To elope, decide what kind of day you want and who (if anyone) comes, choose where to marry, and sort out the legal paperwork for that place: in the US that means a marriage license from the county where you will marry. The rest is up to you: the setting, the timeline, and what happens after.
Start with each other, before any bookings. Brittany Snow, founder of Elopement Collective, puts this first: “Your marriage is first and foremost yours with your partner, so before you talk about weddings or elopements, talk about how people like the two of you together, celebrate things like getting married. Ask each other what is important, and not important to you personally.”
Settle three things early: the setting you picture for your vows, who has to be there, and whether you want a short ceremony or a full day.
An elopement can be just the two of you and an officiant, or a small group of your closest family and friends. Decide the number early, because it changes the location, permits, travel and budget. A couple-only elopement is the most flexible; once you pass about 50 guests, you are planning a micro wedding.
Brittany Snow’s test for the guest list: “We like to imagine that the witnesses to your elopement would be the same group of people you might invite into the maternity ward if a baby was on the way.”
Eloping usually costs a fraction of a traditional wedding, but the cost depends on where you go. List every line before you book: photography, the officiant, travel and lodging, the marriage license, any permits, attire, flowers, hair and makeup, and a meal. For a breakdown in Australia, see how much it costs to elope in Australia.
Elopement settings range from a city courthouse or rooftop to a national park, a beach, a mountain or a destination abroad. Pick the place first, then check what it needs: some locations require a permit or an advance booking. For ideas, see our guides to the best elopement destinations, the best countries to elope, and the most romantic places to elope in Bali and Fiji.
Brittany Snow suggests timing it for the light: “aim for it all to happen near sunset. That’s our secret, we schedule the ceremony and portrait photos to happen in golden hour, then once the sun has set you can celebrate.”
An elopement is a legal marriage, so the paperwork is the same as for any wedding. The rules depend on where you marry, not where you live.
Apply for a marriage license in the county or state where the ceremony will take place, not where you live. Requirements vary by state: some have a waiting period between the license and the ceremony, and some require an officiant and witnesses. Check with that county clerk’s office before you book travel.
The marriage has to be legal under the law of the country where you marry, and the requirements and documents vary by country. Many couples sign the legal paperwork at their local courthouse first, then hold the ceremony abroad with only the vows and the photos to think about.
You need an authorised marriage celebrant, a Notice of Intended Marriage given to them at least one month and no more than 18 months before the wedding, and two witnesses over 18, according to the Attorney-General’s Department. You do not need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. The certificate your celebrant gives you on the day is ceremonial; apply to the state or territory registry for the official one.
If you are eloping in a national park, a state park or on other public land, check whether you need a permit for the ceremony before you book anything else. In US national parks this is usually a special use permit, and the rules differ by park, so contact the park directly. In Australia, ask the local council or park authority.
Most eloping couples book an officiant and a photographer, and many add a videographer, florist, or hair and makeup. Book the photographer early: an elopement photographer often helps with locations, permits and the timeline, and some can act as your officiant where the law allows. Choose vendors whose style and experience fit the kind of day you want.
The further ahead you plan, the more choice you have of dates, permits and vendors, especially for a destination elopement. A courthouse elopement can come together in weeks. Lock in the season first and stay flexible on the exact date, since weather, closures and permit rules change by season.
Choose a dress you can move in, and think about the setting: a flowing dress suits a mountain top or a field, and lace wrinkles less but picks up everything outdoors. A suit should be comfortable and fit well. For a hiking elopement, both of you need shoes with good grip and a warm layer.
With no crowd watching, you can say exactly what you mean. Write about the moment you knew, the promises you will keep on ordinary days, and what you want your life together to look like. Our guide to how to write wedding vows walks you through it.
There are three ways to do it: tell your closest family before, invite a few of them, or announce it afterwards with a party when you get home. Whichever you choose, tell parents and close friends in person or by phone before you post anything.
Brittany Snow’s advice: “After sunset just book a table at a restaurant. Focus on sharing a meal and drinks together, don’t worry about an elaborate reception that would add stress to a stress free day.” If family missed the ceremony, plan a party with them when you get home.
If you are planning an elopement abroad, Wedded Concierge can help with the destination, the venue and the vendors. If you are planning in Melbourne, Wedded World Melbourne, The Fashion, Travel & Wellness Edition, runs on 7 and 8 November.
Written by
Senior SEO Specialist, Wedded Wonderland
Mark Tuason is the Senior SEO Specialist at Wedded Wonderland, where he writes and refreshes the brand's guides to destination weddings and cultural wedding traditions. He starts with the questions couples search for, checks the answers against trusted sources, and shapes each guide to help them plan, compare and book with confidence. Based in the Philippines, he specialises in content strategy and on-page SEO.
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