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With the holiday season behind us, there's a new wave of engaged couples that have emerged (I mean, have you SEEN those engagement ring photos on Instagram *bling*!?). In light of the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, couples have opted to move forward with weddings in more alternative ways (even virtually!). What the wedding season will look like this year - no one really knows - so escaping and spontaneously eloping with your beloved is the quickest, easiest, safest, and most cost-effective option - it’s a win-win! Keep reading to learn more.
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How to Elope
So you’ve decided that eloping is the way you want to say “I Do!” (Kudos to you!), but you’re unsure of the next steps to make this dream wedding day a reality. Here’s a simple step-by-step check-list to follow for planning your perfect elopement!
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The first step is determining where/how you’d like to elope. Are you more of a free-spirited nature enthusiast? Perhaps a forest or lakeside elopement is the best option for you. Take a look at Kiersten and Zach’s Lakeside Elopement for some major inspo. Or maybe you’re more of a traditionalist and would like to opt for a civil ceremony at your local City or Town Hall. No matter what route you take, make sure it’s something that feels right for you both. Someplace that’s steeped in meaning or a destination that will make you smile and just enjoy your special day.
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Depending on where (see above), the next step is to arrange who will be marrying you. If it’s a civil ceremony, that’s easy and will just require that you book a date for your big day and complete the applicable paperwork prior. If you’ve opted for something a little more free-spirited in, say, the wilderness, try researching officiants in the area you can hire that don’t mind getting a little dirty! Alternatively, it’s surprisingly easy to become an officiant, so consider asking a friend or a family member to marry you. What’s more intimate and special than having your BFF or sister help you tie-the-knot!?
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- Book a photographer or videographer
The best way to document your special day is by hiring a photographer/videographer to capture every special moment of your magical elopement. There are so many really spectacular photographers out there - and even some that specialize in elopements. Do your research and ensure you’re hiring the best photographer for you. Take a look at our Inspire Me Series on Alberta-based photographer Brittany Ross for an idea of how important it is to pick a great photographer -- every little detail counts!
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@fallon_photography
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- Pick the perfect dress to suit your elopement destination.
When you decide to elope, it means that you can opt-out of more traditional wedding dress styles. When choosing the best dress to have a shot-gun-wedding, the #1 RULE is: have FUN with it! You can steer away from more classic shapes and colors and try your hand at shorter styles, alternative colors (and, yes, black is totally appropriate eloping attire). Maybe even try something different, like a jumpsuit! For a full and frank report on picking your perfect wedding day attire, be sure to check out our blog post here on How To Find Your Perfect Dress.
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From there, you can work out all the little nitty-gritty details yourselves -- like where to eat or what to serve, if you’re inviting guests (organizing your invites or eVite), planning your floral arrangement (bouquet & boutonniere), choosing a playlist or hiring someone to play tunes and, if necessary, a make-up artist. In conclusion, choosing to elope is like your very own Choose Your Own Adventure. You can tailor it to suit your unique mood/vibe for your big day -- there are no limits! And best of all, eloping takes away from all the extra planning (read: stress) of a larger scale wedding so that you can just focus on what matters most - committing to forever with your one true love. Given recent events, it’s been amazing to see people get back to the ROOT of what weddings are truly all about - LOVE, SWEET LOVE.
Happy eloping, dreamers!
Xo,
Team BLUSH