Wedding planning can be extremely stressful! There are so many things to think about, what color theme are you going with, how many bridesmaids are you going to have, what color table linens are you going to have, how many hundreds of people that you don't talk to on a regular basis are you going to invite? The list goes on and on.. a never ending sea of "must have's" because that's what you are "supposed" to do. I say FORGET ALL THAT! Do you what you want, make your wedding uniquely "you". Your wedding should be about the love between you and your significant other and not any of that other nonsense. So if that sounds fitting for you, please continue reading, I have some great elopement tips for you!

Tip # 1 - First and foremost (and I might be partially biased on this one ;) ) Hire a Photographer! This is the first most important thing (apart from your actual marriage)- hiring a photographer to capture one of the biggest days of your life to preserve those memories for years and generations to come is crucial. Hire someone whose work you admire and that you get along with. Getting along with your photographer is also very important- you are going to be spending a lot of time with them and having someone that you mesh well with is very important, if you don't like who they are as a person, you won't like the end results in your images even if they are wonderful. Don't worry about finding a photographer in the area you want to get married- you can find a photographer in your home town who is wiling to travel with you to capture your memories!

P.S. I LOVE to travel :)

Tip #2 - Relax! Planning an elopement can be done in just a few short weeks! Making it easy breezy! Want to get married at your favorite bar, coffee shop, mountain top, an Irish cliffside, a treehouse in the forest? Great! Do it! Pick your favorite spot or plan an epic adventure- the world is your oyster! The great thing about eloping is that you aren't restricted to some dingy banquet hall- you can literally get married anywhere your heart desires! In front of a waterfall in a state park? Do it! If you need help picking the perfect spot consult your photographer! They are great at picking locations!

Tip #3 - It's all about the Love- I cannot stress this enough! This day is all about your love for each other. Focus on making your day unique to you, pick small details and style that are fitting to you. Want to wear a black dress? Go for it! Want to wear a flowing floral gown? Go for it! This is your day, be you! Keep it simple because the day is about your love!

Tip #4 - Save Money! No one wants to spend a small fortune on one day. Typical city weddings cost upwards of $30,000 ::gasp:: Save that money for your honeymoon, a down payment on a house etc...

Tip #5 - You get to Travel! Who doesn't love to travel? Follow your heart and elope somewhere you have always wanted to go. Turn your wedding day into an epic adventure!