Elopement Planning Checklist

Need a wedding planning checklist for your elopement? Even private ceremonies have important details that should not be missed. This post and downloadable checklist will help ensure nothing is amiss for your upcoming elopement!

If you are looking for a checklist to help plan a larger celebration or micro wedding, click over to these other checklists: Wedding Planning Checklist for your Big Day – Wedding Planning Checklist for a Micro Wedding.

Elopement Planning Checklist – Free Printable

Elopement Examples

Let’s start by brainstorming some Elopement examples. This will help with deciding what needs to be on your “to-do list” in order for your ceremony, and possible reception, to be a success.

Courthouse Elopement + Surprise Afterparty

After you have secured your ceremony date with the courthouse, make a reservation at a local dining hot-spot for a cocktail hour. Invite your friends and family to a mystery cocktail party, keeping the reason why you’ve called the gathering a secret.

Head to the courthouse in the morning/early afternoon to be wed without further ado. While still clad in your wedding attire, enter into your cocktail party announcing “We Eloped!” with your intertwined hands held high. Or before you enter, have a friend propose a toast stating, “For the first time ever, let’s hear it for Mr. & Mrs. _____!”

It’s a fun way to surprise your friends and family while still including them the day-of your elopement. This is a good happy medium for those looking to have a private ceremony, but know there are people who would be bummed to miss out on celebrating your vows with you.

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Backpacking Adventure

Fold your wedding dress into your backpack and strap on your hiking boots because we are going on an adventure! Remember to pack a celebratory beverage and picnic feast to enjoy after you have tied the knot in nature.

With only your officiant and a witness (or two) present, this elopement style is intimate and wondrous. Many times your photographer can double as a witness making the ceremony even more exclusive.

Opting for a private immersion into nature for your nuptials is growing in popularity. Some folks add a party or reception later, but many skip straight to the honeymoon and let the adventure continue! Afterwards, mail out a photo from your exciting day to announce your marriage to friends and family.

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Drive-Thru Chapel + Planned Reception

Then there’s the classic “Let’s drive to Vegas and get married now!” elopement that I don’t see going out of fashion anytime soon. If you find yourselves wishing for this exhilarating romantic roadtrip, you might considering hosting a wedding reception later on to celebrate with friends and family.

After you have tied the knot and received your photos from your elopement, mail out a reception invitation reading “We Eloped!” with a photo on the front and reception details on the back.

It’s a good idea to include your wedding website URL on the back as well. The website can play host to additional details, photos and your elopement story.

Your reception can be as simple or extravagant as you desire. There should definitely be great food, delicious drinks and maybe a little dancing. Some people like to renew their vows at their reception for a touch more romance!

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Elopement Planning Checklist – A Step by Step Guide

Immediately After Engagement

Go to my Newly Engaged? Next Steps post for more details on this category!
– To Do: Insure Your Engagement Ring
– To Do: Host an Engagement Party
– To Do: “The Conversation“
– To Do: Engagement Photos

First Step for planning an Elopement: Hire A Planner

Hire a Wedding Planner (optional)
– Elopements, or their later receptions, can have high-design with lots of decor and utilize venues that require a coordinator/planner. If this is the direction you would like to take your elopement, consider one of the below options!
– Full Service Planning & Design: Designs event with you, sources vendor options, reviews and organizes contracts, manages guest list, coordinates a flawless event, and more!
– Partial Planning or Event Management: Finalizes last minute details, confirms vendors and guest counts, creates and coordinates your timeline for a seamless day, etc.
– Day-Of Coordination: Reviews timelines, expectations and vendor contacts in order to coordinate the moving pieces day-of your elopement and/or reception.

