How Much Does it Cost to Elope?
A Guide to Planning Your Elopement Cost (with Calculator)
Congratulations, you just got engaged! An engagement is one of the most exciting times in any relationship and, no matter how long your engagement period lasts, at some point, you’ll likely start thinking about your wedding planning options. You may have even already asked yourself questions such as “What direction do we want to go?” or “What’s right for us as a couple?” If so, then you’re already on the right track and if you know that an elopement is right for you, then you’re in the right place. Today on the blog, I’m diving into one of the first questions couples ask themselves when deciding to get married: how much does it cost to elope? We’ll dig into the different types of elopements as well as a list of vendors you may want to hire for your special day.
Elopements vs. Weddings
If you’ve already decided to elope, congratulations! If you’re still wondering what is the difference between an elopement vs a wedding, not to worry! I’ve written an entire blog about “what is an elopement” and the difference between the two which you can read below.
To summarize the main difference between an elopement and a wedding comes down to the things that matter the most to you and what you value. Do you see yourself getting married around a large gathering with friends and family that focuses on tradition? Then a wedding might be right for you. Of course, traditional weddings aren’t for everyone, and that’s ok! If you value intentional experiences and moments with your loved ones, then you may want to consider eloping. In the end, it’s not about what you do; it’s about how you feel about your experience.
How To Set a Wedding Budget
Aligning your vision:
This is where things get interesting (and very realistic). Wedding-related services vary so much in rates depending on the vendor’s experience, professionalism, type of service, how much help you receive, and the overall quality of the service. Logically speaking, setting an arbitrary budget will restrict your plans, because how can you set a budget without knowing the full service you’re receiving? Similar to any other investment, research is needed, and I’m a true believer in doing research for what I connect with before setting a budget. Since wedding services vary so much, ask yourself what type of experience you want. What are the things that matter the most to you? Do you need help planning or booking places? How much help do you need navigating your wedding? Do I have time to coordinate and meet with so many different vendors? For the majority, this is the first time planning a wedding, and there can be so many unknowns, variables, and hidden aspects to consider before actually setting a wedding budget.
Reach out to vendors:
After you’ve set your values, what you care most about and aligned your vision, this is where reaching out to vendors such as photographers, planners, and venues start coming in handy to see what they have to offer and how they can assist you with bringing your vision to life. Then, after getting familiar with everything, base your budget on the people and vendors that you connect the most with. Keep in mind that the right and experienced vendors for what you’re after will make your planning process so much easier when it comes to getting married the way that feels right to you. Vendors can provide so much assistance because when you put your trust in us, we will give back in unimaginable ways because of how special it is to be part of your wedding.
Set your budget:
Now that you’ve connected with the right vendors, and familiarized yourself with what they offer, it’s time to set your budget and prioritize what matters to you with the given options. Reaching out to vendors and chatting with them is part of the process, and we all love sharing what we offer and connecting with awesome couples like you.
A huge favor (from all vendors):
On behalf of all wedding vendors, we ask for a huge favor: If you reached out, emailed, DMed, or met with vendors, and decided to go in a different direction or they are not the right fit, then that’s okay!! It’s all part of the process… but please be courteous for the efforts and time spent to help you and make sure to get back to them and let them know about your decision. Trust me on this, it won’t bother us one bit, and actually, we’d be glad to know you found the right vendors for your day.
Elopement Location Cost
When it comes to elopements, the location you choose is one of the most important factors in creating a beautiful and memorable experience. The right location can set the tone for your entire day and make your elopement feel truly special. Whether you're dreaming of a mountaintop ceremony, a beachside exchange of vows, or a charming city hall wedding, the location you choose will play a significant role in the overall cost of your elopement. Researching different locations and understanding their associated costs, such as permit fees or travel expenses, is an important first step in setting your elopement budget. Whether you're planning an elopement in your own backyard or traveling to a far-off destination, understanding the costs associated with your special day location is an important part of the planning process.
