How to Budget for your Elopement
Ready to build your elopement budget but unsure where to begin? We’ve got you covered! We break down each component of an elopement budget and provide sample budgets, tools to keep you organized, and budget friendly activities to make your planning a breeze!
How to Build your Elopement Budget
by an Elopement & Microwedding Planner
Building a budget for your elopement is a crucial, and often overlooked, first step on the path to planning your dream elopement. Determining from the get-go what you can/ are willing to invest in your elopement day will allow you to find more ease in the planning process. You will also feel much less stressed about each payment you make when you know that you have allotted the funds for it and are following your plans. It can be a little daunting to begin to plan your elopement budget, as there are significantly less resources available than for a traditional wedding. This guide will help you figure out what you need to include in your budget, how to organize and stick to your budget, how to budget for guests, and even a fun list of budget-friendly activities for your elopement day/weekend! I also include different sample budgets for three different elopements to help give an idea of average costs surrounding elopements of different lengths/ sizes.
Investing in your Elopement
There is a common misconception in the elopement and intimate wedding industry that eloping has to mean stripping away all of the luxuries, parties, and “spending” generally associated with a wedding. Realistically, having an intimate wedding allows you the freedom to focus on the components of a wedding that excite you most. You can have a private elopement with just the two of you on public land with a homemade cake, or you can invite a few guests and elope on the property of a gorgeous bnb, or you can elope in a state park and throw a party at your favorite brewery after with all of your friends and family. The best part is- nobody can tell you that you’re doing it wrong!
When beginning to plan your elopement, consider what it is important for you to invest in. Is it important for you to look back and have gorgeous photos documenting your mountaintop ceremony? Do you dream of spending the night leading up to your elopement with both of your families, under the roof of a space big enough to comfortably accommodate you all? Do you want to always recall how much fun you had on the kayaks that you rented for the morning before your ceremony? Spend some time determining what is most important to you, and focus your attention on that when planning your budget. You’ll never regret investing in something deeply important to you when it comes to your wedding.
Budget Breakdown
Let’s break it down! Here are the main components that you need to consider when planning your elopement:
Photographer:
There are many talented elopement photographers for you to choose from. Most photographers offer a few different packages of varying lengths. These can range from only a few hours to multi-day coverage and cover a wide range of budgets. Keep in mind that cost is often reflective of experience- seeking out the cheapest photographer you can find will reflect in the quality of your photos.
Planner:
Many people believe that because their elopement does not involve the same amount of details to coordinate as a traditional wedding, that a planner is not a necessary vendor. We believe that you are just as deserving of a stress-free planning experience and wedding day when you choose to elope! Hiring a planner who specializes in elopements and intimate weddings will help bring your day to life, and give you the freedom to relax on your big day knowing that every detail is tended to.
*Pro tip: Consider a photography and planning team like us to help condense your costs and save you money!
Other Vendors:
Some other potential vendors for your elopement include florists, hair stylists, makeup artists, bakers, any food caterers/ restaurants, and stationers. The cost of some of these will be dependent on if you are inviting any guests to your elopement, or hosting a party of some sort after your ceremony. There are also costs associated with using a hosting platform like The Knot for your wedding website, as many eloping couples still choose to have a wedding registry to share with friends and family.
Wedding Attire
This includes ceremony attire, and anything else you may need for the day. Oftentimes, if an elopement requires a lengthy hike to the ceremony location, the couple will hike in a more comfortable outfit and get ready at the site. Your photographer will be present and documenting the entire time, so make sure you are happy with everything you wear!
Travel
Flights, rental cars, gas, anything else you may need to get you to your elopement location! Don’t forget to budget for the expenses that pair with travel as well, such as meals on the road or that airport coffee!
Accommodation
Including accommodation for any stops en route to your location and for the night before and after your elopement. These could be hotels, inns, airbnbs/vrbos, campgrounds, or even a tent in the backcountry! There are options for every budget!
Location Permits
Depending on where you are choosing to elope, your ceremony location may require a permit to utilize the land. These can range in cost anywhere from $10 to upwards of $200. There are also plenty of free options as well, but it is important to be aware of any costs associated with your location from the start!
Marriage License and Officiant
To legalize your marriage, you need to make sure to get your marriage license before eloping. In Colorado, the cost is $30, and an officiant is not required. In NC, the cost is $60. Officiants are required in NC, and many couples in CO will still choose to have an officiant despite not being required. Officiants cost around $200-$300, sometimes more depending on the remoteness of your location.
