The Elopement Checklist That Relaxes You
It’s Printable too!
All photos by Colorado Photographer Squad. They do the photography for our elopement packages.
Brooke & Jacob used our relaxing checklist!
How This Checklist Works & How It’s Different
I’m Officiant Lisa Hunter - I’ve been planning elopements for over a decade now, and I’ve created this checklist to help you get everything done, AND to also help you relax and stay connected to what’s important and meaningful about your day.
You’ll Ditch The Should’s, Which Feels Great
You’ve chosen to elope for the simplicity and the focus on your connection and love. But even the logistics of simple elopement planning can knock you out of that center! So…
Pause For A Moment:
Notice “shoulds” and external influences about your elopement, like social media, family & friends’ opinions. Now notice your TRUE vision and let all else go. This will help you nix checklist items that aren’t truly important to you.
You’ll Find Your OWN Timing, Which Is Relaxing
You’ve also chosen to elope because you want minimal stress. Typical checklists tell you which months to do which things, but real life rarely fits into planned boxes, leaving you feeling always behind.
Instead, this checklist is set up so that you’re always on time so you’re never stressed. Cool, right?
The Two-Step Checklist Plan
Use the online version on this page, or download the printable PDF by clicking here.
Download the Checklist here 👆
Step 1) Key Timing To-Do’s: One year to 6 Months Before Your Date
In the year to six months before your date, complete the Key Timing checklist below - it’s everything that warrants first attention or specific deadlines.
Step 2) Variable Timing To-Do’s: 6 Months up until your Day-Of
Next tackle the Variable Timing Checklist in your own flow. As long as you keep on top of the Variable Timing to-do’s during the six months before your day, you'll get it done, and in a way that is easy and natural for you.
PART ONE: KEY TIMING CHECKLIST
Complete these Key Timing Checklist items in no particular order from one year to 6 months before your date. Plus you may have some of these done already!
You can also tackle this list closer to your elopement if need be. You’ll be a bit more crunched fr time, but the beauty of elopements is that they’re simple enough to plan on the fly ;)
Learning & Prep
Read my How To Elope Anywhere Guide here for must-have advice no matter where you’re eloping, or if you happen to be eloping in Colorado where I plan elopements, read this guide here.
Decide on your elopement budget: a ballpark number of what you aim to spend, but then you’ll adjust that as you learn more about what things cost.
Decide which state/country you’ll elope in by Googling potential locations and noticing where you’re most drawn.
Decide If You’re Bringing Guests
Think about guests you may want to invite, or if it will be just the two of you.
If you want certain guests there for sure, get their availability before you pick a date.
Key Vendors
Research and hire an expert who will oversee your elopement - typically a photographer, planner or officiant who offers elopement packages where you want to elope.
With your expert’s guidance, finalize your location and date, plus any permits needed.
Book travel (flying or driving) and lodging (especially early if an Air Bnb).
Do “broad sweep” research of all vendors whom you haven’t booked yet:
Officiant and photographer if they weren’t part of your core package.
Plus any optional services: hair/makeup, flowers, cake, musician, rentals (like chairs) and if there any other services that you’d like to have in the mix.
Book any key vendors you haven’t yet: photographer, officiant and hair/makeup.
Book any other “I’m sure I want them” vendors before they’re taken.
Put in calendar: booking deadlines for any other vendors.
If Having Guests, Send Any More Invites
If there are any guests you haven’t invited yet, invite them now. You can use my free elopement announcement card templates here if you like.
Note Other Important Deadlines
Put in calendar: deadlines for buying and/or altering important clothing and rings.
Put in calendar: any marriage license deadlines.
Next, Tackle The Variable Timing Checklist
PART TWO: VARIABLE TIMING CHECKLIST
Complete these Variable Timing items in any order in the 6 months before your date. Each day, see what you feel like doing, plus nix anything that doesn’t fit your vision for your day.
As long as you get these done within six months of your day, you’re right on track!