Once you've narrowed down your options, it's important to research each location thoroughly. Be sure to check for any necessary permits or fees, such as national park permits or venue rental, or insurance fees. Some locations may also have restrictions on the number of guests or the use of certain equipment (such as music, photography, videography, catering, etc.), so be sure to read up on any rules or regulations that may apply as some additional or special permit costs may be required.
You can’t forget transportation! It's important to consider the logistics of your elopement location. How will you and your partner get there? Are you celebrating with loved ones and if so, how will they get there? Is there parking available or do we need to hike? Will you need to provide transportation or hire a shuttle service? These are all important questions to ask when choosing your elopement location.
In short, choosing the right location for your elopement is about finding a setting that reflects your personality as a couple, while also taking into account practical considerations such as permits, weather, and logistics that could add to the cost of your elopement. In some cases, the location might require additional permits or fees depending on the size of the wedding you’re having.
* Pro tip: Don’t let all the logistical information restrict your decisions to celebrate your way - Most of the details will fall into place as you plan with your vendors.
Elopement vs. Wedding Cost - Quick Breakdown
Below is a simple breakdown of the average costs between Elopement/intimate weddings and traditional weddings.
These costs will vary depending on location, the vendors you choose, the experience you’re after, the style of wedding, and the quality of services you’re for your day.
Keep scrolling for the extended and detailed breakdown
Elopements
Marriage License: $50-$150
Stationaries/Invites: $0 - $200
Venue: $0 - $2500
Permits: $75 - $345
Planning: $600 - $6,000+
Wedding Attire: $900 - $5,000+
Photography: $7500+
Videography: $6500+
Hair & Makeup: $150 - $600+
Officiant: $0-$600+
Florist: $400-$1500
Catering: (10 guests): $2500 - $4500
Dessert/cake: $50 - $500
Rentals: $1,000 - $2,500
Music/Musician: $0 - $500
Misc/Special experience: $4,000+
Weddings
Marriage License: $50-$150
Stationaries/Invites: $400 - $1500
Venue: $2000-12,000+
Permits: $100 - $500
Planning: $1,500 - $10,000+
Wedding Attire: $900 - $5,000+
Photography: $7,500+
Videography: $6,500+
Hair & Makeup: $500-$1,500+
Officiant: $200-$1200
Florist: $2,000-$4,500+
Catering: (100 guests): $17500 - $25,000
Dessert/cake: $200 - $1000+
Rentals: $5,000-$10,000+
DJ/Live Music: 600 - $8000+
Misc/Special experience: $4,000+
As you can see from the list above, when it comes to cost, there are a few similarities between Elopements and weddings. As mentioned in my other blog, the difference between elopements and Intimate Weddings, the 3 main differences between elopements and weddings are the overall size of the wedding, the hosting location/venue, and whether you’re including guests or not. Many wedding investments, such as photography, videography, wedding attire, permits, and the overall experience remain the same because these services are unchanged regardless of the size or location of your wedding.
Elopements and intimate weddings tend to have fewer guests than traditional weddings, with fewer formalities, which allows for more budget flexibility to hire those you truly connect with to provide the best service possible and experience you’re after.
If you’re interested in knowing more about the difference between Elopements and Intimate Weddings, check out this blog below:
Elopement Cost - Extended Breakdown
Eloping is special. It’s all about choosing what’s important to you and your partner. Oftentimes this means cutting costs on the things you don’t care about to invest more in the things you do.
So let’s break it down. Below is a list of common elopement costs I’ve seen when working with my couples. Don’t let this list be the stopping point though. Feel free to come up with your own ideas that will help make your elopement day unique to you!
Travel
Whether you’re eloping in your home state or halfway around the world, there will likely be some travel costs associated with your elopement. Local elopements may only require a tank or two of gas, but destination elopements can come with a whole other set of costs.
Some costs to think about if you are planning a destination elopement are flights, transportation, rental car or other travel arrangements, Airbnb/lodging, etc. You’ll also want to consider your destination and the time of year as prices can fluctuate depending on the season.
Travel elopement costs: $150 (Local) - $3000 (Destination)
Guests and Hosting
Hosting family and friends at your elopement doesn’t always mean that you need a venue to celebrate. There are so many different ways you can include loved ones in your elopement, from having them join you for the ceremony to celebrating together over a meal afterward.
