I am a hugeeee family person, so I understand the guilty feeling for wanting an elopement (or a portion) with just you and your significant other. I also understand that every elopement looks different to every single person. So you should not plan your elopement like others did it because you are scared of doing something new and different. The point of eloping is doing things your way, and your way ONLY.
My name is Cynthia and I am a Colorado based Elopement Photographer. I have photographed elopements that only include the two people eloping. I have also photographed elopements that have 15+ people. And I have done elopements that have a mix of moments where it involves 15+ guests and just the two of them There is no right or wrong way to plan your elopement!!!!
If you need help figuring out what your guest list looks like, do not hesitate to contact me here. Happy to Help Plan and make your dream elopement come to life.
Here is a list of Ideas on How to Include your Family in your Colorado Elopement
- Plan a portion of your day with them. I think this is a great middle ground situation where you don’t want either side of the extreme. You want alone time with your sweetheart, but you also want to include your family members that have shaped you into the people you are today. I LOVE THIS. It is the best of both worlds.
- Read letters from them during your Elopement. This is sweet because your family members will feel included and loved even though they are not physically there on the day of your Elopement. You can read these letters as you get ready, or during your ceremony!
- Wear/Carry something meaningful. This is a spin on “wearing your moms wedding dress” for me. You could wear a broach, or a tie of a loved one. It makes the people you love’s presence be felt and it is a little more private !
- Face time them. You can literally call your family on top of the mountain and scream “WE DID IT” and I assure you that there will be real, authentic, warm tears and laughs coming from both sides of the call!
- Include family in your vows. Mentioning the names of the people you love during your ceremony and vows is powerful!!! That recognition will make you feel like they were there, I promise.
- Host a Colorado “just married” dinner. This is another one of those “meet in the middle” situations where the majority of your day is just you two and then you have this moment where you get to share that joy with the people closest to you. (It can also be a breakfast or brunch)
- Plan a reception later. If you are wanting more time with your people (I get it), then planning something in the future can be a way to keep everyone happy(even though its not your job). If I was eloping, this is something I would have done 10000%
- Share a highlight film or gallery. I think this is my Favorite idea. This way, you get your day and then you get to share your epic video and pictures from your Colorado Elopement? Heck yes.
- Mail announcements. Kinda like save-the-date but backwards! I always take the opportunity to show off my pictures, you should too!!
- Ring warming. Before heading out to your Colorado Elopement, you could have family members and friends hold your rings and think happy thoughts and send their prayers and wishes. This is so powerful and will make some amazing memories before the elopement.
Are there any ideas that spoke to you? If so, you should definitely incorporate them into your Colorado elopement.
Family is important, and it’s completely normal to have questions or hesitation about including loved ones when planning an elopement. Many couples worry that choosing an elopement means leaving family out but that isn’t the case. A Colorado elopement allows you to be intentional about how you include family, even if they are not physically present on the day.
At the end of the day, your elopement should reflect your relationship and your priorities. By intentionally including family in ways that feel right to you, you can create a Colorado elopement that honors both your love story and the people who helped shape it.
Are you ready to plan your Colorado Elopement? I would love to help photograph it.
