An elopement is a wonderful choice for tying the knot, especially if you want a more intimate celebration or just love to do things differently. Perhaps you announced your elopement ahead of time, or you’re coming home to share the wonderful news with loved ones. However, if you decided to elope, you might want to have some kind of celebration or Post Elopement Party afterward with friends and family. Not sure where to start with planning your Post Elopement Party? We’ve got some tips and ideas for you to think about when planning this special event.
How to Plan a Post Elopement Party
When it comes to planning your Post Elopement Party, there are no rules. You and your spouse can decide exactly how you want to celebrate. Perhaps you want to keep it light and fun or want to go completely formal. The party should feel true to who you are as a couple.
Ideally, you don’t want your celebration to be the cause of stress as you begin married life together. Putting together a budget is a wise first step so you can guide the decision-making with the funds available. There are so many options for couples, and you can do simple nibbles and bubbles, pizza, or a sit-down meal.
Once you’ve decided how you’re going to celebrate your elopement and what your budget is, you can choose a place that will host the ideal post-tying-the-knot celebration. Think about the things you love and what would feel like the perfect way to mark this beautiful occasion. Maybe you have a favorite restaurant or a park where you went on your first date. It could even be as simple and casual as hosting it at your own home in the back yard. And if you want to go all out and host an entire wedding reception? Then go for it!
It’s a good idea once you’ve worked out all the details, to send out an invitation to everyone on your guest list. You can go fancy and have printed invites if you like, create something lovely on Canva, or simply send a WhatsApp or Text message. Like any special event that requires some form of catering and numbers to work with, sending out an invitation helps you to plan and creates that celebratory feel.
Post Elopement Party Considerations
Some couples opt to do a kind of ceremony at their celebratory event. Just because you’re already married doesn’t mean you can’t still have a ceremony that feels right for you and share a special moment with those who weren’t able to attend the elopement. When it comes down to what to wear, it’s once again up to you! It’s your Post Elopement Party! Some brides opt for a different dress, but something that still feels bridal. Others would prefer something more casual. Whatever you decide, wear something that makes you happy. Since you are already married, it takes the pressure off ‘the dress’, but perhaps you do have something in mind that just seems like the perfect fit.
Then there’s the question of dancing… When people dance, it feels like a party. Whether you have dancing in your backyard, or at a restaurant with a dance floor, all you need is some good tunes and you’ll probably find your guests will want to boogie away. Many couples want to have dancing as part of their wedding celebration but feel that it might not be a fit if you’re already married. This is simply not true. Like cake, dancing is always welcome. Remember, absolutely anywhere can be a dance floor and it’s highly recommended that you dance with your spouse whenever you get a chance.
Make Your Celebration Uniquely Yours
Do you love flowers and traditional things? If you said yes, why not incorporate these into your Post Elopement Party? Just because you aren’t having a traditional wedding doesn’t mean you need to forego decor.
The venue you choose for your Post Elopement Party will set the tone for what kind of decorating you do, and remember, you don’t have to decorate at all if you don’t want to. The main elements are a happy couple (that would be you), some good food and drink, and music that gets the good vibes going. Everything else is just frosting. Speaking of frosting, if you want to have a wedding cake, this can be your dessert option. Everyone loves cake, and every celebration should have cake.
Last but not least, book a professional photographer. The cost of a photographer is included in most elopement budgets and it could be in your Post Elopement Party budget too. There are going to be so many moments you’re going to want to remember. Imagine the hugs and kisses, the tears and hearty congratulations as people embrace you at your celebration. That’s worth taking photos of. You might also want to find a way of sharing the photos from your elopement with guests if this feels like something you’d like to do. If you can’t afford a photographer get a friend to take some photos on their phone.
Host Your Post Elopement Party Your Way
Once you’ve returned from your elopement, give yourself some time to settle into a routine again. Then, start planning your Post Elopement Party. You don’t need to feel rushed to plan a get-together. Instead, enjoy putting all the details together for an event that marks the special day that has already taken place. Eloping doesn’t mean missing out on the wedding celebration with loved ones. If anything, you can have even more fun with the planning since the wedding part has already happened. Here’s to a gorgeous Post Elopement Party, and a lifetime of happiness with your special someone.