Choose Elopement – Planning is as Easy as PSSS
Are you newly engaged? Congratulations!
Now comes the exciting part – planning your wedding. Thanks to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic, weddings are looking a lot different these days, with restrictions on the number of guests in attendance. This has encouraged more couples to choose elopement over a big traditional wedding! I’m a long time fan of eloping and small weddings, so although I wish the reason for it becoming the norm was different, I am pleased to see so many couples embracing a more intimate ceremony.
Over the years, WhereToElope.com has helped over 1 million couples choose elopement, so I have elopement planning process down to a fine art! For most newly engaged couples during their first 60 days, it’s as easy as P-S-S-S! Let’s go through those steps together.
Once you have decided to choose elopement, the first step is to pick your wedding date. There is a misconception that eloping is a last-minute, spontaneous way to get married and it certainly can be, but more often elopements are planned in advance. Some popular venues can book out a year in advance, while others can arrange a ceremony in just a few weeks. In addition, some locations may have waiting periods or residence requirements in order to secure a marriage license. If you have a date in mind it will help you to narrow down which venues and locations are available to you.
Step 2: Set The Budget
The next step and the first of our 3 S’s is to set your budget. On average, when you choose elopement you can save around 95% on the cost of a traditional wedding. However, you can be as basic or as lavish as you want to be – or as your budget allows! Setting a budget will help you to narrow down which elopement packages and vendors are available to you, so it is important to decide this early on in the process. Nobody wants to choose a dream venue only to find it is thousands of dollars above their price range. Why not check out our elopement budget spreadsheet for some tips?
Step 3: Select YOUR Venue
Now that you are armed with a preferred date and a viable budget, it is time to start looking at venues. At WhereToElope.com we have organized our Places To Elope database geographically allowing you to search by USA State, Canadian Province, or themed locations such as beaches or mountains. We even have a selection of international venues, although travel restrictions may make them a little difficult to pull off during a pandemic. We also have a catalog of elopement packages organized by budget. If you choose elopement, then we are your one-stop-shop to find your ideal venue!
Step 4: Shop for Your Elopement
The final step is to Go Shopping! Even if you choose an all-inclusive package for your elopement, there are still additional items that you will want to purchase including wedding attire, keepsake items, and of course the accessory of the moment – a face mask! Take a look at the WhereToElope.com Elopement Shopping Guide for some shopping tips.