Bride lays on bar counter top and smiles at her groom. They are eloping at a local Italian restaurant.

With the onset of the 2020 pandemic, couples around the world were forced to postpone their weddings, downsize their guest lists, and look for alternative options. The big, traditional weddings that we had all become accustomed to were no longer an option. As heartbreaking and unfair as this may have seemed at the time, something amazing happened! Elopements took the stage.

To your parent’s or grandparent’s generation, an elopement was saved for couples with forbidden love, spontaneous “when in Rome” moments, or a quick trip to the courthouse. But as we all know, times have changed! Elopements are so much more than meets the eye. They’re intimate, adventurous, and completely authentic and customizable to you as a couple. No two elopements are the same, which is what sets them apart. You can literally do ~whatever the heck~ you want to!!

If you are considering ditching tradition, here are 3 ways for how to make your elopement feel like you!

Check out my Adventure Elopement Inspiration board on Pinterest!

1. Elope in a place that’s special to you.

The first step to planning your elopement is selecting a location. Whether it’s a place that feels like home or a new spot you’ve always dreamed about exploring, choose somewhere that brings you joy. The location of your elopement will set the scene for your entire day.


A few questions to ask yourself when choosing an elopement location:

1) What do you want your backdrop to be? The mountains, the desert, a romantic cityscape?

2) What season do you want to elope?

3) Who do you want to be there? 5-10 of your closest loved ones or just the two of you.

4) What is your budget for the day?

Knowing the answers to these questions will help you narrow down your options. If you’re working with a tighter budget or inviting a few guests, maybe consider staying somewhere close to home. If you’re dreaming of an adventure elopement, what would be the optimum season?

Need help finding the perfect elopement location?

2. Incorporate your favorite things into the day to help it feel like you.

Without the structure of a traditional wedding— getting ready, first look, ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, etc. your day is full of possibilities. Do something fun! Go out to your favorite restaurant, meet your friends at that bar you love, go kayaking, or rent a boat for the day and bring your fur-babies!! Whatever feels right to you. These things may seem small and mundane but are the framework for an unforgettable day.

3. Don’t do anything that doesn’t serve you and your partner.

This one may seem obvious, but you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do during your elopement. Let me repeat— YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING YOU DON’T WANT TO DO. That means ignoring the unsolicited advice and just going with the flow. Whatever makes the two of you happy is exactly what you should do, no matter what society says.


Elopements are becoming more and more popular and for good reason. At the end of the day, a wedding is the union of two people in love. Let’s celebrate and make your elopement feel like you!

Ready to chat about your elopement?

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