How to Plan an Elopement in 10 Simple Steps

These must-have elopement planning tips are exactly what you need to ditch tradition and craft the most incredible wedding day centered around your love.

There’s no doubt planning an elopement brings its own unique overwhelming feeling. Unlike a traditional wedding, you likely don’t have friends, colleagues, or Hollywood to consult for advice. The fact is: most of us don’t know someone who eloped unless they “ran away” to Las Vegas. Nonetheless, much like a wedding, meticulous organization is key in developing an unforgettable relaxed experience. We’ve developed a precise process so that you can deliberately avoid the stress of planning. Let’s get you started…

1. Choosing whether to include family

It may seem obvious that by choosing to elope, you are planning to elope alone. In 2023, this just isn’t true anymore. While you can absolutely choose to create your own solo wedding day adventure together, you can also choose to include loved ones. There is no wrong decision here, only the decision that is right for you.

This may come down to logistics, relationships, or just your overall vision for the day (we’ll get there next). However, deciding this up front will impact your entire planning process which is why we recommend it as the first step. Here’s just a couple reasons why:

• If you’re planning an intimate experience at a cabin in the woods, you’ll want to ensure the cabin has enough amenities and space to host your guests. Knowing who you want to invite, will help you make the right decision in choosing your lodging. If it’s just the two of you, you only need to focus on the amenities that YOU need- you also get to revel in this extra freedom..

• Many locations, especially National Parks, have restrictions regarding group size and designated ceremony sites depending upon yournumber of guests.

• If you have loved ones attending who require ADA accessibility, this will also impact your decision on location.

2. Creating your vision board

This is our favorite part and not only because it makes for the perfect date night: start by building a Pinterest board. If you don’t already have your mind set on how you want your elopement to look, sometimes you have to see it to believe it. Don’t under estimate this step.

Head over to Pinterest, enter your key words in that search bar, and start saving what you resonate with most.  Now is the time to begin thinking about decor, wedding attire, location, time of day, what you want to do. Stray from committing to a single idea here; let your minds run free.

We guarantee when you review your images, you’ll witness your desires unfolding right before your eyes.

Need inspiration for a few elopement activities? Check out 101 Things to Do on Your Elopement Day for real ideas right here in the Pacific Northwest.

3. Determining your budget

Ultimately your budget will direct every decision moving forward. During this phase of the planning, you’ll need to carefully consider your priorities and decide your ideal investment. You can either elope for the cost of a marriage license or spend in excess of $20,000. Simple, luxurious, or something in between… It completely depends on you.

Insider knowledge: When my husband and I changed from a traditional wedding to an elopement, our budget remained unchanged. We simply reallocated the funds to what was most important to us.

To get you started, here’s a few items to include in your elopement budget:

• Elopement location/venue permits

• Wedding attire

• Rings and accessories

• Officiant

• Marriage license

• Photography

• Videography

• Hair and makeup

• Elopement planner

• Decor and/or florals

• Meals

• Travel and accommodations

• Rental car

• Gifts

• Cake or other celebratory dessert

While these are some of the most common expenses, you may eliminate a few or potentially include something unmentioned. Have an exciting activity already in mind for your day? You’ll want to ensure any associated costs are incorporated into your budget as well.

4. Choosing your location

In this phase, you won’t need to be overly specific however sufficient details will certainly help you in step 5. Begin by reviewing your Pinterest board (see step 2) and analyzing any trends you notice. Are many of your pins located in the mountains, beach, or possibly even the desert?

Now that you’ve determined your budget, and whether loved ones will join you (see step 1 & 3), here you can decide if you want plan a local or destination elopement. Is there somewhere that holds any significance for you and your partner? This might be a fond memory or just a place where you feel most at home. Might there be a location you have yet to travel to?

While you don’t need to know your EXACTLY where you want to get married, knowing a general region will be incredibly helpful before moving onto step 5. Here at Cascadian Exposures, our systematic and thorough process accounts for all the important precautionary details in choosing your specific location.

