Your Guide to Eloping with Family
So, you’re engaged — congrats!
Now the planning excitement begins, but if you don't necessarily want a big traditional wedding, that may be complicated. If this sounds like you, eloping with family could be ideal.
Including your loved ones in your elopement is the perfect combination of an intimate wedding custom-tailored for the two of you and one catered more toward family and friends.
Table of Contents
How to include people in your family elopement
Can You Elope With Family?
The short answer: YES!
There are no rules saying that modern-day elopements require you to run off to Vegas by yourselves or get married without anyone knowing. In fact, including family and friends will help make your elopement even more amazing!
As an elopement photographer, there's nothing I enjoy more than helping my clients with all of the minute little wedding-day details (and of course, capturing every moment!).
Family elopements are especially enjoyable since they add so much more love and warmth to the occasion. What could be better than having a small, one-of-a-kind wedding, exactly as you envision, while also having your closest family and friends there when you tie the knot? It's the best of both worlds!
Planning a family elopement eliminates a lot of the stress that comes along with a big wedding, letting you focus on celebrating your new life together with a small group of the most important people in your lives.
How to Include People in Your Family Elopement
Eloping with family doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated! Here are a few tips:
Have one intimate ceremony
With minimal guests, you can get married somewhere remote and gorgeous!
Split up the day
Consider planning brunch on the morning of your wedding with your guests, then take a break for the two of you to connect before the wedding ceremony. Or vice-versa, have a morning wedding, take some downtime, and then enjoy a lively dinner with everyone.
Spread it over two days
Your elopement doesn’t have to consist of just a ceremony and reception. Especially if people are traveling, plan activities over two days to spend more time connecting with your guests.
Get ready together
Invite the people you’re closest with to help you get ready. It’s a special bonding experience and makes for great photos!
Letters and recorded videos
Including letters and pre-recorded videos from anyone not attending a family elopement makes the day even more special.
Have a post-elopement reception
Just because you’re bucking tradition doesn’t mean you shouldn’t celebrate your wedding. Trust me, those closest to you want to celebrate!
FaceTime or Skype during the day
Technology makes it easy to include loved ones from anywhere in the world.
Live-stream your ceremony
People not in attendance will love watching you exchange wedding vows. Insider tip: there are plenty of apps out there just for live-streaming weddings, but Facebook Live and Zoom work perfectly — and they’re free!
Hire a videographer
You will want to watch your elopement in the future (again and again!). I can connect you with videographers I’ve worked with.
Things to Consider When Eloping with Family
While family elopements are (much!) less stressful than traditional weddings, they come with their own unique challenges. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Accessibility to the ceremony location
You and your soon-to-be spouse may be avid hikers, but that’s probably not true of everyone. Choose an easily-accessible ceremony site for the group, then sneak off somewhere epic with your photographer to get some dreamy adventure shots.
Basic needs, such as accessible bathrooms, snacks, water, etc.
Eloping with family means accommodating everyone. Be sure to account for every possible need throughout the day, like access to water and bathrooms.
Transportation
How is everyone going to get to your wedding site? Will people need to fly in and then rent cars? These are important questions to consider when choosing an elopement location.
Terrain of your ceremony location
Along the same lines, it’s important to think about terrain. Are there rough roads involved that may require 4-wheel-drive? Is your ceremony site rocky, to a point where guests may want to wear sturdy hiking shoes?
Being upfront with expectations from family
Every family elopement is going to look a little different (that’s one of the best parts!). It’s important to identify your wants and needs as a couple, and then clearly communicate them to your guests. For example, if you two plan to adventure with your photographer on your own at some point, you should let guests know that. If you don’t want a champagne toast (or DO!), that’s something you should lay out ahead of time.
Tips for Eloping With Family
Eloping with family can be an amazing experience — with some careful planning. A few more tips:
Family will change the dynamics of your elopement - Even with the best intentions, people will interject their opinions and wishes. Establish a few “non-negotiables” with your partner and come up with creative solutions and compromises everywhere else.
Keep your guestlist under 20 - This number ensures that you can actually spend time and connect with everyone at your family elopement.
Make sure guests know what to expect - I know I sound like a broken record, but this is important! Communicating with guests about exactly what to expect can eliminate any unpleasant surprises.
Keep the elopement about the two of you - The whole reason you’re eloping is to have an intimate, intentional wedding. Keep your eye on that proverbial prize when others try to involve themselves.
Set (and keep) boundaries - Touching on that last point one final time, give yourself permission to lay down firm boundaries. This is YOUR wedding day, after all!
Eloping with family in a stunning, special location is a wonderful way to marry your soulmate. If you’re planning a family elopement, let’s chat! I can’t wait to hear all about your vision!
