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Elopement

planning an elopement with elopement cards and gift

Elopement

From announcements to photography,
here’s everything you need to consider
while planning an elopement.

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Right alongside virtual ceremonies and micro weddings , elopements are expected to soar in popularity in 2021. But what is an elopement? And why do couples choose it? Traditionally, to elope meant to run away secretly with the intention of getting married,usually without parental consent. Today, couples choose to elope for other reasons such as to get married at their dream destination, to keep the ceremony totally intimate or to simply get away from the stress or obligation of a large wedding. If you’re interested in eloping, look no further: Below is everything you need to know about planning an elopement.

Elopement Gift Ideas

Announce Your Elopement

One of the first steps to eloping is deciding how to share the good news with family and friends. Elopement announcements are the perfect way to let important people in your life know about your decision and perhaps a few details about the day — even if they can’t be there.

Choose an announcement that speaks to your commitment and matches the ambience of your celebration. You can get creative with your elopement announcement wording, too. Whether you want to be funny, cute, detailed or mysterious — it’s all up to you! And remember, you don’t have to send an elopement announcement unless you feel comfortable doing so.

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Choose Your Elopement Photographer

Epic elopement photography is one of the many perks of eloping. Head to Instagram or Pinterest and do a quick search of wedding photographers in your local area and closer to the place you’re planning to elope. Take a good look at their elopement photography pricing (it’s often significantly cheaper than traditional wedding packages) and examples of past elopement photography in their portfolio. Your elopement photos will always hold a special place in your heart, so take your time making your selection.

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Own Your Elopement

With an elopement wedding, you can really celebrate your day, your way. Take your time deciding who you want to be by your side, where you want to exchange your vows and what you want your aesthetic to be.

Your elopement wedding dress is the perfect way to express the style of your celebration, whether it’s a boho-inspired floor-length gown or a fashion-forward modern jumpsuit. And if the ceremony and travel details are making your head spin, don’t worry, you can always find an elopement wedding planner to help out along the way.

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Send Your Elopement Card

If you choose not to send an elopement announcement beforehand, an elopement card is a great way to spread your happy news. Tell your friends and family about your glorious day with a few photos and even a short recap of the ceremony and why it meant so much to you and yours.

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We Eloped!

Commemorate your elopement with a “We Eloped!” sign (consider purchasing one to use day-of for photography purposes), or a photo book detailing all the special moments of the day. If you’re in the mood for a little more celebrating, consider throwing a small post-elopement party with some of your closest family and friends.

Raise a toast to you, your love, and doing your wedding, your way.

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More Elopement Gift Ideas

Celebrate Your Elopement With Shutterfly

An elopement is a wonderful option for people who don't feel like the traditional wedding route is the right fit for them. Eloping offers a special sense of intimacy for you and your partner. When you elope, you have the flexibility to get married right in your own backyard with your closest friends and family or to travel to a faraway destination halfway around the world with just your partner. Now that you've said "I do" in an intimate ceremony, you'll want to let everyone in on the big news with personalized elopement announcements. With Shutterfly, you can send a beautiful recap of your big day, plus information about any postnuptial celebration you're having to loved ones who couldn't attend your private wedding ceremony.

Share the Happy News With Elopement Announcements

Elopement announcements are the perfect way to share the happy news with friends and family members who couldn't attend your wedding day. After the intimate wedding ceremony, you can send a custom photo card to loved ones to let them know you've tied the knot. The difference between wedding invitations  and wedding or elopement announcement cards is that invitations are sent before the event, and announcements should be sent afterward. These announcement cards allow you still to have a piece of that traditional wedding experience, and your recipients will be excited to hang a card with a stunning photo of when you eloped. If any of your loved ones send a wedding gift after your elopement ceremony, share your gratitude with a custom thank you card.

How to Make Elopement Announcements

Creating custom elopement announcements is simple with Shutterfly. Your wedding announcement cards should be as special as your relationship with your partner. To get started, choose an announcement card design that suits you and your new husband or wife and your new life together. With unique announcement types like tri-fold, flat, and folded, you can design one-of-a-kind Just Married cards that are stylish and unique. Personalize your marriage announcements with a personal message, a favorite wedding photo, and elegant colors. Options like rounded corners or bracket cut trim are the perfect way to make your elopement card stand out, even before adding the finishing touches like envelope colors, liners, and return address labels . Elopement announcements let you tell people that you just got married and a special way to announce your upcoming marital bliss. Whether you showcase one special photo or a number of photos from the big day, your recipients will smile as they open your wedding card and see pictures from your wedding ceremony.

Document Your Big Day in a Wedding Photo Book and More Keepsakes

With Shutterfly, you can capture your most precious memories from your wedding day with custom keepsakes and photo albums that you can treasure forever. After sending your elopement announcements, use your wedding photos and transform them into a piece of home decor, wall art, or a photo book. Whether you design a beautiful glass photo print, a monogrammed piece of wall art, or stemless wine glasses that say "happily ever after," you can create unique personalized gifts and keepsakes with pictures from your elopement ceremony. One of the most classic wedding keepsakes is a photo album that displays your ceremony and reception highlights. Go one step further and design your own custom photo book. Carefully choose your favorite photos from the big day — from pictures with the officiant to snapshots of city hall or your destination wedding location — and stylishly showcase them alongside elegant embellishments and custom captions for a keepsake you'll enjoy forever. With personalized wedding keepsakes like these, you can relive your most precious wedding day memories over and over again.