“Who,What,How,Why,When,Where! HELP!” … It’s Okay, I got you!
Elopements are beautiful, incredibly personal and they’re solely focused on you and your unbreakable connection you have to each other. They give you the satisfying freedom to adventure almost anywhere in the world together and let each other know how important your relationship is.
Elopements are all about intimacy and I love that they bring you so close to the core of your love with just a few people or a celebrant to witness that. I love having the honour of documenting all the tiny details of that closeness.
It’s so exciting being there in the moment finding and capturing all the emotion, affinity and adventure that goes into your elopement story. You’ll be able to show off your day in the most beautiful way to friends and family that weren’t present and allow them to feel as if they were.
If you want plenty of time for relaxed couple portraits, we can easily do that without the rush of getting back to a reception. That’s the wonderful thing about elopements. It’s your rules. No strict timelines to follow, no stress of entertaining and no being stuck in a suit or giant dress the entire day! The possibilities are endless with an elopement. I would be honoured to witness and document you as a couple at such a beautifully intimate time of your lives.
Eloping is nothing new, people have been doing it for hundreds of years. The word ELOPE likely came from the Middle Dutch word “Lopen” meaning to “run away”. Probably the most famous elopement of all is William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, who sneakily elope in Act 2, Scene 6. But that’s probably not the best example considering the ending haha!
So many good elopement locations in East Anglia
Locations are your chance to get creative, You’re no longer restricted to a specific venue. You can say the “I do’s” at one small trendy wedding venue or just a short drive to the beautiful, rugged coastlines or the big old forests. Here in Suffolk where I’m based we have so many beautiful options right on our doorstep. Or perhaps you’re feeling like making an adventure/ honeymoon out of it too! Some of the best getaways and places to Elope in the UK are found in Scotland. Perfect for those cinematic, movielike scenes.
Planning your Elopement away is easy! (So much easier than a typical wedding) It’s more like booking a holiday with a couple of extra things. The first thing I’d do is find a passionate photographer (like me!). That way I can help you in finding those gorgeous locations and help plan out how to get there. I also know a lot of people in the industry that can help with finding the perfect celebrant for however you wish to celebrate. Be it religious or not at all, I can always find someone to make your day how you envision it.
Wherever you plan to elope, you always have to check if it’s legal first. Luckily the U.K is fairly lenient with where you choose to elope. In Scotland for instance you can elope anywhere! (The only country along with Northern Ireland in which this is true), at the beach, by the woods next to a waterfall, there’s so many stunning, gorgeous movielike backdrops. In England and Wales there are certain rules you need to follow first but your photographer should be aware of them and help guide you. Regardless of where you get married you will have to ‘give notice’ at your local registry office at least 29 days before. (I’ll provide some useful links for information below.)
“To us it was the Vows that were the most important part of a wedding. We don’t need the nerves of having like 80 eyes looking at you. We never wanted a big showy wedding. I’ve spent a whole day in a bridesmaid dress several times and it’s not fun, I can’t imagine doing that in a wedding dress, it’s not my cup of tea and I’m not a ‘dressyup’ kinda girl! We wanted something nice, and something small and my fella said YEAH lets just run away and do it! Yes I love it, how romantic is that! “ -Katie .N Bonus Tips
If you’re needing a witness, don’t forget I can count as one, that’s right your trusty photographer counts! And If I need an assistant with lighting, (usually my other half and trusty photographer) that makes two! That’s all the witnesses you need to get legally married woohoo! (ME>>>)
Pick somewhere close to where you are staying. Remember the elopement itself will only last an hour or two. You don’t want to spend the first day of married life in a car travelling. The great thing about eloping away is it can double as your honeymoon!
I talk a lot about location and scenery here, but remember it’s not about the location, it’s about the people, it’s about you! Wherever you end up getting married is the right place. It could just be at your registry office, Either way I’d LOVE to be a part of it capturing those beautiful moments between you and your soulmate. And trust me, one day you’ll be so glad you have those photos to look back on.
Make it personal! If you’re a couple obsessed with something, embrace it. You could both be Star Wars fanatics, Wish you grew up in the 1960’s or want to connect with your druid or viking descendants. This is your chance to plan YOUR big day, There are no rules.
Have you considered a ‘First Look’, What is a first look you might ask? Typically on a wedding day the first time you see each other dressed up is while walking down the aisle, However more recently it’s become popular to have a first look, where the groom turns around to see the bride for the first time. A great opportunity for photos. This is more common among young elopers where there might not be an aisle and you still want to capture each other's reaction on the day. So perhaps it’s worth considering and organising one with your photographer.
While elopements are small that doesn’t mean it has to be a compromise. It can be as epic looking as a luxury wedding if you so wish, try to get any limitations you might have out of your mind and let your ideas go wild!
Time of year! Research what the weather will be typically like when you elope. That way you’re prepared and know exactly what clothes you should bring.
PLAN B. Always have a plan b, Think about what you will wear if it rains. Do you have a suitable umbrella that will look nice in photos? I recommend a clear umbrella so you can still see your lovely faces in the photos AND keep dry! Have you got a coat in case it’s -5 out and you don’t turn blue! I always brainstorm these ideas with my couples and check to see if there are any events that may cause delay to the day. For example there could be a marathon or cycle race which means certain roads are closed that day.
Autumn is king when travelling to destinations. Summer Holidays may seem tempting but you may find some places are oversaturated with people. Autumn & Winter are much better times to have your elopements.
