If you’ve decided ditch the wedding plans but still want to include your loved ones in some aspect of your day, here are some ideas for you on how to include your family in your elopement! I have split these up into two sections. The first one is ideas for if you do have guests present on your elopement day. The second section is a list of ideas for if you are truly running off just the two of you. Most of these ideas are taken from my own couples and have been beautiful touches to personalizing their experience.
I typically call a wedding with 6-25 guests a micro or intimate wedding, and those with less than 6 elopements. However, I know definitions have gotten blurred over the years, especially with the rise of destination micro weddings. I wrote this post with both micro weddings and elopements in mind to show you what your options could look like either way you go!
And if you still haven’t decided whether or not you want to elope or have an intimate wedding, here is a post I wrote breaking that decision down for you.
If You Have Guests on Your Elopement Day
1. Two Day Adventure
This might just be my favorite option for couples who want to still include guests in their elopement experience. The way I have seen this best played out is having one day completely dedicated to the family, and a second day running off just the two of you. For couples who want those epic photos that require a hike, more time for photos without the stress of a timeline or holding people up, and the intimacy of sharing vows without others listening, this is such a wonderful option.
Most of my couples who have gone with this option ended up either doing a sunrise adventure on the second day, but this could be laid out any way that fits with what you’re dreaming up!
Here are some example galleries from my couples. In all of the following galleries, the couple spent the first day with their family members and adventured off just themselves on the second day.
- Two Day Adventure Elopement in the Tetons: second day sunrise backcountry hike
- Two Day Micro Wedding in the Tetons: second day sunset and astro session
- Two Day Elopement Adventure Film: second day sunrise backcountry hike
2. Split Your Day Up
This is the other option for when you bring guests! This could be done in a number of ways.
Something I have seen work really seamless for both guests and timelines is doing the first half of the day with the guests and the second half with just you and your lover. This also goes decently well even if it’s just a few hours away from your guests and meet back up with them for a dinner!
The pros of this option is still getting a variety of imagery in your gallery and some privacy for vows or exploration, while getting to spend most of the day with your family. The cons of this option is that sometimes couples will feel bad leaving their friends and family for the formals, or timelines will get shifted and there is less room for flexibility when other guests are involved. Additionally, the more guests you have, the harder it is to split your day up unless you have a designated retreat spot for them. However, it is an option both I and my couples have loved in the past.
Here are some galleries of days that flowed well with a “split” timeline. In the first and third gallery here, the couple’s families shared big cabins to spend even more time with each other in the days leading up.
- Majority of Wedding Day with Guests (20) and Private Sunset in GTNP
- First Half of Day with Guests (3) with Private Sunset: hiking GTNP elopement
- Private Vows and Blue Hour Formals, Rest of Day with Family (12): Washington Elopement
Five Ways to Include Family if You Don’t Have Guests on Your Elopement Day
If you are full sending an actual elopement and will have no guests, here are some ways you can include your loved ones in the wedding process!
1. After Celebration or Reception
This is consistently a favorite of my couples and the perfect wedding/elopement compromise!! It gives you a way to embrace an adventure elopement in it’s pure intimacy, as well as give your loved ones a chance to celebrate you. When you have a reception after your elopement, you can include all of the traditions that you might feel you’d miss out on with the elopement. This can be as chill or extravagant as you want as well! I’ve seen everything from having a backyard reception, to going all out with a venue for this occasion.
A particularly fun way to embrace this is have the reception once your elopement gallery has been received! It can be so fun to put your elopement video up on a projector or screen to watch this unique experience back with your family and friends. You can print out your photos large to display and show off the epic views you ran off to (something that can be your home decor later).
In all of my elopement packages I include a second day of coverage that can either be used for an engagement, a reception, or a day after session. For the couples who have chosen a reception after their elopement, it has made me beyond happy to see such a perfect compromise that makes all parties happy.
2. Video Call or Pictures
If you have service in your elopement location, then you can consider video calling your loved ones! You could do this right after the ceremony, at the most epic spot, or in the evening once the busyness of the day is over. This gives your loved ones a way to congratulate and support you from afar and see what all your excitement for eloping is about.
3. Letters
Before you leave to your elopement, have your friends and family write you letters. This is something you can open and read together before or after your ceremony and it is often an emotional experience.
4. Memory Items
Another way to include your family in your elopement is through memory items. This can be a photo charm on the bouquet, a picture on the inside of your pocket square, “something borrowed”, or a sentimental item that reminds you of your people.
5. Gift Items Significant from Your Day
Gifting your closest people something fun or significant from your day can be a way to include your family in your elopement. I’ve seen this take the form of gifting flower seeds local to the elopement area, wine from a local brewery, an embroidered handkerchief, or a postcard from the area. There’s no shortage of ideas that you can find that are unique to you and your day.
Eloping Versus an Intimate Wedding
Whether you are eloping or having an intimate wedding with guests, there are so many ways you can include your family and loved ones in this celebration. More than anything, do what feels true to you and your values. If you want your people, bring them!!! If you want a private experience just the two of you, full send it. I wish you the best in the planning process and hope this post was helpful for you!!
