Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy
One of the first questions you’ll likely wonder when considering an elopement is “how much does it cost to elope?” And here’s the quick answer – an adventure elopement can range anywhere from $5,000 – $50,000+. And we know what you’re thinking – that’s a huge range! And you’re right. Over the years our team at Between the Pine has photographed hundreds of couples on their best day(s) ever and we’ve seen it all from couples who chose to simply pay for their marriage license and others who have planned a multi day wedding weekend with their favorite people. We know every couple (and budget) looks a little different, which is why our hope in writing this guide is to help you understand a realistic elopement budget for the type of experience you are dreaming of!
Table of Contents
- The Quick Breakdown: How Much Does it Cost to Elope?
- 9 Things to Consider When Thinking Through the Cost of Eloping
- Real Examples for How Much it Costs to Elope
- FAQs About How Much Does It Cost to Elope?
- We Hope This Blog Helps You Plan Through Your Cost of Eloping
The Quick Breakdown: How Much Does it Cost to Elope?
We’ve created a quick breakdown to answer the question “how much does it cost to elope?” based on what our couples have done in the past and what we’ve seen in the industry. But before we dive in, we want to first express that there is no right or wrong way to elope. Your best day ever can (and should) look however you envision! We simply want to give you an idea of the different costs that are typically associated with eloping, plus share all the possible things you may need to consider when planning your elopement budget.
Before we dive into the number though, one other important thing to know is that the cost of eloping will vary based on your location. Here in Washington State, the average wedding costs around $26,000 and most of our couples spend anywhere from $20,000-$50,000+ for a small wedding. The actual cost of your elopement will depend on several factors such as how many people you invite (if any), where your wedding takes place, which vendors you hire, and what details you choose to include. The numbers we’ve shared throughout this post are based off of vendors we have worked with in the Pacific Northwest, but they will give you a ballpark figure on what to budget for when planning your best day ever no matter where it takes place!
So, What Exactly is the Cost of Eloping? The Top 3 Elopement Costs to Consider
The beauty of elopements is that they can be as simple or as detailed as you’d like. While there are many line items you could choose to include in your elopement, we’re sharing the top 3 largest elopement costs our couples usually invest in. For a more complete list, check out the elopement cost breakdown graphic below.
*Insider Tip: Looking to save on elopement costs? One way to save is to have a friend or family member become ordained for free and officiate your ceremony. Not only does this help save you money, but it can be a great way to make your elopement more personal.
1. Photographer
Your elopement is so much more than a photo shoot on your wedding day. It’s an epic adventure for you and your partner (and potentially your loved ones) to celebrate the start of this next chapter – and this chapter deserves to be documented to the fullest!
Here at Between the Pine, our elopement packages range from $8,000 – $20,000+ depending on how you envision your adventure elopement. The cost of eloping with us is based on where we are going, the length of coverage and the number of days we are with you!
No matter what package you book, all elopement packages include assistance in mapping out your elopement from trail reports, vendor recommendations, Airbnb suggestions, and more. Of course, you’ll also receive a fully edited online gallery with unlimited downloads and personal printing rights and we always pack the snacks (as well as other hiking and adventure essentials).
2. Lodging
If you are traveling to your elopement destination and are not local to the area, then your lodging will likely be one of your three biggest elopement costs. Whether you book an Airbnb for just the two of you, or rent out an entire house for you and your guests to enjoy, this is one of the more significant costs of eloping.
The good news though is that your lodging can be so much more than simply the place you sleep. It can also serve as your getting ready location, your first look location, or even your ceremony location. Some lodgings also have the potential to be your reception space, making this one of the most versatile elopement costs to invest in.
Want to learn more about some of the unique ways to include your Airbnb in your elopement? Check out our guide on how to plan an Airbnb wedding below!
3. Catering (AKA Your Celebratory Meal)
It’s no secret that here at Between the Pine we are a huge fan of snacks and celebratory meals! Over the years, we’ve found that adding some element of food to your elopement can help make the whole experience feel more grounded and connected. Sharing a meal with your partner or loved ones helps you slow down and truly celebrate the moment.
