Eloping can feel exciting, freeing, and a little intimidating all at once. Whether you’re dreaming of a mountaintop ceremony or a quiet beach, there’s a lot to consider before saying “I do.”
Over the years, as an elopement planner and photographer, I’ve heard the same questions come up again and again from couples wondering what to know before eloping.
In this post, I’m breaking down the top five most asked questions about eloping—so you can plan a day that’s meaningful, stress-free, and totally your own.
Key Takeaways:
- How to include your family and friends who will and won’t be there
- Tips to tell your family you’re eloping
- How to legally elope in Canada as U.S. citizens
- Pros and cons of eloping in different seasons
- How to plan and set up logistics for a destination elopement
From left to right: Virginia & Derek’s elopement; Emily & Jon’s Alberta elopement; Lauren & Amber’s Moraine Lake elopement
1. How Do I Include Friends and Family In My Elopement?
From left to right: Sarah & Tyler’s family celebrate their Banff elopement; Callen & Alexa’s fur babies join them for their Lake Louise elopement
Start by asking: Who feels safe and supportive in your life? This is especially helpful for couples with strained family dynamics.
It’s very personal how involved you want your family to be. Monitor your personal boundaries about who is a safe person and who isn’t, and think about how you want that person included based on those boundaries.
If you feel like certain people would celebrate you, you can do these activities with them to include them if they’re not attending:
- Go dress shopping or suit shopping
- Pick out and planning florals or the color palette
- Help researching destinations
- Invite them to come to your hair and makeup trial
- Invite them to write letters or record short videos for you to read/watch on your wedding day
- Wear or carry something meaningful
It’s totally okay to feel like certain people will celebrate you and still not invite them to your elopement. The big day can be just the two of you (and your witnesses) and you can involve your loved ones in the ways listed above.
Remember: This is your day and you get to decide who you want in attendance.
2. How Do I Tell My Family I’m Eloping; And What If I Don’t Want To?
From left to right: Erin & Reagan elope at Moraine Lake; Kristen & Adam share breakfast in the car before eloping in Iceland
For non-safe people and people you aren’t sure how to tell, it’s totally okay to not tell them if that’s a better choice for your stress and enjoyment levels. Your personal boundaries matter.
I’ve had couples choose this route for their stress levels, and the planning was so smooth and effortless. You don’t need people saying negative things that bring your excitement down before your elopement.
You can celebrate with them afterward with these ideas:
- Surprise people with an album with all your photos from the elopement.
- Gifting something after the elopement: “We wanted you to have this because you weren’t there, and now you have this memory of our special day.”
- Host a casual dinner or brunch.
- Send a “We Eloped” announcement in the mail.
Be upfront that your wedding was a private choice—you didn’t want to leave anyone out, but it was intimate by design. Feelings might be hurt, but if they’re meant to be in your life, they will be happy for you.
3. How To Legally Elope In Canada (For U.S. Citizens and Non-Canadians)
From left to right: Sarah & Tyler’s Banff elopement; Brandon & Jamie’s Banff elopement; Kristen & Adam’s Iceland elopement
The good news is you do not need to hold Canadian citizenship or residency to get married in Canada, which is one of the many reasons it’s such a dreamy elopement destination.
- You’ll need to obtain a marriage license to get officially married in the Canadian destination you choose.
- This can be done by visiting the local municipality office closest to where you’ll be getting married (we send you where to go!)
- There, you’ll pay a fee and provide valid proof of identification (passport for non-Canadians; birth certificate, or provincial driver’s license for Canadian residents).
- An officiant (who’s legally permitted to do so) needs to perform the ceremony and then send a completed and signed marriage license back to the local municipality office.
- After the officiant registers the marriage, you can request a marriage certificate.
- Lastly, Canada requires that two witnesses, in addition to your officiant, be present for the ceremony.
Here’s a full legal elopement guide for U.S. couples!
4. When’s The Best Time Of Year To Elope In Canada?
There’s something dreamy about every season in Canada—it’s more about the vibe and aesthetic you’re going for!
- Spring (April – June) brings moody lighting, and wet trails to wander. However, some mountainous areas may still be snow-covered and inaccessible.
