Getting eloped on a budget

Isn’t an elopement already an affordable alternative to a traditional wedding? That may be true, but what if you want to get eloped on a strict budget?
 
We’ve put together the ultimate clear cut guide to eloping with a preset small budget, so you don’t have to crunch the numbers (that much!).
 
While many want an elopement or wedding ceremony to be this big, flashy event that spares no expense, that’s just not a realistic goal for a lot of people.
 
Many couples these days would prefer to invest that large sum of money into a down payment on a house, or at least their first nice apartment. Or perhaps for going back to school and expanding their career.
 
Either way, there’s a lot of ways to spend several thousands of dollars, and more practical couples are reluctant to blow it all on one day, even if it’s for their marriage.
 
After all, it’s not about the money. If you know what you’re doing and how to budget, you can have an unforgettable ceremony for only around $1000.
 
Sound too good to be true?
 
It depends on where you want to go and what you want to include, but we’ll help you trim down your expenses and focus only on the core elements of what makes an elopement magical. You can honestly make $1000 or so go a long way if you know what you’re looking for.

Elopement Packages VS Winging It

The first and perhaps the most essential element of this is that you don’t want to wing it and piece everything together yourself.
 
There are many great elopement specialists out there who have already cut deals with the best photographers, florists, and hotels in town, and have put together super affordable packages that roll everything into one. Better yet, they even take care of all the arrangements, essentially taking all of the boring guesswork out of actually planning a ceremony.
 
While it is true many elopement packages with all the bells and whistles can cost in excess of $5000, if you look around, you can find them for a fraction of that price tag and often around the $1000 mark.
 
It also depends on how big a ceremony you want from the outset. It’s unlikely that you will be able to have a truly “budget” elopement if you are planning to cater to 30 people, unless they don’t mind cheese and crackers.
 
The catering is part of what inflates average wedding costs. If you’re looking for a more simplistic, romantic, and cost-effective ceremony, only invite a small group of your closest friends and family. Some of the most magical elopements are the ones where you can just about count everyone involved on two hands.
 
This makes catering and “people managing” a whole lot easier and cheaper, and is one of the biggest reasons couples love elopements. Zero hassle when you don’t have to worry about relatives you haven’t seen in a decade and catering to 100 different people’s food tastes and expectations.

Simple and Affordable Elopement

Looking for a dirt cheap getaway to gorgeous Colorado? This elopement package only costs $900 for an officiant and expert advice on getting your wedding license, where to hold your ceremony, and more, as well as an hour of professional wedding photography.
 
Sometimes the best elopements are the ones that are all about the romance and the simplicity of a union in a whimsical, beautiful location. If you’re looking for something simple, you should investigate this package or ones like it. If you look around, you can find similar packages in many other popular elopement locations around the country!
 
Don’t forget to work travel expenses into your budget. If you’re going for a simple, budget-friendly ceremony, you might want to think about looking for airfare deals or even taking a road trip to your destination! Don’t be afraid to make an adventure out of it, rather than blowing money on luxuries.

Incredible New Orleans Elopement Packages

If you want to go all out but still want to keep a strict budget in mind, there’s packages for that as well!
 
There are great elopement packages put together by professionals all around the country that go to great lengths to meet the various needs of couples looking for budget-friendly ceremonies.
 
Here are some of our recommended New Orleans elopement packages. If you’re not aware, New Orleans is an elopement Mecca, sporting some of the finest hotels, restaurants, parks, and weather in the country, making it an ideal spot for couples wanting to tie the knot in style!
 
These packages start at $1495 and include everything from seasonal bouquets, personal wedding cakes, champagne, and even balcony ceremonies and luxury hotel suites.
 
All for less than the price of a traditional wedding’s catering bill!
 

Even More Budget Elopement Packages

Still looking for awesome elopement deals? We’ve got a list of our favorite budget-friendly elopement options right here.
 
When it comes to deciding which elopement package is right for you, just narrow down what you think you need, and what you can afford on top of the package, such as hotel expenses if they are not covered.
 
The best part of package deals is that typically, the overall price of everything offered is lower than if you went out and found these services individually. And even that is a service in and of itself, since you’re not always going to find the best officiant or florist if you aren’t from the area or have no knowledge of event planning.
 
In terms of working on a budget, elopement packages are typically the way to go, but we do have some advice in case you want to strike off on your own!

Manually Planning Your Elopement

We don’t personally recommend going without an elopement package because elopement professionals have been planning and putting together weddings and elopements for years, often for decades, and are extremely knowledgeable about which local services are best and the most affordable.
 
However, if you insist on going it alone, here is some general advice to get you started!
 

• First find a reputable officiant. There’s no ceremony without them!
• Factor in your hotel and travel expenses early, so you don’t go over-budget.
• Don’t waste good money on expensive tuxes and dresses.
• Dress for the location and don’t be afraid to lean casual.
• Pay attention to online reviews for the services you are looking for.
• Call and make personal visits if possible. You don’t want any surprises.
• Don’t forget the photographer. Often a great photographer is the bulk of any good elopement package for a reason, you want to capture those memories right!

 
The rest should be a piece of cake. You can definitely put together an unforgettable elopement on a small budget, it just takes a bit of planning and ingenuity.

Click HERE to learn the 5 secrets to a successful (and stress-free) elopement and BONUS checklist!