Just like with your elopement photographer and lodging, though, the options for your celebratory meal are endless. You can keep it simple and order a cake (or your favorite treat), or hire a private chef to cook an entire 5 course meal for you and your guests. Like we mentioned before, there is no one way to go, but we highly recommend having fun with it. After all, it’s your celebration and this is one time that you can have your cake and eat it too!
9 Things to Consider When Thinking Through the Cost of Eloping
1. Travel and Location
First and foremost, the location of your elopement is something you need to consider when planning for the cost of your elopement. Whether you are flying to your elopement destination or driving in your hometown, this is a factor that will affect how much your elopement costs. For destination elopements (anything outside your home state), consider how much your plane tickets will be and the cost of a rental car to get to your destination. Laying out each of these aspects when thinking through how much your elopement will cost, will help to determine if this location is feasible and how much of your budget will be dedicated to travel.
Still undecided where to elope? Here are a few elopement guides to help you start dreaming up the location for your best day ever!
2. Experience
What do you want your elopement experience to feel like? What are you hoping to do? Who do you want to spend the day with? These are some of the most important questions to ask yourself when planning your adventure elopement because they’ll not only determine your experience, but they’ll also impact your elopement budget as well.
Maybe you are looking to have a hiking elopement in the mountains – you’ll need to look for an elopement photographer who is experienced with adventure elopements (we know a couple of photographers that would be a great fit, *wink wink*. Click here to reach out to us!). An adventure elopement photographer is going to be a bit more expensive due to all of the pre-planning leading up to your day versus an elopement photographer who joins you at the courthouse for your ceremony.
Other elopement experiences can include activities like flying on a seaplane, going a guided tour, or setting sail along the coast. Others might be more focused on your celebration with loved ones such as renting an Airbnb where you can all stay together or hiring a private chef for a top-notch celebratory meal.
No matter what you envision your day, this is one elopement cost that is worth spending time on because ultimately, it will set the stage for the memories you will make along the way.
Need some inspiration for elopement activities and what to do on your best day ever? Wander away at the resources below!
3. Wedding Attire
Your elopement attire plays a big factor in your elopement cost and you can allocate as much or as little toward this budget item as you want. We’ve seen everything from couples who rent or purchase their wedding attire secondhand to others who have multiple outfits for different portions of their celebration. What matters more than how much you spend on your elopement outfit is how you feel. It can be worth splurging on wedding attire that makes you feel incredible, however, it’s also possible to look stunning without spending thousands of dollars.
To learn more about what to look for and how to choose the best elopement attire, check out our wedding outfit guides below!
4. Lodging
As we mentioned earlier, your lodging is one of the biggest costs of eloping. When thinking through your lodging and how much does it cost to elope you’ll want to look at the various factors that go into your stay such as the price, the length of stay, location and size needed for your experience. We always recommend couples stay at least two nights (three nights if possible) so you have a day to explore, enjoy your elopement and have a day to recover before checking out.
Want more tips on choosing the best lodging for your elopement? Check out our Airbnb guide below!
5. Vendors Needed
It’s totally possible to get married without any vendors, however, we are big fans of having a team. Not only do the right vendors help bring your elopement vision to life, but having a team supporting you allows you to enjoy your elopement day instead of overseeing it.
When thinking through how much you want to spend on your elopement, you’ll need to consider which elopement vendors are essential for you. Make a list of your must have vendors and start researching and comparing against your elopement budget. You don’t want to have the sticker shock of booking your dream photographer (we hope that’s us) but not being able to afford other aspects that will need to go into your day.
6. Tipping Vendors
SO many of our couples have asked us “are we supposed to tip our vendors?”. So, rather than make you wonder, we decided to address the big question here.
We always tell our couples (specifically if you are working with our Between the Pine team – other vendors may have other opinions), a tip is never expected, but it is always greatly appreciated!