Activities
One of our favorite things about elopements is how customizable elopement days are! You can choose to do really any activity you desire, whether it is a free activity like taking your mountain bikes for a ride, or an expensive activity like a helicopter tour. Consider what you would like to do to fill your time during the day, and make sure to budget accordingly.
Budgeting for Guests
Your elopement doesn’t necessarily need to be just the two of you! There are plenty of ways to incorporate guests into your elopement day, whether it be at the ceremony, or in a celebration afterwards. It is important to consider what components of the day guests will be included in when creating your budget, as it is expected that certain things will be covered for them. The extent of what you cover is entirely up to you and your budget.
If you decide to host guests for your elopement, some associated costs could be: meals, transportation, accommodation, and gifts. Since elopements are much smaller than a traditional wedding, it is not uncommon to see couples host everyone on the grounds of an Airbnb or something along those lines. If choosing to cover accommodation, from there it is important to decide what meals you will cover for guests. Will you have a breakfast spread set up for the elopement morning? Will you have dinner served afterwards? Choosing to host everyone for the event can be a fun and personal approach, but does increase the amount to budget.
Another way to host guests is to simply throw a party afterwards. This can look like many different things- a backyard bbq, renting an event space at a brewery or restaurant, a picnic and campfire at a campground, etc. When throwing a party, costs to consider are space rentals, food and drink costs, seating/table rentals (if not present at the venue), and decor. If you are choosing an option such as renting a brewery space, you can have a cash bar as opposed to covering the whole tab, but it should be very clear on the invitation to the party that such is the case.
Ultimately, any guest that you choose to invite to celebrate something as intimate as your elopement is a very special person to you and your relationship. They will not care whether you are splurging on a five course meal for them or hosting them for s’mores and beers around a fire. Stay true to yourself and your day, and include guests in the way that feels most genuine. It is entirely possible to have your people present without breaking your budget!
Sample Budgets
$5k: An intimate state park elopement in NC
Photography and Planning team: $3200
Officiant: $200
Florals: $50 (homemade bouquet with flowers from Trader Joe’s )
Small notebooks for vows: $10
Accommodation: $450 (Treehouse airbnb for 2 nights)
Food: $300
Paddleboard rentals: $80
Permits: $45
Marriage License: $60
Attire: Thrifted dress: $150
Suit rental: $100
Dessert: $10 (gourmet cupcakes from local bakery)
Travel: $100 (gas budget)
Wedding bands from Etsy: $200
Total: $4955
$10K: Rocky Mountain NP elopement with ten guests
Photography and planning team: $5k
Officiant: Free (self-solemnize)
Florals: $100 (boutonniere and bouquet)
Vow books: $30
Accommodation: $1000 (four nights at a cabin near the park)
Food: $500
Post ceremony dinner with guests: $500
Attire: Wedding dress: $700
Suit: $250
Permits: $300
Marriage license: $30
Cake: $200
Travel: $800
Mountaintop picnic: $150
Rings: $300
Invitations: $30 (handwritten, plus postage)
Total: $9890
How to Organize and Stick to your Budget
Okay, so you’ve done the work of setting your budget… now you have to stick to it! With the right tools and guidance, organizing and sticking to your budget can be an easy task.
The first thing to consider when selecting your budgeting tools is if you prefer to have physical, handwritten copies, or if virtual copies work better for you. You can also keep track of your budget in both ways if that is helpful for you!
Creating a budget binder:
A binder is a great tool for keeping all of your budget information in one place! Your binder should include:
An overview of your budget
A breakdown of your budget by category
A chart to record all of your spending
A calendar with due dates for payments
Contracts with any vendors
Receipts of your purchases
Creating a budget spreadsheet:
Organizing a virtual spreadsheet can be a great way to keep track of how much is left in your budget as you continue to invest in your elopement. A spreadsheet should include:
Every component of your budget, broken down into categories and subcategories
A column that lists your budget for each category
A column to record your actual spending for each category
Due dates for each payment
A continuously updated total of spending and remaining budget
Free Budget tools:
If you don’t want to create your own budgeting tools, you can find some options online. However, most online tools are curated for traditional weddings, so they are not as elopement-centric as any tools you would create. Some options for these tools are through The Knot, Bridal Musings, and Wedding Wire.
Pro tip!
Investing in a planner can not only save you stress, but money too! Elopement planners can help you keep track of your budget and spending, and also have connections in the industry that can ultimately save you money on things like vendor services, accommodations, and activities.
Looking for a planner that will help you with your budget? Reach out to us here!
Budget Friendly Elopement Activities
There is no shortage of elopement day activities for budgets of all sizes! Some of our favorite low cost activities include:
Taking a scenic drive (Blue Ridge Parkway, anyone?)
