Elopement Planning Guide

More than just a photographer…

I’m also here to support you as an elopement assistant and guide throughout your planning process.

With over 300 weddings and elopements under my belt, I’ve seen it all—from the tiniest details to the grandest moments. On top of that, I also got married in 2021, so I understand the planning stress and joy from both the professional and personal sides.

This guide is designed to offer you insights, tips, and resources to help you feel confident and organized as you navigate the create a unique and authentic elopement day. Let’s make this process as smooth and enjoyable as possible!

Dream up your best Day

When you first start planning your elopement—the best mindset you and your partner can have is one with no boundaries. This part of the process has nothing to do with limits, so forget for a moment about what’s “feasible,” and just let yourself dream.

I whole-heartedly believe that no single elopement or intimate wedding is exactly like another—just like there’s no couple out there that’s exactly the same. So don’t limit yourself to what you’ve seen on blogs, social media, from friends and family, or even from me. Your wedding day is about creating a day that’s going to make you feel the most alive, happy, relaxed, and in-love.

This part of the planning process is all about letting your imagination go wild, and envisioning the most enjoyable day for the two of you, that would celebrate your relationship in the most authentic way. Forget about any restrictions for a moment and just dream big—that’s where you’ll find what speaks most to you. You’ll have time to figure out the details later.

So go on, grab a pen and paper, think hard about the day you’re going to stand next to each other, holding each other’s hands like you’re doing right now, and saying your vows. Try to picture it all.

Seriously! Do it!

Who to Invite

For some couples, this is a super easy question to answer—and for others, it’s more of a debate. The truth is—an elopement doesn’t have to be just two people. You can definitely still have an intimate elopement experience and a day that’s fully centered on your relationship with your closest friends and/or family involved. However, if you do decide to invite family or friends along, whether it’s just a celebratory meal, the getting ready portion of the day, just the ceremony, or the whole day, make sure they’re fully on board with your vision and understand that you’re not having a big traditional wedding—but a unique celebration that’s authentic to your relationship.

As you decide, remember that there are many beautiful ways to include family or friends in your “getting married” experience, even if they’re not physically present when you say your vows. There’s no right or wrong answer here as you’re following your heart. Don’t compromise. Don’t fall victim to expectations. Don’t let anyone else tell you how to have your day (that’s what big weddings are for).

Things to consider when considering eloping with family or friends:

Out of the people you’re considering inviting, is everyone on that list going to be just as excited as you about the experience and be fully on board for what you have envisioned for your day? Is there someone who you think it would be really meaningful to hear your vows, or would you rather read them privately to your partner without anyone else listening?

Do you feel like inviting a few people could result in a “snowball effect” where you have to continue to invite more, or is there a clearly defined “short list” that you don’t imagine would spiral out of control?
Is there anyone you’re planning to invite that may try to take over or take control of your experience, try to shift focus away from what matters to the two of you, or who makes you uncomfortable, nervous, or stressed out?
How accessible do you envision your ceremony location is going to be? Can everyone you want to invite physically make it to that kind of spot?
What about transportation and lodging? Where is everyone traveling from and is it possible for them to get to and from your location? Are there going to be suitable places for everyone to stay nearby?

OFFICIANT & LEGALITIES

When choosing an officiant in Alberta, you can select a religious or civil officiant from the province’s approved list to ensure your ceremony is legally recognized. I also have my list of Local Vendors I love to Work with for you to browse.

You’ll also need to obtain a marriage license before your wedding—check out this blog post: How to Legally Get Married in Alberta for a step-by-step guide.

Don’t forget that you’ll need two witnesses present at your ceremony, so plan ahead to have them available on your special day!

Where to say "i Do"

There are a ton of factors that will affect your elopement day, but picking your location is one of the biggest pieces of the puzzle that will determine the experience of your elopement day. Your location should feel right for you—it should be somewhere you feel overwhelmingly happy, somewhere you feel absolutely alive, somewhere you know you and your partner can focus on each other and truly be in the moment.

