How to include family & friends in your elopement
The definition of eloping has changed so much over recent years! Most couples who have decided to elope are simply looking for a beautiful, intentional, and stress free wedding experience. Sometimes, that means traveling just the two of you to a beautiful location and saying I do with no one else in sight. But eloping doesn’t necessarily have to mean leaving out your people who matter most. Here’s how you can make them part of your story.
YOUR ELOPEMENT, YOUR WAY
I love to remind eloping couples that you likely have chosen to elope for a more meaningful experience, to avoid stress, and to have a highly personalized day. So you get to choose to include any traditions, elements, and people that you want! You are not bound by any rules here, we get to create the most perfect and intentional day, whatever that looks like for you. Elopements and micro weddings mean you get to have the best of both worlds. Elopements generally include up to 15 people, and micro weddings can include up to 50!
First, consider the parts of your day where it is important to have time for just the two of you. After all, you’ve chosen to elope for a reason! So take a look at your priorities and consider these questions together. Do you want to
have breakfast together?
get ready together?
have a private first look?
read private vows?
hike/climb/swim?
have a private first dance?
have a private meal?
Build out these parts first, and then consider where you would like to add in guests.
Would you like to get ready with your mom/best friend/sister/brother/etc?
Do you want a formal ceremony with your guests?
Do you want a private dinner with friends and family after you’ve done a private ceremony?
Do you want a simple, small “reception” with dinner, toasts, and dancing?
Could you take your closest people out to a fun bar/brewery and celebrate together?
Do you want a friend or family member to officiate or witness your ceremony?
TIMELINE IDEAS
Timeline 1 - take a couple hours away for just the two of you
Wake up, have breakfast, and get ready with your respective families/friends
First look at your accommodations
Leave friends + family behind and go out to a beautiful location for private vows/letters. Possibly hike, have a picnic, pop some champagne, take epic photos.
Head to second location where you’ll have a more formal ceremony with an officiant and your friends and family waiting
Family photos
Have dinner, cake cutting, toasts, and a first dance at a private hotel/VRBO/restaurant with your guests
Timeline 2 - most of the day for you, some time for guests
Wake up, have breakfast, and get ready together
First look
Hike/adventure/drive to a first location together, do a private ceremony
Picnic + champagne
Photos at an additional location on the way back
Meet friends and family for dinner + drinks and celebrate!
BOOK A MULTI DAY MICRO WEDDING
Alternatively, a multi day elopement is what I always recommend if you want to have a true elopement experience, and a true wedding experience with friends and family! You can have an entire day to yourselves, and an entire day for whatever wedding traditions you want to include with your loved ones.
Day 1 - A day for friends & family
Get ready
First look
Ceremony
Portraits with guests
Reception with private dinner, cake cutting, toasts, dancing, etc. This could be a simple private room at a restaurant for a smaller group, or a more traditional celebration with 50 guests at a venue!
Day 2 - A day for the two of you
Wake up, get ready together
Adventure to another location, National Park, mountain - the possibilities are endless when we have a whole day to ourselves!
Private vows and letters
Epic photos (wear your wedding dress again or have an entirely different wedding look)
Hike/climb/swim (alternatively for the less adventurous - explore a local city, reserve a private room at a cocktail bar, go to a local brewery, get tattoos, go dancing, or anything else you’d like to do to celebrate!)
HOW TO INCLUDE PEOPLE THAT AREN’T PRESENT
Even if you want to have an entirely private elopement experience, there are a few ways to include all the important people in your lives if you choose to -
FaceTime family members together at the end of your day
Send friends & family the photo sneak peeks along with a brief heartfelt message
Record short videos to send in your wedding day outfits!
Hold an engagement party prior to your elopement
Hold a simple “reception” party weeks/months after your elopement
Celebrate with friends/family by taking them with you to pick up your marriage license and going out to dinner afterwards
As your Utah Wedding & Elopement Photographer my goal is to give you photos that feel like you’re reliving your favorite day over and over again, but I also help plan your favorite day from the ground up - that includes helping you find the perfect way to include anyone important to you.
Including all of your friends and families is just one of the first steps, I’ll also help with
Timeline Planning
Vendor Recommendations - tailored towards you two as a couple and your desert location. No more google searching!
Custom Location Guides - all of my favorite scouted areas that aren’t listed on my site!
Permit + Licensing help
Adventure Planning - all the best options for hiking, horseback riding, climbing, or whatever else you’re dreaming of doing together!