Packing out a picnic to eat on a mountain top
Kayak/ canoe/ paddleboard rentals
S’mores around a campfire
Baking your wedding cake together
Brewery or Vineyard hopping
Finding a remote spot to relax in a hammock together
Having a board game marathon
A morning coffee date
Apple, strawberry, or other fruit picking
Exploring a new mountain town
Hiking to a fire tower, viewpoint, or waterfall
Although elopements are generally much cheaper than traditional weddings, building your budget from the start will make your planning process much smoother. It will help you identify what you want to prioritize, and remove any guilt you may feel about the larger expenses of your day, as you know you have accounted for and can afford them. Want more assistance with your elopement budget? Reach out to us, we would love to chat!
Planning your elopement? We want to help!
Hi! We’re Becca and Hannah! As your elopement planning and photography team, we’re more than just the vendors setting up your table decor and shooting posed portraits after the ceremony. We’re here to create a safe and community driven space for you to make your meaningful wedding vision a reality, without you having to do any of the heavy lifting! Elopement planning is our absolute jam, so if you’re interested, reach out here to schedule your free elopement consultation with us!
Why You Need an Elopement Planner
Elopements may seem like a breeze compared to traditional weddings, but the logistics and details can quickly pile up. That's where an elopement planner comes in. With their expertise, you can ensure a unique and stress-free elopement experience tailored to your preferences. Don't sacrifice the benefits of professional expertise just because you're choosing a non-traditional route—consider hiring an elopement planner to bring your vision to life effortlessly.
The Benefits of Hiring a Planner for Your Elopement
You’re over the moon about your recent engagement, and now you’re deep into the initial planning phase. You and your partner have already decided that an elopement is best for the both of you. But now what? Sure, there are seemingly a lot less details to consider when the wedding you’re planning doesn’t involve a 200 person guest list. But the little details are still piling up, and you start to realize that some of them may actually be more difficult to tackle than if you had settled on a large party. That is where an elopement planner is ready to swoop in and save the day!
Maybe your reason for downsizing your wedding is because your wedding budget is lower, and you are hesitant to book a planner and add that cost. Or maybe you wanted an intimate wedding for a more personal feel, and you are afraid that bringing in a planner will strip your day of that. In reality, a great planner will only make your day feel unique to you, AND will streamline the organization of details in a way that ultimately stretches your budget further! But, we know this is not always an easy decision, so we’ve created this post to cover all the reasons why you should hire an elopement planner for your epic day!
Let’s first cover the most important question…
What does an elopement planner do?
Elopement planners wear many hats and every individual vendor has a different approach, but generally all planners offer a variety of these three services:
Location Scouting: They use their local expertise to find the perfect location(s) for your elopement ceremony and activities.
Plan your day to a “T”: Elopement planners are experts at organizing epic events! They handle vendor communication and booking, secure permits and create back-up plans for weather or closures, and also plan our your entire elopement day timeline for you.
Day-of-Coordination: Coordinate your elopement day including set-up and tear down, and coordinate schedules with any guests so you can be fully present and stress-free.
We’ll break these three items down in the next sections, so you can fully understand whether an elopement planner is the right fit for your wedding experience!
Location Scouting
Your elopement planner will commit the time and energy required to seek out the absolute best spot for your vows! They act as your local guide with feet on the ground, traveling to and testing out the possibilities. You communicate your non-negotiables (or preferences)- i.e. sprawling mountain views, a quiet pine forest, wheelchair accessibility, etc, and your planner puts in the work to find just what you are looking for. Vows aren’t their only priority, though. An amazing elopement planner will take it upon themselves to scout the entire area, searching for other places and activities that will make your day unforgettable! For example:
Love coffee? Your planner will find the perfect coffee shop for you guys to grab a cup o’joe on route to your elopement spot.
Want to go on an afternoon kayak adventure? Your planner will figure out where this is possible, and how to make it happen!
Want to meet some friends at a local brewery after your ceremony? Your planner is on it! Not only will they gladly seek out the best brewery to fit the vibe of your day, but they will do the necessary communicating with the brewery as well!
Ultimately, your planner knows just how important location is to your elopement, and it is not something they will take lightly. They will communicate with you every step of the way to ensure that you are ecstatic about the choices being made. At the end of the day you will find yourself eloping in a location so much more unique and personal to you than you would have been able to find through a google search of “places to elope in _.”