That usually leads to a follow up question of how much should you tip? This really varies depending on the service the vendor is providing and what you feel comfortable with tipping. We’ve had couples give us a thank you note, a gift card to REI, cash tips, and we’ve also had tips of thoughtful care packages with items that were from the couple’s home state. If you are considering tipping your vendors, know that it does not always need to be monetary. It truly means a lot when a couple puts thought into it is really appreciated!
*Insider Tip: If you decide to give your vendor a cash tip, a general rule of thumb is a minimum of $100, however, it’s the thought that counts so do what works for you and your elopement budget.
7. Special Use Permits and Marriage License
Depending on where your elopement takes place, you may need to obtain a special use permit and you will absolutely need a marriage license (unless you aren’t making your marriage legal or have already done so).
Special use permits are permits obtained from national or state parks that allow you to hold your ceremony or take photos on these lands. These permits vary in cost from $0 to $250+. Here in Washington our special use permits typically cost about $120 and the same goes for Kauai.
Your marriage license will typically fall under $100 and while these costs of eloping aren’t the most glamorous but they’re absolutely essential to bringing your best day ever to life.
Have questions on how exactly to obtain a marriage license? We’ve created a guide to help walk you through the marriage license requirements in our most popular states for elopements.
8. Group Size
It probably goes without saying, but if you are planning an elopement with just you and your partner, your elopement cost will be significantly lower, than if you have a small wedding with 30 guests. Elopements with guests often mean added costs such as food, lodging, permits, decorations, and more! If inviting loved ones to your elopement is important to you, there are absolutely ways to do it and save on costs. Just keep in mind that your group size will generally impact the overall cost of your elopement.
To learn more about including loved ones in your elopement, check out our blog below!
9. Rentals
The last thing to consider when planning through the cost of eloping is any rental equipment you might need. There are many different types of rentals you can incorporate into your day like decoration rentals, chairs, tables, plates, cutlery, and even attire. It can be helpful to work with an elopement planner, especially if your elopement vision includes a lot of details, as they will be able to provide the best rental recommendations and can often even handle the booking and rental returns for you.
Real Examples for How Much it Costs to Elope
While every elopement budget looks a little different, we wanted to include real examples from couples we have worked with in the past to help you envision how much does it cost to elope. These budgets are from couples we have worked with with in past years and they were kind enough to share exactly what they spent on their adventure elopement.
Trying to stay on the lower end for your elopement budget? Here is one of the cheapest budget one of our couples spent on their elopement day!
Looking for a more middle of the road budget? Check out our full day elopement package that one of our couples booked and all of the aspects that went into their day.
Don’t really have a figure in mind and want all of the amenities during your best day ever? Our two-day elopement package is for you! Peep what one of our couples planned for during their two-day elopement and all of the vendors that went into their day.
FAQs About How Much Does It Cost to Elope?
What is a realistic budget for elopement?
Elopement budgets can range from $5,000-$50,000+ depending on the kind of experience you want to have. Typically, though, our couples spend between $15,000 and $30,000 when they elope with us as their photographer.
Is elopement cheaper than a wedding?
The answer to this question is “usually, but not always.” Just like weddings, elopements come in all shapes and sizes. Just like a couple can have a simple wedding, they can also have a luxe elopement. In our experience, couples typically spend less on elopements because they do not need to rent a venue or cater food for hundreds of guests (which are some of the largest costs of a wedding). However, other costs (such as your photographer, marriage license, and wedding attire) are fixed and don’t change that much regardless of whether you plan a wedding or elopement.
We Hope This Blog Helps You Plan Through Your Cost of Eloping
If there’s one thing we want to stress when it comes to your elopement budget it’s this: how much you spend on your elopement matters less than how your experience feels. While elopement costs vary greatly depending on what you envision for your dream day, how much you spend really comes down to what you prioritize.
We hope this guide helps give you an idea of how much does an elopement cost, plus ideas for what to consider when planning your elopement budget. And, if you’re ready to hire your elopement photographer, we would love to help you dream up your best day ever! Contact us below and let the adventure begin!
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