What items do you need for an elopement?

the essentials

First let’s talk about what it absolutely needed for an elopement. An elopement checklist, if you will.

Marriage license

Technically, in the states that allow self solemnization, you can elope for just the cost of a marriage license. So, how much will a marriage license cost you? Just like the answer to many of the questions on this blog… it depends. *whomp whomp* Marriage licenses vary by state, and in some states like California, the costs of the marriage license varies by county. You should expect to pay anywhere form $12-$130 for your marriage license, average being $71. I know, I know, it’s a big gap. I don’t make the rules. Below i’ve listed out what each state will cost ya for your marriage license.

Rings

If you want to hold an elopement ceremony, and exchange rings to seal the deal on your marriage, then consider spending some money on your wedding bands!

According to this jewelry store, it was just released that couples spend an average of $1,417 on the bride’s band and an average of $558 on the groom’s band. But ya’ll, that’s the average! If you’re a below average kind of person (I know I am), then your wedding band can look as low as you want it.

hey alexa, play “paper rings” by taylor swift!

How Much Does it Cost to Elope? | Rings

Low End: $0-$100

Average: $1,975

High End: $5,000

Wedding Attire

One of the funnest things about getting married is figuring out what you’re going to wear! According to Brides.com, the average wedding dress will cost between $1,800-$2,400. But after doing this full time for years now, I know that you can find a really beautiful dress from shops like Lulus.com, or Baltic Born anywhere from $50-$200.

For tux’s, or suits, according to Weddingwire.com, on the low end you can rent a tux for $100-$199. If you’re wanting to buy a tux, or a suit, expect to pay anywhere between $400-$799.

Of course dresses and suits/tuxs vary in price depending on things like designer, fabrics used, embellishments, the season (if you can get something on sale), and of course factoring in alterations if needed.

dresses and suits/tuxs vary in price depending on things like the designer, fabrics used, embellishments, the season (if you can get something on sale), and of course factoring in alterations if needed.

Expect to pay anywhere between $150-$600 for wedding dress alterations.

How Much Does it Cost to Elope? | Wedding Dresses (Per Person)

Low End: $50-$200

Average: $1,800-$2,400

High End: $5,000

How Much Does it Cost to Elope? | Suits/Tux (Per Person)

Low End: $100-$199

Average: $400-$799

High End: $3,000

Florals

Having florals for your elopement is really a personal preference. Some couples choose to have no florals, some choose to DIY their own florals, while some decide to go with a simple bouquet, and some couples love the idea of florals so much they go a step further with floral body art, flower crowns or floral backpack flare.

When comparing traditional wedding costs vs. an elopement, florals is one of the main differences. For a traditional wedding florals are a big cost, averaging about 7% of a couples budget. This could mean florals for each member of the bridal party, for the parents, maybe even grand parents, table florals, arches, etc. etc. The list goes on. But I digress, because we’re not talking about traditional weddings, we’re talking about eloping! I just wanted to point out how much florals can cost, and remind you how much money you’re saving by eloping!

for the below costs, the low end would be no bouquet or diy’ing. the average cost would be for a single elopement bouquet, and the high end would be a bouquet + additional pieces like a floral crown, boutonniere, backpack flare, etc.

How Much Does it Cost to Elope? | Florals

Low End: $0-$85

Average: $500

High End: $2,000

Officiant

Here in Colorado for my Colorado elopements, most of my couples decide to self-solemnize, meaning they can marry themselves and don’t even have the cost of an officiant.

There are some couples though that still decide to hire an officiant, and that’s super cool too! It’s all about what you want out of your experience!

for the below costs, the low end would be no officiant for those who will be self solemnizing or utilizing me as your officiant (i’m ordained through the universal life church!), the listed average will be an average cost for a short and sweet ceremony, and high end would be paying an officiant an hourly rate to get to a beautiful overlook that’s harder to get to.

How Much Does it Cost to Elope? | Officiant

Low End: $0

Average: $300

High End: $850

Food

When considering how much does it cost to elope, don’t forget food. Whether you’re bringing snacks and munching throughout the day, or you’re having a sit down meal and really diving into this once in a lifetime experience, you’re going to want to eat at some point of the day.

for the below costs, the low end would be not factoring in any budget for food and just bringing snacks and munching throughout the day, average would be a charcuterie board, and high end would be hiring a private chef.

How Much Does it Cost to Elope? | Food

Low End: $0

Average: $100

High End: $2,000

Activities

An elopement experience can be everything you want and more! Some activities my couples have indulged in during their adventure elopements include: 4x4ing, dog sledding, water activities, hiking, sight-seeing, car hiking, painting the scenery, snowshoeing, stargazing.

for the below costs, the low end would be either no activities or free activities like hiking, or stargazing, average would be renting a 4×4 vehicle for a few hours, and high end would be a multi day elopement with multiple activities (think sunrise and sunset 4×4 adventure, hot air balloon ride, dog sledding, etc.)

How Much Does it Cost to Elope? | Activities

Low End: $0

Average: $250

High End: $650

Permits

If you’ve gotten this far in the blog, and you’re worried about how much it costs to elope, this is an area where you can definitely save some dough! Permits really depend on where you’ll be eloping. Not every location (especially Colorado elopement locations, lots of public lands here!) will require a permit. Work with your elopement photographer to find a location that is free if you’re worried about how much it costs to elope.

for the below costs, the low end would be a free location, average will be a location such as a park that might have a portrait fee, and high end will be if you’re eloping in a national park like arches national park

How Much Does it Cost to Elope? | Permits

Low End: $0

Average: $50

High End: $350

Hair and Makeup

There’s nothing quite like getting pampered on during the morning of your elopement. Why not leave it to the professionals? You are going to have these elopement pictures forever!

for the below costs, the low end would be if you diy your own hair and makeup, average is hiring a hmua to come to your airbnb and work on location, high end would be a hmua that specializes in adventure wedding & elopements and will come with you during your entire day to do touch ups

How Much Does it Cost to Elope? | Hair and Makeup

Low End: $0

Average: $500

High End: $2,000

Elopement Photographer

An elopement photographer is who you’re going to lean on throughout this entire planning process. For me and my couples, I handle *almost* everything. From helping them pick a location, to obtaining the required permits, to helping them find and decide on which vendors they want to work with. I’ll create a timeline for their day, and come day of make sure i’m keeping track of time because I want to make sure we’re at the right place at the right time to get the pictures they’re dreaming of having. It’s all apart of the elopement packages that I offer.

for the below costs, the low end would a mini elopement, usually a 4 hour elopement package, average cost is for an 8 hour elopement package, and high end is for a multi day elopement package

How Much Does it Cost to Elope? | Elopement Photographer

Low End: $5,200

Average: $7,400

High End: $11,000