Are you planning a “just us” romantic getaway for your elopement?
– you know, just the two of you, making time stop for a brief moment together.

Ah yes, there’s nothing like starting the rest of your lives together with your soulmate by embarking on a romantic adventure together.

Still, when you get back home, you might end up feeling like you want to include your friends & fam – your closest circles – into the celebration of your love.

And that’s where having a post-elopement party comes in. Offering you the perfect way to incorporate both the intimate elements of an elopement, as well as having that special celebration with your nearest & dearest.

It truly is the best of both worlds!

But first: what is a post-elopement party?

To cut to the chase, a post-elopement party is essentially foregoing the celebration with friends and family on your actual elopement day. And having it at a later date once you’re already married.

Now, you could have quite a few reasons to choose having a post-elopement party…

…perhaps you had a destination elopement, too out of reach for your loved ones.

…or maybe you’ve decided to go for a “just us” romantic adventure for your actual day.

But whatever the case, a post-elopement party is a perfect way to gather all of your loved ones together to celebrate the next chapter of your lives together at a place & time that suits You the best.

Okay… But what’s the point if you’re already married?

First off, I’m not saying you have to have a post-elopement party if you don’t want to. I mean, it’s your elopement – you rules. So, do what feels right to you – and don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.

With that being said – as many of my eloping couples can attest – there’s just something magical about bringing all your loved ones together, and spending time basking in the pure joy & happiness of your newlywed bliss.

I can guarantee you’ll still feel the same excitement – the same butterflies in your stomach – even though it’s not actually your exact wedding day.

Your post-elopement celebration can be a beautiful way to share the stories of your elopement with your nearest & dearest. And to include your closest circles in your magical fairytale with photos & videos of your big – even if they weren’t there to experience it in person.

You can also choose to take this time to just be present with those you love. And to celebrate stepping into the next – and most exciting – chapter of your lives together. 

But again, nothing’s set in stone. You can have a grandiose soiree, a wild party, an intimate celebration – or anything your heart desires. Whatever you choose to do, I’m here to help you with a quick checklist to make sure you have the post-elopement party of your dreams.

1. Choose your date

First thing’s first: you need to decide when you want to hold your post-elopement party.

Now, don’t worry: this definitely won’t be as daunting as choosing your wedding date, I can assure you.

Still, there are some things – just a few – to keep in mind when choosing your party date.

First, if you’d like to take this opportunity to share your favorite moments from your elopement with your friends & families, it’s important to remember that your photos and/or video won’t be available immediately. 

Usually, it takes most photographers at least 6 to 8 weeks to release your fully edited galleries, unless your photographer has a “rush delivery” service as an add-on. (Khm… guess who has exactly that) So make sure to have a conversation with your photographer about this before deciding on a final date.

Secondly, if you have your heart set on a particular venue, then that might be the deciding factor for the date of your party.
You know… You can’t have your party there if someone else is already having their party at that venue.

2. Select your venue

Speaking of venues… Now it’s time to choose where you wanna host your post-elopement party.

At this point it’s important to have at least a vague idea of how many guests you will be inviting to your celebration of your love, as this will narrow down your venue choices.

Something I often remind my couples too is that a post-elopement party doesn’t have to rival the grandiosity of royal weddings (if that’s not something that you’re interested in). I mean, seriously, if big and flashy isn’t your thing, then why bother?

Feel free to keep it casual – maybe a BBQ at Aunt Karen’s place or even a cozy picnic in those picturesque botanical gardens nearby. You could also go to your favorite restaurant, book an AirBNB, or hold your celebration somewhere that has significance to you as a couple.

The beauty of it all is that you really have unlimited options…

…after all, it’s about you and your happiness!

3. Invite your guests

Date? – check.

Venue? – check.

Now it’s time to invite your guests!

But how you actually invite your guests depends on how you decide to announce your elopement.

If you want to announce your elopement and your post-elopement party, your message could be something like: “Surprise, we’re eloping! Please save this date to celebrate with us.”

If your loved ones already know you want to elope, your invitations could be more of a “Save the date – we’re having a post-elopement party too!” type of thing.

Finally, if your elopement is top secret up until after you’ve gotten married, your invitations could be more along the lines of “Please save this date – wink, wink.”

As with almost everything on this list, one size doesn’t fit all relationships. Figure out what message you want your invitations to convey, come up with your guest list, and make sure to send the invitations in time.

4. Share your elopement.

I guarantee you that everyone – and I really mean: everyone – will be on pins & needles to find out how your elopement went. And your guests will definitely appreciate you sharing a few photos & videos of your special day.

Now, whether or not you keep these a secret from even yourself until your party – and experience your photos & videos for the first time altogether –  is completely your choice.

You can bring a physical album that your guests can flip through, decorate your venue with a few prints, or you can even set up a projector and host a viewing party and watch everyone’s reactions to your magical day.

And if ever feel stuck on how to best share your pics & videos from your elopement, feel free to reach out to your photographer at any time.

5. Set up the final details

As I’ve said, this party can be as extravagant or intimate as you’d like.

But whatever direction you choose – you gotta make it happen yourself.

For example, if you want to set up a projector and have a viewing party, it’s important to ensure that the venue has the equipment available.

Or do you want live music played? Maybe a photo booth to give everyone little mementos to take home?

You could even select a few of your favourite wedding traditions and add them into your party. Maybe just a first dance, a flower throw, a guestbook – or whatever else you want!

There are so many little elements for you to choose from to add just a bit more magic to your party.

6. Pick your attire

Some couples might opt for something casual and comfortable. And others might choose to go with a particular color scheme or theme. And you might decide to go with a third option – it’s totally up to you.

If you want, you can even put on your wedding clothes to relive the magic of your wedding day one more time, and to show your loved ones how beautiful you were.

Just imagine arriving at your party in your wedding attire and surprising all your family and friends…

And there you have it, my quick checklist to make sure that if you choose to have a post-elopement party, it will turn out to be amazing. Keep in mind that for many couples, a big part of their post-elopement parties are the viewing sessions of their treasured photos from their elopements.
If you want to make sure that your viewing session will awe your guests – and be smooth & easy experience for you too – make sure to choose an elopement photographer who can make that happen. And if you’re still looking for “The One”, feel free to get in touch to have a quick chat about how I can help you bring your vision to life.