- Summer offers more accessibility to get lost in nature.
- You can take longer hikes and stumble upon incredible wildflower fields. Summer brings more tourists, so you might see higher costs in July and August.
- Find stunning fall colors, gorgeous waterfalls, cooler temperatures, and golden light in autumn (September – October).
- Your ceremony may need to be earlier in the day due to shorter daylight hours.
- Get cozy in a lodge with a background of snowy peaks in winter (November – March).
- Freezing temperatures mean you’ll probably have an indoor or short outdoor ceremony.
View The Organic Moment Travel schedule to see where we’ll be and when throughout the year!
Because we try to travel as lightly as possible and as sustainably as possible, we travel and photograph in one location per 3-4 months.
5. What to Know Before Eloping Logistically and Emotionally
Start with your values as a couple, not logistics. Details can be figured out later, but what’s important to you now?
From left to right: Lauren & Amber’s PJ photoshoot; Brandon & Jamie’s poptart picnic in Mistaya Canyon; Callen & Alexa’s card game at Lake Minnewanka
Preparing Emotionally
Eloping often means making choices that might surprise or disappoint family and friends. People will always try to push your boundaries (especially when it comes to weddings), so be clear and hold firm with the rules you set for yourself and your big day.
Understanding why you’re eloping is key to a meaningful experience.
- Are you prioritizing intimacy, adventure, financial freedom, or simplicity?
- Consider how this choice aligns with your marriage goals and personal identity as a couple.
Clearly communicate—with your partner, vendors, family, and friends—throughout the entire elopement process. Reflect on what will make the day truly meaningful and memorable, rather than following outside pressures or expectations.
Kate O’Connor is one of my trusted vendors, very good friends, and an amazing mindset coach. I’ve worked with her several times and always recommend her for brides struggling to set boundaries and drowning in wedding stress instead of wedding excitement!
Preparing Logistically
From left to right: Callen & Alexa enjoy misty views of Lake Louise; Lauren & Amber have a morning outfit shoot and an evening stroll under the stars
Think about the aesthetic you want—mountains, lakes, forests, city rooftops, or even a cozy backyard. The location sets the mood for your entire day.
Keep in mind that some parks, landmarks, or scenic areas require permits or have restrictions on ceremonies and photography. Always check ahead! (And if you’re working with us, we plan this all out for you).
Plan your timeline for the day to avoid stress and allow you to fully enjoy it.
Decide what time of day works best for lighting, privacy, and convenience—sunrise, sunset, or midday. We can absolutely provide our thoughts and advice on this! Coordinate with other vendors, such as florals, hair and makeup, or catering, to create a realistic schedule.
The weather in Canada can be unpredictable, no matter the season, so plan ahead. Have a Plan B in case of rain, snow, or extreme temperatures:
- Indoor options
- Tents or canopies
- Nearby shelters
- Provide umbrellas or blankets
Be ready to adjust the timing of your ceremony or photo session to match changing weather conditions. But remember that sometimes the weather itself can create magical moments if you’re open to it!
Final Thoughts From Your Elopement Planner
We help couples make their elopement feel big without making it stressful. There’s two things we want you to keep in mind as you plan your elopement:
1. Your Elopement Can Still Feel Like A Wedding
You don’t need a huge guest list, an expensive venue, and an all-night dance party to have a wedding. Sometimes a simple and meaningful ceremony is more special.
Create rituals, moments, and symbols that matter to you. Knowing what’s important to you makes decisions much easier along the way.
From left to right: Virginia & Derek strike a pose after their waterfall elopement; Erin & Regan celebrate their elopement surrounded by Lake Moraine; Sunny & Kitty take in the views of Lake Moraine after their elopement
2. There Is No ‘Right Way’ To Elope
You’re allowed to design this day just for you. If you don’t want a sit-down dinner and instead cater from a food truck, do it! If you don’t want any family there, that’s okay!
The best eloping etiquette is staying aligned with your truth. Whether your day is adventurous, minimalist, or whimsical, embrace what feels meaningful rather than what looks perfect to others.
We’re here to help your elopement feel effortless and aligned with your values as two individuals uniting as a couple. Contact us to chat about your future elopement today.
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