Plan your day to a “t” AKA “Logistics”
A common misconception that people have is that eloping is easy. However, it isn’t as simple as just finding your dream location and showing up. Sure, it may not be as stressful as a traditional big wedding, but it still requires logistics to be planned. There are many restrictions surrounding where you can elope, and even restrictions on when. Luckily, if you have an elopement planner, you don’t have to worry about these, they will take care of them for you! Some details that your planner will deal with include:
Permits: Many places where you would like to elope (National Parks, Recreation Areas, National Forests, etc..) require permits to do so. A planner will do the necessary research to ensure that all of the legalities of utilizing the land are being taken care of. This includes knowledge of the rules for eloping in any particular place as well.
No-go’s: Public land is not always accessible for every purpose. It is possible that your dream location is off limits for elopements entirely. Your planner will do their best to find an alternative with similar offerings.
Closures: It is not uncommon for roads in certain areas to be closed for weather or other reasons throughout the year. Your planner will make sure to be aware of any possible road closures that could affect accessing your spot. They will have alternative routes or a back-up location on the ready.
Communicating with vendors: Sure, there are definitely less vendors involved with elopements than a traditional wedding. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any! This could include your officiant, any food/dessert vendors, the companies you are using for any activities, or the state park that runs the campground you want to use for an evening bonfire. They will recommend/help you choose vendors, and also manage the bulk of the communicating so you don’t have to.
Day-of-Coordination
Having a planner will take the organizational and detail-related stress off of your shoulders on the day of your elopement, especially if you are utilizing their day-of coordinator services. From start to finish, your day has been carefully curated with their professional input and assistance. Every detail has been tended to and confirmed. In the event that something does go astray, your planner will be present to take care of it while you are busy living in the moment. Here are some ways in which your elopement planner makes your day worry-free and smooth-sailing:
Planning and Packing Checklists: By providing you with checklists that help reassure you that nothing has been overlooked or forgotten. You won’t have that lingering “I am definitely forgetting something” feeling hanging out in your consciousness the whole day, because everything will be acknowledged and accounted for.
Providing you with an Elopement Timeline: Don’t know how to plan an elopement timeline? No worries! Your planner has mapped out all travel time and considered any potential roadblocks for the day. They have factored in buffer time in case there is traffic, or you are feeling like you would like to linger over your morning coffee together just a little longer.
Managing Gear & Supplies: They keep tabs on the things you will definitely need, and have the things you might need- just in case. From keeping your marriage license and vow books safe while you hike, to having printed copies of all activity reservations, to carrying an emergency lint roller and bobby pins, your planner will make sure everything is in order.
Decorating & Setting Up: They handle the check-ins and set-ups so you can focus all your time on each other! Enjoy the views while your planner sets up your mountain top picnic, or sit by the water while your planner checks in with the campground host.
At the end of the day, your planner’s job is to ensure that you have the best elopement day possible. This means allowing you the freedom to enjoy every moment of it without worry. They are cool, calm, and collected, and create the space for you to truly relax into your day.
How do you decide if an elopement planner is right for you?
Whether you are planning a large scale wedding, a 20 person micro-wedding, or an intimate elopement, wedding planning takes time- and lots of it. An elopement planner invests the time and energy needed to make your day exactly how you envisioned it, so you don’t have to manage the research and keep track of all the little details! If you’re still on the fence, here are some final reasons why an elopement planner might be right for you:
You are BUSY - you value quality time with your partner, family, and friends and want to spend as much of your little free-time doing things that you enjoy, and searching on Google is not one of them.
You feel overwhelmed- you’re not planning a 200 person event, but you still don’t want it to be simple either….all your research is leading to more logistics to consider and it’s feeling like A LOT.
You have a specific budget - you and your partner have decided to allocate a specific budget to your elopement, and really want to stick to it!
You don’t live in the area where you want to elope - you want your elopement to be a brand new travel adventure or are planning to elope out of state, closer to family. You don’t even know where to start with finding vendors, vetting locations, or even handling the legalities of getting married in the area.
You’re inviting guests - you want to have your core people present on your elopement day, but don’t know how to best manage their needs on top of your own! You don’t want them (or yourself) to feel stressed or burdened with DIY-ing everything.
You’re super organized, but want some help - maybe you LOVE to plan and build a good checklist, but also are stressed you might miss something or just want accountability and professional assistance to keep everything on track.
When it comes down to it, there is a reason that a wedding planner is a wedding planner. They are creative and detail-oriented people, who care deeply about providing unforgettable memories for your big day. Just because you have chosen to go the non-traditional route for your wedding does not mean you have to, or should, sacrifice the professional expertise that planners bring to the table. Between the time they will invest, the knowledge they will provide, and the details they will tend to that would likely otherwise be overlooked, hiring a planner for your elopement is a decision you will not regret.
