Have you ever considered eloping for your wedding? Going on an adventure and returning as a married couple? This gorgeous, romanticwedding shoot, captured by Emma Ryan, is making us want to run away and get hitched! We asked our lovely community of wedding suppliers their best elopement wedding tips, and here’s what they had to say! Debbie Skyrme (Celebrant Spain) sums it all up perfectly…
“An elopement means you celebrate your wedding ceremony wherever and whenever you want. No conventions. No compromises. No stress. Suddenly venues aren’t an issue, menus become a pleasure and no vaguely related “uncles” drink their way through your bar budget. Elopement is all about the couple- it’s an intimate, personal, emotionally charged ceremony that truly reflects your values, beliefs and vision of your perfect wedding. What’s not to love?”
How to include loved ones in your elopement wedding
Many couples are put off elopement weddings because they fear letting their family down. Some couples throw a big party after they are married so they can celebrate with loved ones. Dror Wayne, from MAGNIV Photomagnets ltd, offers some advice…
Planning an elopement is a rare opportunity to do something different for your wedding. But, like many, you might be worried about upsetting family and friends who always expected to share this special day with you. So, consider recording them a video message or inviting them for tea to share the news of your decision as a positive surprise. Or, if you’re moving into a new home together once you’re back and budget allows, have them round for a house-warming party! It’s all about the start of your new lives together and this will allow your nearest and dearest to be a part of it with you.
Capture your wedding with an elopement photographer
Although you can save a lot of money when eloping, don’t skimp on hiring a photographer! Especially if eloping abroad, make sure to get your day captured in the best way possible. Edyta from ‘Say Yes To Maderia’ blog says:
“A good, local wedding photographer will know the best spots in the area and can organize an unforgettable scenic photo shoot. It is very easy to find a local wedding photographer from a distance, by checking Instagram where wedding photographers are usually very active. Their profile can be a great inspiration for ideas for your own photo shoot. We had our elopement photoshoot on top of a mountain covered in clouds, during a golden hour. It was so much fun and the photographer gave us the best wedding gift we could imagine.”
Plan ahead of your elopement
Although it can seem spontaneous, there’s sometimes more to elopement than meets the eye, especially if eloping abroad. Here’s what Sam, from Sammy Lea’s Retro Emporium recommends from her experience:
“We eloped with just our two bridesmaids, married on a beach (with a random witness grabbed on the day!) and went to a beach party in the evening! I highly recommend using a good wedding planner that you feel really comfortable with, as they will be taking care of all the small details that you won’t be around to deal with (as you’ll just rock up on the day and have a stress free time!).
Get your paperwork in order early if you are eloping and marrying abroad. The paperwork for our Turkey wedding took a LONG time to deal with, as we had both been divorced previously, and hubby had changed his name as a youngster. Some countries require specific checks before allowing you to marry…we had to visit a doctor in Turkey a few days before our wedding, whose job it was to check we weren’t related!”
Most Importantly- Do it YOUR way
Eloping means you have the freedom to completely do your own thing with zero expectation. It’s all about being yourselves and doing something that reflects you as a couple. Your wedding will be unique to you and memorable whatever you do! Here’s how Carolann from CK Flowers did it:
“Me and my other half eloped and got married at Gretna Green 24 years ago…with our kids & no other family! We had 2 witness who we paid £10 each, and we then went to Carlisle to an Italian restaurant for lunch. I wore a red spotty dress with a bunch of picked wild flowers from the hotel garden-naughty! It wasn’t glamourous, but it was us.”
The team behind this gorgeous elopement shoot
Creative Director/Photographer: Emma Ryan
Dresses & Accessories: Bex Brides
Flowers: Forge Events
Hair & Make Up: The Bridal Luxe
Stationery: Harriett And Joel
Rings: Molten Wedding Ring Co
Location: Water Hall Farm Cottages, Yorkshire
Over on the blog - more quirky wedding ideas
A Pastel DIY Wedding with Thrifted Decor
A Pastel DIY Wedding with Thrifted Decor What started with a few vintage teacups soon turned into months of charity shop and car boot hunting for Aleshea and Stewart’s DIY wedding at The Marquee at Hurstwood, near Burnley. Aleshea collected almost all of the decor herself, from candlesticks and old
10 Questions to Ask Before Booking a Dog Friendly Venue
Planning a wedding with your four-legged best friend by your side? Discover 10 essential questions to ask when choosing a dog-friendly wedding venue, from ceremony access and photo opportunities to quiet spaces, hidden fees and those all-important dog-friendly details.
An Alternative Vintage Wedding in a Dorset Theatre
An Alternative Vintage Wedding in a Dorset Theatre If you’re looking for a vintage wedding with a little more personality, this one is bursting with it. Set at The Electric Palace in Bridport, Dorset, this alternative wedding shoot celebrates the venue’s 100-year history. Photographer Dannie of Blotted Ink Photography brought
Three Wedding Outfit Problems Nobody Warns you about
Discover 3 wedding outfit problems you might not expect, plus creative ways to avoid them and make your wedding look completely unique.
An Intimate Alternative Wedding in Cornwall: The Lovers
An Intimate Alternative Wedding in Cornwall: The Lovers Some love stories feel bigger than a single lifetime. Inspired by the idea of two souls finding each other again and again, photographer Katie J Photography brought together a team of alternative wedding creatives to create The Lovers. Set at Scorrier House,
Pagan Wedding Inspired by Nature and Celtic Traditions
Pagan Wedding Inspired by Nature & Celtic Traditions Planner and stylist Sarah of Love Buzz Wedding Planning drew on her Welsh heritage and an interest in Celtic paganism to create this styled shoot at Gildings Barn. She brought together a team of creatives with a shared love of folklore and