How to Choose your Elopment Location
So you’ve decided to elope? Congratulations! That is the best decision ever, now for all the tricky stuff… how does one actually elope? Let’s start with where.
Location, Location, Location, wait… don’t leave. I apologize for how real estate agent-y that sounded. Your location sets the precedent of the day. A courthouse elopement, is going to feel different than a cliff side elopement. Here are my 3 sure-fire ways to pick your location.
Your love. At the end of the day, the reason you two are eloping is because you and your partner are so d*mn in love with each other it is the only thing that makes sense. Let’s let your location reflect your love story. Did you first say I love you hiding away in a cave off the coast when you were unexpectedly caught in a storm? Did you go to college at California Tech, and there was one gorgeous spot you always studied? Does travel set your soul alive, and the rolling hills of Ireland are calling? Let’s go there. Or is there a big old tree just outside of your hometown, you two would sneak out to? The great thing about an elopement is everything is so customizable. You don’t like garter tosses, don’t do them. You don’t want a big wedding, plan if farther away, if people can’t come, you still invite them and there are no hard feelings. You have always wanted to go to Greece? Well here is the perfect excuse. What I am trying to get at, is I want this spot to be all about you and your lover. I want it to feel like you. I want for when all of your guests have arrived, once they have taken their seats, they are all basking in your love and they all know that this was the most fitting location for you to tie the knot.
Money. It is not as Taboo as you think. And it is definitely something we need to address. What is your total wedding budget? Chances are this is your first wedding, but this is my hundredth. I know where to help cut costs, and what areas you should not budge on. A big perk of elopements is they aren’t as many “must haves.” You don’t need bridesmaids if you don’t want them. $400 saved on dresses, $300 saved on flowers. You don’t need Groomsmen if you don’t want them. $400 saved on attire, $200 saved on floral. You get where I am going. Sure maybe you are flying out to a little Hawaiin Island, but you’re not feeding 500 guests at $50 a head. Keep in mind the custrosy is to fly any immediate family members and vendors you’re wanting but other than that any other guest, it is just a courtesy. Keep it as small as you’d like. My recommendation is you two sit down and both of you privately write out what your dream day would look like. Not what you think your mom wants. No. What your heart would swell at. Then I want you to read each other’s lists and combine them into one list. “Your non-negotiables.” Anything that didn’t make that list doesn’t matter. Write your budget on the top of the page, and write a rough estimate next to every bullet point on your list. Whatever you have left can be added to the travel fund, enabling you to go to a cooler location. If you need help, send me an email and I will be more than happy to help you plan.
What do you want that day to look like? Do you want some hiking, great let’s look at more rocky places. Are you wanting to helicopter to your destination? Perfect let’s go somewhere that has helicopter services, are you wanting to kayak to a frozen iceberg to read your vows? Perfect then Moab may not be the best spot for that! You get where I am going! What are some things the two of you love doing together or have always wanted to do? Le’t plan for that and pick our spot accordingly!
Well what do you think? Are the wheels starting to turn? Need some more help location wise? Reach out and we can show you al of our favorite places we think would be a good fit for your personality!
