7 Ways to Include Family When Eloping
Elopements are a great option for many couples because of their intimate, stress-free nature. But one of the biggest hang-ups people have about eloping is that they won’t be able to spend their special day with all of their friends and family.
While it may seem traditional to have all of your closest family and friends at your wedding ceremony, we understand that your wedding is all about what you and your partner want.
We know that there are so many different ways your family can support you and your partner getting married without actually being at the ceremony.
If you want to have a private ceremony or destination elopement, so be it! But that doesn’t mean that your family and friends can’t be involved.
If you’re looking for a low-key, budget-friendly elopement venue, our Elopement Package is the thing for you. Give us a call or book us online today.
While eloping has been traditionally thought of as a spur-of-the-moment decision to get hitched, we know that elopements can look very different today; some couples choose to elope the day before the wedding, while others book their elopement venue months in advance of their actual ceremony.
Whether you’re deciding to run away the day before the ceremony or booking the venue months in advance, you can have your picture perfect, “just us” elopement while still including those closest to you.
We’ve come up with seven things you can do to include your family and friends in your elopement without compromising your vision of a “just us” wedding. We’ve divided our list into two sections, depending on the amount of time you have before you’re planning to elope. These are just meant to be used as inspiration, so feel free to get creative and let us know what you come up with!
For those couples with a bit less time to plan before the elopement...
Incorporate family details and heirlooms into your day. Whether it’s your grandmother’s bridal veil, a groom’s father’s watch, or bouquet pins with pictures of your family, including family heirlooms is a great way to make sure your family is there with you, every step down the aisle.
Live stream a toast. Even though your family and friends might not be able to be there during the ceremony, live streaming your toast after the wedding lets you create special memories from afar.
Bring your family something back from your elopement. Although we normally hear of family and friends giving gifts to brides and grooms, bringing your family and friends something back from your elopement makes them feel more included in your wedding, even if they weren’t there in person. Some of our gift suggestions include bottles of wine from any of our local wineries and small trinkets from any of our nearby antique and craft stores.
For those with a bit more planning time before the ceremony…
Have your family write letters for you to read or pre-record video messages for you to watch on your elopement day. You can choose to either keep it traditional or modern with this one. Having your family and friends write letters or pre-record video messages for you to read and watch the morning of your ceremony lets you keep them close. Organize the letters into a scrapbook or compile the videos together for a keepsake that you and your partner can revisit for years to come.
Go shopping for your ceremony with your family. While all of your family and friends might not be able to attend your elopement ceremony, inviting them to shop with you for your wedding dress or suit before the day lets you keep them involved.
Open gifts from your family on your elopement day. Opening heartfelt gifts from your family and friends is a great way to keep them close during your elopement. Encourage your loved ones to make and personalize your gifts to make them special while keeping costs low.
Have an engagement party or post-elopement party (or both!). You might not be having a traditional wedding, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great party before or after it! Planning an engagement or post-elopement party (or both) is a great way to celebrate you and your partner with your family and friends and keep your wedding intimate.
If you’re looking for a low-key, budget-friendly elopement venue, our Elopement Package is the thing for you. Give us a call or book us online today.