Sometimes, it’s special for couples to get a vacation rental for themselves and their guests to stay. This way everyone is able to experience the elopement together from the getting ready part of the day to the ceremony to the evening celebrations. If your elopement takes place at a remote location, consider the cost of feeding your guests. If everyone is staying in one place, you may need to be responsible for the cost of the rental property, along with food and drinks.
No matter how you decide to do so, know that it is possible to invite loved ones to celebrate your special day. And, the best part? Only YOU get to decide what that looks like!
Guests and hosting costs: $500 - $3,900
Lunch/Dinner at a restaurant - $500-$1,000
3-Day vacation rental - $1,800-$3,400
Groceries (depending on the number of guests) - $300-$500
Wedding Attire & Details
Choosing what to wear on your wedding day is one of the best ways to express your individual personality. If traditional wedding attire doesn’t feel authentic to you, don’t feel pressure to wear something just because it’s expected. You’ll be able to enjoy your wedding day so much more if you feel good in what you’re wearing.
Also, keep in mind that what you wear on your wedding day will forever be in your photos. Don’t hesitate to splurge on a wedding outfit that reflects who you truly are. Don’t shy away from incorporating accessories, jewelry, and any other special items you feel connected to - it’s a great way to personalize your look!
*Pro tip: if you’re not a traditional couple, don’t feel pressure to wear traditional attire or a traditional color. Bringing your own personality to your day is what eloping is all about.
Full wedding attire costs: $900 - $5,000+
Full Suit: $400 - $2,000
Wedding Dress: $500- $3,000+
Accessories: $150 - $1000+
Officiant
Having an officiant or celebrant for your elopement can help set the entire tone of your ceremony. Your officiant is there to not just perform the ceremony and oversee the legal aspects of your wedding, but a good officiant will also help tell your love story through words. They may make you laugh or cry or help bring out real, authentic emotions during the ceremony.
A special approach to officiating is having a friend or family member become officially ordained and lead the ceremony. Becoming ordained is a simple process that can be done online and it’s completely free! Having a loved one perform your ceremony can be very meaningful, and can even save you some money.
Keep in mind though, that hired officiants do more than just lead the ceremony. They oftentimes write personalized ceremony scripts, and can also help you with the legal aspect of your marriage. This becomes especially important if you are getting married in a different country and need help translating your paperwork.
*Pro tip: Even if you get married before your elopement day for any reason, hiring an officiant will bring a wonderful ceremonial aspect to your wedding day and commitment to each other.
Officiant costs: $0 - $1,200
Getting a family member ordained: $0
Hiring an elopement officiant or celebrant: $300-$1,200
Elopement Photographer
Hiring the right elopement photographer is arguably one of the most crucial investments couples can make in their elopement. I don’t just say this because I am an elopement photographer, but because I also know from personal experience that hiring the right photographer for your wedding day can help make your elopement day and overall experience tenfold better.
I want to be clear - photography, in general, can be affordable, good photography is expensive, but great photography is priceless! Yes, your photos are important and they will only gain value and importance to you over time - one day they will be the only visuals you have to look back at when loved ones have gone or children are grown - but practicality is also important. Hiring an experienced elopement photographer will help make your overall wedding planning experience better. They will not only guide you and help you plan for the special moments, but they will also know how to capture the day, adapt to different situations, be prepared for anything that might come up, and so much more!
*Pro tip from Will Khoury: Well-established & professional photographers can guide and assist you with so much more than only taking photos. If you love someone’s work, inquire with them early to ensure availability to get the photos you dream of. In many cases, early booking has its perks and could also save you some money down the road when planning comes into play - especially if you’re planning a destination elopement. Hiring the same photographer for multiple wedding-related events (Proposals/engagement sessions/Post-wedding adventure sessions) can also work in your favor for a consistent look and style to your photos across the board. This will also save you so much time during the planning process when meeting with one photographer compared to multiple photographers.
Elopement photographer costs: $4,500 - $15,000
Elopement Planner
Oftentimes, elopement photographers can double as your elopement coordinators (at least in the case of hiring Will Khoury). But for some couples, having someone that can help dive deeper into elopement planning is important.
