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Elopement Planning

5 Things You Should Know Before Eloping

Intimidated by the wedding planning process? We asked real couples who chose an elopement or intimate wedding to share the #1 thing they wish they’d known beforehand. Now we’re passing their stories on to you!

1. “HOW MANY PEOPLE WISH THEY HAD ELOPED”

Photo by Bekah Kay Creative

Meghan from Baltimore, Maryland shares…

“I wish I would have known how many people wish they had eloped. I thought we were the odd ones out and that people would think we were being selfish or lazy. Almost everyone we spoke to about our elopement responded the same way: ‘You’re doing it the right way.’ People constantly told us, ‘I wish I would have eloped’ or ‘If we could do it again, we would elope.’ I think a lot of it has to do with the cost of a traditional wedding. I have had so many couples and parents say the wish they hadn’t spent so much money but thought that was just what they were supposed to do… I remember thinking I never wanted to look back on my wedding and see people I don’t know.”

You can see more of Meghan’s elopement HERE

2. “HOW AMAZING IT WOULD END UP BEING”

adventurous yosemite national park elopement wedding

Photo by Brooke Shannon Photography

Kaylie from Southern California shares…

“I wish I would have had the advice of someone before me who had eloped, just to get a sense of all the details and their feelings behind it. I had so many married couples tell me if they could do it over again, they would elope, but I did not know anyone who had actually done it. I was so nervous going into it that I would regret not having all the bells and whistles of a traditional wedding, so I wish that I could have had the advice of someone else letting me know how amazing it would end up being, mostly for peace of mind.”

You can see more of Kaylie’s elopement HERE

3. “JUST GO WITH THE FLOW”

tree house wedding

Photo by Rosendahl Photography

Katie from Fall City, Washington shares…

“I think the key is planning everything far enough in advance – at least three to six months – to avoid last minute hiccups. Another key thing to keep in mind is that any hurdles that may arise aren’t the end of the world. It’s important to just go with the flow, be present and enjoy every moment.”

4. “GET A MARRIAGE LICENSE”

Photo by Tara Lilly Photography

Melissa from Waterdown, Ontario shares…

“…an important thing to remember when getting married – get a marriage license! We were meeting with our officiant the day before and when she asked if we had the license, we had totally forgotten to get one! Luckily it was a quick trip to a municipal office and all was good again.”

You can see more of Melissa’s elopement HERE

5. “FAMILY AND FRIENDS WILL UNDERSTAND”

Photo by Angela Hays Photography

Taylor from SLC, Utah shares…

“A wedding is about you and your partner. Do what feels right and good to you… if you don’t fall into the trap of feeling like it needs to be any way other than how you want it, it will be perfect no matter what. Family and friends might be upset, but they will understand. Again, it is about you, your partner, and the love you share.”

 

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