Planning Tools, Ideas, & Advice
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For Wedding Pros
Couples choosing an elopement often seek a more intimate, stress-free, and budget-friendly way to tie the knot. If you’re trying to decide if you should elope, you might wonder how much an elopement costs to help inform your decision. Like any wedding, the answer will be, “It depends,” but we will break it down for you so you know what to expect. Whether you plan to travel to a dream destination or get married right in your hometown, this guide will help you understand how the budget breaks down for an elopement.
You might wonder why a blog about micro weddings is covering elopements, but the truth is, there is so much grey when it comes to the differences between micro weddings and elopements, so I thought it would be a good idea to cover elopements, too.
No matter how simple you keep it, there will be expenses to consider if you choose to elope. From a photographer and attire to which elopement ideas to include in your special day, here are the things to remember as you plan your elopement.
Elopements have gained popularity in recent years and are becoming a category all their own. Gone are the days when eloping was associated with sneaking away to the Courthouse to make it official in a hurry. These days, couples are creating incredible experiences out of their private nuptials. Here are some of the most common types of elopements.
We’ll start with the most “traditional” — eloping at a Courthouse or City Hall. From a quick, simple visit to the clerk’s window to the more elaborate affair, this style of elopement is still very much alive and well! Couples are even making it a destination affair, choosing to exchange vows at one of the more spectacular buildings found in many of our cities around the country.
Adventure elopements are new on the scene and have gained popularity over the past few years. Adventure elopements are just what they sound like, with couples choosing to exchange vows in remote locations like mountains and glaciers, even hiking into places like Machu Pichu.
A lot of couples choose to have an Airbnb elopement. This is such a fantastic option if you're looking for a unique location at an affordable price and it works whether you're getting married close to home or in a faraway location!
Destination elopements are just like destination weddings — choosing a location other than your hometown for your elopement. From Vegas to Paris and everywhere in between, choosing a destination elopement means jetting off to a dream location, which is also a fantastic way to combine your wedding and honeymoon into a single trip.
If you’ve been torn between an elopement and a more traditional wedding, this might be a perfect option. There are many wedding venues across the US that offer elopement packages perfect for just the two of you.
Eloping can be a very affordable way to get married. With the only real requirement being a marriage license, you could get away with completing the task for just $10 in some counties.
But in most cases, experts say that you should expect to pay between $3,000 and $8,000 to elope once you factor in travel, accommodations, photography, and other details. If you’re choosing to include elements like a venue, attire, or a photographer in your elopement, we’re breaking it down so you can figure out how much it will cost.
Marriage license fees vary by county, so you’ll need to check the clerk’s website where you plan to get married. Of course, this is one of the few things that is not optional, but generally, the fees are very reasonable.
Most courthouse or city hall weddings will not require an additional “venue” fee if it’s just the two of you. Some counties will offer ceremony locations that are a little more aesthetically pleasing, like the courthouse steps or rotunda, but as I am learning, gaining access to these locations may require a little extra research as they may not be obvious from the website. Photographers experienced in this style of wedding in your location will be a huge asset to nailing down your options.
Traditional wedding venues and many hotels offer options to be used for elopements so don't rule them out just because you're planning on a more intimate affair. Similar to a traditional size wedding, the cost of choosing this option for your elopement will vary depending on location, amenities, and inclusions.
Public spaces are very common for an elopement and can sometimes be a free wedding venue option. Local parks, State and National Parks, historic sites, or even your backyard are great elopement venue options. Just be aware that many parks and other public spaces will require a permit, especially if photography is involved, so be sure to do your research beforehand. Hiring an elopement photographer who has experience in the place you’d like to get married is highly recommended.
The average cost for an elopement for an officiant in the US is about $200, according to The Wedding Report. As you search for an Officiant for your elopement, you'll see many of them offer elopement packages. Additionally, several elopement photographers roll this service into their offering, streamlining your planning.
Some locations across the US don't require an Officiant, like Colorado, where you're allowed to self-solemnize. Check local requirements to see if you'll need one to "make it legal" where you exchange your vows.
The cost of an elopement photographer will vary depending on location, number of hours, logistics, additional services, and more. If your elopement is a simple affair, you can absolutely get incredible photos for less than $1,000. Introduce things like travel logistics, remote locations, and a full-day adventure, and you'll see prices exceeding $10,000 (but for a good reason due to everything you'll get in the package).
There are no rules when it comes to what to wear at your elopement! Go totally casual or all out with the wedding dress or suit of your dreams! Whether you want to keep the cost of your wedding attire under $1,000 or totally splurge, the only thing you'll want to consider is the need to transport your attire. Whether you're hiking, flying, or taking the bus to your ceremony location, the attire will need to get there, too, so consider that as you make your selection!
How much you spend on decor and flowers will depend on what you decide to do for your elopement. Everything is on the table, but most commonly, bouquets, boutenierres, floral arches, and petals for your aisle will be used. Budgeting between $200-400 for flowers should cover you.
Even if you don’t have any guests, you may want to let friends and family know about this important milestone. Keep it simple with digital announcements, or go all out with a beautiful paper suite complete with images from your special day. Expect to pay
You’ll need to get there, so don’t forget to budget for travel, especially if you’re planning a destination elopement.The cost of your transportation will vary depending on where you’re going, how far, and what time of year. Additionally, you may need multiple forms of transportation, such as a rental car. Get a sense of transportation costs below.
Many traditional wedding venues and hotels offer great options for elopement packages. They range in cost from $500 to $2500 and often include a nice set of inclusions perfect for just the two of you. For example, The Lumber Baron in Denver offers an elopement package for ~$2,000 that includes a ceremony, private use of the ballroom for dancing, a private dinner and champagne, an overnight stay, and breakfast and coffee in the morning.
Many photographers are offering elopement packages these days that include location scouting, logistics, advice, packing lists, and, of course, the photos. These packages are great because they totally streamline the planning process, allowing you to get all the vendor support you need from one place.
Elopements have become a popular choice for couples looking for an intimate, budget-friendly way to get married, but the costs can vary widely depending on the details. While a simple courthouse ceremony might only require a marriage license fee, more elaborate elopements—including travel, photography, and venues—can range between $3,000 to $8,000 or more. Options for elopements are diverse, from courthouse ceremonies to destination or adventure elopements in stunning locations. Other costs to consider include an officiant, photographer, attire, and any necessary permits for public spaces. No matter how simple or extravagant, an elopement can be a beautiful way to celebrate your love.
