Are you getting ready for the next chapter in your life? Congratulations! If the past year or so has taught us anything, it’s that everyone’s dream day looks different, and it’s incredible. Whether you’re planning a huge wedding, or a day with family and friends, consider an elopement! I’ve got elopement inspiration that will make your wildest dreams a possibility. Your big day only happens once, so let’s make sure it’s exactly what you want it to be!

21 Elopement Inspiration Ideas

Invite Your Pets

The incredible thing about elopements and weddings in general is that you get to do whatever you want, and invite whomever you want. Including your favorite four-legged friends. Whether you and your partner have cats or dogs together, or even horses, let’s find a way to incorporate them into your big day. Maybe they are the ring bearer, or just there for pictures, it’s your day and everyone that is important to you should be there to celebrate!

Check out St. Anthony Sand Dunes

If you’re an Idaho bride looking for a beachy elopement on a budget, consider St. Anthony Sand Dunes. With incredibly soft white sand, and the place to yourself, plan your boho chic elopement celebrating with friends and family. Bring in pops of color in your bouquet, or even your partner’s attire to bring the whole event together.

Make it a Destination Elopement

Consider a location a little out of the box for your elopement, just like this couple took to Florida! Opportunities are endless. Travel to your favorite location with friends and family, or stay close to home and elope in a beautiful outdoor location. Elopement inspiration like this allows for couples to be creative and keep the day special to them.

Elope in a National Park

Grand Teton National Park is one of my favorite spots for my couples that need a little elopement inspiration. With incredible locations for your intimate ceremony, take a couple of days to explore and find your favorite spot. In my blog post about Jackson Hole hiking lakes, I’ve shared my favorite spots for adventure and love. Check out hiking websites and apps to find options for your big day, or reach out to me! We can plan your dream day together.

Plan an Intimate Beach Elopement

Traditionally, elopements are usually kept in secret, with just the couple or sometimes close family and friends. If you’re looking to keep it intimate and special between the two of you, escape to the ocean with your partner. We’ll explore the beach together and take the time for some adventurous moments like this. It can be a romantic event for your and your partner to start the next chapter of your lives together. The beach has always been my elopement inspiration!

Make a Weekend Trip Out of It

Maybe you’re traveling from out of town to adventure somewhere warm, or going back to where it all began, make a road trip out of it. Travel with your favorite person and make some memories along the way. Have family and friends meet you wherever you end up, or make it an intimate event for two. Whatever it looks like, take lots of pictures or have a photographer (me!) do that and make all the memories.

Mountain Elopement

Be adventurous and escape to your favorite mountains for a breathtaking elopement with your favorite person. Consider Grand Teton National Park for your elopement inspiration this year! Filled with incredible sights and beautiful hikes, you’ll have a day filled with fun you’ll never forget.

Go Back to Where it All Began

Where did your love story begin? Take your wedding day back to where it all began and celebrate where your love story started. Show family and friends what makes the location special and unique and make a weekend out of it. Explore Jackson Hole together, go for a hike, and celebrate your love!

Details That Matter

When looking for elopement inspiration, sometimes all the inspiration you need can be found in the details of your life. Maybe you have a special item a family member gave to you that is no longer with us, incorporate that it to your day. Find ways to bring the important details to the forefront of your day, no matter how small. Those details are what makes your day uniquely yours.

Choose a Cabin

You’re already considering an elopement, let’s go a step further and abandon the traditional venues, and opt for something a little more fun. Like a cabin or a treehouse, like this one! The intimate location makes the whole event much more cozy, warm and super romantic. Look into airbnb’s that can be rented out for your big day, and make it fun for everyone!

Keep it a Secret, Only Inviting Close Friends and Family

Bringing it back to traditionally elopements and keeping it small can be a fun way to make it that much more special. Only letting those that matter most to you can also allow for a smaller budget, and the flexibility to do more fun and unique things with your guests. With fewer guests you could rent a cabin and all stay together celebrating together, or make a weekend out of it and go on hikes, and explore the city before the big, “I do!”

Skip the Cake, and Have Your Favorite Dessert Instead

Having a summer wedding in the mountains? Break out the s’mores stuff and roast some marshmallows celebrating with friends and family. Just because you’re getting married doesn’t mean you have to eat cake! Make the event about you and your partner and what you love.

Have a First Look

First looks have become some of my favorite events during the wedding day. I love the excitement and emotion found throughout the event, between soon to be life partners, or even between parents and their children. Such a memorable and emotional moment that makes any elopement that much more special.

Go for a Hike

Make the day an event, hike to your favorite spot in Grand Teton National Park, or plan a hike as a newly married couple. Who says the adventure has to start after you say, “I do!”.

Wedding Video

Capture your day on photo and video to remember for the rest of your life, and share with future generations to come! Looking for a videographer recommendation? Reach out, I’ve got tons of great suggestions to capture your day in the way you felt it.

Champagne Pop

Celebrate with your partner and those you love with a champagne pop! It’s such a fun way to kick off the event, or even end the evening, and makes for incredible pictures. Don’t drink? Consider a confetti pop or even a smoke bomb.

Make it Unique to You

Show off what makes your relationship unique, and make it a staple of your wedding day. Whether that’s Ohio State cookies, because they’re your favorite team, or because you met at college. Incorporate what makes your relationship and each other unique.

First Dance

Plan a special moment when you and your partner get to dance for the first time as husband and wife. Consider having a first dance alone with just the two of you and your photographer to have that special moment be just the two of you. Having a couple minutes of alone time before the rest of your day with family and friends can be such a special moment.

Splurge on What Matters Most

Your memories. Splurge on a photographer (like me), that will capture those memories and honor them. Your dream elopement is only going to happen once and should be treated and honored as such. Spend the time finding the vendors that will make your day perfect. Whether that’s finding the perfect dress, or the dream photographer, it’s your day and ensuring it’s everything you ever wanted is crucial.

Now, with all of this elopement inspiration hopefully you’re ready to start planning. Looking for some help, or need a photographer? Let’s chat about making your elopement exactly what you want it to be.