SCENERY AND VIEWS

What type of scenery do you and your partner feel connected to? What views fill you with a sense of happiness, inspiration, and peace? Where would feel the most “you” to say your vows? Remember back to your brainstorming stage of the process and what you two determined about your vision for your day. What scenery would fulfil that experience that you’re dreaming of?

seasons & weather

Some types of scenery and landscapes really shine at certain times of year—so consider the season you’ve chosen to elope, and what types of scenery are best at that time of year. If you’re getting married in the spring, waterfalls tend to be flowing their best, there’s usually a lot of snow at high altitudes, and the desert can be quite pleasant. If you’re eloping in the middle of summer, you could go somewhere with blooming wildflowers and high elevations are more accessible. If you’re eloping in the fall, consider where the best fall colors might be.

ACCESSIBILITY

How accessible your location is will greatly affect your elopement-day experience. What types of transportation are you and any potential guests willing to take to get to your spot? A long car ride? A bumpy 4×4 road? A bush plane, float plane, helicopter, gondola, or ferry? Are you (and any potential guests) excited about hiking to a location? Make sure you deeply consider what experience would be the most fun, relaxing and totally “you.” How accessible you want your spot to be can help you narrow down your location options. Also keep in mind any other guests that might be attending and their capacity to travel or hike.

SECLUSION

In a perfect world—your elopement location would ideally have world-class postcard scenery, super easy accessibility, and total seclusion—but most of the time you usually have to prioritize two out of those three. Some locations that are easier to access usually have less privacy because of it. The general rule of thumb is that the further you are willing to travel, the more secluded your spot will probably be—so ask yourself how many people you would be comfortable having around or how much privacy you would be willing to give up for an Instagram-trending view. You can also find great seclusion at “hidden gem” locations that are just as gorgeous as the trendy spots—just less well-known. Eloping at sunrise is another way to get more privacy at a typically busy spot.

MEANING

Be intentional about the place you decide on and the significance it has to you now or could have to you in the future. Maybe it is a favorite place to travel to with your partner, a place you’ve always wanted to go, or a place that you could travel back to every year to celebrate your anniversary.

Activities

Beyond saying your vows and taking portraits, what else do you want to do on your elopement day (or weekend or longer)? Whether you want to relax in a hammock between the trees, take a helicopter or float plane ride, go sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, skiing, paragliding, wine tasting, or stargazing—some locations will lend themselves better to certain activities. When you are planning these activities as a part of your day and your overall trip, keep in mind realistically how long they will take and how long it might take to get from one to the next (with a buffer just in case)! If you have your heart set on a particular activity—this could help you narrow down where you choose to elope.

GUESTS

Do you want others to be involved in your elopement or just you and your partner? If you do opt to invite guests, be intentional with how many people you invite, aware of any accessibility or travel needs, and decide on how much of the day they will be involved in. Figuring out the number of guests is an important component of choosing a location since some locations have very specific limits on the number of guests that can be in attendance. Just be certain that you are setting realistic expectations with any guests in attendance about how much traveling is involved and how much they are going to be involved with your elopement day.

Timeline Assistance

Building an elopement timeline involves planning out the key moments of your day to ensure everything runs smoothly, but with enough flexibility to enjoy the spontaneity of the occasion. Start by setting the ceremony time, then work backward, factoring in hair and makeup, getting dressed, travel time to your location, and any pre-ceremony photos. Include time for a relaxed first look or private moments together, followed by the ceremony, post-ceremony portraits, and any celebrations afterward. Keep in mind that elopements often allow for a more intimate, personalized approach, so the timeline can be as simple or detailed as you like, reflecting the couple’s unique style and preferences.

