If you’re planning your wedding, you’re probably getting advice from everyone you know (and also have a thousand Pinterest boards on the go). The one thing no one tells you about planning your wedding or elopement? That you can do whatever YOU want. No matter how crazy an idea may sound, if it makes sense for you as a couple, then go for it! After all, this is the one day that’s all about you and your relationship.

As much as it can be tempting to try to replicate exactly what you have pinned on Pinterest, don’t do that. This is an opportunity to really plan everything together, from the guest list down to any decor. Scroll through this list to see which of these ideas speak to you (or hell, just do all of them!).

Before we dive into the list, here are a few other elopement planning resources:

How to Create Your Elopement Timeline

How to Write Vows for Your Elopement

5 Tips to Your Perfect Wedding Dress

5 Unique Elopement Ideas for Your Wedding Day

1. Book an Airbnb

Instead of researching traditional wedding venues, think outside the box and go with an Airbnb for your elopement. You can find something cozy and off the beaten path for just the two of you. Larger cottages are perfect if you have a few guests.

My advice? Find something that calms you, looks relaxing, and has a few amenities that you can enjoy together (chef’s kitchen, a cedar hot tub overlooking the woods, an outdoor sauna… you get the idea!). Or look for an A-frame cabin in the woods, a vintage airstream in a cool outdoor space, or a quiet cottage on a lake. This is as much a part of your elopement experience as the actual ceremony, so make it a fun date night and just research together until you come up with a list you both love.

2. Add in a unique elopement activity

A lot of eloping couples say “we have NO idea what to do for the rest of the day after the ceremony”. (Don’t worry, I have fun quizzes to get intel and provide you with fun ideas!). The beauty of a full day elopement (or multi-day elopement heheh!) is that you have time to build in a super fun activity.

A few unique elopement activities that you could include on your big day:

• Get in a hot tub
• Get tattoos together
• Go horseback riding
• Rent a vintage van or Airstream
• Run into the lake together
• Go for a hike and pop champagne

• Go rock climbing
• Roller skating
• Do karaoke
• Go for a helicopter ride
• Host your guests at a cozy pub
• Take a gondola up a mountain

3. Bring amazing food

Just because you’re getting dressed up doesn’t mean you can’t go a little more lowkey for your meal! If you’re hiking on your elopement day, pack a fancy picnic or charcuterie board with some bubbly. If you. have guests coming to your wedding or small elopement, you can still get something fun and delicious that’s going to be easy in terms of serving people.

These are a few real life examples of what couples have served on their wedding day:

• A food truck that served pulled pork (and pulled jackfruit for the vegetarians!)
• Pizza
• DIY tacos
• Pho & fondue
• Burgers & fries

Don’t feel like you need to eat (or serve) a “traditional” wedding meal. Get something that you’re actually pumped up to eat!

4. Add fun accessories to your wedding outfit

Your wedding attire can be formal, casual, classy, retro… the possibilities are endless. One way you can add in a bit more personality to your look on your elopement day? Accessories!

Here are a few real life examples of ways wedding couples of mine have accessorized:

• a beautiful hat
• a silk scarf
• white leather boots
• hiking boots
• blue velvet heels
• big chunky jewelry
• simple, understated gold jewelry
• a classic watch
• a funky tie
• silk ribbon on the bouquet
• a floral crown

One of my fave places for hats and scarves is Anupaya (they also have great picnic blankets!). I really love Shop JV Studios for jewelry, and Mario Uomo has the best ties!

5. Bring your dog(s)!

So many people don’t want to have to stress about their doggo on the day of. But there are actually companies that will babysit your pup for you while you get married! Whether you want to keep your doggo with you the entire day, or just have them there for the part where you say “I do”, you can get a professional pet wrangler to watch them. It’s so worth it to have them be a part of your day! Or I’ve had couples book multiple day coverage, so we can go for a hike with the dogs the day before their elopement.

I hope this helps to show you that you can completely personalize your elopement day! There are no rules to what you can or can’t do, so don’t be afraid to get creative!

Need some help planning your own elopement? Contact me and I can help!