You might think that because I’m an elopement photographer, I’m not interested in the traditional go-tos that modern weddings tend to have. 

Friend, that’s simply not the case. 

I believe that getting married is all about doing things the way you and your partner want to do them–and if that means blending some traditional elements with your non-traditional elopement, then I think you should do that without any hesitation. 

This is true when it comes to vendors–and especially true when it comes to wedding coordinators. 

I’m here to be totally honest with you–elopements can be simple, streamlined, and free of stress. You can get married without a single vendor, very little planning, and just the desire to love your partner forever, and it can be the most beautiful elopement ever. 

But if you’re a couple who wants to include special details, has a specific vision in mind for their day, or wants to eliminate any semblance of stress throughout the day, hiring a wedding coordinator could be the perfect solution. 

When Does an Elopement Wedding Coordinator Make Sense? 

The question of whether or not to hire a wedding coordinator for your day (and leading up to it) is a frequently asked question that pops up more than you might think. And, like with most things, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. If you’re on the fence about whether or not a wedding coordinator makes sense for your adventure elopement, it helps to start considering your wants and needs for your elopement day. 

Here are a few scenarios where I think hiring an elopement wedding coordinator makes the most sense. 

You’ve Got a Lot of Moving Parts 

Elopements are often great options for couples looking to boil down the day to what it really means–marrying the love of your life. But that doesn’t always mean that couples want elopement details, timelines, or elements that are super simple. Let me be clear–you can elope and have every detail you want. 

You don’t have to be that bride or groom that throws a bouquet of flowers in their backpack, hikes up a mountain, and has nothing more on them than their vow books. If that is you, that’s perfect. But if you want things to be a bit more detailed, that’s perfect, too. 

If you want a sweetheart table at the overlook (where they’re allowed, of course), if you want a smattering of gorgeous bouquets peppered throughout your day, if you want a charcuterie board, cupcakes, wine, music–you can have all of those things. But having an adventure elopement with a lot of moving parts can get a little complicated–and having a professional by your side to help organize, orchestrate, and make things happen can make the whole thing more seamless. 

You’ve Got a Guest List 

Managing family, friends, and loved ones–no matter how positive and loving your relationships might be–can sometimes get a touch complicated. If you’ve got a guest list (and not even a large one!), having a coordinator as your point of contact can help streamline the process. 

This way, your family can go to one person for all the details–where they need to go, when they need to be somewhere, and what they can expect out of the day. Do you have the capacity to wrangle your family and friends? Absolutely. Do you want to do that on or before your elopement day? That’s up to you! Having a point of contact can minimize the stress and effort you need to put into rounding everyone up, so you’re able to follow your elopement timeline.

You Need to Deal with Extra Permits 

As your elopement photographer, I’m happy to help you out with permits pertaining to capturing your elopement (it’s part of my job!). But if you’re hoping to get permits for anything additional (like bringing in a certain amount of people to a location or setting up props), a wedding planner can be a real lifesaver. 

Let me be totally clear–handling that stuff on your own is absolutely possible. But sometimes– especially with national parks, state parks, and government land–working with the permitting office can be tedious and take a long time. A wedding coordinator can take these tasks off your plate, get things done, and ensure that you have the day you want without you having to deal with permitting offices. 

You’ve Got a Long List of Vendors 

Are you planning on scheduling hair and makeup for your elopement day? Do you want to bring in a catered meal for your wedding dinner? Will you be working with a touring or off-roading company to help you and your partner get to your elopement location?

I’m very pro-vendor–even in the elopement world. I think if a vendor can help you achieve the day you want, there’s no reason you shouldn’t go for it. But managing that long list of vendors can be challenging as your elopement day approaches. And if you’re someone who just wants to sit back and embrace the day (instead of having to worry about cutting checks, scheduling, and coordinating the whole thing), a wedding planner can help you out in a big way. 

You Want Everything to Be as Seamless & Stress-Free as Possible 

Eloping is supposed to be all about removing the expectations and pressures of modern weddings so you and your partner can elope the way you want to without anyone getting in your way. And a lot of people who want to take this route are big fans of eliminating any stress that goes hand-in-hand with planning a wedding. And hear me out–elopements, especially small, more intimate elopements, are going to be less stressful from certain angles just by their nature. You won’t have to deal with a massive invite list or throw an epic party meant to impress everyone else. But that doesn’t mean elopements don’t have any stressful elements. 

Any time you want a day to go right, there’s stress involved. It could be a college graduation, a friend’s birthday–it could even just be a Tuesday. There’s always a little pressure on days that matter. But if you opt for a wedding coordinator to help you plan your adventure elopement, you’re essentially taking the potentially stressful parts of the day and handing them over to a pro to handle. 

If you and your partner are truly looking for a stress-free, no-pressure day where you can be as hands-off as possible, hiring a professional wedding coordinator can be a serious hack. This way, you and your love can be solely concerned with experiencing the day fully. 

Your Elopement Day Matters: I Can Help You Capture It 

Wedding coordinator or not, the priority for your day should be that it fits you and your partner’s vision. No matter what you do–a super simple day that’s just the two of you or a detailed, vendor-heavy wedding that’s got a lot of moving parts–what matters most is that you and your love have the day you want. The good news? I can help you do that–no matter what you want your adventure elopement to look like. 

Want more good news? If you’re looking for a wedding coordinator recommendation, I’ve got a few names up my sleeve. The best news of all is that I’m excited and willing to work with your wedding coordinator to help you have the most beautiful wedding day possible. 

Ready to start planning? Contact me now to kickstart your one-of-a-kind elopement day!