5 Things To Consider When Planning Your Elopement!

I have witnessed countless elopements, through my experience as a Jackson Hole wedding photographer. And I have identified key topics that you should discuss when planning your elopement, in order to create a meaningful day that is exactly what you want. When eloping there are so many options! You get to create the wedding day of your dreams, but where do you even start?

bride and groom kissing as they embrace one another in the Tetons for their elopement with the mountain range behind them

The First Step In Planning

The first step to planning your elopement is to decide how you want your day to look. Even though you have decided to keep things intimate, it doesn’t mean you have to throw out all tradition! Keeping things small means you get to do exactly what you want. Once you have an idea of what that is, all your plans will start falling into place.

bride and groom sitting on a rock at Delta Lake for their National Park elopement with the groom kissing the brides forehead very romantically

5 Things To Discuss With Your Fiancé

#1 Location

When planning your elopement, you will most likely be choosing a beautiful outdoor backdrop for your ceremony. There are many options you can easily access by driving, others will require hiking. You need to decide how adventurous you want to be on your big day. If you and your fiancé love hiking then you may want to celebrate your love by making that part of the experience! On the other hand, if you love the outdoors but don’t want to get dirty or too sweaty then you will probably want to stick to easy access locations. Your photographer can help you choose the exact spots, but letting them know how adventurous you want to be on your day will help them guide you to the perfect location for your ceremony.

groom dips his bride and holds up her leg as they stand on a rock in the middle of Delta Lake with the Grand Tetons mountain range behind them

Best venues for weddings in Jackson Hole with bride and groom walking fron an old rustic barn to the camera and smiling at one anothe rin Jackson Hole at Mormon Row

bride picking up his bride and kissing her as they stand next to a river in the Grand Tetons for their Spring elopement, planning your elopement

#2 Getting Ready Photos

Do you want to document your entire day from the very beginning? Think about your wedding album, having photos that tell the whole story of your day can be really special. Will you have your mom there helping you into your dress or are you going to pop some champagne with your best friends? This can be a good way to capture those beautiful moments with those you love. Even if you won’t be having guests join you, capturing the early excitement of your day is really sentimental. You can even have all the details photographed like your dress hanging and the rings in their boxes!

groom getting ready the morning of his elopement with his father helping him with his tie

bride getting into her wedding dress the morning of her elopement in the Grand Tetons with her mother and friends helping her

#3 First Look

Do you want to capture the moment you both see each other for the first time in your wedding attire? If so, how do you want this experience to go? Do you want to simply meet up in a beautiful spot and share a moment just the two of you, say a prayer, share personal vows or written letters? Or do you want to keep with tradition and have the first time you see each other be at the alter as you walk into your ceremony location? When planning your elopement, this is an event that many couples overlook, but should be a thought out and special moment.

first look with bride and groom at a river in Jackson Hole for their adventure elopement with groom tearing up at his bride

groom holding onto his bride as they have their first look in Jackson Hole for their elopement in the Spring

winter elopement in Jackson Hole, first look and groom in blown away and super expressive with the Grand Tetons behind him covered in snow

bride and groom smiling at one another in Jackson Hole elopement  with bride holding her burgundy florals and laughing

#4 Meaningful Touches

Are there any sentimental details you want to add to your day? Heirloom jewelry/attire, cultural traditions, religious rituals or even a special song. Adding meaningful things can make these moments more beautiful and enhance your day. By Adding sentimental touches throughout your elopement, you will bring personality and remembrance to the entire day!

Wedding day sixpence hair pin with a little "something blue"

bride and groom holding a picture of their dog and kissing the frame to include their pet on their wedding day in Jackson Hole

generations of woman holding a sentiment that they all walked down the aisle with for the Jackson Hole wedding day

romantic bridals with groom hugging his bride in front of the Tetons for their Jackson Hole elopement

#5 The After Party

How do you want to celebrate? This is where you can add personality to your day. Do you want to pop champagne, crack open a beer, have an intimate dinner reception, hit up a local bar, go hiking, white river rafting, share a first dance, get a small cake or dessert to share. The options are endless!

bride and groom dancing together in a meadow in Jackson Hole for their Grand Teton elopement

Jackson Hole elopement with bride and groom sitting on some rocks and drinking champagne together at sunset

Every elopement is unique and special in it’s own way! And these 5 points will help you to enhance your elopement to be a meaningful and adventurous day. I love helping you in planning your elopement with my insider knowledge of Jackson Hole and the surrounding area. Reach out and let’s chat about your Jackson Hole elopement!

Cowboy bar wedding reception in Jackson Hole with bride and groom at the bar with their drinks

Jackson Hole elopement with groom dipping his bride in front of the famous Cowboy Bar in Jackson Hole

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