Bride Getting Ready Photos

60 – 90 minutes for every bride

In reality, getting ready will take 2+ hours with professional hair and makeup – but your photographer doesn’t need to be there from the very start. 15 minutes to cover any detail shots (Dress, Bouquet, Shoes, Rings, Jewellery, Perfume, Stationary) is ideal. This usually happens before the bride is in the final touches of hair and make up so I can capture those moments separately. 30 minutes to cover interactions between yourself and your bridesmaids and any posed photos in robes etc. Sometimes it makes sense for me to do some details and leave to go photograph the other partner and come back for the final touches. Dress being put on takes about 5 minutes. * Remember to factor in time for a first look with any important family members like Dad or gift exchanges with your future spouse! Your total getting ready time will depend on the number of people getting hair and make up

Groom Getting Ready Photos

30 – 45 minutes for every groom

Typically men do not take as long as women to get ready – therefore don’t need as much time. 60 – 90 minutes total (time to shower and shave). As far as photos go: 10-15 minutes for detail shots (Tie, Boutonnière, Shoes, Rings, Watch, Cologne), 10 – 15 minutes to get dressed and then I do like to take photos of the groom doing final touches of hair etc in the mirror. If applicable: 10-15 minutes for any interactions with groomsmen and “cheers”-ing of drinks.

First Look Photos

15 minutes

If you have chosen to do one, the actual first look is easy and not time-consuming at all. I will set you up for a successful first look and give you instructions so those photos turn out the best and most candid they can possibly be! This is an intimate moment and I encourage my couples to do this privately so they can express their true excitement and emotions without an audience.

Travel to and from a location for your first look may need to be factored in depending on where you would like it to be, some couples also choose to do a set of portraits during this time – feel free to chat with me about it!

Couples Portraits

minimum 1 hour – unlimited!

Your couples portraits as newly weds are some of the most precious moments you want to have photographed! You will want an adequate amount of time for this but you also don’t want to burn yourself and your spouse out with photos. If you have a bridal party I will usually do some of your couples portraits immediately after we do the bridal party photos and then we can go to a second location for a few more photos of just the two of you. Some couples like to substitute in 30 minutes for photos at sunset – if you would like to do this please chat with me and I can help you with the best time and location to make that work during your reception!

Ceremony

20-40 minutes

Most Ceremonies are about 30 minutes – depends on readings and vows etc. This is the most important part of the whole day so do not compromise on the time for this! If you want a long ceremony then have all the readings, and enjoy your personal vows. If you want it short and to the point then keep it simple and follow the basic requirements from your officiant! Discuss with your them how long this will end up being so you can assign the appropriate amount of time!

How to plan for Sunrise or Sunset

Sample Timelines

Vendor Recommendations

Choosing from my carefully curated vendor list is one of the best decisions you can make for your wedding day’s success. These vendors are not just trusted professionals, but people I’ve personally worked with time and time again, and who consistently deliver exceptional results. I’ve built relationships with each of them based on reliability, skill, and their ability to work seamlessly with my photography style and timeline.

When you choose vendors from my list, you’re ensuring a cohesive, well-coordinated experience for your wedding. I know how they operate, how they communicate, and how they show up to bring your vision to life. This familiarity makes it easier to align everyone’s expectations and work efficiently together, which means less stress for you and more time to focus on enjoying your day.

Great Restaurants for Celebrating

Choosing the perfect restaurant for your celebratory dinner after your elopement is all about finding a place that matches the intimacy and joy of your special day. Whether it’s a cozy candlelit bistro, a fine-dining experience with stunning views, or a hidden gem that holds sentimental value, the right atmosphere will enhance the magic of the moment.

Consider a restaurant that offers a private dining option or a chef’s tasting menu for a truly memorable experience. If your elopement location is significant look for a spot that complements the setting. Most importantly, choose a place where you can relax, savor delicious food, and toast to the beginning of your new adventure together.

Hotels that are good for getting ready photos

Choosing the right hotel for getting ready is equally important because it provides a stylish, spacious, and well-lit environment for your pre-wedding photos, which can significantly enhance the quality of your bridal portraits. A beautiful hotel room or suite also offers a calm, private space for you to relax and prepare, ensuring you look and feel your best on your special day.