08/23/2026
You’ve decided to elope… now what?
Choosing to elope is a huge step toward creating a wedding day that actually feels like you. And now that you’ve made that decision, you might be wondering… what’s next?
Here’s where we recommend starting:
1. Pick a general location. Mountains? Ocean cliffs? Desert canyons? Forest trails? Even if you’re not 100% sure yet, narrowing it down to a landscape that excites you is a great place to start.
2. Choose your ideal season or month. This impacts weather, permits, trail conditions, and overall vibes. Think about whether you want wildflowers in bloom, fall foliage, or snow surrounding you.
3. Start dreaming about the experience. Do you want to hike at sunrise? Say your vows privately? Include guests? Have a picnic or cut cake on a mountain? Imagine what would make the day feel meaningful and memorable.
4. Find your people. This is a BIG one. Your vendors will help bring your vision to life, so choose people who understand your vision or can help you find it. You don’t need a huge team, but here are a few vendors you might want to look for: Elopement photographer (hi, that’s us!), officiant (can also be us!), florist, hair and make-up artist, cakering/bakery.
5. Ask the right questions. Before booking anyone, here are a few helpful things to ask:
- Do you have experience with elopements (or our specific kind of elopement like hiking, sunrise, pets, etc)?
- How do you handle weather and backup plans?
- What’s your process like from start to finish?
Choose vendors who make you feel comfortable and understand your vision. Trust your gut. You don’t need every single detail figured out yet, you just need the start of a vision, and the right team to help shape it!
If elopement planning feels overwhelming or you’re not sure where to begin, we’re always here to help!