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ChecklistWedding type · Elopement

Elopement checklist

An elopement is a wedding for just the two of you, sometimes with a photographer, an officiant or a couple of witnesses, often somewhere that means a lot to you. Planning shrinks to a few things done well: the legal side, the place and its rules, the weather, the photos and how you share the news.

Create my free planSee all 114 tasks

By The ReadyToWeddy Team · Updated

Quick answer

How do you plan an elopement?

Plan an elopement by choosing a place that means something to you both, then checking what it takes to marry there legally: the marriage license, witnesses and any officiant rules. Get permits for public or outdoor land, book a photographer who knows the area, plan for the weather and decide when to tell family.

What’s different about a elopement

  • Just the two of you

    No guest list, invitations or seating, so planning centers on the place and the moment.

  • The place sets the rules

    Permits, group limits and rules on photos, décor and access vary by location.

  • The law still applies

    License, officiant and witness requirements depend on where you marry, so check early.

  • Photography is the main vendor

    Your photographer often helps with timing, locations and permits as well as the photos.

  • Weather and access matter

    Outdoor spots need a backup plan, comfortable outfits and time for travel or walking.

  • Sharing the news is a decision

    Decide when to tell family and whether to host a celebration later.

The tasks that matter most

  1. 1
    Decide what kind of ceremony you want

    Decide whether the elopement itself will be your legal marriage or a personal ceremony. Some couples sign the paperwork at a local office first, which can make marrying far from home much simpler.

  2. 2
    Decide where you want to get married

    Choose somewhere that means something to you both, then check the practical side: the season, travel time, any walking, and whether you can get there comfortably in what you plan to wear.

  3. 3
    Research marriage license requirements

    Check the rules where you’ll marry, not where you live: documents, fees, any waiting period, whether you both must appear in person, whether an officiant is required and how many witnesses you need.

  4. 4
    Check permits for a private or outdoor venue

    Parks, beaches, forests and other public land often need a permit or special-use approval, even for two people. Ask about group size, photography, drones, décor, confetti and time-of-day rules.

  5. 5
    Book your wedding photographer

    Your photographer is often the main vendor, and sometimes a witness where that’s allowed. Look for someone who knows the area, understands its permit rules and can suggest timing for light and crowds.

  6. 6
    Book your officiant

    If your spot is remote, look for an officiant who is comfortable with travel, early starts or a short hike, and ask whether they can also act as a witness where that’s allowed.

  7. 7
    Agree on a wet-weather plan

    Outdoor elopements depend on the weather. Agree on a backup spot, a flexible time window or a covered option with your photographer and officiant before the day.

  8. 8
    Create your wedding-day timeline

    Plan around light, travel and access. Include travel time, any walk to the spot, the ceremony, signing, photos and a meal, with a buffer for weather or trail conditions.

  9. 9
  10. 10
    Sign your marriage documents

    Sign on the day with your officiant and any witnesses. Check the spelling of names and dates, and confirm who returns the paperwork and by when.

Elopement checklist: 114 tasks

Every task, compressed into about 6 months. Tap any task for its step-by-step guide.

Start here

The first two weeks

Agree on your top wedding priorities

Pick 3–5 shared priorities to guide every later choice

Timeline & LogisticsEssential

Set your working budget

Agree on a total, add a contingency, then split by priority

BudgetEssentialGuide: How to Set a Wedding Budget (Step by Step)

For a elopement: Most of the budget usually goes to travel, the photographer, outfits and a special meal or stay. List those first, then decide whether you’re also setting money aside for a later celebration.

Talk about family contributions

Clarify amounts, timing and any strings before you plan

Budget

Estimate your guest count

Your headcount drives venue size, catering and most costs

Guest ListEssential

For a elopement: Decide who, if anyone, joins you: a photographer, an officiant, witnesses, or one or two people you love. Some locations and permits limit group size, so check before you invite anyone.

Choose a season or date range

A flexible window makes venue and vendor dates easier

Venue & DateEssential

Decide where you want to get married

Near home, near family or abroad shapes budget and guests

Venue & DateEssential

For a elopement: Choose somewhere that means something to you both, then check the practical side: the season, travel time, any walking, and whether you can get there comfortably in what you plan to wear.

Decide what kind of ceremony you want

Civil, religious or symbolic — it shapes venue and paperwork

CeremonyEssential

For a elopement: Decide whether the elopement itself will be your legal marriage or a personal ceremony. Some couples sign the paperwork at a local office first, which can make marrying far from home much simpler.

Set up a shared planning system

One shared home for budget, guests, vendors and tasks

Timeline & Logistics

Insure your engagement ring

A specialist policy or your home cover protects against loss

RingsOptional

Share your news the way you want to

Tell close people personally first, no details promised yet

Guest ExperienceOptional

For a elopement: Decide together whether to tell family before or after, and who hears first. Either way, telling your closest people personally before anything goes online usually lands more kindly.