Additional to the planning assistance you may receive from your elopement photographer (such as the best time to take photos or general photography timeline), a designated elopement planner can help you with the hosting of additional services. Oftentimes your elopement planner will help you with booking recommendations, hands-on guidance, vendor communication, elopement day coordination, and all the other ins-and-out of planning.
There is a big misconception that planning an elopement is simpler than planning a traditional wedding. While that may be true in some cases, planning an elopement oftentimes has different layers to consider that you might not have even thought about in the early stages - especially when it comes to a destination elopement. That’s where the help of a specialized elopement and initiate wedding planner can be extremely beneficial to your overall experience.
*Pro tip: In many cases, having an elopement planner is the way to go. This is especially recommended when friends and family are part of your celebration. Otherwise, coordinating everyone on your wedding day will fall on you, leaving you with more tasks to do than time to enjoy your special day.
Elopement planner costs: $600 - $5,000
Elopement Videographer
Similar to photography, elopement videography plays a key part in telling the narrative of your elopement day. The added layer of motion picture and audio of your vows allows you to see your wedding day in an artistic way that can bring back the feeling and the memory of the day.
You may think about setting up a phone to record your ceremony, and while that could be okay for some couples, it may not be for you if you love videography and storytelling. Videography is an artform on its own and having someone who knows their craft well can focus all their attention on capturing your day, in a creative and well-composed approach. Keep in mind that setting up a phone might not be the best option as the audio quality will not be professional and video quality will lack a storytelling element. This is where hiring a videographer can be extremely beneficial to capturing and reliving your day. It’s a great bridge for loved ones who weren’t there but can still share the adventure/experience.
Pro-tip from Chris Mai of Goodco Studios: When looking for an elopement videographer, be sure to hire someone who has the style you connect with. Are you wanting something more epic and cinematic or more emotive and tactile? Maybe you want something more light-hearted because it fits your personality better. Some videographers will have their niche, and a few are very adaptable. The creative process is completely subjective. It’s not just the visuals, but it’s the emotional journey. When you review a video portfolio, don’t just look at the footage, but listen to what is being said, and how it is presented.
Goodco Studio IG: @Goodco Studios
Elopement videographer costs: $3,500 - $9,000
Santorini Elopement Film by
Capture Color Studios
Iceland Elopement Film by
Goodco Studios
Catering
Let's be real - you can't go hungry on your wedding day, and they say the best meals you can ever have, is the ones you have with family and friends. Honestly, food is one of the most important parts of having a pleasant time on your wedding day - especially if you're a foodie like me. Whether you're eloping or having an intimate wedding, food is an experience on its own. If you're having a destination elopement, you can incorporate the local cuisine into your day and make it even more special!! But if you’re not having a destination elopement, then finding a local caterer in your area is the way to go.
Keep in mind that if you're having an intimate wedding with a few loved ones, then having food for them is a must. There are many ways to do so and it all depends on the area and the resources around, but if catering isn't an option for what you're after, then finding a nearby restaurant to gather at would be the way to go, otherwise, hiring a professional caterer to come to your Airbnb / Vrbo to provide delicious food and cook for everyone would be the way to go!
When planning a wedding, there is so much to consider and manage. When hiring the correct caterer who is familiar with the area they can take so much off your plate, no pun intended. The local caterer might have catered at the Airbnb or rental you are utilizing and help make suggestions. They can also help recommend trustworthy vendors such as florists, entertainment, cake, or rentals.
Pro-tip by Hollie Jackson of H Jackson Events, Big Sur: Catering does all the hard work of writing the menu, sourcing all the local food, purchasing it, bringing it to the site, cooking it, serving it, and the best luxury of all, cleaning it all up!
Hollie Jackson IG: @hjacksonevent
Elopement Catering Cost for two: $200-$500
Intimate Wedding Catering Cost (10 guests): $2500 - $4500
Traditional Wedding Catering Cost (100 guests): $17500 - $25000 (excluding alcohol)
Hair & Makeup
One of the best ways to pamper yourself on your wedding day is by getting your hair and makeup done. Hiring a professional hair and makeup artist (HMU) will not only allow you to feel refreshed and pampered on your big day, but it will also help ensure you are looking your best in your photos.
