Preparing for a Destination Elopement
I absolutely love elopements. The intimate ceremony that’s really just about you and your other half makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It’s why I do intimate wedding photos and have elopement photography packages. If that’s what the couple feels most comfortable doing, I’m more than happy to oblige. And if we can squeeze in some intimate bridal shots, or I can check an adventurous spot off my bucket list, it only adds to the joy of photographing another lovestruck pair.
Pulling off any sort of marriage ceremony can be stressful enough as it is, but add in the traveling factor and it makes it all the more complex. Take a deep breath for a second, though. I’m gonna give you the lowdown on what you need to know to prepare for a destination elopement, hopefully in a stress-free way!
Legal love
Firstly, prepare for the legal requirements of whatever location you have chosen. In order for your ceremony to even be able to happen, make sure you have the proper permits to marry. Look up marriage requirements for both where you are getting married and where you live. For you and your partner’s hometown, it should be as simple as a visit to the local courthouse. And for out-of-state weddings, just making sure you meet that state’s requirement for marriage legally should be enough.
However, if you’re going somewhere more exotic, it may take a little more effort than that. I highly recommend visiting the embassy website for the country or territory of your choice. Double-check everything you find with a Google search, and you should be good to go. As long as you follow the proper legal procedures for the country you’re tying the knot in, when you return home to the U.S., you will still be legally married here!
In case of rain
It’s also important to know the weather cycles of the place you’re eloping in. Some countries have rainy seasons, some states have blizzards, some have hurricanes...
While none of these things can stop true love, they may change its location, so make sure to have a backup plan in case of unexpected weather. Weather anywhere in the world can be extremely unpredictable. Decide with your partner if you’re okay getting wet or if you’d rather have an indoor location you can run to if the sky turns dark. If you’re going somewhere in a different timezone or even traveling to a different side of the equator, make sure you know the hours of daylight and when the sun rises and sets. Sunset is a very popular time for any ceremony, so make sure you don’t miss it in whatever destination you’ve traveled to!
Whatever the weather, we’ll get you married! Sometimes, unexpected weather — like mist, fog, or even light rain — can create some of the most beautiful, dramatic photos.), so just be yourself and get ready to go with the flow.
I once photographed an elopement in a snowstorm, and to this day, I still consider it one of the most magical things I’ve ever been a part of. I also photographed an elopement that landed on the day of a hurricane (to be fair, who expected a hurricane in the upstate of SC???) . We simply moved the location indoors, and the ceremony went smoothly. While I find it helpful to have a timeline of the day, my schedules for elopements tend to be less rigid. It’s your day and we can do whatever your heart desires. Want to go for a post vow pizza or ice cream? Absolutely. Feel like a spontaneous swim? Go for it. Grabbing a celebratory pint at the local brewery? I’m there!
Packing for love
The reality of traveling with wedding attire is that it is an imperfect art. In order to deal with potential wrinkles on dresses and tuxes, there are a few measures you can take. First, don’t try to stuff it away in a suitcase or carry one. It’s best to travel with a garment bag or use the one the suit or dress came with. I also recommend investing in a portable steamer to make touch-ups on the big day. Make sure your rings are stowed somewhere safe, and if you’re flying somewhere, can make it through airport customs. The bottom line with destination elopements is to prepare for the things that you can prepare for, like marriage laws and customs, but to be okay with expecting the unexpected.
What really matters is getting married and celebrating you and your partner’s love for one another, rain or shine. I’ve been able to watch couples marry in the wake of natural disasters when their timing and location were changed last minute, and nothing could stop them from smiling and being so in love.
If this sounds like you and yours, contact me, and we can talk booking today! Looking for more elopement ideas? Head on over to my website and take a gander.