How to Choose the Best Elopement Date
After making the decision – the one where you’re taking the reins on your wedding day, ditching the expectations, and eloping instead of throwing a big party – one of the first things you’ll need to do is set a date! The day you tie the knot will depend on a lot of factors, so it’s not as simple as opening up the calendar (or Google Calendar) and picking one. This guide will help you choose the right elopement date for you, with some tips for deciding when to say your “I do’s!”
THINK ABOUT YOUR ELOPEMENT LOCATION FIRST
That’s right, before setting an elopement date, it’s a good idea to consider your location first. This might feel a little backwards, but hear me out!
Couples who elope usually tie the knot outdoors, instead of booking a venue. So, your ceremony will be affected quite a bit by the weather.
Now, this doesn’t mean you have to have your exact location picked out immediately – in fact, I recommend keeping your options open, since part of my job as an elopement photographer is to help you find the perfect spot. But, it can be really helpful to have a general idea of where you’d like to tie the knot.
For example, summer weather in upstate New York is gorgeous, but summers in Joshua Tree are much too hot to be ideal elopement weather. So, think about what kind of scenery you want to be surrounded by, where you might want to elope, and come up with a general region, or at least a type of landscape that you want to see on the big day.
What Do You Want to Do on Your Elopement Day?
While thinking about potential locations, think about what you want to do. If you want to go hiking or take a boat on the water, summer is probably going to be more your jam. But, for avid skiers, winter in the mountains could be the perfect time to elope! Again, you don’t need a solid plan or an exact schedule for your elopement day yet, but just have an idea of what the two of you like, and what would make this a truly incredible day.
Meaningful Elopement Dates
That being said, for some couples, the elopement date does come first. If there’s a day in mind that you know you want as the day you get married, it’s totally fine to plan your day around that! For example, if you want to get married on a special anniversary or a day that means something to the two of you, or a fun calendar day (like 10/10), you can totally do that.
How Much Time Do You Want to Spend Planning Your Elopement?
Another factor to consider when choosing an elopement date is how much time you actually want to spend planning. Some couples get engaged and want to tie the knot as soon as possible, while others want plenty of time to soak in the excitement and to plan the perfect day.
A common misconception about elopements is that they’re spontaneous and spur of the moment (think Vegas courthouse), but the reality is that if you’re planning a day that’s truly meaningful and special, it does require time to make sure all the ducks are in a row. While it is possible to plan a ceremony and an adventurous day in a few weeks, I think the sweet spot is at least four months to a year – plenty of time to soak in the post engagement pre marriage bliss, and plenty of time to plan, secure permits, and ensure that the day is truly what you want.
Work and Other Logistics
This is a less fun part of deciding on an elopement date, but it’s important too! When you get married might depend a lot on simply when it fits into your schedule. Couples who elope typically combine their wedding day with their honeymoon, and you probably don’t want to get married on a Saturday and come back to work on Monday.
If you have a job that’s difficult to take time off from, or one where you’re much busier during certain parts of the year, this could be a factor in deciding on an elopement date.
If you’re inviting guests, you might want to think about their schedules as well – will they be able to make it if your elopement is on a weekday? Is there a time of year that’s better for your friends and family?
Weekdays vs. Weekends for Your Elopement Date
After narrowing down a season or general timeframe, once it’s time to think about a specific date for your elopement, I always recommend that couples opt for a weekday. Pretty much everywhere you go, weekends are going to be more popular. Eloping in the middle of the week is one of the best ways to ensure fewer people around, and will make it easier to exchange vows without an audience. For popular elopement locations where a permit is required, weekdays are more likely to be available as well!
Don’t worry – if weekends are a better option for you, there are plenty of other ways to avoid crowds, like planning your ceremony for sunrise or sunset and choosing a more off the beaten path spot. I’ll help you figure it out!
Reach Out to a Photographer Before Choosing an Elopement Date
For weddings, couples typically need to have these big details, like the date and the venue sorted out before they inquire with vendors – but elopements are a little different. Because eloping gives you so much more flexibility, I recommend finding a photographer you love before you settle on an elopement date!
This ensures that you get to work with your favorite photographer to find a date where they’re available, and it also means that they can give you some advice and tips for finding the perfect elopement date that works with what you’re dreaming about for your day.
As an elopement photographer, my job isn’t just to take photos (that’s important too, though). I’m also your planning assistant who will take your half baked ideas and turn them into the best day of your life. So, you don’t have to have anything figured out before we chat – I’ll help you with all of it!
If you’re ready to start planning your incredible adventure, contact me!
