Ultimate Elopement Guide for Brides

Are you considering or already planning to elope with your partner? That’s great news! You are about to join millions of couples who have saved an average of 90% on the cost of a traditional wedding! However, making the decision to elope is only the first step in going from engaged to just married! While eloping is much easier than planning a large wedding, there is still quite a bit to think about. That’s why I have put together my ultimate elopement guide for brides.

Ultimate Elopement Guide for PLACES to Elope

Did you know here at WhereToElope.com we have over 960 places you can elope to! That means there is sure to be something to suit any taste! Check out our USA Where to Elope section where you will find some of the best places to elope in every single state, as well as elopement vendors from Canada, Europe and the rest of the world. It’s truly the ultimate elopement guide for anyone who is searching for a great place to elope to! And, unlike other so called Ultimate Guides, we won’t direct you to a few of the most expensive places to elope in the world..

Elopement Ideas to Insprire You

Choosing your location and vendor can be tricky if you don’t have any idea of where you would like to get married. So, as part of the ultimate elopement guide, let’s take a look as some of the best elopement ideas for some inspiration on how to choose the right setting for your happy day.

1. Choose a Dream Destination – If there a specific location that you have always dreamed of visiting then what better excuse to make the trip then your wedding?
2. Visit a National Park – If you are an outdoorsy couple then visiting one of your favorite national parks could be the ideal choice for your wedding. Many have some stunning locations to host a wedding ceremony and many of our Officiants will travel to you. Just remember you may need to purchase a ‘special use permit‘.
3. Stay At Home – You don’t have to travel long distances in order to elope! Over the past 2 years, a growing number of couples have been getting married at or near home. Granted, many have been out of necessity due to lockdowns and travel restrictions, but there are benefits to getting married at home too! No travel means less stress plus you know all the best vendors locally.

Wedding Traditions to Include

Choosing to elope doesn’t mean that you need to give up all of the traditions associated with traditional weddings. There are lots of traditions that translate easily to elopements. You can still have the ‘first look’ moment or walk down the aisle. Just discuss your wishes with your vendor and they will usually be more than happy to make it happen to create your perfect day.

Elopement planning checklist

As shown below, if you need additional help creating the elopement of your dreams, don’t forget to check out our Elopement Planning Checklist for additional tips.

The Ultimate Elopement Guide for Managing Your Budget

Saving money is still the number one reason why couples choose elopements over a traditional wedding. With that in mind, no ultimate elopement guide would be complete without some budgeting tips. That’s why we created the WhereToElope.com Elopement Budget spreadsheet, shown below, to keep your spending under control.