Location
Make a weather backup plan and any reservations if needed - like an indoor location or an Air Bnb as lodging also makes good indoor backup if they allow group gatherings.
Complete any other logistics to put in place regarding your location.
Vendors
Book any vendor services that you want and that haven’t been booked yet, such as flowers, cake, musician, rental chairs, etc.
Clothing, Accessories
Browse bride/groom attire styles and save photos of styles you like.
Make any bride/groom attire shopping appointments if appointments are needed.
Shop and purchase your attire!
Shop for and purchase wedding bands.
Shop for any additional accessories - jewelry, veil, belt, socks, shoes, warm clothing, hiking gear, backpacks, bags, etc.
Schedule any bride/groom attire alterations or ring adjustments if needed.
Explore hair/makeup styles, and save pics for reference.
Pick up any clothing or rings that have been altered or adjusted.
Plan any DIY projects, like making your own bouquet, etc.
If You’re Bringing Guests
Remind them to book their lodging if they haven’t already.
Decide if you want any guests to play a special role, like Maid of Honor, Best Man, etc.
Tell them if there are any guidelines for colors or clothing that they wear on your day.
Give guests a week or day-of timeline so they have a general idea of the plan.
The Ceremony
Learn about marriage license deadlines and put any in your calendar. If you happen to be eloping in Colorado, I’ve got a specific guide here or if anywhere else, Google “how to get a marriage license” and the name of the state you’re eloping in - lots of info will come up.
If you didn’t hire a professional officiant and instead plan to ask a friend/relative to officiate, now is the time to ask them.
If you hired an officiant, they’ll have you fill out a questionnaire so they can write your ceremony.
OR if a friend/relative is writing your ceremony, let them take the lead if they feel confident, or if they can visit my wedding ceremony script page here to guide them.
OR if you’ve decided to “marry yourselves” in a state where you can self-solemnize, then start planning your ceremony (you can use this self-solemnization resource if you like).
Picture if you’d like some kind of first look and/or processional (down a trail or path if there’s one at your location) as you start your ceremony.
If a processional, decide who’s walking and if you’d like to walk with anyone special.
If there are any props for your ceremony, buy them now.
Write or pick your vows. If you want a fun vow-writing kit, I’ve got one at this link here.
If either or both of you are changing your names, research how.
Pack a bag with rings, license, extra clothing and things needed on the day-of.
If you’re reading vows from a card or vow book, write them out now.
Get your marriage license by the deadline you put in your calendar.
Celebration Planning
If you want to have a celebratory meal after your elopement, make that plan whether it’s mellow and just the two of you or a group gathering with guests.
As Your Day Nears
Build in plenty of buffer time for the day-before and the day-of so you’re not rushed.
Pack! See the elopement packing list below.
The Most Important Part Of Your Elopement (That Often Isn’t On Checklists)
Hana & Jonathan had a sweet, romantic & playful ceremony.
The ceremony is the heart center of your day, but often an afterthought when planning.
Amidst the excitement for adventure and epic elopement photos, it’s easy to forget about the ceremony.
This might sound like…
“Wait, our day is only a couple of months away - who is going to marry us??”
Or: “We’ll just wing it and say some sweet things to each other when it comes time.”
Hana & Jonathan brought family with them, so Hana chose to walk the aisle/trail with her father.
As an officiant, I know that a meaningful, intentional ceremony makes a huge difference on your day. It’s what causes you to feel your love and connection, it’s what facilitates moments that you’ll never forget, and it’s what lets your hearts and souls know that something truly profound happened - that you’ve crossed a threshold that means something.
So have fun checking off those list items for the ceremony! Get really into it! I promise it will not only MAKE your day, it will deepen your relationship along the way.
Next, Your Elopement Packing List
Heck, what’s one more list to help you relax and feel on track!
Check off the following elopement items when packing, and you’ll have what you need.
