Eloping 101: 3 Simple Steps

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Eloping 101: 3 Simple Steps

If you’re engaged or even thinking about getting engaged, you’ve surely taken a look at some wedding to-do checklists. And if you’ve ever been to a wedding, you know that many couples manage to miraculously get it all done! These weddings are beautiful and magical, but they’re not the only way to go about getting married. The most important part is the happy couple: if you have that, the wedding will be magical, no matter the setting.

If the thought of planning a big wedding seems overwhelming, you might consider eloping. Compared to a traditional wedding to-do list, for example, eloping is blissfully simple…

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1. Pick a Destination

This is the fun part! Where in the world would you like to go? Many eloping couples choose a spot where they can have their honeymoon, or they want to return to the place they met or shared a special moment.

Eloping doesn’t have to be elaborate. We often think of eloping couples going to a foreign country or a tropical island, but if you’re wanting to keep it simple, you could go to a neighboring state or to your local courthouse.

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2. Buy a Plane Ticket and Make Hotel Reservations

Don’t forget to mention you’re eloping: the hotel might have a special treat for you!

Whether you’re going to a different state or a different country, you’ll also have to do a little research about marriage requirements in that area. You might be required to take a blood test or wait a certain length of time between getting the license and saying I Do. Particularly if you go to another country, it’s essential to understand the laws to make sure your marriage will be legal when you go home.

Contact the country’s embassy to learn more about requirements for people who are not residents or citizens of your chosen destination.

The resort may be able to help you with this, too, but it’s a good idea to couple it with your own research to make sure. Popular destinations have experience with eloping couples and can point you in the right direction or at least recommend a wedding planner; they may be able to arrange everything themselves so all you have to do is show up and exchange vows!

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3. Tell Your Photographer Where to Be and When

Part of the reason to elope may be to have a private event between the two of you, but there’s at least one person you’re going to want to invite to your secret wedding: your photographer!

Your once-in-a-lifetime moments need to be captured on camera, and by taking your photographer with you, you can be sure you’re working with someone who understands what you want. We’ve probably already done your engagement session together; if not, we’ve at least had a consultation during which we’ve learned to feel comfortable with each other and you’ve been able to communicate what you want in your wedding photos.

As you cross international borders, you may find photographers with different styles or they may follow different trends. You want to be able to choose a photographer whose style matches your own vision for your wedding photos.

Choosing your photographers in advance and putting them on your packing list is one way to ensure you’ll have the photographs you’ll love for years, and it gives you one less thing to think about when you arrive at your destination.

If you have any questions about photography when you elope, contact us! We love working with couples anywhere in the world, and we’re happy to accompany you and take the photos that will tell the story of your love and your eloping adventur

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