If you’re newly engaged and you’re about to embark on your wedding planning journey, we’d firstly love to wish you a huge congratulations! We’re sure you’ve been swept up in the romantic blur of being engaged and rest assured, things only get more exciting!
If you’ve always adored the thought of an elopement wedding, where you can say ‘I Do’ as just two, today’s post is one to bookmark. Specialising in elopements and smaller celebrations, our team at Brickhouse Vineyard certainly know a thing or two about how to host an intimate wedding – whether you are running away to get wed or you’re having a very small handful of guests / witnesses.
While it’s easy to come across planning advice and to-do-lists for traditional weddings with larger guest lists, you may not have spotted any ideas for elopements. With that in mind, we’ve whipped up the ultimate elopement checklist to effortlessly guide you through the experience, so that you can tie the knot in exactly the way you want to! From budgets to bookings, keep scrolling and get to grips with your elopement wedding…
1. Where in the world will you elope?
Choosing the location where you’re planning to elope is possibly one of the most exciting (not to mention most important) aspects of wedding planning. Consider the feel you want for your wedding day – do you want something unusual, or do you still want the fairy tale vibes? Here at Brickhouse Vineyard, we offer a selection of elopement wedding packages that are designed to bring you the day you’ve always dreamed of – with a setting to match! You’ll have the bonus of our supported wedding coordinators, champagne afternoon tea for two and the most beautiful backdrops you can imagine!
2. Consider when you want to elope
What time of year are you looking to elope? Do you adore the idea of tying the knot in the gorgeous summer sunshine, or perhaps those cosy festive vibes will do the trick. If there is a season you both love as a couple (such as golden autumnal walks), take this into account when planning the date for your elopement wedding. Find out more about how long it takes to elope.
3. Book your wedding photographer and suppliers
Whether you’re having a wedding with an extensive guest list or an elopement wedding, suppliers often get booked up more than a year in advance. If you have your heart set on a certain wedding photographer or supplier, make sure you enquire about their availability and get them booked! Don’t forget, we can recommend a whole host of wedding suppliers who promise to make your elopement wedding at Brickhouse Vineyard magical.
4. Decide if you’re inviting any other guests
Eloping is all about having the most incredible experience together – and lots of our couples choose to do that alone, while asking our team members here at Brickhouse Vineyard to be witnesses. On the other hand, some of our couples choose to have their parents or best friends stood beside them as they exchange their vows. It’s completely up to you who you choose to be present at your elopement wedding! When you’ve decided, here’s how to announce your elopement.
.5. Plan your elopement aisle style
Just because you’re eloping, it doesn’t mean you can’t still go all out with your aisle style! With that in mind, feel free to check some of our favourite ideas on How to Style Your Elopement Wedding to make sure it’s memorable in every single way!
Opt for a gown that works in harmony with where you’re getting married and the overall vibe of your day. If you’re a groom-to-be, the same applies for your suit. If you’re getting wed in the warmer months, consider a lighter linen suit, as opposed to a thicker knit in winter. You can find helpful tips here on What to Wear When You Elope.
6. Create your elopement timeline
The beauty of an elopement is that you can bid farewell to tradition and plan your wedding exactly how you want it. Having a timeline means you can really make the most of your day – you’ll just need to let your photographer and venue know the details! As part of our elopement wedding packages at Brickhouse Vineyard, we include champagne afternoon tea for two, an overnight stay at our luxurious nearby accommodation and of course, lots of romantic strolls around the vineyard. We adore seeing how our couples make their elopement wedding truly personal – whether that’s arriving in a vintage car, heading off to the coast for a dip in the sea after they’ve said ‘I Do’ or simply having a cosy night in at home! Find out more about what happens on the day you elope.
7. Organise the essentials
Think about what you’ll need for your elopement wedding and make an additional checklist of the things you need to buy and tick off. From your wedding rings to vow books, it’s time to get organised and get buying! This includes flights and travel items if you’re eloping to a far-flung destination.
8. Have a weather back-up plan
No matter where in the world you’re getting wed, the weather doesn’t always play ball. We recommend having a Plan B in place just in case your alfresco-style elopement has an unpredictable weather forecast. While we are renowned for our exquisite grounds in the Devonshire countryside, we are also proud to boast an array of charming indoor spaces for those rainy days!
9. Write your elopement vows
There is something so indescribably special about eloping and it’s an opportunity to write the most beautiful, heartfelt and personal vows. Allow yourself enough time to prepare for your vows (both writing and practising saying them) so that you can do it with total confidence and sincerity on the day itself. Exchanging your vows is one of the most integral parts of an elopement wedding, so avoid doing it in a rush! In the lead-up to your special day, make a note of anything that you think of before you forget it. This way when it comes to putting pen to paper you’ll be utterly inspired.
10. Plan your elopement wedding ceremony
You can make your elopement wedding ceremony as personal as you want it to be – it’s all about you, after all. Our team at Brickhouse Vineyard work closely with our couples to tailor the experience so that it perfectly reflects their love stories. From the music to the readings and what happens after your elopeement, this is the time to consider the things that mean the most to you.
Now you’re clued up (courtesy of our elopement checklist) we’d love to welcome you to have a nosey around our charming elopement wedding venue in Devon.
Drop us a note to book in a private viewing or pop along to our Open Days! Team B can’t wait to meet you – but in the meantime, swing by Instagram to keep with our latest wedding adventures!
Images by Yeti Photography