The best thing about eloping is that there are no rules! You can design your wedding day to match your personality as a couple exactly, and leave out anything that doesn’t fit. Splurge on the things that matter to you, and ditch the rest!
My Recommendations For Choosing Your Wedding Vendors
The first step I recommend taking is sitting down with your partner and deciding what actually matters to you. I go through this in more depth in my blog about Planning a Kickass Elopement. If it’s really important to you both to have a beautifully arranged dinner, hire someone to set it up! But if you don’t really care, then just grab some delish dinner at a local restaurant and call it a day.
If you’ve decided to invite guests to your elopement then you may want to add a few additional vendors, just to make the day flow more smoothly and ensure that you don’t have to worry about anything. DIY is great for some things (think: new wallpaper in the bathroom), but you may want to bring in the pros for your wedding day so you and your guests don’t end up working!
Most Common Elopement Vendors:
Photographers
I know I’m biased here, but OF COURSE you need a photographer to capture one of the most important days of your entire life! Most couples spend the bulk of their budget here, and understandably so. The memories your photographs hold are priceless, and if you elope with no guests in attendance you’ll want to be able to show loved ones photos later. Most couples choose to have their whole day documented, but some do opt for just a few hours of coverage.
Florists
Flowers are absolutely the most popular wedding vendor, behind photographers. There are many different floral options, from beautiful bespoke bouquets, to boutonnieres, floral arches for your ceremony site, flower crowns, etc. This is another area where it’s fun to splurge a bit since you’re not paying for florals for a big reception, you can really go wild on the few pieces you do want.
Hair & Makeup Artists
You might be surprised, but hair and makeup artists are used to weird hours and many of them are totally willing to get up at the crack of dawn accommodate your wedding day schedule! This is a vendor I always recommend (especially if hair/makeup isn’t your forte), and is a great way to pamper yourself a bit.
Officiants
Rather ironically officiants are often the most overlooked wedding vendor! Although it is legal to self-solemnize in some states (marry yourselves), most of the time you’ll need an officiant. My favorite thing to see is when couples choose an ordained loved-one to marry them, it’s so special! If you decide to get married at a destination location you’ll need an officiant, and they’re not too hard to find.
Wedding Planner
Many elopement photographers will work with you to help plan the logistics of your day and craft a timeline with plenty of breathing room, but many couples choose to hire a planner to pull together ALL of the details. At The Wild Elopement we offer planning as well as photography, so just ask me about your day and we can walk through options!
Designers
If you’re having a micro wedding, a styled picnic, or want a beautiful ceremony site, I highly recommend looking into hiring a wedding designer! A designer is different from a planner in that they can imagine and create beautiful, unique designs. A planner is generally just for logistics and coordination to make things run smoothly, a designer makes them beautiful.
Caterer / Private Chef
Just because you’re not feeding 100 guests doesn’t mean you don’t need to eat! This is where caterers and private chefs come into the picture. If you and your partner love a delicious and beautiful mean, why not include that in your elopement and really create an experience!
Videographer
Some couples choose to hire a videographer along with their photographer for their elopement to capture the moments and emotions of their celebration in a way that still photos cannot fully portray. A well-crafted elopement video serves as a cherished keepsake, allowing the couple to relive their special day and share it with loved ones who couldn’t be present. It captures the vows, the laughter, the tears, and the joy in motion, preserving the authenticity and essence of the couple’s unique love story.
Other Potential Vendors
These vendors aren’t as frequently hired as the above, but we’ve seen them at many elopements and intimate weddings. If you have questions regarding any of them just reach out! We’ll be glad to help.
- Venue
- Cake baker
- Transportation
- Paper goods / Invitations
- Rentals / Décor
- Music
Frequently Asked Questions About Elopement Vendors:
Q. What vendors do I need to book for my elopement?
A. Whichever are most important to you! Couples typically hire some of these vendors: Photographer, Planner, Hair & Makeup Artist, Florist, Officiant, Private Chef
There are no rules for who you should book, it really depends on your budget and what will have the biggest impact on your day. If you HAD to choose just one vendor I’d highly recommend booking a photographer – of course I’m biased – but for good reason! I want you to have gorgeous photos to commemorate your wedding day so you can relive it over and over again.
Q. How Far in Advance Should I Book My Wedding Vendors?
A. The optimal booking timeframe varies for each wedding vendor, but generally, the sooner, the better. Here are the recommended booking windows for typical vendors:
- Hair & Makeup: 3-6 months
- Florists: 9-12 months
- Officiants: 9-12 months
- Planner: 7-14 months
- Photographer: 12-15 months
- Caterer/Chef: 2-4 months
While these timeframes differ depending on the vendor and the location, it’s always wise to be prepared and book well in advance to avoid unnecessary stress later on!
Q. Do Elopement Vendors Require a Deposit?
A. Absolutely! Typically, vendors expect a deposit that is a percentage of your total cost.
Upon booking and signing a contract, you will be required to pay a deposit that can either be a flat rate or range from 10% to 50% of the total cost. Keep in mind that certain vendors, such as caterers and florists, may have a minimum purchase requirement. Fortunately, due to the growing popularity of elopements, many vendors now offer specialized packages tailored specifically for elopement ceremonies!
Q. Do I Actually Need Vendors for My Elopement?
A. In short, no. You have the freedom to choose and prioritize the elements that bring you joy and have the greatest impact on your special day.
Some couples opt to assemble bouquets from local farmers’ markets, bring their own snacks for picnics, enlist the help of friends for hair and makeup, create custom DIY elements, or even grab a cake from a local grocery store. Whether you decide to outsource vendor services or take a do-it-yourself approach, it all boils down to your unique preferences.
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