Planning your 2025 elopement

PLANNING TIPS FOR YOUR 2025 ELOPEMENT

RAE ANN PHOTO | ELOPEMENT & INTIMATE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | NEW ENGLAND & BEYOND

As someone who's planning their 2025 elopement I know all the tips to get everything organized and create a stress free elopement. Planning a wedding shouldn't be stressful, it should be everything you've ever dreamed of!

Below are some tips to help you get an idea of how to plan your 2025 elopement!

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5 PLANNING TIPS TO HELP YOU GET STARTED

1. Reach out to your vendors sooner rather than later

Even though you might think that elopement planning doesn't require a ton of planning...it does! As your photographer I work with you to heko plan your timeline and make sure everything is a smooth ride before and on your day so you don't have to worry. Also us vendors book out months, sometimes years in advance so it's always better to reach out sooner rather than later. So stop what you're doing right now and reach out!

2. Brainstorm elopement activity ideas

The first thing I tell my eloping couples to do is sit down and brainstorm ideas + activities they both love doing together. On your day. you can do absolutely anything you want whether it be hiking in the Whites, rock climbing in Utah or taking a helicopter ride in Alaska. Your day is special to you both!

3. Think about where you want to get married

Similar to brainstorming elopement activity ideas I tell my couples to also think about where they see themselves standing saying their vows to one another. Is it at the ocean where you got engaged? Is it on top of that mountain where you had your first day?

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Do you want your elopement to include stunning views?
If inviting family members, do any of them need easily accessible access to locations?
Do you have any childhood places you'd love to go back to for your elopement?
Are you bringing your pets? Make sure that you're elopement location is pet-friendly
Do you want to keep your elopement close to home? If this is meaningful to you then absolutely do it!
Do you want to travel abroad? This will add a whole different level of planning

4. Learn your marriage laws in the state you're getting married in

Yes, it's important we learn how to legally elope in the state we get married in. For example, in Vermont you as the couple can submit your marriage license to the clerk after it's signed but whereas in Maine that is the officiant's job! So when we work together I will guide you in marriage laws so you don't get lost.

Examples:

Vermont and New Hampshire don't require witnesses

Maine needs to 2 witnesses and does not include your officiant

New York state needs 1 witness and it can be your officiant!

Self solemnizing states (you can marry yourselves)

Colorado
Illinois
California
Maine
District of Columbia
Kansas
Nevada
Pennsylvania
Wisconsin

5. Figure out your budget

Everyone hates the "b" word but it is important to figure out how much you need and want to spend on your wedding. An important question to ask yourselves is what do you value? Maybe you value having beautiful flower arrangements for your wedding or amazing photos - it's a personal preference.

HOW TO PLAN YOUR 2025 ELOPEMENT

If you think it's too late to elope in 2025, you're wrong!!! You still have sooo much time, so reach out.

Steps to plan your elopement

Sit down together and figure out where, why and when you're eloping. This will expedite making decisions later down the line.
Decide if it will just be you both in attendance or if you will be inviting family
Choose your elopement location + date
Hire your photographer ASAP
Begin planning your elopement
Book an travel/accommodations you might need
Hire additional vendors

HOW DO WE BOOK YOU AS OUR ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER?

Just head to my contact page and fill out a form or you can email me at raeannphoto056@gmail.com when you're ready to start planning. If you're planning for a weekday there's no rush but if you would like a weekend date, let me know ASAP!