Choosing to elope is a brave decision for many, going completely against the grain and choosing to make your wedding exactly the way you want, without all the social expectations. This is one of the best decisions you can make when it comes to your wedding day. As a Central Coast elopement photographer, I have seen many elopements happen for many different reasons. Sometimes it’s financial, other times to make sure their wedding is about their love. Others are setting boundaries, and others just don’t want a big party. There’s no right or wrong reason to elope. But for so many people, it just makes sense.
As a Central Coast elopement photographer, I’m here to share my 5 most important tips for organising your elopement, and why these things are important.
1. Find the right celebrant
Not to be dramatic, but your celebrant is one of the most important parts of your wedding. Many people think ‘we’re eloping, just the legals are all that we need’. But it is important to remember that your ceremony is one of the most memorable parts of a wedding day, and it is important to think about your ceremony even when eloping. You want your ceremony to feel like you, a celebrant who spends time getting to know you, and will create a ceremony that you want to remember.
Whilst funds might come into consideration when it comes to finding an elopement celebrant, you need to look beyond the financial side. Find a celebrant who communicates well, feels like a friend and looks at your Central Coast elopement as more than just a job.
You can find a list of Central Coast celebrants here.
2. Choose a location that makes sense to you as a couple
Many people look at their elopement as a quick, easy fix: “Let’s just go to the park and make it legal”. But where’s the charm in that? If you love the beach, get married at the beach, but if you’re never at the beach as a couple, why go there?
Maybe you could elope on a cliff top, a mountain, or an Airbnb, even.
One of my favourite Central Coast elopements took place at an Airbnb in Patonga. The Airbnb sat atop a cliff and overlooked the area. It was the perfect spot for them as a couple, as it tied into both of their interests of hiking and rock climbing. You can read about Lucy & Wesley’s elopement here.
You can also look into hiring somewhere in our extensive national park system, which might speak to you.
As a Central Coast elopement photographer, these sorts of places also photograph beautifully. Also, if they are somewhere that is already intrinsic to you as a couple, it will hold a lot more sentimental value.
3. Have a backup plan
What happens if it rains? Most elopements take place outside, so what is the plan if the weather isn’t on our side? Are we getting some clear umbrellas and taking a chance? Heading to your Airbnb? Have a plan in place, which is still a plan you like. Don’t look at your plan B as a last resort more as another option.
4. Check out sunset times
Did you know the best times to take photos are 1 hour before sunset and an hour after sunrise? This is called golden hour, and when it comes to wedding photography, it is every photographer’s dream to get a nice golden hour.
It may not always be possible, but if it is, try to organise your ceremony to take place before golden hour takes place, that way your photographer can utilise the soft lighting around this time for your portraits.
On the other hand, the sun in the middle of the day is some of the worst for photography, unless you luck out with the weather, the sun is often very harsh and hot. So, taking portraits at this time is not ideal. Any photographer should be able to still take portraits; however, they may not be the ones you envision for your Central Coast elopement.
5. Don’t treat your elopement like a means to an end
As a Central Coast elopement photographer, I have seen this time and time again. A couple elopes, sometimes by themself and sometimes with a handful of family members, and the whole day kind of just feels like an obligation. The heart and soul of a wedding is taken away.
This is my biggest tip for elopements: still treat it as a special day. This might seem obvious, but as I’ve already mentioned, as a Central Coast elopement photographer, I’ve seen many couples dismiss the day as just another day.
Even though you’re not surrounded by hundreds of people, this is a huge moment in your lives. This is the day you put time and money into. It’s the day some people dream about for all their lives. And just because you’re doing it in an untraditional way doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy it.
If you want to make sure the day doesn’t just feel like more than just signing a piece of paper, check out these tips
- Have a nice breakfast with your partner before the ceremony, and a special dinner
- include parts of your relationship and yourself in the ceremony
- have perfume and cologne for the day, and only wear them on special days and date nights
- Invest in getting ready photos
- get ready together
- Work with a florist to create your dream bouquet
- wear the goddam dress
- write vows for each other and read them to each other at the portraits or during the ceremony
I could go on forever about how to make your elopement special, but if you’re on the hunt for a Central Coast elopement photographer, I’d love to capture your day!
Remember that the most expensive parts of a wedding are the venue, food and alcohol. Without the guests, you’re already saving a lot of money, so you’re allowed to splurge on the things that are important to you.