Second Step for planning an Elopement: Date & Venue

– Choose: Wedding Date
– Choose: Budget 
– Hire: Venue for Ceremony (courthouse, nature, drive-thru chapel, event venue, etc.)
– Hire: Officiant (or ask a friend to get licensed to officiate your ceremony)
If hosting a Reception/Afterparty you will need:
– Choose: Reception Date
– Choose: Reception Budget 
– Hire: Venue/Restaurant for Reception
– Hire: Caterer for Reception (if not using a restaurant)
– Buy: Event Insurance (required by most venues)

Third Step for planning an Elopement: Personal Items

– Buy: Wedding Bands
– Buy: Wedding Dress (try to not over shop but have fun!)
– Buy: Shoes & Bridal Accessories (Jewelry, Veil, Lingerie, etc.)
– Schedule: Dress Fittings 
– Buy or Rent: Wedding Suit / Tuxedo
– Schedule: Suit Fittings 
– To Do: Pick Up Marriage License
– Choose: Write Your Vows (I wish we wrote personalized vows but we ran out of time – don’t make my mistake if this is important to you!)
– Choose: Ceremony Readings (stories, scripture, etc.)
– Schedule: Hair & Makeup Trials
– Hire: Hair & Makeup Technician(s) 

Fourth Step for planning Elopement: Vendors & Design

– Hire: Photographer
– Hire: Videographer 
– Hire: Florist 
– To Do: Start on DIY Items 
– Buy: All Miscellaneous Items (Decor, ring box, etc.)
If hosting a Reception/Afterparty you will need:
– Brainstorm: Color Palette & Design Concept (your Full Service Wedding Planner will help a lot here)
– Hire: All Rentals (if needing tables, chairs, plates, decor, etc.)
– Hire: Cake or Desserts
– Hire: All Transportation 
– To Do: Final Tasting with Caterer/Restaurant

Fifth Step for planning an Elopement

– To Do: Premarital Counseling
– To Do: Book Honeymoon
If hosting a Reception/Afterparty you will need:
– Buy: Reception/Afterparty Invitations & Stamps (if hosting)
– Buy: “Thank You” Cards & Stamps

Count Down: 1 Month from Elopement

– To Do: Pay Vendors in Full
– To Do: Book Private Elopement Dinner at Restaurant (if needed)
– To Do: Publish Wedding Website (tip: include elopement story, wedding registry for those who cannot resist sending a gift & add link to your announcement cards)
– Choose: Gifts for Wedding Registry (even if you “have everything you need” add a few things for those whose love language is gift giving, it would be polite to show what you are open to receiving)

Count Down: 1 Week from Elopement

– To Do: Final Dress Fitting, Take Dress Home
– To Do: Spa Day (mani, pedi, waxing, hair, facial, eyelashes, etc.)
– To Do: Practice Your Vows
– To Do: Pack for Honeymoon

Count Down: Night Before Elopement

– To Do: Pack Clutch of Small Personal Items (lipstick, perfume, tissue, mints, etc.)
– To Do: Pack Car
– To Do: Steam Wedding Dress
– To Do: Prep Vendor Tips
– To Do: Sleep Well

Day Of Elopement

– To Do: Eat
– To Do: Breathe
– To Do: Say “I Do”
– To Do: Say “Thank You”

After Elopement

– To Do: Update Wedding Website (add your elopement story)
– Buy: “We Eloped” Announcement Cards & Stamps (tip: use a photo from your elopement to personalize the announcement & include wedding website URL)
– Send: “We Eloped” Announcement Cards 
– To Do: Enjoy Honeymoon
If hosting a Reception/Afterparty you will need:
– Send: Reception/Afterparty Invitations (if different from your announcement cards)
– To Do: Give Final Head Count to Vendors
– To Do: Create Seating Chart
– To Do: Prep Vendor Tips
– Send: “Thank You” Cards

Bonus Events that can happen After your Elopement
– Attend: Wedding Shower
– Attend: Hen / Stag Party

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Conclusion

I hope there is something you were able to take away from this Elopement Planning Checklist for your intimate “I Do”.  Remember to Pin this post for when you are ready for next steps.

I am looking for couples ready to share their wedding day story. Please nominate someone in the comment section below, or email me at jenni@anexcitingday.com, to be featured in my next REAL WEDDING post!

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