5 Tips On Eloping In Your Dream Location

Congratulations on your decision to elope!

Now that you have decided to elope somewhere, just the two of you, or with a few of those people closest to you, you need to figure out where and how to go about doing so. Perhaps you know exactly where you want to elope but you are not 100% sure where to start or what needs to be done.

I have prepared a few tips but by all means check out my Services/Investment page as well of tons of info on eloping and just how I can help you do so; hint I am more than an amazing elopement photographer, I also help you plan the whole thing too for no additional charge to my packages! {It’s a guaranteed 2-for-1 deal with me! 😉

So here are five tips to help make your dream location elopement even more special:

• Do your research! Make sure you know the laws and regulations of the area you are eloping in.

This simply means research all about your dream elopement location, whether that be the Rocky Mountains, The Badlands of Drumheller, or somewhere more exotic like Mexico or Hawaii, know what legalities are involved in that location as well as all the fun stuff you can do and to be prepared.

• Consider the weather and the season. It’s important to make sure you are prepared for the weather and other natural elements of the area.

In the mountains you could be on alert for storms (thunder or snow), changing winds, snow or difficult conditions due to the weather, whereas in the desert it could be a dust storm or out in the open at mercy of the elements, while tropical locations offer up extreme storms such as hurricanes and more. Make sure you know what the weather is typically like in each season in your dream location to elope and then decide what you are prepared to deal with or the “atmosphere” you want for your elopement; for example, if you like moody weather and images you might choose to elope in the rainy season and dance in the rain! 😉

• Find a photographer who is familiar with the area. They can help you create the perfect elopement photos.

Finding a photographer who is familiar with the area is not a MUST!! There’s a first time for shooting anywhere and if we know how to shoot in one place, we can shoot in any location, but it is an asset for the photographer you choose to be familiar with your dream elopement location as they will be able to help you navigate some of that research mentioned in tip #1 and offer helpful advice for activities, vendors, etc.

I am pretty familiar with the Canadian Rockies, having grown up here for 44 years, but I also have shot lots of weddings in the Caribbean (Mexico, Cuba, Dominican), and in Las Vegas and Hawaii – I am DYING TO GO TO ICELAND FOR AN ELOPEMENT *hook a girl up, pretty please!!!*. I shoot elopements anywhere in Alberta and British Columbia in Canada, but I also travel anywhere in the tropics and I love to shoot and help couples plan their elopements in exotic dream locations.

• Get creative! There are so many unique and fun ways to elope, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

Eloping NO LONGER means running down to the courthouse or sneaking away to a remote location without telling anyone; come on that’s so from the Boomers era, am I right?!

So if you are headed off to your ideal location, that speaks to you and your partner, and you’ve been dreaming about it since they put a ring on it {or you did}, then make it epic!! Figure out if there is any bucket list or must-do activities that you want to include on your wedding day. Add in a really cool, unique or secret spot for your vows or something unique to that location specifically that you can’t do at home or in your other travel destinations (past or future). You are eloping because you already know you want the day to be about the two of you and buck tradition, so go all out!! Use your imagination or inventive thinking!

• Most importantly, have fun! Your elopement should be a special and memorable experience, so take the time to relax and enjoy it.

Remember that by planning an elopement in your dream location or destination you are already choosing the two of you and that beautiful connection you are celebrating on your wedding day! So have fun and embrace all the emotions, as well as the experience of the whole day and being truly present with each other (your Photographer is there to document it all so you will remember when you look back).

Do the things you want and ditch the things/traditions you don’t want or don’t matter to you. Change out of your wedding finery and do something really bold like going skiing in the mountains, canoeing on a lake, sailing on a boat in Hawaii, flying a kite on a beach (you can also stay in your finery for all of this because this day is about you two and not what your dress or suit look like by the end of the day! *trust me*

I hope this helped and if you would like to chat with me about planning and shooting your amazing elopement in your ideal location then I would love to hear from you and you should hit the button below, fill out the form and let’s get your dream elopement in the Canadian Rockies or anywhere on the globe off to a start!