Explore our favorite elopement locations in Washington and Oregon.

5. Selecting your elopement date

First, consider whether you share any important dates ie. the day you met, an anniversary, or any significant date in your lives.

OR

Review your preferred locations (see step 4). Maybe you envision snowcapped mountains, golden larches and high alpine lakes, or a rugged coastline at sunset. In this case, you’ll utilize your location to choose your date.

Not all locations are accessible all times of year. If you imagine eloping at Mount Tahoma (aka Mount Rainier) your best bet for accessing the park is July - September. If you dream of golden larches, plan for late September to early October for your best chance at catching a glimpse before the snow. Not sure when the best timeframe is for your location? We cover this in step 6.

Regardless of how you decide your date, the following will be important to keep in mind:

• Not all locations are accessible all four seasons. When considering a high elevation mountain location, this is exceptionally important because even in June and July you may experience snow.

• Beautiful destinations are prime real estate on weekends. To embrace the intimacy of your elopement, you may want to consider a weekday.

• Be prepared to spend a portion of your day in the dark. Dreamy breathtaking photographs are created at sunrise and sunset (or in the dark!). This means you may find yourself up before the sun rises or out after sunset.

• Consider the budget you outlined for your elopement in step 3. How much time do you need to save for this experience? Is this year a reasonable goal, or would waiting until next year allow you to better invest in your day?

6. Hiring your team of vendors

Now is the time to build your support group of vendors who will bring your vision comes to life allowing your day to runs smoothly as possible. While there’s different tips for hiring each vendor, reference the following tips no matter who you’re hiring:

• Sign a contract. As much as that contract is protection for the vendor, a GOOD lawyer written contract protects each party equally.

  • This applies even if you share a personal relationship with the individual.

• If you’re like us here at Cascadian Exposures who are passionate in sustainability, hire vendors who share your values.

  • When you craft yourself a team who shares your values so you can take a deep breath, sit back, and let your professionals lead the way.

• Finally, select vendors who you share a connection with.

What most won’t tell you when choosing your photographer: Over the course of the months leading up to your elopement in addition to your entire elopement day, you’ll have invested hours worth of time with your photographer. Ensure they allow you to feel comfortable enough to be yourselves. Before you choose who you’re going to trust with quite possibly the most important part of your day, get on the phone. Making sure you could spend an entire day with this person is priceless.

7. Deciding on your wedding attire

If you made it this far in the process, you both have general details and most importantly your date locked in. It’s important to not wait a second longer to start trying on your wedding attire so you have ample time for any necessary alterations.

When shopping consider these key factors

• Time of year: Fabrics like wool, velvet, and cashmere are warmest in the winter. Stick to long sleeves or plan for a jacket or shawl. For the summer, fabrics like linen and silk are much more breathable.

• Movement: Depending on the activities you are considering for your day, make sure you can move easily in your attire.

Unsure where you should begin shopping? Find some of our favorite eco-friendly and inclusive brands below:

• Wear Your Love

• Leanne Marshall

• Bindle and Keep

• Wildwood & Company

• Christy Dawn

• Wildfang

• Hall Madden

• Hangrr

8. Booking your stay

Once you’ve decided on your date, you’ll want to move quickly in booking your stay. When you book sooner, you’ll have a greater variety of options. Most booking websites open 365 days in advance while some venues book out two years.

Why is your stay so important?

When you’re eloping, there’s a good chance your stay is going to double as your getting ready, ceremony and/or reception location depending on your vision for your day. What your stay actually looks like depends on you. There are numerous intimate wedding venues but this could also be a vacation rental, resort, or hotel.

While we account for many factors when helping couples search for lodging, here’s a few things to keep in mind:

• Proximity to your elopement location

• Does the owner allow guests (if applicable to you)

  • Is there enough parking for guests

• Ample lighting for getting ready photos

• Do you need separate getting ready spaces

• Number of bedrooms/bathrooms

• Aesthetic- does the space embrace the overall vibe in your vision?

