Worried your elopement day is going to be stressful? You’re not alone! It’s a big day and there’s a lot of pressure for it to be perfect. So what can you do to make sure your wedding day is relaxed and enjoyable from end to end? Here are a few things my couples have done on their elopement days that made the experience stress-free!
1. Build Extra Time into your Elopement Schedule
Your elopement day can go by in a blur of excitement and activities, so it’s important to take your time as the day goes. Doing all the things sounds amazing in theory, but could lead to feeling rushed and having little memory of the details of the day. Consider building extra time into your schedule to really soak up the moment and avoid hurrying from one thing to the next in a tight timeline. It could be something as easy as opting for a nice breakfast together at your favorite restaurant instead of eating a Clif bar on the road, or spending a little longer than you think you’ll want to at that vista you climbed for hours to see.
2. Practice Mindfulness
Take time to stop at that additional vista while you’re hiking. Give your bouquet an extra deep smell. Embrace the experience with all 5 senses to keep yourself grounded. You’ve spent so much time and energy carefully planning all the details of this day- now it’s time to enjoy it. Really look at your partner and listen closely to the way they say their vows to commit the moment to memory. Being grounded can help you the most when it comes to mindfulness. Sometimes just a moment to close your eyes and breathe deeply can help ground you. Incorporate some moments like this throughout your day to keep you in the moment so you can remember it forever.
3. Do it your way – It’s your elopement!
Maybe you want to get ready together, or maybe you want to spend the morning solo to keep yourself grounded. Maybe you want to go all out and spend an overnight together in the mountains. Maybe you want your whole family there, or maybe you want it to be just you two and no one else. Maybe you want to bring your furry friend. Whatever it is that allows you both to be the most comfortable and authentic version of yourselves, do it! The best thing about elopements is that you can craft them to be a perfect fit for you as a couple, doing as much or as little as you want. The options are endless and the sky’s the limit- so dream big and think out of the box!
4. Go With the Flow
Even with the most meticulous planning, life can throw unexpected curveballs your way. Mentally prepare yourself to be flexible in the face of quick changes and Plan Bs so you won’t be stressed when they arise. There’s a lot of pressure on the day to be absolutely perfect, but in all likelihood something will go wrong. Work with your photographer and vendors beforehand to make sure you have backup plans in place that you feel comfortable with. That way your day can still be every bit as amazing as you hope for. Going with the flow is part of the adventure, and having an open mind is the key to a spectacular experience.
5. Put Your Phone Away
The number one inhibitor to being present is your cell phone! Your photographer will handle all the photos, and the day is all about being together with the one you love. So turn it off and put it in your bag. As exciting as it can be to have friends and family in on the event, set expectations with them beforehand. That way communicating with them doesn’t take you away from your special moments. Your elopement is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and you don’t want to miss anything.