The appeal of eloping is pretty obvious. In fact we’re sure you’ve considered it more than once during your wedding planning journey! Although it might feel like the least stressful option, especially when you’re fending off a million questions from your guests about transport options and dress codes, there are a few things you need to consider carefully.

This is your ultimate guide to having a destination elopement without packing any of the stress!

Decide who’s coming

For this guide, we’re treating an elopement as the two of you with zero guests. A micro-wedding, with around up to thirty guests, would need to be planned more like a traditional wedding. For this you need to consider things like accommodation, feeding people and coordinating a group. Both can work brilliantly but be honest about which experience you want before you start.

If you are inviting guests, decide how much of the trip you’ll share with them. You might want everyone at the ceremony and dinner, then a week to yourselves. Explain that clearly before anyone books a fortnight in the room next door!

Start with how you want to spend the day

Picture your wedding morning – the journey to your ceremony, the vows, and what happens afterwards. Do you want to hike somewhere remote? Get ready slowly in a hotel? Walk through a city in your wedding clothes before finding somewhere for lunch?

Your answers will help narrow down your location. Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Norway and New Zealand are great options if you like the idea of dramatic landscapes and time outdoors. The Dolomites, the Greek islands, Portugal, Croatia, Switzerland and Morocco are stunning too, depending on the season and kind of trip you enjoy. For a city elopement, New York, Vegas, Paris or Dubai are great options.

For a starting point, this guide to eloping abroad covers destinations and practical considerations to help you create a shortlist.

Sort out the legal bit early

Different countries have different rules around making your wedding legal. You could also just have a symbolic ceremony and complete the legal marriage at home. A symbolic ceremony gives you total freedom over the location, wording and person leading it. You also don’t need to stress about paperwork! You can then arrange the legal ceremony separately.

For a legal wedding overseas, check the requirements with the relevant local authority before booking anything else. Depending on your destination and circumstances, you may need particular documents, translations, witnesses, appointments or a period of notice. Residency requirements can also affect your plans.

Remember to ask how you’ll receive your marriage certificate and whether you’ll need any further paperwork for use at home.

Build a budget

Removing a large guest list takes several major expenses with it. Without guests you’ll have no need for a reception venue, catering for a crowd or evening entertainment – instant money saver! Your budget will instead need to cover travel, accommodation, photography, your outfits, an officiant or celebrant, flowers and dinner for two.

Prices will vary hugely by destination, date and supplier. When enquiring be sure to ask for quotes in writing so you know exactly what’s included. Check travel charges, additional photography hours, permits, taxes and cancellation terms.

Use Facebook groups or Reddit to research vendors before you book. As its unlikely be able to meet them in person beforehand, its really important that you are confident in your choices.

Local vendors

A local photographer or planner will help you understand how a location works in practice. That’s not to say you can’t bring someone with you, but they may not have the local knowledge that someone who works there year-round will. A local will know when a place gets crowded, where the best spots for photos are, places to eat, and the amount of time you need to leave for traveling between locations.

Ask about access, permissions and restrictions. A public viewpoint or beach may have rules around ceremonies or professional photography.

Decide how you’ll tell people

One of the things couples who are eloping abroad say they find the hardest, is telling their loved ones they aren’t invited! But there are no rules here either – you can tell family beforehand, or keep it a secret and send an announcement once you’re home!

Keep your explanation simple: you’ve chosen a small wedding abroad and you’re excited about it. You don’t have to justify any of your choices! If you want a bigger celebration at home at a later date, plan something you’ll enjoy hosting and can comfortably afford. Many couples who elope wait a year and plan a big first anniversary party with their loved ones. This gives you the best of both worlds!

The best thing about eloping is the freedom it gives you, The freedom to choose yourselves, decide on the things you’re actually excited about and not have to make accommodations for anybody else! You’ve got a whole day to spend exactly how you want, followed by a holiday together. That sounds like a pretty good way to start married life to us.