Ideas for eloping with family and including them in your adventure wedding

Just because you are eloping as a couple doesn’t mean your family can’t be a part of your wedding. Using the ideas listed below for eloping with family can help when telling your family about your decision to elope.

Help with planning and preparing

From the day you get engaged, your loved ones can be part of the planning. They can be part of choosing your wedding attire just like with a traditional wedding. There are some special things to take into account when shopping for an elopement wedding dress. Talk to your family about their weddings and find out if there are any special traditions or tokens that meant something special to them.

FaceTime or Skype on the big day

While you might not have cell signal at the ceremony location, with WiFi and cell signal virtually everywhere, you can include your family by having a video chat with them. To have that connection on the day of, to perhaps to share a toast and warm wishes, will mean so much for you and them! It’s almost like you were eloping with your family there!

Throw a party

With COVID around, this isn’t a viable option. However, once it is safe, throwing an engagement party before or a reception party afterward is a great way to include your family. In a traditional wedding, a reception is typically when most loved ones interact with the couple, from sharing a toast and cake to dancing the night away.

Invite your family

An elopement can still include a small number of people. Many of the elopements I capture include close family and dear friends sharing in the intimate celebration. Heck, you could even have one of them officiate the ceremony. It’s easy to get ordained. If keeping the ceremony to the two of you is a priority, have your family included in some activities before like breakfast or after the ceremony with a cake and champagne toast.

Photos and videos

Of course, having professional photos and video recording your elopement is something I encourage. Not only will you have the moments captured for your own enjoyment but can also share with loved ones. If you have a post elopement reception, you can have a montage of the photos on a TV or projector and play the footage. (The cinematic highlight films I produce  are perfect for this!) But you don’t have to wait for the professional photos. Loved ones will cherish seeing your selfies and any videos you take for real time sharing!
Remember, this day is for you. With some creative ideas and planning, there is no end to ways to include your family in your elopement!