10 Great Ideas to Make Your Elopement Ceremony Unforgettable
Elopement is a fun, relaxed way to get married and almost the only way you can rest assured that if something doesn’t go according to plan, nobody will notice!
As eloping is becoming more and more popular, the courthouses and backyard elopements have slowly evolved into extraordinary getaways for those couples who choose to travel abroad and make their elopement the beginning of their honeymoon!
In general, planning an elopement or micro-wedding is a lot easier than planning a traditional wedding. You don’t have to worry over a guest list, table plans and uncomfortable family relationship. Instead, you are able to focus on a more meaningful and authentic wedding while enjoying some of the most beautiful places in the world.
An elopement ceremony can involve just the couple or a few guests (sometimes up to twenty, other times just two), depending on what the couple wants. But regardless of the number of guests, an elopement ceremony tends to be more heartfelt than a conventional one and often features very symbolic moments, as personal vows.
Both lovers get to enjoy a very personalised ceremony where the love and the commitment for each other is the central focus of such an important ritual. With an elopement you can have an authentic representation of you and your love.
However, a successful elopement is often the aftermath of a properly thought-out plan.
Here are a few ideas, to help you put together the perfect elopement ceremony.
Elopement ceremony in Ireland - Love like crazy Photography
Top Ideas for the Best Elopement Ceremony
One of the most amazing things about elopements is the ceremony itself. It is the highpoint of the entire experience. Every other thing builds up to this special event and it should be an authentic representation of your love.
It is possible to experience the perfect elopement ceremony once you have a right plan in place. We have collected a few ideas and suggestions to guide you through crafting a great elopement ceremony.
Make a list
Pick an epic destination
Prepare your own vows
Make your guests an active part of your ceremony
Choose a location for your ceremony where you won’t be disturbed
Hand-fasting
Choose the right time
Exchange rings
Make your first kiss EPIC
Pop some champagne or whatever else you like, even if it’s orange juice!
Make a list
The key to having all your elopement ideas become a reality and turn out right is having them penned down in paper and ink. A written plan will guide all your decisions towards the accomplishment of your goals. To achieve this, start by making a list on a notebook dedicated just to your elopement, and don’t forget to have a look at Pinterest and create some boards of what makes you dream.
Pick an epic destination
Europe offers a great variety of breathtaking destinations perfect for an adventurous and romantic elopement: it’s up to you and your partner to make a choice! It can be on top of a mountain, in the middle of a thick forest or on sand dunes of the Sahara desert. Europe has it all! Eloping gives couples the opportunity to explore and tour the world and an epic location as a backdrop to your ceremony will definitely contribute to make your elopement extra special.
Write your wedding vows
Handwritten vows carry a special aura. Words are powerful, but when they come from the heart of your true love, it makes them even more mesmerising. When you declare your raw undying love for the person that means the most to you in your own words, it goes a long way to add extra flavour fullness to your special day. Nothing could possibly compare.
Make your guests an active part of your elopement ceremony
Elopement ceremonies are about you and your partner. But you can include in the ceremonies the loved ones who cherish and support your union the most. In many cases, it’s a great idea to involve these people actively in the process of tying the knots. Family and/or friends can take on sensitive roles during your ceremony. They can preach, conduct the ceremony, pray or do a reading. These simple acts can go a long way to make your special day even more precious in both your hearts and that of your loved ones and well-wishers.
Choose a location for your elopement ceremony where you won’t be disturbed
You may not envision this early on, but it’s important to consider locations that are less likely to be disturbed by strangers when choosing a venue. Most elopement ceremonies happen on public land, so renting the venue for your ceremony might be impossible. Anyhow, elopement ceremonies take around twenty minutes, and you would want to enjoy every bit of those precious few minutes without any disturbance from strangers or passerbys.
Hand-fasting ceremony
Although it is not mandatory, this is a sensitive element of an elopement ceremony. The act of hand-fasting symbolises the couple's union. This is where the “tying the knot” phrase comes from. It is a symbol of love and everlasting union. Similarly, exchanging rings is a beautiful tradition.
Choose the right time
You might have chosen a beautiful location to elope, but you also need to set your ceremony to a time where the lighting is best. This is important if you want quality photos on your special day. Depending on the weather, you can pick either sunrise or sunset: the lighting around this time is naturally excellent for photos. Sunrise is usually quieter, depending on the location; most people would still be in bed and so you can have an unsullied backdrop for your photos. However, you need to wake up early. Sunset is definitely the best time to take your vows. Choose a location with gorgeous view points; the beauty of the surroundings will be greatly amplified by the golden light, and so will your photos. It's the perfect setting for sweet dreamy elopement photos.
Exchange rings
Trends come and go and everyday new couples invent new ways to mark this special day: a diamond encrusted necklace, an expensive twin bangle, twin piercings, even twin tattoos and so on. However, some traditions are ageless, and such is exchanging rings on your special day, even if you're deciding to chuck tradition to the wind. Rings are forever: just one look and you can relive that special day over and over again.
Make your first kiss Epic!
Don’t rush it, savor every single moment… that’s the whole point of eloping! Take your time and have an epic first kiss!
Pop some champagne!
Celebrate your union by popping some of your favorite champagne! The fun thing is since it’s an elopement ceremony, you can actually pop whatever you like, whether that’s wine or lemonade, or even orange juice. Just make sure that you and your spouse have ample fun throughout your day!
Your elopement day is YOURS. Make it a 100% authentic representation of you and your love! With an elopement, you can really make your dream wedding happen. With any of our packages, we provide couples with the most beautiful elopement ceremonies all over Europe, and we deal directly with reputable local vendors to make your day unique and memorable. Choose one of our packages today for the best elopement experience in Europe and beyond.
If you’re thinking about eloping, get in touch! We have selected the best destinations and vendors to have an unforgettable elopement experience!
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