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 relationships. 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 wedding ceremony can involve none 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 symbolic moments, such as personal vows and forming new traditions as you step into married life. With a symbolic wedding ceremony, the lovers get to enjoy a very personalized ceremony where the love and commitment to 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 wedding elopement ceremony.

Elopement ceremony in Ireland - Love like crazy Photography

Top Wedding Ceremony Ideas for Your Elopement

The highlight of an elopement is the wedding ceremony itself. It is possible to experience the perfect elopement ceremony once you have the 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!

wedding ceremony ideas for an unforgettable elopement

1. 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 toward the accomplishment of your goals. To achieve this, start by making a list in 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.

2. 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 the desert sand dunes. Europe has it all! Eloping gives couples the opportunity to explore and tour the world and an epic location as a backdrop to your wedding ceremony will contribute to making your elopement extra special.

3. Write your wedding vows

One of our favorite wedding ceremony ideas is to take time to write your wedding vows. While many of our couples get some useful tips from the celebrant, 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 mesmerizing. When you declare your raw undying love to the person that means the most to you in your own words, it goes a long way to add extra flavor fullness to your special day. Nothing could compare.

4. Make your guests an active part of your elopement wedding ceremony

Elopement ceremonies are about you and your partner. But you can choose to include also your 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 knot. Family and 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.

5. 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 passersby.

6. Hand-fasting ceremony idea

Although it is not mandatory, this is a sensitive element of an elopement ceremony. The act of hand-fasting symbolizes 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.

7. 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 viewpoints; 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.

8. Exchange rings

Trends come and go and every day 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, 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.

9. 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!

10. 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!

In Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed these elopement wedding ceremony ideas! Remember, your elopement day is meant to be totally YOURS. Make it a 100% authentic representation of you and your love! When eloping, you can really make your dream wedding happen. Our elopement packages 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! If you’d like a daily dose of adventure elopement inspiration & tips make sure to follow us on Instagram and Pinterest

Blog