Months 1–3

Book the big pieces while dates are still open

Secure your ceremony location

Lock in a separate place of worship or office alongside it

Ceremony12+ months beforeEssential

For a elopement: Reserve the exact spot if the land manager allows it, and consider a weekday or a quieter time of day. Scout a second spot nearby in case of crowds, closures or wind.

Book your officiant

Make sure they can lead your ceremony and any legal part

Ceremony6–18 months beforeEssentialGuide: How to Choose a Wedding Officiant

For a elopement: If your spot is remote, look for an officiant who is comfortable with travel, early starts or a short hike, and ask whether they can also act as a witness where that’s allowed.

Check permits for a private or outdoor venue

Homes, parks and beaches may need event or alcohol permits

Venue & Date6–11 months before

For a elopement: Parks, beaches, forests and other public land often need a permit or special-use approval, even for two people. Ask about group size, photography, drones, décor, confetti and time-of-day rules.

Book hair and makeup

Good artists take limited bookings on busy weekends

Beauty & Grooming4–12 months beforeOptional

For a elopement: Some artists travel to on-location elopements. Ask about travel fees, early starts and how to keep hair and makeup comfortable in wind, heat or damp air.

Book your getting-ready space and wedding-night stay

Good light and space for hair, makeup and photos

Accommodation & Travel5–11 months before

For a elopement: A cabin, inn or hotel near your spot can double as your getting-ready space. Check the drive or walk from there to the ceremony location.

Research marriage license requirements

Learn the application window and what to bring

Legal & Documents4–12 months beforeEssential

For a elopement: Check the rules where you’ll marry, not where you live: documents, fees, any waiting period, whether you both must appear in person, whether an officiant is required and how many witnesses you need.

1–3 months before

Invitations, details and confirmations

Finalize flowers and décor

Quantities, setup, cleanup and pieces that move between spaces

Flowers & Décor2–5 months before

For a elopement: A bouquet and a buttonhole are often all you need. Check the location’s rules on petals, confetti and décor, and plan to leave the spot exactly as you found it.

Confirm your officiant can legally marry you

Especially important when a friend or relative officiates

Legal & Documents2–3 months beforeEssential

For a elopement: If a friend is officiating somewhere other than where they live, check whether they need to register or be appointed there, and who submits the signed paperwork afterward.

Set the exact weather decision point

Name who makes the call and when the backup kicks in

Backup PlansUp to 2 months before

For a elopement: Agree when you’ll decide on plan B and who makes the call, then tell your photographer and officiant so they can adjust travel and timing.

The final month

Turn plans into confirmations

Wedding week

Handoffs and essentials

Put rings, documents and outfits in one place

Nothing important to hunt for on the morning itself

Rings1–2 days beforeEssential

Wedding day

Nothing else to plan

Sign your marriage documents

With your officiant and witnesses — agree who files them

Legal & DocumentsWedding dayEssential

For a elopement: Sign on the day with your officiant and any witnesses. Check the spelling of names and dates, and confirm who returns the paperwork and by when.

Take a quiet moment together

Five to ten minutes alone, often right after the ceremony

CeremonyWedding dayOptional

After the wedding

A few final things

What you can probably skip

These usually don’t apply to a elopement. If one matters to you, keep it — otherwise mark it “Not for us” and enjoy one less thing to think about.

Elopement FAQ

What’s the difference between an elopement and a courthouse wedding?

A courthouse wedding happens at a civil office on an appointment. An elopement is usually just the two of you somewhere you choose, often outdoors or while traveling, with your own officiant or photographer, and more planning around permits, travel and weather.

Do you need witnesses to elope?

It depends on where you marry. Some places require one or two witnesses, others none, and rules on their age and identification vary. In some places your photographer or officiant can act as a witness. Check with the official authority before the day.

Do you need a permit to elope outdoors?

Often, yes. Parks, beaches, forests and other public land may require a permit or special-use approval, even for a very small group. Ask the land manager about group size, photography, décor and time limits, and agree a backup plan for weather.

Should you tell family before or after you elope?

Both are valid. Telling close family beforehand can soften surprise, while sharing afterward keeps the day entirely yours. Whichever you choose, tell your closest people personally before posting online, and consider sharing photos or inviting them to a later gathering.

How much photography coverage do you need for an elopement?

It depends on your plans. A short session can cover a simple ceremony, while a longer booking can include getting ready, a hike or travel between spots and a meal. Compare coverage options and ask about travel and permit fees.

Can you have a celebration after eloping?

Yes. Many couples host a relaxed party, dinner or backyard gathering weeks or months later. It can be as simple or as full as you like, with your photos on show and no need to repeat the ceremony.

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