The Ultimate Elopement Checklist for Your Big Day

If you and your partner have decided you want to start the next chapter of your love story with an intimate wedding, you need an elopement checklist to help guide you through the planning and postwedding stages. Since we understand how overwhelming it can be to create your own elopement planning checklist, we provided the steps below so you don't have to.

To learn more about how to elope, we tapped elopement planners from across the country. From the steps you need to take before saying "I do," to items for your wedding day-of checklist, read on for expert-approved steps to follow to create a smooth experience.

In this article: What Is Eloping? | Before Elopement Checklist | After Elopement Checklist

What Is Eloping?

According to Chandler Fowles, creative director of Enchanting Engagements in NYC, eloping "simply means having a small, intimate wedding focused on the couple." That said, Rochelle Cheever, creative director and founder of The Elopement Experience and author of Luxury Elopements, notes that some couples opt to keep their elopement to just the two and their officiant, whereas others invite their closest friends and family to witness the moment. It is one of the types of wedding ceremonies that can be customized to your and your partner's preferences and made as minimalist or extravagant as you see fit.

Before Elopement Checklist

Read on for an elopement wedding checklist you can follow during the planning process. We even created a graphic to save to your account on The Knot (where you can access your favorites) by clicking the heart icon in its upper right-hand corner. While Katie Logan, CEO and lead planner of Logan Planning Solutions, based in Milford, Massachusetts, notes that a couple's elopement checklist varies depending on their desired elopement type, there are a couple of items that generally overlap.

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1. Set Your Budget

Establishing your budget should be the first item you cross off your elopement to-do list. Use The Knot Budget Advisor for a rough estimate of your elopement cost by adding up how much your eloping checklist items will cost based on how much other couples have spent in your desired location. "Every couple needs a starting point, and it usually begins with defining their budget and the overall experience they want," Cheever says. "This decision determines whether they'll plan a DIY elopement or a more curated, luxury experience."

2. Hire an Elopement Planner

While hiring an elopement planner isn't necessarily a required item on your elopement checklist, you may find one helpful. "It's great to have a planner who can guide you through the different details you will want to think about prior to your event," Fowles says. From selecting your venue to securing your marriage license, an elopement planner is equipped to guide you and your partner through it all.

3. Set a Time, Date and Venue

While this might seem like an obvious item for a simple eloping checklist, you and your partner need to solidify where and when you'll elope. While a city hall is a traditional elopement venue, you can also choose to host your ceremony at a different location or even another country. Other popular elopement locations include state and national parks, cities such as Las Vegas and scenic beaches. If you plan to elope abroad or anywhere requiring a special permit, verify that you meet the necessary requirements.

4. Obtain Your Marriage License

You can't get married without a marriage license. In fact, it is one of the most important pieces of paperwork you need for an elopement. That said, the details regarding how you and your partner can obtain your marriage will change depending on your marriage location. "Some states or countries have waiting periods, others require witnesses, and many destinations require permits for having a ceremony on public land," Logan says. You typically will be able to find the information you need regarding the validity and expiration of marriage licenses at places, including a county's probate office or records office.

5. Hire an Officiant

Having an officiant is another important item on your elopement planning checklist. When it comes to finding a wedding officiant, you can select one who does elopements on The Knot Vendor Marketplace. Not only can you filter the officiant options by your elopement location, but you can also do so by religious affiliation. Fowles notes that your officiant (in most cases) will handle the rest after you obtain your marriage license and provide forms of identification.

6. Hire an Elopement Photographer

Regardless of whether you invite a couple of friends and family members to watch you start the next chapter of your love story (and capture some photos), don't rule out an elopement photographer. "Even if you're going downtown to city hall, a professional photographer can capture your day beautifully and give you gorgeous photos to always cherish," Logan says. Cheever notes that elopement photographers sometimes take on the role of an elopement planner.

7. Get Your Attire

Your elopement attire can be anything you want it to be. While you can keep things traditional with suits and dresses, you don't have to. You can keep it as casual or formal as you'd like. Shop for elopement wedding dresses or other formal attire sooner rather than later to ensure availability and that you have time to make any necessary alterations.

8. Secure Your Rings

Fowles advises securing your rings ahead of your wedding day. You'll want to do so promptly to ensure you have them and that they fit correctly ahead of your ceremony.

9. Decide on Your Reception

If you want to have a postelopement party or reception, it is best practice to reserve your venue and plan it ahead of time, so you don't have to worry about doing so after making things official. Cheever notes that couples who opt to do this often elope elsewhere (such as in another country) and then have a celebration back at home for anyone who couldn't attend. "For example, we've had couples who eloped in Italy and later hosted a pizza party at home to carry the theme through," Cheever says.

After Elopement Checklist

Just because you've said "I do," doesn't always mean you're officially married from a legal standpoint. But don't worry, we've created a postelopement checklist you can tackle to seal the deal.

1. Submit Your Signed Marriage License

"Don't forget to submit that signed marriage license to the local municipal office," Logan says. "You don't want to overlook making your marriage legally binding!"

2. Create Keepsakes

"Create some keepsakes for yourselves," Logan recommends. "You can have your elopement florals preserved and framed as a keepsake, you can purchase some customized mementos for your home with your elopement date, create a photo album of your day or even get matching tattoos to commemorate the day if that's your style."

3. Change Your Last Name

While it might be tempting to think that your last name automatically changes after saying "I do," it does not. When it comes to changing your name after the wedding, you want to confirm you have all of the proper documents, including your social security card, proof of citizenship or residency, photo identification, proof of address and your marriage certificate. You'll also want to verify that your name has been updated with any important establishments, including the Social Security Administration and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

4. Share the News

Now is the time to send the elopement announcements to your close friends and family. While you can announce your news online via email, social media or an e-card, sending these cards via mail can enhance their impact—your loved ones will appreciate them, too.