Elopement is an intimate wedding ceremony, typically involving just the couple (and sometimes a small number of guests), held at a meaningful or scenic location without the traditional large-scale wedding production. Modern elopements range from simple courthouse ceremonies to elaborate adventure elopements in national parks, mountaintops, beaches, or international destinations.
15 steps across 2 sections
1. Steps Guide
- Discuss your vision as a couple — Align on key decisions: just the two of you or with a few witnesses/family? Adventure location or simple courthouse? Destination or local? Budget ceiling? Whether ...
- Set your budget — Elopement budgets range from under $500 (courthouse ceremony) to $5,000-$15,000 (destination elopement with photographer, planner, and styled details). Key expenses: officiant, ph...
- Choose your location — Select a place meaningful to your relationship. Popular options: national parks (require permits), beaches, mountaintops, European cities, Las Vegas, New York City courthouse...
- Research legal requirements (critical) — Marriage laws vary significantly by state and country:
- Marriage license Apply at the county clerk's office in the jurisdiction where you will marry. Both parties must apply together with valid photo IDs. Some states require both to be present; others allow one party to...
- Waiting periods Some states require a 1-3 day waiting period between obtaining the license and the ceremony (e.g., Wisconsin: 6 days, DC: 3 days). Others have no waiting period (Colorado, Nevada, New York).
- Witnesses Some states require 1-2 witnesses; others require none. Your photographer or officiant can often serve as a witness.
- Self-solemnization Colorado, Pennsylvania, and a few other states allow self-uniting marriages where no officiant is needed.
- Apply for your marriage license — Visit the county clerk or registrar in the jurisdiction of your ceremony. Bring valid government-issued photo IDs, birth certificates (some jurisdictions), divorce...
- Book an officiant — Find a legally authorized officiant for your location. Options: justice of the peace, ordained minister, online-ordained friend (check state acceptance), or judge. For destinati...
2. Key Details
- Legal essentials checklist Marriage license (applied for in the ceremony's jurisdiction), legally authorized officiant (unless self-solemnizing), required number of witnesses (varies by state), signed and filed marriage cert...
- National park permits The National Park Service requires a Special Use Permit for all ceremonies, including elopements. Apply 2-6 months in advance. Costs range from $50-$500 depending on the park. Each park has specifi...
- Elopement packages Many destinations offer all-inclusive elopement packages that bundle officiant, photographer, flowers, and sometimes a venue or permit coordination. Packages range from $1,000-$8,000 and simplify p...
- Self-solemnization states Colorado, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Wisconsin (Quaker tradition), and a few others allow couples to marry themselves without an officiant. You sign your own marriage license. Research current la...
- International elopement considerations If eloping abroad, research whether the marriage is legally recognized in your home country. Many couples do a legal courthouse ceremony at home and a symbolic ceremony abroad to avoid internationa...
Common Mistakes
- Not checking legal requirements
- Forgetting permits for public lands
- Not having a backup plan for weather
- Telling no one in advance
- Rushing the vows
Pro Tips
- Hire an elopement planner
- Write letters to each other
- Schedule an adventure
- Bring a portable celebration
- Plan an announcement party later