This is a packing list for one of our elopements, which are typically a short 5-minute trail hike to a mountain spot with gorgeous views. Also, much of this list works for elopements anywhere:
Any bride attire and accessories. Some dresses can be packed in a suitcase or mailed via FedEx. Or if road tripping, that’s handy because you can bring it in the car.
Any groom attire and accessories.
Warm clothing regardless of time of year because you never know what will happen out in nature. Warm coats, hats, gloves and socks are important to have just in case.
Hiking boots or shoes with tread and solid ankle support if you’re on rugged terrain.
Optional fancy wedding shoes to change into at your ceremony spot.
Any stuff that you made and are bringing, like a bouquet, “just married” signs, etc.
Your wedding bands.
Any other special items to be used during the ceremony.
Your vows if you’ve written them out on cards or in vow books.
I.D. and anything else needed to get your marriage license.
Driving directions to your ceremony spot for you and any guests.
Favorite water bottle so that you stay well-hydrated.
And all the day-to-day clothing, toiletries, etc that you typically bring when traveling.
Woo Hoo, You Made It To Your Day! Here’s A Sample Day-Of Timeline…
Natalie & Paige had a simple timeline which allowed them to relax and enjoy.
The beauty of elopements? SO simple! I’ve overseen hundreds of elopements, so here’s a typical timeline that has worked for our couples…
Day-Of Prep For A Sunset Elopement
The elopement in this example starts at 5:30 pm, two hours before a 7:30 pm sunset:
Day-Before
If you haven’t yet, get your marriage license, plus do a practice drive to your spot.
Day-of: Early Morning
Wake excited and probably a little nervous which is normal. Since there’s not much to do before meet time, you might even go out to breakfast or lounge around for a bit.
Late Morning
Aim to not have any errands to run on the day-of, but if you do, this is a good time.
Early Afternoon
If you’re having hair & makeup done, it usually takes around two hours, so your stylist will likely schedule to arrive in the early afternoon. Or if you’re doing hair & makeup yourself, you can do it around the same time.
While you’re busy with hair/makeup, this is a great time for your fiancé or a guest to pick up flowers if you’ve got a bouquet and boutonnière in the mix.
Late Afternoon
Get dressed.
As Start Time Draws Near
Add an hour cushion to drive to your elopement spot. If there are any delays while driving, you’ll still have plenty of time, and if you get there early, it’s much better to hang out for extra time in nature, then to stress about being late ;)
5:30 pm It’s On!
Your elopement begins! Typically your ceremony first, sign your license, then romantic after-ceremony photos of you two with your just-married glow and gorgeous Colorado backdrop. If you have guests, then it’s typically group photos after the ceremony and before the romantic portraits.
7:30 pm Sunset
You’ll end around sunset for beautiful photo light, then celebrate. If it’s just you two, you may eat at a fancy restaurant or chill brewery, or simply head back to your lodging to relax. If you’ve got guests, you’ll likely go out for a celebratory meal.
Congratulations, you did it!
Key Insider Tips From An Officiant/Planner Who’s Seen It All
Natalie & Paige used our insider tips to make their elopement easy and fun.
Over the years I’ve seen what tends to unnecessarily stress couples out or get in the way of having a smooth elopement day. Here’s what to do to avoid some of the biggest stressors…
Don’t Make Your Happiness Dependent On The Weather
If you find yourself obsessively checking the weather, shift your perspective to: “I’d love to have beautiful weather AND if we don’t, we are still in love and getting married in a beautiful place, so I’m going to enjoy it no matter what.” Every time I see that a couple has that perspective, I know it’s guaranteed they’ll have a wonderful day.
Leave Enough Breathing Room
Avoid stress by giving yourself TONS of cushion time around everything on the day-of. Being late is not only stressful, it also impedes your ability to be present and feel connected with each other because you’ll be distracted from all the rushing beforehand.
