Eloping With Family and Friends

Are you really dreaming of eloping but still want to include your closest family and friends in your special day? Well here are some great ideas for eloping with family and friends so you can have the best of both worlds, an epic adventure with those closest to you. That’s the beauty of an elopement. There are no rules on how to do it and you can still have an epic adventure in nature while including your favorite people.

Please don’t feel like you have to pick between eloping or having a traditional wedding at a golf course or ballroom. You can have the best of both worlds. You might have to compromise on somethings like the location of your ceremony or how many guests you can include but you can make it happen. Below are some of the best ways I have seen couples include their family and friends into their special day.

1. Eloping with family and friends: Invite them!

This is probably the most obvious way to include your closest people. There’s so many ways you can include family and friends into your elopement day. You can get ready in an Airbnb together with them and then go have a first look with your partner before your ceremony. You can go on an epic sunrise hike in the morning with your partner to exchange your vows in private, and then meet up later for the ceremony and reception.

There’s so many different ways to include them on your elopement day and still have a day that is focused on your love and commitment to one another. You can still elope in an EPIC place and invite those closest to you. However just be aware that some places especially National Parks will have designated ceremony sites. Those ceremony sites have guest limits.

So be aware of the rules and regulations of where you want to get married. Your photographer should be able to help you with this.

2. Eloping with family and friends: Have a post elopement reception

This is another option for eloping with family and friends that you can get creative with. For example, are you dead set on eloping in an EPIC place that is super special to you. That can be anything from a hike into the mountains to a specific location, flying to a new country you’re dreaming of exploring, or taking a helicopter to a glacier. The reality is that family or friends can’t be included into the ceremony.

So now what do you do? You throw a fun reception party either directly after the ceremony in the location you’re getting married or have a reception when you get home from your adventure. Both are great options and really depend on if family can make it to where you want to be.

If you’re traveling to a far away location maybe it’s best to throw the after party at home when you return. That way you can include everyone you want and make it easy for them.

If you’re staying within the states, it could be fun to invite those closest to you for an intimate dinner/reception party after. There’s no right or wrong way to do this .

3. Eloping with family and friends: Facetime them

Technology has come such a long way and allows us to connect with family and friends no matter where we are at in the world. If it’s too hard to include them into the experience physically, then this is the perfect compromise. You can facetime them as you are getting ready in the morning. Another idea is after your ceremony when you’re officially married hop on a facetime call with them and share your joy and excitement with them. You can even do both to make them feel like they are part of the day.

4. Eloping with family and friends: Write letters

This is a super sweet and sentimental option. Ask your closest family and friends to write you both letters to open during your elopement. You can read these anytime throughout the day. Whether you want that to be during your ceremony, getting ready, or set aside a certain time for it. It’s a great way to feel the love from everyone that can’t physically be there and keep them as a remembrance of the experience.

5. Throw an Engagement Party

If you aren’t thrilled about having a reception on or after your elopement day then consider an engagement party. You can have your mom, sister, or best friend help you plan a fun pre-elopement party. This is a fun way to continue the excitement of getting engaged and share it with your closest people.

It’s a great opportunity to start letting everyone know about your plans for eloping. You can share how excited you both are to elope and why during this time. The more you can share your excitement for your dream to elope somewhere EPIC, the more they will understand why you chose to elope.

6. Ask them to help choose your wedding attire

Another fun way to include them before your elopement day is by asking them to help you choose your wedding dress and suit. Take your parents and best friends and make a fun day of them picking your dream wedding attire. It’s a fun way to share special memories together and make them feel included.

Adventure elopement photographer

I hope this article helps you with some fun and creative ideas on eloping with family and friends. Remember no two elopement days ever look alike. So feel free to be creative with how you involve your favorite people.

If you’re looking for an adventure elopement photographer to help you plan and capture your special day, I would love to chat ideas with you. You can fill out my inquiry form below or send me an inquiry here. You can also go checkout all of my pricing and what’s included here. I can’t wait to chat with you.

If you’re looking for more elopement resources checkout these blogs:  10 Reasons Why You should Elope, How Much Does It Cost To Elope, The Top 10 Places To Elope In The World, How To Elope In New Zealand, How To Elope In Iceland, and How To Elope In Minnesota.