When choosing a look for your elopement day, it’s best to schedule a trial run ahead of time. This way, your stylist(s) can test out your desired look and make any adjustments necessary. You also want to be careful not to overdo it. You still want to look like yourself, just with a little extra flair.
If hair and makeup aren’t your thing, that’s ok. Some people may opt to do their hair and makeup themselves which can also help save on cost - but, if you’re able, this is a great way to treat yourself!
*Pro tip: don’t forget the grooms! Grooms can get pampered as well with services like beard trimming, manicured nails, etc.
Hair & makeup costs: $150 - $600 (1 person) - $600-$1000 (Multiple people)
Florist
Flowers have the amazing ability to bring life and magic to your elopement day. Flower arrangements, bouquets, and boutonnières can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish and they have the ability to help with the overall styling of your elopement, bringing a cohesive look and feel to your day.
If you’re planning a destination wedding, consider finding a local florist who can create the style you’re after, or sourcing local flowers. Or, consider dried or artificial arrangements that will hold their shape and won’t wilt in hot weather.
*Pro tip: with any elopement or intimate wedding it’s important to consider our impact on the environment. Whenever eloping outdoors or in nature, be sure you don’t leave any flowers or flower petals behind. While they may be organic, they can still bring harm to native plants and animals.
Florist costs: $400 - $2,000
Dessert/Cake
Every wedding needs cake! Ok, not really, but it is always fun to celebrate your new marriage with a treat. Maybe it’s something sweet or maybe you want to add a champagne toast or pop for excitement!! After all, it IS your wedding day!
*Pro tip: cake isn’t the only option, some couples decide to go in a different direction with another dessert they like. This is your day, get creative with it and make it your own.
Cake costs: $50 - $400
Extras - Excursions & Special Experiences
This is where you can really have fun with your elopement planning. Sit down and take some time to dream with your partner. What adventure or activities would you like to include in your day? What would make your day really special (on top of getting married!)? Some ideas to help you get started are:
Hiking
Classic car rental
Helicopter ride
Kayaking/Canoeing
Horseback Riding
Off-roading / ATVs
Hot Air Balloon ride
The activities you include in your elopement are ways to elevate your experience and make your elopement day even more memorable. Your activities could be something you both already love doing together, or it could be trying out something new. The sky truly is the limit here!
Of course, the costs of these activities can fluctuate depending on what you choose, but I always recommend couples find at least one or two meaningful experiences to include in their day.
Pro tip: consider choosing activities that can also be photographed and, if so, be sure to plan for enough room for your photographer to join because you’re gonna want to capture this memorable experience!
Excursions & special experiences cost: $1,500-$5,000
Permits & Licenses
Outside of the legal costs of getting married, you may also need to plan for a few additional fees depending on where your elopement takes place.
If you are eloping at a venue or national park, oftentimes special use permits are required in order to reserve a wedding ceremony space. Keep in mind that these fees are in addition to the entry fee that is required for most parks.
Permit costs: $75 - $345
Marriage License - $10-$115
Special use permit - $60-$200
Park entry - $5-$30
Things to consider for your wedding, without compromising your experience
Elope in a meaningful setting for you and your partner, and celebrate with friends and family later in a more casual setting.
Combine your elopement and honeymoon location in one! Think of a Greek Island, Italy’s Amalfi Coast, or the Swiss Alps!!
Find lodging that doubles as your ceremony or dinner location. This will save on transportation as well!
If you’re eloping in nature, let nature be your decorations!!
DIY a few things to make them more personal.
Incorporate family heirlooms instead of buying new jewelry.
Hiring the same vendor for multiple events; many will offer special rates or custom collections for your ongoing support!
Hiring a caterer is great, but sometimes a relaxed approach like pizza will do too!!
Downsize your cake to a personal size.
Don’t follow what the internet tells you you “must” do. Keep your celebration meaningful to you and let go of any extra “fluff.”