So often I hear from brides – recent or in days past – that they wish they would have done their wedding festivities differently. That they would have cared less about other people’s expectations and more about how to celebrate their own love in the way that really felt unique to them as a couple. And my first thought is always this
Elope and then have a party.
![](https://aprilmpaynephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Sarah-and-Guy-HMNS-91-1024x683.jpg)
I think there is a huge misconception about eloping, that it has to be done in a far away place or that you have to eschew all of your friends and family in order to do it. But the reality is is that you can have the intimate gathering of your dreams and still include those closest to you in a variety of ways!
![](https://aprilmpaynephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Sarah-and-Guy-HMNS-14-1-683x1024.jpg)
Here is my favorite elopement + party timeline ::
- Elope. At the courthouse. At your moms house. At your favorite bar. At the little white chapel in Vegas. At a far away mountain destination. You choose somewhere that feels right to you both. You can invite whomever you want to this. It can be the 2 of you or you can invite your 10 closest friends. But this is the ceremony. The vows. The words that you pledge in front of God and everyone. That happens here.
- A badass photoshoot. Pardon me for sneaking one in here, but seriously, THIS is where you get the art. Take the time to do the shoot of your dreams. Spill your heart out to your photographer and let them create a way to bring your dreams to life with you and your boo as the stars.
- CELEBRATE. This can be the day of your vows. This can be 6 months down the line. It can be your 40 favorite people. It can be your 400 favorite people. This is YOUR party. And what’s cool is that this is just that :: A PARTY. You get to celebrate your love with the people who want to celebrate with you without the nerves and the timelines and the craziness of a traditional wedding day.
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