If you’re someone who loves the idea of eloping, but can’t imagine getting married without those special few people present, this post is for you!
Eloping does not mean that you have to sacrifice time with the people you love, it actually means that you can spend quality time with the people that mean the most to you! Traditional weddings often times become so big that the couple only gets a few seconds to say hi to each guest and barely any time with each other. If that doesn’t sound like fun to you, you’ve probably considered eloping instead. I’m here to assure you that eloping does not have to be alone, you can choose to elope with family and/or friends, and really soak up that time with each person. My favorite days as an elopement photographer have been the ones where the couple intentionally invites the people closest to them, and those guests are honored and excited to be there.
If you decide to go this route, I want to commend you for doing what feels right to you! It’s not an easy decision and you’ll likely face some adversity with certain people. I’ve guided many couples through the process of eloping with family and friends, and I’ve learned some things along the way! In this post, I’ve included some insight on how to handle the tricky situations that may arise so that you can elope with confidence.
So you decided it was time to ditch the long guest list (I don’t blame you!) but now you’re faced with the tough decision of who you’re going to narrow it down to. A lot of couples will invite “Immediate family only” which would include parents and siblings. If that works for you, that’s a great way to narrow it down! But that doesn’t work for every couple, because not every couple has a close relationship with their immediate family. So, instead of putting a label like “Immediate Family Only” on your guest list, I’d recommend asking yourself these questions:
– and invite those people.
Then ask yourself these questions:
– and cross those guests off your list.
At the end of the day, remember that it’s YOUR wedding and not anyone else’s. Now that you have your guest list narrowed down, keep reading for some ways you can include others.
1. Live stream your ceremony over zoom: This is a great option for couples with family out of state or overseas that can’t make it to the wedding! Most videographers will have the knowledge and gear needed to set up a live stream.
2. Host a post-elopement party: In my experience, this is the most popular decision for couples! This option allows you to plan a wedding day based on what you truly want, and invite your family and friends to celebrate with you later that day, or another day. If you hire a videographer, you can plan to show the video at your gathering to show everyone the amazing day you had!
3. Ask your close friends and/or family to write you a letter: This is a great option if you’d prefer to elope just the two of you! If that feels right to you, but you still want to include the people you’re closest to, ask them to write you a letter to read during your elopement day. This is a great way to include others in an intentional way.
4. FaceTime/Skype loved ones before your ceremony or from your elopement location.
Eloping with family or friends adds a few extra things to consider during the planning process:
If you’re dreaming of eloping with family and/or your closest friends, I would absolutely love to help you plan the perfect elopement day! I help couples plan a more intentional wedding day by providing them with the resources and help they need to bring their dream day to life. If you’re ready to start planning your elopement, click here for more information!!
February 20, 2023