Are you planning a destination wedding? Check out these Elopement Money Saving Hacks to help you save money on your elopement.

How to save money on an elopement

There are a few sure-fire ways to save a buck on your wedding. But at what cost? Some things are just worth spending the money on. That doesn’t mean you have to book the most expensive option available. But, your wedding day deserves not to be skimped on! Here are the vendors we think you can skip or save on, and the vendors who are the ultimate investment.

Skip the Wedding Venue Rental

This is the first cost-saving tip for an elopement. With little to no guests in attendance, booking an entire wedding venue is overkill. Instead, find places in the great outdoors that allow for wedding ceremonies to take place. These might be county parks, national forest areas, or a national park on your bucket list. Many of these are available for free, or for a minimal fee less than $200-350.

The county courthouse may offer wedding ceremonies if you prefer an indoor ceremony. If you’re worried about the weather, rent the cutest Airbnb you can find to stay in and have your ceremony in the living room. Look for a house or condo rental with large windows, neutral color palettes, and great views.

Skip on the Cost of Catering

One of the vendors you can save a lot of money on is the cost of catering. Jackson Hole catering rates in 2021 were $85-125 per plate, without beverage service. Leave the 150 person guest list behind and save a cool 8-12 grand right there. If you have a few guests attend your elopement, you can splurge a little on them instead.

With a small and intimate elopement, plan ahead with dinner reservations instead. Most places can easily accommodate a group smaller than 10 people with a reservation. This is the value for your wedding dinner. If you’ll have a few more guests, restaurants may offer a semi-private dining room, though usually with a fee associated. Or, have your elopement guests help set up a private dinner at your Airbnb with tasty treats.

Three Peaks Restaurant

Day of Wedding Coordinator

Hire a Day of Wedding Coordinator rather than a Full Service Wedding Planner. This is more important for a micro-wedding where tables and decorations may still need to be set up. But this is a wonderful way to get the most bang for your buck. As your Jackson Hole Wedding Photographer, I have a lot of connections with local vendors. But, I can’t help day of with setting up your private dinner or coordinating rides. You may want someone on your team to handle those details.

Tiny Town Culinary

Save Money with Specialty Florists

Find a Florist who offers individual arrangements rather than fee minimums. Most eloping couples need a boutonniere and a bouquet. Spending under $500 for a fresh floral arrangement should be achievable, even in Jackson Hole. Specialty florists like JH Flower Boutique love to create for your intimate elopement (featured below) Other options may include wood flowers, dried or fake flowers, or booking through the Albertson’s Florist.

Rent or Buy your Wedding Dress Second-hand

Rent or buy your dress second-hand. I’m not the most sentimental person when it came to my wedding dress, so I actually donated my dress about a decade after my wedding. This is a great way to save on your elopement. Rent your dress from a local or online shop. Purchase second-hand from specialty stores like Adorned in Grace. Or purchase from an online retailer like Lulu’s.

Treehouse Point Wedding in Issaquah, WA

Set a Budget – Elopement Money Saving Hacks

When it comes to eloping in Jackson Hole, it’s an investment worth making. Not only do you get the beauty of the natural landscapes, but you also get the great vendors who can make your day special. It’s important to set a budget and prioritize which vendors you hire. No matter your budget, eloping in Jackson Hole is an experience you won’t soon forget. Every penny you spend will be worth it in the end.

Get Married on a Weekday

Wedding photographers and other event vendors might be more flexible with pricing on a weekday. Due to the demand of weekend dates in our high season, many vendors will have a weekend minimum. However, venues, photographers, and other vendors could have different pricing for weekday elopement packages. Lodging and accommodations can also be less for a weeknight stay. Therefore, booking your elopement for a weekday will offer you more options to save money!

Hire an Elopement Photographer

Not all wedding photographers are created equal. That’s why we recommend hiring an elopement photographer who specializes in intimate events. Why? Because we have packages that fit the needs of our elopement couples perfectly. Over the years of destination elopement photography, we’ve learned what our eloping couples desire most and have put the best parts into our Grand Teton National Park elopement packages.

So, go ahead and make the most of your elopement and create the day of your dreams. As Mark Twain said, “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did.”

Let us be the first to congratulate you on taking the plunge! Now all that’s left is to make that investment and embark on the amazing and romantic journey of elopement. Inquire about your wedding date.