Raise your hand if you still think “eloping” means running away in secret and marrying your person. While some couples absolutely still lean into that definition of “eloping”, the vast majority of eloping couples choose to create an intimate, meaningful experience centered around their love. Today’s elopements may even include guests, an intimate dinner party, and a touch of luxury. If you’re not thrilled at the thought of planning a traditional wedding, but don’t want to sacrifice on some of the ‘finer’ things in life, you’re in luck. Whether you envision majestic mountain views, towering pines, or alpine lakes, here’s how to create a luxurious elopement experience that is sure to check all your boxes.

Before we dive into the good stuff, allow us to introduce ourselves! We are Chuck & Shiloh, a married photo and video duo based in Colorado Springs, Colorado — traveling worldwide for love. Besides the true gift it is to document love stories side-by-side, forming friendships with our couples is the best part of our job. If you are looking for an elopement photographer and videographer to plan with you, celebrate with you, and capture the most ballin’ moments for you, we’d love to connect.

Creating a Luxurious Elopement Experience

Pick a Dreamy Location

Location is everything when it comes to creating a luxurious elopement experience. Not only does it set the tone for your elopement, but it is such a simple way elevate the overall vibe. As important as it is to find the perfect elopement location, it can also be overwhelming given just how many options there are.

When we have couples who can’t quite commit to just one location, we challenge them to really envision their wedding day. We asked them to take a moment to think about their day if a budget was no factor — not because a budget doesn’t matter, but because then we can select elements from their vision to find the perfect destination. Here are some questions to consider to help you and your honey envision your wedding day:

Is there any place on our bucket list to visit?
Where has been the best trip we’ve taken together?
Do we imagine being immersed in the wilderness of the mountains or barefoot on a serene beach?
Are there any activities we would like to partake in during our elopement?
Do we enjoy warmer or cooler atmospheres?

Considering a Colorado elopement? Be sure to check out the blog for breathtaking destinations.

Pick a Dress that Compliments the Environment (and Your Taste)

Once you have the location nailed down, the next step to achieving a luxurious elopement experience is to choose a dress. But not just any dress, of course. One of the biggest appeals of eloping is having the freedom to do whatever feels the most authentic to you (this includes what you wear)! Your elopement is your opportunity to wear the dress of your dreams. Or maybe even the dresses of your dreams. Choose a dress that just screams “THIS IS SOOO ME!” Whether you’re a whimsical, boho bride or you lean more towards modest and traditional, your taste and style are an integral part of having a day that feels most like you.

With your style in mind, the next key to really elevating your elopement experience and making it feel luxurious, is to choose a bridal outfit that compliments the environment. If you’re getting married in the mountains during the wintertime, a long-sleeve wedding gown would be the move. Maybe you’re a beach bride — a light, flowy gown would be a much better choice. Whatever kind of wedding dress you choose, consider your taste and the environment.

Focus on the Details

Some of the most effortlessly luxurious weddings are the ones that highlight the littlest details. Capturing wedding day details are some of my favorite moments of a wedding day because they complete the love story. From photo booth strips to heirloom jewelry, there’s something so special about the tiniest little details. If you’re looking for an affordable, effective way to create a luxurious elopement experience, here are some details to consider including:

Invitational suite
Rings
Perfume and/or Cologne
Love letters
Cufflinks
Ribbon scraps
Dried florals from old bouquets
Heirloom jewelry
Watch
Map of elopement location
Shoes/boots

Unique flat lay wedding details inspiration

Hire a Caterer

Whether you are inviting guests to take part in your elopement festivities, or it will just be you and your honey, hiring a caterer is a fun way to add some luxury to your wedding. Hire a private chef to come to your Airbnb and make you a delicious meal. There’s something so romantic about having someone else cook you dinner — and not just at a restaurant. You can go out to dinner any other day, but it’s a special occasion to have a catered meal just for the two of you (and your guests if you so choose). Whether you love pasta, prime rib, or seafood, it is absolutely worth the splurge!

Hiring a Private Chef for Your Elopement

Champagne, caviar, and oysters to celebrate an apres ski elopement.

Create an Intimate Dining Experience

Creating an inviting, intimate dining experience is such a special and impactful way to make your elopement feel more luxurious. Just imagine ambient lighting and a table lined with taper candles, greenery sprinkled throughout, place settings complete with handwritten place cards for your guests, vintage glassware, and cloth napkins.

Even if your elopement is just the two of you, you deserve to have an intimate dining experience to celebrate your best day ever. To complete the intimate dining experience, include champagne (or sparkling juice) and a cake.

Luxurious wedding dinner party tablescape

Bride and groom toast their guests during an intimate outdoor wedding dinner party.

Carefully Select Your Accommodations

Another way to create a luxurious elopement experience is to choose a unique place to stay. Often times, accommodations are one of the last things couples think about when planning their elopement. Rather than thinking of your accommodations as “just a place to sleep”, think of them as an extension of your wedding day. Even if you plan on traveling beyond your elopement destination following your “I do’s”, you deserve to stay somewhere special during your time.

As an elopement photographer and videographer, we love helping our couples find the perfect place to stay. But if you are finding your own accommodations, here are some tips to choose where to stay:

Consider the distance from venue or ceremony location.
If budget is a huge concern, think about booking a really fun, unique place for just a couple nights, then staying at a more affordable option for the rest of your time.
Utilize Airbnb, VRBO, and recommendations from other couples or wedding vendors. If a hotel is more your vibe, splurge on a boutique resort or hotel suite with a jacuzzi, fireplace, and champagne.
Look for a place with plenty of natural light if you plan on getting ready there before your elopement.
Toggle your search to unique stays that you wouldn’t ordinarily check out. Maybe a treehouse, a place with a hot tub, a yurt, a tiny home, etc.

Have Your Guests Play the Part with Their Attire

Our final recommendation on creating a luxurious elopement experience would be to get your guests involved with their attire. Just as important as it is for you and your honey to dress for the environment, ask your guests to do the same. Maybe you are having a skiing elopement — as guests to wear chic winter wear. Or maybe you love florals — request guests to wear pastels and florals. Inviting your guests to wear something special is such an intentional, easy way to elevate your elopement.

Colorado Elopement Photographer and Videographer | Chuck & Shiloh

Getting married in Colorado? We have a ton of FREE elopement planning resources to make your dream nuptials a reality. Check them out below! Before you go too far, be sure to keep up with our adventures as a Colorado elopement photo and video duo over on the ‘Gram (@chuckandshiloh). Happy planning, friend!