9. Completing the paperwork

You have two major actionable steps here:

1. Marriage license: Marriage licenses are valid for 30 days. Washington state requires a 3 day waiting period once you obtain your marriage license. There’s no requirement to obtain your marriage license in the county you’ll be marrying in. However, you will need return it to the same county it was obtained from.

2. Permit(s): Planning to elope on public land? There’s a high likelihood your ceremony will require a special use permit. Additionally, a commercial use permit may be needed for your photographer, officiant, or other vendors. Permit regulations are fluid, frequently changing and adapting. It’s best to refer to your elopement photographer or planner for direction.

   • Following the correct action on these public lands ensures we all will have access to them for years to come.

   • While the cost of a permit is a mere fraction of you would ever pay for a venue, these do take time to obtain and in many cases may take a few months. Act sooner, rather than later.

10. Creating your timeline

A carefully planned timeline leads to a day you can actually relax and enjoy. After all, eliminating the unnecessary stress is likely just one of the reasons you chose to elope.

DO allow ample time for travel, weather delays, meals, activities etc.

DON’T try to pack too much into a small time frame

Know that your vision will evolve as you move through the planning process which is why we recommend this as the FINAL step in planning your elopement day. Not sure what an actual elopement day could look like? Check out these timelines from real elopements:

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12+ hour hiking elopement with no guests

5:30am meet at photographer at overlook (location 1)

5:45am first look at sunrise to be followed by portraits

6:15am continue drive to trailhead (location 2)

7:15am arrive at trailhead, gear up for hike (3.8 mi round trip, 400 ft elevation gain)

7:30am begin hike (1.4 miles), taking portraits along the way

9:00am arrive at lake for ceremony and picnic brunch

11:00am hike back to trailhead (1.4 miles) taking portraits along the way

12:30pm arrive at trailhead, head to lake (location 3)

1:30pm arrive at lake for kayaking

4:30pm head back to cabin

6:00pm dinner provided by private chef

9:00pm share first dance under the stars and spend the rest of the evening stargazing from the woodfire hot tub

8 hour fall elopement shared with loved ones

9:00 am brunch shared with family

10:45 am couple begins getting ready

11:45 am photographer arrives at couple’s cabin

12:00 pm photograph the final touches of each couple getting ready

12:45 pm first look with parents

1:00 pm travel with guests to ceremony location (location 1)

1:45 pm arrive at location at organize to walk 1/4 mile to ceremony site

2:00 pm ceremony with family

2:30 pm sign marriage license

2:40 pm formal portraits with guests

3:00 pm organized luxury picnic for guests

4:00pm family returns to cabin while couple travels to location 2

4:45 pm arrive at location 2 and gear up for 1 mile hike

5:45 pm portraits at golden hour and sunset

6:45 pm hike back to trailhead

7:45 pm couple returns to cabin for bonfire with family

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Get the planning support you need

Avoid undertaking this process alone. Receive the support you deserve and place the tricky decisions in the hands of an expert.

Hello there! I’m Heather McFord. While I’m the artist behind the camera at Cascadian Exposures, I’m also someone who didn’t fit into the mold of a traditional wedding. I understand all the unexpected stressors that arise when you pivot to planning an elopement. At no point should you have to feel alone, wondering which decision to make next. I’m here to refine your vision by:

• Sending individualized location recommendations

• Analyzing locations to account for lighting, travel time, weather, seasonal limitations, and crowds

• Connecting you with fellow trusted vendors to help you achieve your vision

• Developing a tailored elopement timeline

• Helping you with permits, licenses, and expert insider knowledge

• Officiant services for those seeking to self-lead their ceremony

• Offering custom activity recommendations and lodging accommodations

• Memorializing the most incredible day you have created through gorgeous artwork

• In addition to the unmatched assistance you’ll receive with Cascadian Exposures, you’ll also obtain access to our comprehensive 80+ page VIP planning guide including experience we’ve gained from real elopements.

ready to transform your wedding day into an intentional experience?

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