How to Elope?
A behind-the-scenes look at how we plan your dream elopement—step by step.
You've decided on an outdoor-focused wedding experience, but the how-to part might be a bit fuzzy.
Chances are, you've scrolled through the internet and stumbled upon jaw-dropping photos of couples tying the knot on mountain peaks, beneath waterfalls, or perhaps in a desert. Now, you're left pondering, "How on earth do I plan such an outdoor extravaganza? Where do I even kick off the planning?" Well, that's where we step in!
Quick-Start Elopement Checklist: 6 Essential Steps
01 Dream first, Logistics Later
Close your eyes and fast‑forward to the best version of your elopement — what do you hear, smell, feel? Ocean breeze? Alpine quiet? Campfire crackle? List 5–7 moments you want captured (first look under tall trees, vows on a cliff, a lakeside picnic, stargazing, canoeing, etc.). Your answers steer every other decision.
Prompt Ideas:
We feel most ourselves when we’re: hiking / by the water / in cozy cabins / in new cities.
Ideal temps & light: cool and moody / warm and sunny / foggy / golden sunset.
Activities we love: long hikes / mushroom foraging / hot springs / paddling / off‑roading / cooking together / board games / stargazing.
02 Hire your Elopement Photographer
Lock in your photographer (hi!). Our team specializes in helping couples plan their day(s) from start to finish. We’ll give you location recommendations and can help you pick the perfect date for that specific location, Not only that, we really help you guide through the whole experience and give you vendor and accommodation recs, activity ideas, and guide you through the whole photo process.
Learn more about Running Wild’s Elopement Packages and Pricing
03 Choose Scenery + Season
Location sets the stage for your elopement. Think about whether you’re drawn to mountains, forests, beaches, or deserts. Once you know the vibe, you can narrow down the perfect spot. Pick a backdrop that matches your vision and your comfort level. Consider:
Accessibility: drive-up viewpoints vs. trails, elevation gain, and road closures.
Privacy: sunrise, weekday, or shoulder-season options tend to be quieter.
Logistics: ceremony spots that allow groups/tripods, parking capacity, restroom access.
Rules: check if ceremonies are allowed in your chosen area and what the permit covers.
👉 For inspiration, check out our guide on the Best Places to Elope.
04 Plan all the Details
From travel logistics and vendor teams to timeline building and wedding attire—while elopements have far fewer moving parts than big traditional weddings, there’s still plenty to think about. The key is to simplify and focus on what matters most to you. Before you get overwhelmed, make a checklist of your priorities. Here’s how we approach it at Running Wild Studio:
Secure accommodations/venue after you’ve chosen your location.
Book your vendor team—think hair & makeup artist, florist, videographer, food vendors, and even activities or tours.
Build a flexible timeline for your day and create a backup plan just in case.
Finalize the finishing touches like vow books, rings, wedding attire, and any personal accessories.
The best part? When you hire us, you’re not on your own with this step. We’ll guide you through the process—sharing trusted vendor and accommodation recommendations, building out your timeline, and offering advice on the little details that make your elopement feel like you.
05 Confirm Legalities and get Your Permits
Before you dive into the adventure, it’s important to make sure the legal side of your marriage is covered.
Marriage requirements vary widely depending on where you’re eloping. Things like license application timing, waiting periods, required IDs, and rules about witnesses or officiants can change not just by country, but even by county. If you’re planning to elope internationally, it’s often simpler to handle the legal paperwork at home first and then exchange vows abroad without the stress of navigating foreign marriage laws
Permits are another key piece of the puzzle. Many public lands—like national and state parks or forests—require a special use permit for your ceremony and a separate permit for professional photography. Processing times can range from a few weeks to several months, so the earlier you start the better.
Taking care of these details ahead of time ensures that your dream day unfolds smoothly, without last-minute hiccups.
06 Pack, Get Ready, and Celebrate!
After all the planning, it’s time to make a packing list and get everything ready for your special day. The week before your wedding, we always schedule a “Final Call” with our couples to review everything step by step with the vendor team so nothing slips through the cracks. Check the weather for your location and pack accordingly—layers, sturdy shoes, or even backup outfits can make all the difference. Bring only what you truly need, and leave the rest behind.
When your day finally arrives, your only job is to relax, be present, and soak it all in. Trust the planning, trust your vendors, and let the adventure unfold exactly as it’s meant to.
More helpful resources for Elopement Planning
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Elope
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Absolutely—your guest list is your choice. Many couples keep it intimate (sometimes under ~20) so the day stays focused on your experience.
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Whatever feels best: before, after, or during with a livestream. Some couples host a celebration later so everyone can join.
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Even minimalist days benefit from several hours to tell the full story—from getting ready to blue-hour portraits. Full-day coverage gives you breathing room and variety.
