Tips for your Elopement
These are 10 useful tips for your elopement. There’s so much to talk through when planning an elopement or wedding. This article will focus on elopements; but, can be applicable to small weddings as well.
Dress Confident — Choose special to you fits that are true to you as a couple on your wedding day. If you and your significant other want to wear flip-flops than by all means be YOU. If you love the outdoors or have a particular place near and dear to your heart — make it a part of your day and factor in attire accordingly. Pro Tip: You can still wear those heels on sand dunes or rocky attire but I recommend also having a pair of flats (or barefoot if that’s your style) handy for more movement intensive moments in imagery and video.
2. Communicate — Talk about what you want to remember and feel from the day. If you want to be goofy and silly, voice that in the way that you plan. If everything should be exact and to the moment, talk about that as well. This is your love that we’re celebrating. Let’s be sure to talk and talk some more to make this day special.
3. Select — Determine who, what, when, where, and why. If you start with these details we’re on the right path. Outline a clear idea of the W’s so that we can incorporate this together.
4. Location - The great thing about elopements is that they can happen anywhere. Got a mountaintop in mind? Favorite beach? In-water surf elopement? Sailing into newlywed status? The sky’s the limit. Well, actually we could do a helicopter elopement too. Elopements expand the location possibilities; so, don’t be afraid to dream big.
5. Food — Nothing like a good conversation over food to bring people together. Whether it’s a takeaway pizza, 5 star delicacy, or mini wedding cake, elopements allow versatility for food. You don’t have to stick with caterers; if you have a wild food idea, bring it!
I’ve also seen couples have an after-party catered in a hometown. It’s a great way to celebrate especially if you are destination eloping.
Others opt for no food in the elopement. This is more common when the elopement involves a viewpoint hike or in water session.
6. Think about Video — Family sometimes can’t be there in person. Having a videographer allows your family to be in your moments and experience your union from afar. Couples often FaceTime close family members moments after the elopement ceremony or some consider livestream as well. Video allows you to relive these moments.
7. Elope Now, Wed again later — More and more couples are choosing a small initial elopement with plans to do a large wedding a few years down the road. There’s something so special about both. Elopements are great for intimate moments and focusing on your commitment each other. Full weddings allow that sense of full on celebration. It’s the moments you get to say your dedication to each other in front of everyone.
8. Timeline — Elopement timelines are generally much shorter than weddings. Once you take out the reception, first dance, cake cutting, garter toss, you get the drift things get seemingly pretty short and simple.
Remember - just because it’s not a full on wedding in front of everyone, doesn’t mean you have to cut everything out. If you want a private dance together, we can still do that! Same with cake!
If you want to go surfing, white water rafting, bowling, or frolic at a beautiful national park or coastline, we can do it! Just be sure to think about what you want to do first as a couple together forever and we will include it in the timeline. It’s these moments of together you’ll want to hold onto forever.
9. Do yourself a favor and get those cute little vow books. It literally costs like $2-3 and you can frame or store it away afterwards. Did I mention it looks good on camera. It’s one of those aesthetic detail shots you’ll want.
10. Discuss vow recording — here’s the thing, microphones are great at vocals. Microphones are also great at hearing and amplifying the wind and reverb from speakers with music. For an in the moment feel, it’s definitely not a bad thing. If we are on a sailing charter, mountain top, or other commonly windy location, we can record your vows again after. I want you to love your video. Let’s be sure to discuss this so we can plan accordingly.
Congratulations! I’m over the moon excited for you and your journey together. Let’s connect, I’m happy to discuss photography and cinematography for your elopement or wedding.
Talk soon,
Nicole