Plan An Incredible Ceremony
This doesn’t happen with our couples because our packages include an officiant or guidance to plan a self-solemnization ceremony. But I’ve heard stories from many photographers about couples who didn’t plan their ceremony and it was… awkward. Not knowing what to do. Or feeling like “did it happen” because they said random words on the fly, exchanged rings and it was over. You can read more here about how to have an amazing ceremony.
Easy Reference FAQ’s
Since you’re here for an elopement checklist, you’re probably also wondering…
What do you legally need to elope?
To elope and make it legal in the U.S, you need a marriage license from an issuing office in the state where you’re getting married, then you need to sign the license and return it to the issuing office so they can record it, which makes it legal. You can call that office for guidance about who can sign, how to sign and any other questions so that you have this information beforehand. If you’re specifically looking to get a Colorado marriage license, you can check out my comprehensive step-by-step guide here, or you can google “marriage license” and the state you’re eloping in to find lots of info.
What are the most important things in an elopement checklist?
The most important things in an elopement checklist are location, photography and ceremony. I always tell our couples, “If you have those three things, you have an elopement.” Once those are in place, other essential items are budget plan, travel, lodging and marriage license. There are lots of other things to include in your plan, but these are the core must-haves for an elopement.
What vendors do you actually need for an elopement?
The key vendors that you need for an elopement are photographer and officiant who often act as planners too, then the most common optional vendors include flowers, hair/makeup, cake and videography.
How do you choose the best elopement location?
To choose the best elopement location, start with a Google search, explore plenty of photos and options, then get insight and guidance from a local elopement expert, like a photographer, planner or officiant. If you happen to be planning a Colorado elopement, you can check out my locations guide here.
How long does an elopement usually last?
A simple elopement typically lasts one to two hours, and an all-day adventure elopement typically lasts six to eight hours.
What is a packing list for the day-of the elopement?
Key items to pack for your elopement day include rings, marriage license, vow cards, wedding attire, any personal items needed for health or beauty, water for hydration and extra clothing in case of changing weather.
Do you need an officiant to elope?
In some states, like Colorado, you can have an officiant but you don’t need one to elope (see my self-solemnization page here), however many states do require an ordained, professional or government-authorized person to sign your license. Best is to call the government office that issues marriage licenses in the state where you’ll elope and ask them about their rules. If you don’t have an officiant, still make sure to plan an incredible ceremony - it’s the most important part of your day.
What is the biggest mistake couples make when eloping?
Treating the ceremony planning as an afterthought when it is actually the core reason for the elopement and the emotional center of the day. Another big mistake when eloping is to define success as having beautiful weather since weather is unpredictable and not within your control.
All photos by Colorado Photographer Squad. They provide the photography for our packages.
And if you want to learn more about my services as a Colorado officiant and elopement planner, check out this page here.
Another resource for you:
The Vow Adventure Kit: Check “Write Vows” Off Your List
My tried-and-true kit used by hundreds of my couples.
Easily write vows, whether you’re a natural at writing or not.
Beautiful words to share, in your own style.
Guidance on what to do if you’re nervous.
Makes vows that are also a set of guiding principles for your marriage.
Writing these vows deepens your relationship!
Read all about the Vow Adventure Kit here
And If You’re Eloping in Colorado…
Let’s make it happen.
Colorado Elopement Packages with Ceremonies With Lisa
Hey it’s Officiant Lisa - ceremony expert, elopement expert and mountain girl at heart. The checklist on this page works for elopements anywhere, AND if you happen to be interested in a beautiful, meaningful Colorado elopement with an unforgettable ceremony and gorgeous photos, my team has provided mountain elopement packages to hundreds of couples.
Read here about our packages and pricing at ALL our locations - our packages include mountain location, officiant, photographer and more
You can also read years of rave reviews here.
Or reach out to me now with the handy form below for more info, plus a consult:
Wedding selfie with me, Hana & Jonathan just after their ceremony.
I’ll send all the info to make your elopement real, see if we’re a fit and hop on a call to lay out your dream day and package quote.
Can’t wait to get to know you, and to guide you with thoughtfulness, love and care!