Make the most of your location, you can always book extra hours with your photographer to travel after you're married! That way you can get some beautiful shots doing activities or even just enjoying a drink in a beautiful location.
Legality; While it’s not legal to get married everywhere in the U.K. There’s nothing stopping you getting married in the registry office and spending the rest of the day wherever you wish. This can save forking out extra money to get married in a venue. If you wanted to Elope in Snowdonia (in Wales) for example you would have to legally get married in a venue or Registry office first. Then you can have your awesome photos after.
Elopements are perfect for dogs if you want them to be a part of your celebration! Again eloping has no restrictions forcing you to leave your fluffy friends behind. So long as dogs are allowed wherever you choose you can have epic photos with your closests to last a lifetime.
My BIGGEST TIP is, Have fun! Well, Prepare first by reading my blogs and getting in touch, then simply enjoy your day knowing everything is accounted for come what may. I can’t wait to meet you and get planning your epic Elopement wherever you choose!
“You don’t wanna scamp out on a photographer because those are the photos you’re going to have for the rest of your life. I said to Adam the most I want to spend is on the photographer because those are going to mean the most to me when we look back, our kids look back and hopefully one day their kids will look back on too. And wow! We’re now all so happy we did, apart from our love for each other those stunning photos of us are all we have to show from our elopement.” -Zarah .P Some common questions about Eloping.
Do I have to get Engaged before I elope? In short, Yes, or No. In Long, Eloping is about avoiding all those typical traditional wedding expectations and flipping it on its head. There’s couples out there who will elope entirely in secret and won’t get engaged at all. Whereas some couples will announce they are engaged but will say they are wanting a more intimate wedding instead of a large, formal wedding. And finally there’s the couples who with all the stress of planning a big wedding realise all they really want is each other, a couple of close friends/family and to actually enjoy getting married.
Are Same-Sex Elopements a thing?
They absolutely are! And if your country allows same-sex weddings or civil partnerships you can 100% guarantee you can have an elopement too! Same-Sex marriage as of 2020 is now legal in the entire of the U.K. Lucky for you there're SO many incredible places here to elope too! (Keep scrolling to see my list of epic places!)
How much does an Elopement cost?
It entirely depends on what you want with your day. Elopements can be as luxurious as a big destination wedding or as simple as just getting eloped in your local registry office? But I suppose you’d like some rough prices? Sure, A pop-up wedding in the UK starts from around £3,500. You can however get married in Scotland's Gretna Green from as little as £230 just for the ceremony. You do have to consider travelling, Hotels, etc too. An Average Wedding in the U.K as of 2022-23 is £20,000 so you’re saving a fair amount. The most expensive thing you will probably spend for your elopement is your photographer and a gorgeous album to enjoy forever. And if you get a good one like me you basically save money since I’ll be your right hand man helping you with everything along the way.
What should we wear when we elope?
Since it’s not a traditional wedding you can actually wear whatever you like! It comes down to who you both are as a couple and how you want to look back on your photographs. Basically be you and love what you’re wearing. There’s nothing stopping you dressing in a more traditional outfit too! I Know some guys picture seeing their S.O in a wedding dress even if it’s not at a church or venue. This is the great thing, you never have to restrict what makes you, you. I will make another blog specifically on outfits for Elopements, so stay tuned. However, like I state above it comes down to you. I would speak with your photographer too if you’re unsure, since they can help direct what will work best for the scenery and photographs. Will I be Legally Married If I Elope?
So long as you’re following the age of consent laws, have a marriage licence and adhere to any other marriage requirements of the country you are in, YES your elopement will be legally valid. It’s important to remember it is not Legal in England & Wales to have a humanist wedding. You will need to legally marry at a registry office before or after the wedding. Don’t worry, it should only take about 10 minutes! Scotland and Northern Ireland 100% allow Humanist ceremonies and recognise them as legally married.
Useful Links
My Wedding Photography Website (and of course if you haven’t guessed by now, I shoot Elopements! ) www.dalenichols.co.uk
Perfect Website to find a Humanist Celebrant in Scotland https://portal.humanism.scot/celebrant-search/
Humanist Celebrants in U.K https://humanists.uk/ceremonies/our-celebrants/
Celebrants in U.K
Celebrants in Scotland
Citizens advice for getting married in the UK
11 Best Elopement Locations in the UK Here’s a list of some of my favourite locations throughout the U.K. Could you imagine yourself getting eloped in these scenes?
1. Elopement in the Isle of Skye ( Scotland )
2. Elopement in the Scottish Outer Hebrides (Scotland)
3. Elopement in Snowdonia (Wales)
4. Elopement in Cornwall (South West, England)
5. Elopement in Dorset (South, England)
6. Elopement in Dover (Kent, England)
7. Elopement in Framlingham/Castle (Suffolk, England)
8. Elopement in the Yorkshire Dales (England)
9. Elopement in the Lake District National Park (England)
10. Elopement in Kinbane Castle (Northern Ireland)
11. Elopement in The Giant's Causeway (Northern Ireland)
Hey! If you got this far you must really be getting excited about planning your adventure! Seriously, what a legend! Thank you!
If you have any questions you haven't found in this blog get in touch! I'd be happy to help, it would also really help me to improve too this blog too. You can contact me (Dale Nichols) anytime through my website www.nicholsweddings.co.uk
Where you can find more of my work, info, price guides and more blogs like this to help you plan for your big day!
Have an awesome day and hopefully we can get into your love story soon!
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