What to Pack for an Adventure Elopement
Don’t forget the rings on your wedding day! Here is a list of essential items for the bride, groom, and guests of an adventure elopement.
How to Include Kids in Your Elopement
Just because you aren’t having a traditional wedding with a flower girl or ring bearer doesn’t mean kids can’t be a part of it. One of the greatest things about elopements is, there are no rules! We just have to get a little bit creative so whether you have kids of your own, nieces and nephews or family friends that you want to incorporate into your wedding– this blog is for you!
Have them help you get ready: if you are set on your ceremony being kid free and intimate, consider having your kids help you get ready for your day. This will help them feel like they are still involved in your day and these moments make for some amazing memories and photos.
Do a first look: if you feel like getting ready with them will just make the day far too long, consider doing a first look with them. These photos are always AMAZING.
Write a letter or a speech: encourage your kiddo to write a letter or a speech that they can give during the ceremony. This is a great way for them to express their feelings about the ceremony and make them feel included and since there will be less people than at a traditional wedding, this can help them be more comfortable in sharing!
Include them in a type of communion or joining ceremony: I’ve seen couples take different colored sand and pour it into the jar symbolizing the union of your marriage. Consider adding another color of sand for the kids and all pouring it into a jar to symbolize your new family! If you are having a religious ceremony, allow them to take part in communion with you.
Write Vows to them: if your new partner has kids, consider writing vows to them as well. Not only are you marrying their mom/dad but you are in a way marrying them as well and they deserve promises also! This will make them feel really special and will likely be something they remember forever.
Things to keep in mind:
When choosing to include kids in your elopement it will be an extra stress (not a bad thing, just something else to plan). Make a plan B and maybe even C. We all know things that include kids don’t always go the way we have planned in our head.
If you are planning to elope on top of a mountain, make sure the kids can handle the hike and they won’t be miserable and exhausted by the time you get to the top.
If they are young, this day is going to be extremely long for them. Make sure you plan in their naps! Nobody needs a meltdown in the middle of exchanging your vows.
Make sure you assign someone who is willing to keep an eye on them while you focus on your partner during the ceremony. The last thing you want is to constantly have to keep an eye on your kiddos while you are romantically vowing to spend the rest of your life with someone!
Stephanie Keegan
I’m an adventure elopement and wedding photographer based in Seattle and the surrounding Pacific Northwest. I focus on capturing love in beautiful places while sharing a passion for the outdoors. Rock climbing, backpacking, hiking – I love it all!
Hey! I'm Stephanie.
I'm an adventure elopement photographer based in the Pacific Northwest. My job is to help couples craft and document their dream day in the outdoors.
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