So, you and your partner want to elope quickly, but you’re unsure what is and isn’t possible. The good news? It’s totally possible. On the other hand? It may take some strategic planning and creativity. 

Rest assured, taking an “expedited” approach to the elopement planning process doesn’t mean your big day will be any less meaningful. You can still have most of what you dream of and more. It just means you need to focus on your priorities and think outside the box.

In my step-by-step elopement guide, I lay the foundation for planning your big day over the course of 6 to 12 months. But, for those with less than six months to work with, this article takes all that information, condenses it, and highlights how to prioritize each item within that time frame. My goal is to help you feel less stressed throughout this process so you can spend more time feeling excited and full of love leading up to your special day.

Things to Remember When You Elope Quickly

A well-thought-out elopement takes time—many couples take up to a year to plan their celebrations. But, as mentioned, eloping in a tighter time frame is still possible. Because of the shorter timeline, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Vendors book quickly because your ideal ones might not be available for your intended date and time. But that doesn’t mean booking your dream ones is impossible! I’ve helped plan an elopement in less than three months—so it never hurts to ask.
• You may not have your first choice of location, accommodations, or arrangements.
• You may need to pay more for things like flights and accommodations (usually, the closer you are to the date, the more expensive these will be).
• You may need to get more creative with your elopement spot. For example, if venues or experiences book fast, try looking for more accessible spots on short notice, like a friend’s backyard or an Airbnb.

How to Get Married Fast: Deciding Priorities

When you have a shorter timeline for planning your elopement, the key is deciding your priorities. Some critical parts in this planning process to focus on include:

• Deciding on your location
• Understanding your budget
• Accommodations and travel
• Attire
• Vendors

How to Elope Quickly in 6 Months or Less: Timeline

Here’s a general timeline to keep in your back pocket when planning to elope quickly: 

6 Months Before

First things first: As soon as you begin the elopement planning process, the first month is usually the busiest. This is because you’ll want to brainstorm your ideas and make quick decisions so that you can book necessary experiences, accommodations, transportation, and vendors as quickly as possible. The rule at this point is, “The sooner, the better!”

The first thing to do is a brainstorming session. I recommend this to all couples, no matter how much time they have to plan. This session ensures you and your partner can get on the same page about your visions and plan accordingly. Six months before, you should also:

1. Choose a date: This will help you align any bookings if necessary.
2. Choose a general location: Keep your ideal spots in mind, and be realistic about them, given your timeline. It can be beneficial to look into having your elopement in a location that doesn’t require permits to avoid the extra rush or stress of processing.
3. Book your photographer: Out of all the vendors, your photographer is the most important one to book as soon as possible because they can book up quickly—many photographers are fully booked a year or more in advance. They can be an invaluable resource in helping you plan your elopement, scout out ideal locations, and make this expedited planning process smoother.
4. Talk about your budget: It’s essential to have a general idea of your budget, but keep in mind that the key is to keep it flexible—prices of experiences, vendors, and other expenses can vary, especially the closer you get to your elopement day.
5. Think about guests: Think about whether or not you’d like to invite guests to your elopement. If so, this would be the time to invite them or make them aware of your plans.

4 to 5 Months Before

Once you have the key priorities sorted above, I recommend prioritizing the following in this order:

1. Book lodging and transportation: At this stage, you should ideally have your specific location decided on—which your photographer can help you with. Once you know the location and date, look into booking your accommodations and transportation as soon as possible. Flights and lodging often become more expensive the longer you wait.
2. Book other necessary vendors: To help relieve the stress of the time crunch, consider hiring and outsourcing services where possible. Other vendors include elopement planners, officiants, floral, and hair and makeup.
3. Order your attire: Plan your outfits as early as possible, especially if you still intend to get them custom-made or tailored. However, for those with limited time, you may need to consider strategies like thrifting your elopement outfit or buying from non-wedding-specific stores. 

2 to 3 Months Before

Up next, I recommend doing the following in the two to three months before your elopement day:

1. Get your permits: If permits are necessary for your elopement (like special permits or photography permits), it’s helpful to get these sorted well in advance to allow for any delays in processing.
2. Get your marriage license: Marriage licenses are typically valid for six months after you receive them—which should fit perfectly into your time window.
3. Plan Your Itinerary: This includes all the activities and experiences you’d like to have on the day and any plans for an after-elopement party or celebration.
4. Create a Plan B: A backup plan is necessary for any elopement, as unexpected hiccups can happen anytime. After you’ve planned out your general itinerary, explore alternative options for you and your partner to revert to if you need to pivot at the last minute due to weather conditions or other unanticipated circumstances.

1 Month Before

In the weeks leading up to your elopement, it’s all about tying up loose ends. If you need to make any last-minute reservations, whether for restaurants, adventures, or other experiences, now is the time. Consider creating a checklist to help you keep track of any outstanding items. 

You should also create your packing list beforehand to give yourself time to buy supplies and accessories, such as umbrellas, journals, and decor. 

Additionally, keep lines of communication open with your photographer and other vendors to ensure the plan is solid, all items are accounted for, and everything is organized.

1 to 2 Weeks Before

It’s not a secret that a quick elopement can come with some heightened stress. If you get to this point, congratulations! As you continue tying up loose ends, I encourage you to take the time with your partner to ground yourselves and get excited about the big day. Surely, this planning process has been exciting, but you may also have some anxious feelings. Your elopement likely won’t feel real until you actually get there, especially when you feel pressed for time while getting organized in a tighter time frame.

To help settle those feelings, try making space to spend quality time together. Do things you enjoy, talk about your thoughts, excitements, and worries, and just exist together and soak in the present. You’re about to marry the person you love—this is the time to prepare emotionally for such a special moment. 

Ready to Hire Your Photographer?

As I mentioned, a photographer is one of the most important vendors you can hire, especially when you need to elope quickly. I’ve had countless experiences helping couples plan their elopement. So, when you include me in the mix right from the beginning, I can help you sift through any confusion and stress, leading to a more seamless planning experience! Reach out to me to learn how we can work with your shorter planning timeline, create the elopement of your dreams, and capture photographs that will last a lifetime.