Chasers of the Light Elopement Planning Guide
It’s high time we made this, hell we’ve been planning on doing it for long enough. We have always wanted to address a question that’s asked by millions (Did you know most research says that there are 115 MILLION WEDDINGS every single year on Earth?! Almost 3 million of those are in the United States) of people the moment after someone pop’s the big question.
We’re Engaged! Um…now what?
Before we get to far, let us here at Chasers of the Light be the first to say: CONGRATULATIONS! You just said “yes” to forever, and now you’re probably wondering, what the heck comes next?!
Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered.
There are a million ways to do this, a million ways to get hitched and promise that one person that you’re in it for the long haul. Today we just want to cover one, and we want to do so by developing this handy-dandy little Chasers of the Light Elopement Guide.
If you’re even thinking about eloping, clearly you’re already our kind of people. Intimate, adventurous weddings are where the magic happens — just you, your person, and maybe a handful of people you love most (or no one at all, we don’t judge).
This guide is here to help you figure it all out — from choosing the perfect spot to nailing down the details. We’ve done this many, many times, so you can feel confident placing your trust in our hands.
The first question we always suggest asking, the one that should probably come before anything else is simple:
WHERE IN THE WORLD DO YOU WANT TO SAY ‘I DO’?
Close those eyes. Breathe. Now imagine it’s your wedding day…
Are you standing on a cliffside with ocean waves crashing below?
Are you hiking to a mountain peak at sunset?
Are you running barefoot on an island beach with seabirds calling?
Are you in and amongst the city lights of some modern skyline?
What we won’t let you lose sight of: It’s Your wedding, Your rules. This day is about the two of you — not about old traditions, other’s expectations, or that one uncle who always makes things awkward at family events.
Dream big. Where have you always wanted to go together?
Question two is just as simple, and once you’ve got a grasp of the where, we always suggest the second question is a how.
HOW DO YOU WANT TO FEEL ON YOUR DAY?
Forget about the logistics for a minute…
Do you want to feel carefree and spontaneous and immersed in the moment?
Do you want a cozy, intimate vibe — just the two of and gorgeous views?
Do you want adventure — hiking boots under dresses or suits or a barefoot beach ceremony right before dusk?
How you feel matters. Let that guide your decisions.
Knowing this will help you determine how hard you want to work to achieve the elopement of your dreams. Some places are just harder to get to, some places are almost ‘turn-key’ and all you have to do is show up. We’ve done this enough, we can help you craft exactly what you want, how you want it.
If you’re still feeling stuck, if you’re teeter-tottering between a dozen locations, a dozen different feels, we can help with that too. We’ve been to a lot of places with a lot of couples, so here are some
DESTINATION IDEAS TO SPARK YOUR WANDERLUST
Here are a few killer elopement spots we’ve long been obsessed with:
Pacific Northwest: Moody forests, dramatic coastlines, and epic waterfalls. This is such an easy place to vanish into gorgeous landscapes, without having to hop on overnight international flights.
The Rocky Mountains: Feeling like wildflower meadows and alpine lakes at golden hour? Another easy-to-reach option for the most majestic mountain elopements you could possibly ask for. From Glacier National Park to the high deserts of New Mexico, this stretch of land is stunning.
Scotland, Ireland, Wales, & United Kingdom - Imagine the Highlands of Scotland (for all those Outlander vibes), the million shades of green of Ireland, the ancient castles and stunning coastlines of Wales, the Tudor style buildings that pepper the English countryside. These are our homes away from home, and we know them like the back of our hands. Whatever vibe you’re chasing, we know how to find it.
Iceland: Black sand beaches and otherworldly landscapes. Step off the Ring Road and disappear into another world.
Hawaii or Caribbean - From lava fields to lush jungles, crashing waves to the most perfect turquoise waters as far as the eye can see. Finish your night in some open-air cabana and let yourself feel a slower pace of life.
Deserts from Utah to Arizona & beyond: Red rock cliffs, soaring sand dunes, unbelievable geological formations, all bathed in golden sunsets.
Still not sure where to go? We’ve got you. We’ll help you find the perfect spot.
You’ve got the where, and you’ve got the how, and presumably your when will be based on your own schedules and the destination you choose. Next up is easy. Ask yourself the who.
WHO'S INVITED (IF ANYONE)?
Broken records here, but we’ll just remind you one more time in case you forgot: The beauty of eloping? You make the rules.
Who do you want to join you?
Just the two of you? Legendary.
Just a handful of close family and friends? Perfect.
Want your dog as the ring bearer? Absolutely.
Secret Tip: Keep it small and meaningful. Less stress = more love.
You’re almost there! You’ve got the broad strokes down, now it’s just the details so you make sure that after all your hard work planning, you have the perfect way to capture all those memories that will last a lifetime. We’ve said it a million times, after choosing your location and overall vibe, the most important element is choosing elopement photographers you love, can trust, and have zero doubts will be your spirit guides through the whole process. Next question to ask:
WHEN TO BOOK YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER (Hi! It’s obviously gonna be us, right?!)
Timing really does matter! Calendars can fill up quick, certain spots are more popular at certain times, etc. Here’s a quick rundown:
Elopements in national parks? Book 6-12 months out for permits, and we suggest shoulder seasons for less crowds and better quality of light.
Mountain top vows? Aim for late summer or early Autumn for the best weather, and best light.
On a beach? We’ve shot at noon on the beach in the middle of summer in Mexico. Everyone burned their feet. Clearly there’s other ways to enjoy this beauty.
International Destination elopements? Simply put, the sooner, the better (especially for travel prices, lodging availability, and logistics).
Good news — we’ve got experience with all of it. Let’s make this easy.
Details details details, there are a few more worth mentioning, little things that can make or break the overall enjoyment of your entire adventure.
A FEW THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT THINK ABOUT:
Permits — Yep, some epic places require them. Ask us about the weird bartering we had to do to get into the ancient Mayan site you see above…Either way, We can help.
Weather & Time — Sunset and golden hour always make for the best lighting (and vibes). Both of these are dependent on the weather, and the time of year you’re choosing to do this magic thing.
Accessibility — Want to hike in wedding attire? Have people who can’t make it to a mountain top? Everything is possible with a little planning. So, let's make it work.
Officiant — Want a friend to do it? Want Tyler to do it? Most states and countries allow that! We’ve seen and done it all, even married a handful of you ourselves. No worries, either way.
Backup Plan — Mother Nature can be moody. Our philosophy is to always embrace what the universe throws you, dance in the rain, make snow angels in the blizzard, whatever. BUT, having a plan in case you’re not on board with that is a great idea.
READY TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN?
If this little guide has you screaming “YESSSS!" — we should probably chat.
We specialize in elopements (destination or even local) and intimate weddings that are all about you. We believe in No Stress, No Drama — just beautiful moments and the most epic photos to relive it all.
Fill out the contact form below! — let’s start planning the adventure of your lifetime.
LET'S CHASE THE LIGHT TOGETHER
