Elopement Planning Checklist – How To Elope

Wondering how to elope? You’re in the right spot!! Keep reading for a step by step guide that walks through everything you need to know about how to plan an amazing elopement.

Working your way through these steps will ensure that you have a stress-free and fun elopement day. Happy planning!!

Step 1: Choose your Date & Location

Choosing a date can be overwhelming, so I always suggest starting with a time of year or season. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of saying your vows surrounded by wildflowers in the spring, or on top of a mountain as the snow falls around you in the winter. Time of the year will go hand in hand with the location you choose, as temperatures vary by place!! Once you’ve set on a location, it will be easier to judge which season will be the best for an elopement.

Sit down with your partner, pour a glass of wine (or your drink of choice!), and just start dreaming of what the perfect day would look like. Forget about all the nitty-gritty logistics and details, and just brainstorm your dream day. You don’t have to have a very specific location right off the bat, sometimes just starting with a state is enough!! Once you’ve chosen a location and a date, the two biggest details are done!!

Step 2: Reach Out & Hire your Vendors

Find your dream team!! The vendors you hire for your elopement day will have a huge effect on how successful your day will be!! Hire people you trust and know will provide an amazing experience, so that you’ll never have to stress!! If you’re having trouble finding certain vendors, reach out to a vendor you’ve already hired and ask for their suggestions. I’m always happy to refer people I know and trust to ensure that you have the best experience.

Vendor List: (These are all optional, you may not need all these vendors and that’s okay!)

• Photographer
• Planner
• Florist
• Officiant
• Hair & Makeup
• Bakery/Desserts
• Videographer

Step 3: Make a Guest List & Invite Guests

If you’re planning on inviting some close family members and/or friends, let them know of your plans and invite them to join you on your elopement day!!

Step 4: Shop for Wedding Attire

Time to find your wedding dress and/or suit!! I recommend reaching out to suit and bridal shops beforehand to make an appointment with a professional that can help you through the process. If you’ll be wearing a wedding dress, be sure to read my blog post on “5 Things to Consider When Choosing Your Elopement Dress”.

Step 5: Book your Travel Accommodations

Next step is to book your travel!! Flights, a place to stay, rental car if you need one, all those little details. If you’re looking for a place to stay, I always recommend booking an airbnb. There are so many unique airbnbs, think cabins, A-Frames and treehouses!! Click here to read my post with the “Top 5 Airbnbs for an Elopement in North Carolina”.

Step 6: Make Everything Legal!! Get your marriage license and any required permits.

This is the not so fun part, but so important!! If you plan to get legally married on the day of your elopement, you’ll need to acquire marriage license from your county’s Register of Deeds Office. And, depending on the location you choose, you may also need a special use permit for your ceremony. You can read more about permits for North Carolina locations here. Also make sure you know if you need witnesses, and if so, who they will be!!

Step 7: Plan your Day!!

Start dreaming up how you want to fill your elopement day!! Maybe some hiking? Watching the sunrise? Campfire? Hot air balloon ride? The possibilities are endless!! If you need some ideas to get you started, click here to read my post with 10 Elopement Day Ideas!! 

Step 8: Make a Timeline

Once you have some ideas of what you want to do, the next step is to make a timeline of your day. I schedule a phone call with my couples to make a timeline together, so you can describe your day to me and I’ll make a timeline for you as we chat. Having a solid timeline is essential to a successful elopement day. It ensures that you’ll have time for everything you want to do without feeling rushed!! Click here to read a sample elopement day timeline at the end of this blog post.

Step 9: Pack and Prepare for your Day

How much you’ll need to pack will depend on where you’re eloping, but make sure you’re prepared for whatever mother nature may throw at you!! Here is a general packing list:

• Wedding Attire
• Travel IDs & Documents
• Vows
• Rings
• Flowers
• Makeup & Hair Supplies
• Accessories
• Shoes
• Backpack(s)
• Emergency Kit
• Jackets & Layers

Step 10: Have an Amazing Elopement Day!!

Hey! I’m Erin. Thank you so much for reading!! If you’re about to start the process of planning your elopement, click here to read more about how I can help you plan the day of your dreams!! If you’re not quite ready to book your photographer yet, feel free to bookmark this tab and come back when you start planning!!