here are some elopement myths:
1) Eloping is for getting married secretly, shamefully, and away from all family and friends.
2) Eloping is for only two people.
3) Eloping is only done in a courthouse.
4) Elopements have to be adventurous.
5) Elopements are only 1-2 hours long.
Here is how elopements are today:
1) Elopements can include a small gathering of people that you care about most.
2) You can include who you want. It can be only you two, or it can have your closest family and friends (the people who matter).
3) Elopements can take place really anywhere! You pick a place that is meaningful to you, whether that be in your favorite place growing up, where you got proposed to, or a place you've always wanted to visit.
4) Elopements definitely don't have to be adventurous. If you aren't the adventurous type, there are definitely plenty of options out there for something that caters to you. But they can be adventurous if you love adventure.
5) Elopements shouldn't be only 1-2 hours long! This is your wedding day, the day you will be looking back on for your whole life. This is the day that establishes the anniversary date that you celebrate for years to come. Why should elopements be shorter than a traditional wedding? Would you hire a wedding photographer for only 1-2 hours for your traditional wedding? Absolutely not!
The last question may have you wondering: Well what would we do for an all day elopement? Isn't it just a ceremony with vows, and photos? Like what was just mentioned, this is a super special day. You have the opportunity to create your dream wedding day!
Here is a great exercise to get you thinking about what you might want to do for your elopement! You can close your eyes, and just think. Forget about what it would cost, forget about the limits or the logistics of it. Just be honest and think of what you would incorporate into a day you would dream of having. Some questions to think about are as follows. Where would you go? What things do you love to eat? What would you love to experience? What season do you love most? Do you love the mountains or the desert, or the ocean? What's on your bucket list? What gets your heart racing and your stomach full of excited butterflies? What makes you so giddy just thinking about it? These are some great questions to ask yourself to help you figure out what to fill your day up with.
Need some more inspiration on how to put all of this together?
Below is an example elopement timeline for my area of North Idaho. You can pick what things you would love to do in a day, and incorporate it into your special wedding day. This is just what I came up with as an example. If you're not so adventurous, that is totally okay! Maybe you would rather your day consist of a picnic on your favorite beach, or maybe you love the outdoors and want to incorporate camping and stargazing at the end of the night (with s'mores)! Or even if you want to spend time at a fancy resort and eat some amazing food that a personal chef cooks for you. Eloping ideas are endless! Eloping is having your day, your way!
Here is an example all day elopement timeline for my area of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. This is how you can make your elopement wedding last all day: fill it up with activities you love! Keep in mind this is a pretty adventurous example, and yours definitely doesn't have to be this adventurous! This is to help you visualize what you could fill your day up with!
4:00 am - 5:00 am
● Get ready at resort
5:00 am - 6:30 am
● Drive to Settler’s Grove (with a sheet separating bride and groom in backseat)
6:45 am - 9:30 am
● First Look at Settler’s Grove
● Ceremony by the creek
● Bridals
9:30 am - 11:00 am
● Drive to Fern Falls
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
● More Bridal Photos at Fern Falls
● Have a picnic lunch by the falls
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
● Drive back to Coeur d’Alene
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
● Rest and freshen up at resort
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
● Dinner and dessert with family at fancy restaurant in CDA Resort
7:00 pm - 7:30 pm
● Walk boardwalk at sunset
Don't you want your wedding day experience to be something you want to relive? In my case, I had a traditional wedding, and me and my family were all so glad it was over. Honestly, to me, that's sad! Who wants their wedding day to be over with? Eloping can allow you to wish your wedding day never ended. This isn't something that can only happen in your dreams. It can be your reality!
By eloping, you are able to get married during this pandemic. You can have an even more fulfilling day than the one you were originally planning!
If you have any more questions about how eloping works, feel free to contact me here with any questions you have!
Here is another blog post I have talking about 3 reasons why you should elope!
