There are so many wonderful reasons why people might choose to elope but often it has nothing to do with not wanting to share that day with those you love most. In fact, one of the primary reasons that so many couples are hesitant to elope is that they fear it won’t feel as special without their loved ones by their side. However, there are some fun ways that you can weave aspects of those people, whether living or deceased, into your ceremony to make it more meaningful.
1. Something Old, New, Borrowed & Blue
The classic tradition of incorporating something old, new, borrowed, and blue for the bride as good luck charms is a perfect opportunity! In fact, I often work with brides that use this tradition to incorporate heartfelt moments into their wardrobe as a way of feeling like each of those people are with them. This doesn’t exclude grooms from incorporating a sentimental borrowed item either. You get to make your own traditions – that’s the beauty of it being YOUR elopement experience.
For example, I recently worked with a bride that used her late grandmother’s ring as her something old and that had a blue heart patch sewn into the inside of her dress to honor a friend who had also passed. We also recently worked with a groom that brought along his grandfather’s watch to carry with him. Bringing along sentimental items like this helps couples feel comforted although they couldn’t be there with her in person.
2. A Live Feed Of Your Elopement Ceremony
Having a live feed via Skype, Facebook, or FaceTime is a great way of sharing your ceremony with those you love and having a sense that they are with you even if they cannot be. However, if it will be a super intimate ceremony without friends, you would be wise to set the camera up on a stand and use a remote to set it off so that you’re not playing videographer during your wedding ceremony. When the ceremony is done, you can both hop on the live feed to share how you’re feeling and perhaps even interact with your viewers for a bit. This is also a great way of easing some of the pain that your friends and family may have over not being able to be there in person.
3. Ask Them To Provide Videos, Letters, Poems, And Well Wishes
Another fun and thoughtful way of incorporating those that can’t stand beside you into your ceremony is to ask them to contribute their own words through a letter or poem. Perhaps you could have your officiant read them to you for the first time during your ceremony.
Another idea would be to have your friends and family write their well-wishes to you in a letter, or even in a digital guestbook and then you can print them to read privately on your elopement day and have a tangible copy as well. That way, their messages to you will be symbolic of the support they would give to you had they been there in person.
You could also ask friends and family to record video messages for you if you prefer. That way, you can watch them together on your wedding day or during the honeymoon and cherish them forever.
4. Invite Them To Help You Get Ready
Will your friends and family be nearby on the day of your elopement? If so, you may want to invite those that matter most to you to be there while you get ready for the ceremony. Not only can this add to the fun and jubilation of the day but it can be a symbolic way of sending you off into married life. If they won’t be nearby, perhaps you can Facetime them or Skype them to include them in your wedding day preparations.
5. Host An Intimate Dinner or Gathering Afterward
Whether your friends and family are nearby on the day of your elopement, or Colorado is a destination for you, hosting an intimate dinner after your elopement celebration either on the day of, or at a later time is a wonderful way to incorporate the people that mean the most to you. They can even take the time to toast your marriage or share words of wisdom with you at the dinner celebration. Do you want a list of our favorite Boulder restaurants with private rooms for groups? We can help with that!
Are You Considering A Colorado Elopement?
If so, our Colorado Photographer Squad would be honored to capture the most precious moments of your day! We love photographing elopements in a way that creates gorgeous images without intruding on your intimacy. For more information about photography and pricing check out our elopement pricing page!
