An elopement is the perfect way to celebrate your wedding day, and if you don’t feel like a traditional wedding is for you then opting for a smaller, more intimate day, where you can focus on each other is the perfect plan! If you’re thinking about eloping, here are some tips to help you get your planning started!

1. Choose the Right Location

The location you choose for your elopement is so important to making your day feel intimate and romantic –  its a chance to pick somewhere special to you; The first place you went on holiday together, your dream country to visit, or even back to the place where you first met. I’m from Northern Ireland so I might be biased, but I think Northern Ireland offers so many beautiful and scenic locations for elopements, from the stunning coastlines to the rolling hills and forests. My two favourite places in Northern Ireland for an elopement would be the Causeway Coast or the Mourne Mountains – however I’m always down to travel anywhere!

2. Hire an Experienced Photographer                           You may think with a more relaxed day you can skip on the professional photographer. You can see my blog post Here on why I think a professional photographer is a MUST on any wedding day, but I think even more so on an elopement. You want your day to be captured perfectly – you want to be able to re live your day every time you look at your photos and feel the emotions and love you felt on the day rush over you again and again. Choose a photographer who has done elopement photography before or who has captured an intimate wedding – most importantly pick one who gets your personality and your vision for the day so that they can capture every single detail, emotion and moment. 

              3. Choose Meaningful Details                                             Because elopements are normally smaller and more intimate, this is your chance to pick details that are important and personal to you. You don’t have to follow the rules of a traditional wedding, you can be totally unique and plan so many meaningful wedding details, such as having your favourite restaurant cater the wedding, or incorporating cultural traditions you love, having more personalised vows… the list goes one! Really, you can focus on what is important to you and leave behind the traditions that don’t work for you.

4. Keep it Simple                   The biggest advantage of an elopement is the simplicity. You really can have the whole day focused on what matters most – your love for each other. Keep the planning and details as simple as you can to reduce stress and ensure you can enjoy your day as much as possible. Things like having a small guest list, choosing a location without any complicated travel plans, or even by having a casual dress code. 

                                                                                                                                                                            5. Don’t forget the legal bit!     Something a little more tricky to be aware of is the legalities of getting married abroad. You will need to make sure your marriage is official in your home country. Before your elopement, make sure you do your research into marriage laws where you live, and get all the paperwork and documents ready that you need. In Northern Ireland, you need to give notice of your intention to marry at least 28 days before your wedding date and provide ID, such as driving license and passports. An easy way round any issues could be to get legally married in your home country before or after your elopement, and have a non official ceremony at your elopement. 

6. Travel Logistics                       It goes without saying that it’s important to think about travelling to your chosen location. But that doesn’t stop when you get to the airport! Remember to think about in country transport, and research your ceremony, meal and photography locations and see how you’ll transport everyone about, as well as accommodation for everyone too!

7. Get travel and/or wedding insurance!!

I’m not sure much else needs to be said on that one… better safe than sorry!

Elopements really can be such a beautiful and intimate way to celebrate your love – and are a brilliant way of creating a wedding day that really reflects who you are as a couple!

Want to see more photos from Aryana & Connors elopement? Click Here.