While elopements are generally less complicated than traditional weddings, there is still plenty of planning involved to make sure your day is special, memorable, and stress-free. If you’re planning an elopement, one of your first decisions to make is how long it’ll take to plan and book your dream elopement.

How Long Does it Take to Plan an Elopement?

It’s a question I get all the time: how long does it really take? I’ve helped couples plan their elopements in less than a month or over a year in advance. The answer isn’t necessarily the same for everyone, but there are a few factors and decisions that can help you determine how long your unique elopement may take to plan.

Choose a General Location

One of the first things to consider when planning an elopement is the location. Do you want to stay local or travel to a destination location? While you won’t need to book a venue years in advance to elope like you might with a traditional wedding, choosing a general idea of the location you want will help you understand how far out you need to book things like lodging and travel. But if you do have an exact location in mind that might require a permit, for instance in a popular national park like Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, or Grand Canyon, you’ll want to try and secure your permit as soon as they’re released. Some parks will allow you to book your permit up to a year in advance.

Pick Your Vendors

Once you have your location secured, you'll also want to start reaching out to vendors such as photographers, florists, and officiants. Some vendors may have availability on short notice, while others may require several months' to a year’s notice, so it's best to start early to ensure you have your top choices. If you have a photographer in mind for your elopement, it’s a good idea to reach out to us early, especially since most specialized elopement photographers will help you plan your elopement end to end (and take some of the planning stress off your shoulders)!

Determine Your Guest List

Another important decision is whether you plan to invite guests to your elopement, and how many. This is important because many locations have rules about the number of people that can use the area at one time, even with a permit. I recommend keeping your numbers small (under 15 people, including you). It’s also considerate to give your guests ample notice as you would with a wedding. You may also need to consider any travel arrangements or accommodations they'll need, especially if you're eloping in a remote or hard-to-reach location.

Plan Your Activities and Timeline

While elopements can be planned in a shorter amount of time than traditional weddings, it's still important to figure out what you might want to do on your elopement day. Some activities may need to be booked ahead of time like a guided Jeep tour or helicopter ride. Once you’ve decided on potential activities, work with your elopement specialized photographer to plan your timeline. One nice thing about eloping outdoors in a free location is that you can adjust your timeline for things like unexpected weather delays or other unforeseen circumstances. It’s always a good idea to add more time to your elopement than you think you need so you don’t feel rushed and have plenty of time to enjoy your day.

Stress-Free Planning Tips

Now that you’ve got some more information to help you figure out how long you should take to plan your elopement, here are a few tips to help make the elopement planning process as stress-free as possible:

Start early and prioritize the most important details first
Consider working with a photographer who specializes in elopements and lean on them to help you plan and dream up your best day
Stay organized with a checklist or planning tool
Communicate openly with your partner about your vision and expectations
Remember to enjoy the process and focus on what's truly important - your love and commitment to each other.

The amount of time it takes to plan an elopement may vary from couple to couple, depending on a variety of factors, but with a little planning and organization, you can create the intimate, stress-free elopement of your dreams. Whether you're planning a last-minute elopement or want to plan your dream day over a full year, prioritize what's most important to you and enjoy every moment of this awesome time!

Planning an Elopement: How Long Does it Really Take?