What does an elopement ceremony look like?

Modern elopements are so different than secret and rushed courthouse weddings of the past. Today, they are personal, intentional celebrations that reflect a couple’s love story in a way that feels authentic to them. Whether you’re envisioning a remote mountaintop ceremony at sunrise or an intimate micro wedding with your closest loved ones, elopement ceremonies can be as adventurous or traditional as you want! Here’s a look at different parts of your ceremony:

Witnesses & Guests

Elopements don’t have to mean “just us.” Many modern elopements include up to 10-15 guests. A micro wedding, up to 50 guests, allows you to combine the intimacy of an elopement with a traditional wedding experience. You can include meaningful traditions, an officiant, live music, and even a beautiful catered dinner with all of your most important people.

Walking Down the Aisle

Even in an elopement, the moment you walk toward your partner can be significant! For a mountaintop ceremony, this might mean hiking up a scenic trail together and arriving to a secluded spot. Or, it could be a solo walk through a flower field with the mountains as your backdrop. If you’re having a micro wedding at a venue, you may still want a traditional aisle setup with chairs for guests and a beautiful floral arch.

Vow & Ring Exchange

Your vow and ring exchange can be as intimate or as traditional as you want it to be. Some couples choose to have a fully private ceremony with just the two of them, an officiant, and witnesses. Others prefer a hybrid approach: privately exchanging personal vows or letters earlier in the day, then saving the ring exchange and the official “I do” for a ceremony in front of their closest loved ones. Of course, you can also keep things classic and share your vows and rings in a traditional way at your micro wedding, surrounded by family and friends.

Choosing Your Officiant

Another meaningful choice you’ll make for your elopement is who will officiate your ceremony. I love to recommend having someone you know and love marry you—whether it’s a close friend, family member, or mentor—so your ceremony feels personal. If you prefer, we can also find a professional officiant to hire who aligns with your vision and values.

Making it Legal

Some couples choose to make it official at the courthouse and handle the paperwork there, which allows them to focus entirely on the experience of their elopement day without any constraints or officiants/witnesses present. Others prefer to have an officiant and sign their marriage license in the moment on location. Either way, the day is about you—how you make it official is up to you.

Another option is to have a legal wedding with your friends and family, then share a private elopement just for the two of you. This allows you to experience both an intimate, personal ceremony in nature and a celebration with loved ones, without having to compromise on either. It’s the perfect way to combine the feel of an elopement while still including those closest to you in a way that feels right.

Crafting a Ceremony That Feels Like You

There’s no “right” way to elope—only what feels most meaningful to you. Remove the expectations, embrace the possibilities, and create a ceremony that feels like everything you’ve been envisioning.

If you’re ready to craft an elopement experience that is beautiful, intentional, and completely stress-free, I would love to help bring your vision to life! Let’s create something beautiful together.