How to Plan an Unforgettable Elopement Party: Tips for a Perfect Celebration

Elopement party may not suit your style if your decision to elope was made out of a desire to miss the main event. But for those of you who merely wanted to say your vows in private, or had a ceremony site -- say on top of a mountain or out on some lonely jetty -- that simply couldn't take all of your guests, then having a party afterwards certainly lets you celebrate your marriage in exactly the way it should be suited to yourself and your husband or wife.

“The party after elopement comes because you want to have a celebration for everybody who wants to have a round on your new marriage with you still," says wedding planner Olivia Carter. “The biggest benefits—excluding how wonderful that kind of party can be where all your loved ones are here—are that you can have time and space to make those occasions you used to get at a standard wedding cocktail hour and reception: You can get your beautiful dress and tuxedo, you and your best friends can all get made up together then go out for pictures with relatives and friends." A post-elopement party also enables both families and their friends to meet, mingle, and start shared memories of the couple.

The best part of a bash like this is that, unlike weddings, there aren't any built-in traditions that everyone has to follow. “Elopement parties do not have so many set required parts as a wedding,” says Carter. “One of the reasons that I think elopement parties are so popular these days is that because they have only been around for a few years, there isn't yet a strong definition of exactly how they do.” Ready to begin planning? Here is all the information you need, and more. ###How to Plan an Elopement Party The beauty of an elopement party is that you really can have any type of occasion you want, large or small, and no matter what budget is available. Here's what you need to do when holding this event, according to Carter.

A Theme Must Be Decided Upon:

Before you start planning for your elopement party, imagine the traditional wedding elements you would like to keep — a dance floor, some live music, long dinner in one sitting, and family introductions. And what you want to discard: “Sometimes it can be as informal as having everyone over for a backyard barbecue or just going out to the restaurant,” Carter concludes. “Have is also a fine idea; you will save on costs in this way. I invite you to celebrate ‘We Eloped‘ with a dinner instead of the cocktail party that guests cannot refuse to come or feel odd about attending.” Or even go ahead and organize an actual marriage-less wedding.

The style of your elopement can inspire the look and feel of your offbeat union. For instance, Carter says that if you went to Bali for your nuptials, utilize Bali as a starting point for bringing together design elements. Alternatively, She suggests “Why did you elope? To build or buy a home, wasn't it? Why not make your elopement party two-for-one, with a housewarming open house as well."

Pick A Location

Though you can throw an elopement party at the country club, event venue, or caterer, you are less locked into an “establishment” place than with a traditional ceremony and reception. “I would definitely encourage you to think outside the box,” says Carter, who believes that your affair might more naturally follow suit. For instance: You could rent out your favorite restaurant, where you met for an aperitif, the bar itself or an art museum to be all yours for one day. “The things of tradition or elements you may not want may well open doors that could not be opened before,” notes the event planner, without music, time to set up and flowers.

Draft Up the Schedule

Carter has tabled a schedule for her hypothetical one-day ceremony. It's an exercise in non-wedding efficiency: “Nobody puts on their make-up or shaves, everyone wears walk-around clothes.” At 12:30 p.m., the bridal couple leaves for the church, she says. Carter himself drives them there, and returns to wherever it is they're going afterwards. Importantly, this plan idea can help couples skirt many of the high-fee events and vendors associated with modern weddings today.

Start Your Venue Search

Venues range from banquet halls and country clubs to out-door settings in beautiful natural gardens. “You'll want your venue to reflect your personality,” says Carter. For the outdoor couple who loves nature and beautiful views, a ceremony in a rose garden might be just perfect: far more relaxed than your average hotel ballroom but still elegant on the big day itself. Biogenes favor locales such as these and other areas characterized by their natural beauty; La Costa Resort outside Palm Springs offers events throughout most days when they can go rather unnoticed.

Arrange Catering and Chairs

If you're having as few as four guests, you may not want a band. “You shouldn't have to have one," Carter says. She notes that the benefits of using albums and cassettes—both portable and potentially lasting far longer than any performance by live musicians—are too numerous to detail here. Also, we'd rather not bore you with talk about the bad food you'd eat while recording thins as Lambert did. As long as you have some amplification equipment, live music can be a money saver.

Confirm Your Guest Bedrooms

Your guests will need them. Cater suggests asking three or four friends to tentatively accept being called upon for service by then so that you can arrange all the rest with complete confidence. Again, for small dinners and luncheons, I agree: one day your closest friends should be willing to put on their oldest clothes and help you get everything ready. The practical possibility exists: now and then some friend who doesn't relish this kind of work will chip in—or else all your other friends will get too busy with their own entertaining.

Prepare for the Weather

There is only one thing more important to outdoor day after elopement parties, and that is to plan thoroughly for rain. The 129-acre Pope Farm Park in Madison, Wisconsin, practically begs outdoor-minded couples and their friends: no pavilion is required. The educated gardener (or amateur farmer) should find a climate-moist super grass lawn that becomes a natural soft brown carpet underfoot when drying out after rain; it is visible everywhere from inside the house. Use this information only if you hold your own party there, but if not just feel good about knowing you belong among those who live where fall is the real season.

Make your elopement party as memorable as a wedding by injecting some unique touches that are particular to you and your partner Luckshaw agrees: “Get pretty wedding stationery, have a monogram designed, and get cute cocktail napkins with your dog, the newlyweds as soon as you need them.” Instead of a cake, serve your favorite dessert fromgo-to date night spot.Create "Our Story" cards with details of the relationship and elopement rather than having ceremony programs; take microphone to give a toasting your partner, parents, and friends who was with you all the way.“My most favorite part is to showcase how your new marriage got started with an elopement video or images in slideshow. Very much like a traditional wedding, the event planner adds. "You can still be yourself then."