What to do After Eloping
You did it — you eloped! It was intimate and magical and just perfect; everything you imagined it would be. So…now what?
It doesn’t seem fitting to follow up such an epic wedding day by just hopping in the car or boarding a plane and heading home. Well, I have great news: you don’t have to! When you think about what to do after eloping, going home should be the furthest thing from your mind. Instead, why not make an entire weekend out of it, or at least a full day of adventures?
Whether you bring all your loved ones along or it’s just the two of you and you’re still trying to figure out how to announce your elopement, there are so many awesome ways to spend your elopement day (or weekend!). I know you have a gazillion other things to think about so today, I’m sharing my best ideas for what to do after eloping.
What to do after eloping when it’s just the two of you
When your elopement involves just you and the love of your life, the sky really is the limit in terms of what to do after eloping. You very literally don’t have to consider anyone else’s wishes or opinions, so let your imaginations run wild and make this day strictly about what you two want!
1. Make it a multi-day experience. Just because you’re not having a traditional wedding, doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to celebrate your marriage to the absolute fullest. Take a couple of days — or if possible, a few! — and savor every moment of your wedding weekend. Some of my favorite elopements to shoot are multi-day experiences!
2. Enjoy some favorite wedding traditions together. Again, just because your wedding isn’t traditional doesn’t mean you can’t include some very traditional things! If you’ve always envisioned that classic champagne spray and toast or cutting the first slice of wedding cake together (and then smearing it all over each other’s faces, of course!), go for it!
3. Trash the dress. This is such a fun thing to do after eloping! Technically, it can be part of your elopement, but most brides want to have at least a few pictures of them in their pristine wedding dress. If this is something you’re up for, I’d love to help you come up with ideas to get your dress all dirty! I’ve also had brides that end up actually buying a second, inexpensive dress specifically to do this.
4. Start your honeymoon. Since your elopement is strictly about you two, why not go all-in and build your honeymoon into it also? There are several ways to do this; you can either have a dedicated elopement somewhere and then depart for your honeymoon destination right away, or you can include your actual elopement as part of your honeymoon. If you’ve always dreamed of honeymooning in, say, Hawaii or magical Sedona, Arizona, why not elope there too?
Psst...I travel! Want to know where I shoot or whether I’ll come to your dream destination? Click HERE.
5. Eat your favorite foods in places. Elopements and traditional fancy plated wedding-night dinners simply don’t match (unless that’s what you actually have in mind!). Instead, treat yourselves to your absolute favorite foods…and eat them somewhere fun! Think sitting in an old-fashioned diner in your wedding clothes, or picking up picnic supplies and creating your own charcuterie to enjoy on a scenic mountain ridge. The day is yours, eat what you want!
6. Do something you love together. Shouldn’t you spend the first hours of your new life as a married couple doing the things you love, together? Whether it’s playing board games, hiking or swimming, indulging in a bubble bath, or even enjoying beers together, go for it!
7. Go on an adventure. Adding some heart-pounding excitement to your elopement day is a wonderful way to make it even more memorable. Depending on your interests (and comfort level!), some awesome activity ideas include going off-roading, paddle-boarding, going on a helicopter or plane “flightseeing” tour, or riding in a hot-air balloon.
What to do after eloping with friends and family
When your loved ones are in tow, there are naturally more things to take into consideration — but make no mistake about it, it’s still your day. Here are some ways to include everyone in the festivities, while still keeping on the focus on you.
Check out this blog on eloping with family for more ways to include family and friends in your elopement!
1. Send out an elopement announcement. Whether you do it electronically or via snail-mail, this should be one of the first things on your list of what to do after eloping. It will mean the world to anyone not able to attend and help those who were there in person relive all the day’s best moments!
2. FaceTime or Skype. Sharing those first deliriously happy moments with your loved ones will be a treasured memory for both you and them. If cell service is strong enough, video chat from your ceremony site to show off the views.
3. Have a reception or celebration. This goes back to that whole “just because you’re not having a traditional wedding doesn’t mean you can’t…” thing. No one ever said wedding receptions (or any type of party/celebration, for that matter) are reserved strictly for traditional weddings! So when you’re thinking about what to do after eloping, if a party of some sort is on your mind, throw that party and let everyone celebrate your marriage!
4. Have dinner together. If an intimate meal is more your style than a lively party — or if your group is a bunch of foodies — consider making a reservation at a nice restaurant or even booking a private chef to cook for you. This is a great way to connect with your guests after the day!
5. Have guests share what’s on their hearts. Love it or hate it, one of the most popular wedding traditions is the classic wedding toast. In lieu of that for your elopement, encourage everyone to share a few heartfelt words with you, whether that’s in person, in writing, or even via pre-recorded messages for those not attending.
6. Plan a group outing or adventure. In my humble opinion, there are few better ways to connect with people than getting everyone out of their comfort zones. Think about what the two of you love to do or have always wanted to try, and build a group activity around that. A hike? Surf lessons? Off-roading? Scavenger hunt or dive bar hopping? It’s all fair game!
7. Have a BBQ or bonfire. Doesn’t a casual, relaxing night with your loved ones sound like the PERFECT option for what to do after eloping? Cap off your big day by sitting around the fire and roasting marshmallows or grilling up a feast (or both!).
I hope you’re feeling inspired about what to do after eloping, whether it’s just the two of you or you have a whole crew tagging along. I’d love to hear more about your elopement plans (and congratulate you personally!), so let’s hop on a call to chat soon!