Not sure what works for you? Check out our Elopement Packages & Pricing or Contact Us directly for more information.
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Your elopement day can be as adventurous or relaxed as you want. Popular activities include hiking, canoeing, exchanging private vows, popping champagne, having a picnic, or watching the sunset together. We’ll help you design an elopement timeline that feels meaningful and unforgettable.
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This depends on the state or country where you elope. For example, Colorado allows couples to self-solemnize without an officiant or witnesses, while other destinations require both. We’ll guide you through the legal requirements for your chosen location.
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Eloping means choosing a wedding day that’s centered on you and your partner rather than a large, traditional event. Modern elopements can be just the two of you or include a small group of loved ones, often in a breathtaking outdoor location.
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The best elopement location depends on your vision—whether that’s mountains, forests, beaches, deserts, or even another country. As elopement photographers and guides, we help couples find stunning spots, secure permits, and plan logistics so you can relax and enjoy your day.
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Yes, every legal elopement requires a marriage license. The process varies depending on where you elope. We provide couples with resources for obtaining the right license, finding an officiant (if required), and making sure everything is legal.
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We recommend planning your elopement at least 6 months in advance. This allows time to book vendors, secure travel, and apply for location permits. However, if you’re planning a last-minute elopement, we can still make it happen—just expect a faster-paced timeline.
Now we've explained the basic steps on how to plan an elopement, let's talk more about…
What to Expect when Planning an Elopement with Running Wild
Sit back, relax, and grab your favorite drink (ours is Micheladas) because this is going to be the best part of planning an elopement or adventure wedding.Planning before your Elopement
Location Guides
After filling out our customized questionnaire, we kick off the location process! This is where the magic happens. We consider all your answers and pinpoint the most epic locations that fit your criteria. No location guide is the same because each couple is unique in their wants and needs!
Unlimited Communication
Each of our couples gets unlimited communication, whether that is through Zoom, phone calls, or text messages. We are here for you!
Timeline Building
This is where we need your trust! With numerous elopements under our belt, we've got the lowdown on how much time certain activities take and how to capture those epic shots you brought us on board for! We'll always be straight with you and give the heads up if some things on your wishlist might not fit into our time together, or if your dream location isn't the best bet for that time of year. If we say no, we'll always spill the beans on why, and it's all in your best interest!
Vendor & Accommodation
After you've settled on your final location, grab your drinks and kick up your legs because we'll handle the rest—finding the perfect vendors and accommodation for you. Think florists, makeup artists, hotels, food, and activities. Your only job is to pick the vendors you fancy and book them. Want to be more hands-on with planning? No problem! We love working together as a team.
Want to learn more about what is included in all our Elopement & Micro Wedding Packages?
What to expect during your Elopement?
Your big day is finally here! After weeks, months, or maybe even a year of planning, it's time to have the best day of your lives together. The coolest thing about planning a wedding with your photographer(s) is that we're already going to be friends before we even meet in real life!
Posing vs Unposed
After talking about trust, let’s be honest! Those Pinterest and Instagram-ready pictures don’t just happen, and there will be some posing. But not to worry! You can expect a 50/50 ratio of posed vs. organic photos, and we'll involve you in our creative thought process to help with the posing. Trust us! When we suggest a pose and say you look fire, we seriously mean it!
Unexpected things happen
No matter how much we plan your big day, stuff can go haywire. The weather plays tricks, folks get fashionably late, Aunt Sue might tear up, and you and your partner might just need a breather. But here's the scoop—none of it matters if you're enjoying yourselves and soaking in the awesome moments. When things don't go as scripted, our game plan is to keep it real, chat with you guys, and have some backup plans ready to roll.
What happens after your Elopement?
Sneak Peak
After all the wedding craziness calms down, we're excited to give each couple a little sneak peek just a week after the big day! You'll get to check out 30-50 awesome highlight photos that capture the magic of your adventurous day.
Gallery Delivery
We get how stoked you are to dive back into your epic wedding day through all the pics. Just so you know, we're hustling to make sure everything's perfect. Your full gallery should be good to go within three months after the wedding. That way, you've got a whole lifetime ahead to soak in those memories!
Wedding Album
When it comes to those wedding albums, it's like giving your special day the VIP treatment. Forget scrolling through digital pics; these albums bring the entire vibe, emotions, and beauty of your wedding day to life in a legit masterpiece. Crafted with top-notch materials, they're like a time capsule that becomes a family treasure, passing your love story down the line.
Whether you’re feeling lost, overwhelmed, or ready to plan your elopement, we’ve got you covered.
Reach out to start planning your Elopement
Sanne & Brooke here!
As the founders of Running Wild, we take your inspiration—no matter how vague—and shape it into a beautifully planned, adventure-driven wedding in nature.
