Here is what a lot of midwest couples / clients of mine tell me. They want to have the full on adventure elopement, somewhere epic (think mountains) but they also still want to have that all-night rager with their friends. How do you plan a destination elopement AND a local, back home wedding reception? Don’t worry, you found me! I got your back!
If you missed my full guide to planning an elopement check that one out here!
Wanting it ALL: Destination Elopement and at home Wedding Reception
Okay should we get the big one out of the way first? Budget.
Budget at the end of the day is the big deciding factor on everything you can do, everywhere you can go, and how many of your friends / family you can invite.
If you’re like me, you’re selective luxury. Some things are big spenders because they are higher on your priority list, others, it’s mid.
Sit down with your partner and truly come up with a priority list first, this will help with the next step of numbers.
Setting a Priority List for Your Destination Elopement and Wedding Reception
What do you mean as a priority list Jamie?!
So glad you asked, okay so that means location, vendors, food, all of those types of things. Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean it’s “cheap”. We don’t do cheap here, we do intentional and adventure.
Priority List Example:
- Photographer (Me 😉 hehe)
- First class flight round trip
- Vibey Airbnb
- Food
- Activities (Helicopter tour, picnic, yakking down the river)
- Attire (Dress / Suit / Shoes)
- Content Creator / Videographer
This is just legit my priority list order at the moment of writing this, but you might feel the same! Your list might have other things on it!
Once you set the list of what means the most to you (typically my clients it truly is photos that let them be in the moment of the experience and also are high quality to last a lifetime) then we can start getting number quotes.
Destination Elopement Budget: How to Plan with a Wedding Reception in Mind
Keep in mind depending on everything you want to do you could spend more or less or about the same between your elopement and wedding reception.
Elopement Budget: $25,250
Photographer: $8500
First Class Flight: $1000
Vibey Airbnb 5x Nights: $2500
Food x5 Days: $750
Activities: $500-3500
Attire: $2500-4500
Content Creator: $4500
This is legit estimates, exact costs depend on what you value and the vendors you for sure want.
Wedding Reception Budget: $33,000
Venue: $7000
Planner / Coordinator: $5000
Photographer: $5000
Catering at 150 Guests: $4500
Bar: $2500
Music: $2500
Floral: $1500
Content Creator: $1500
Late Night Snack: $2500
Desserts: $1000
Also again, budget estimates, it depends where and what you choose! You can also re-wear your attire, or you could have a certain package with certain vendors! Just keep in mind these are multi day events so vendors will have multi day rates to block off in their calendars.
Don’t close out after seeing numbers, you have the luxury of doing whatever feels right to you, let’s switch to planning logistics
How to actually plan this and find the right vendors. That’s the true task.
I can with my full chest say that is why you hire a photographer like me, because you have my knowledge to the wedding / elopement world, all the vendors I have ever worked with (and ones to avoid), and the ability to ask me anything.
Planning elopements in locations like the mountains, Utah, Colorado, Oregon, anywhere with an epic view is my thing. I know how to scout and plan for things that would be meaningful to you.
Step 1 to Planning Logistics:
Find a Photographer who shows they are an expert in destination or elopement work. Trust me. They need to know the ins and outs of permits to be able to help you.
Once you find a photographer, that’s when you can ask them what the level of planning they offer is. For me I do all the location scouting for my couples then send you over a list to pick from, you get to just relax and show up at the GPS locations I scouted.
Step 2 After you Hired an Elopement Photographer:
That’s when you can start to secure your lodging, researching fun airbnbs, and brainstorming ideas to make your elopement unique and truly “this is so us”.
If you do pick a different photographer (okay sorry have to plug myself planning these things is my thing!) see if they have a full elopement guide that gives all the info and ideas you may have not thought about trying.
Step 3 Picking attire, footwear, and little details:
Locations picked, ideas picked out, this is where you can shop for your attire, footwear, and little trinkets that you’d want to bring with you. If you’re going full adventure make sure to look into hiking boots, headlamps, and comfortable clothes.
Then make sure to secure your permits, marriage license, and anything like a passport or REAL ID to travel.
Remember, this is your way to kick off your marriage don’t stress if you don’t have a full idea of what you want yet. Your vendors are key people to lean on.
How to Plan the Wedding Reception After Your Elopement
Truly the reception parts can be a little easier because you’re typically picking a venue near where you live or where your family and friends live. From there it’s touring, and consulting with a few vendors you want to include (bonus points if the venue has a list of their favorites).
You can pick a date based off the elopement date (if you want it close in time frame or even after you get back from a honeymoon).
This is also where I would recommend a good planner if you’re a type B human, or just want to show up and party. Speaking from experience I wish I at the bare minimum did a coordinator / set up team so that my family didn’t have to do the decor.
Pro Tip: How to actually find vendors for your destination elopement
This seems to be the scary part for a lot of couples, and I don’t blame you with the different scams out there you want to make sure you spend your dollar with people who support you, and want to show up for you in every way.
Here are my best tips for finding actual pro vendor teams:
- Google – Do they show up in multiple links when you search their name, or service type
- Website – Does it appear to be updated, modern, current photos
- Blog – Do they post frequently on there, are they giving tips, showing real clients?
- Reviews – Do they have them across multiple platforms (Google, Facebook, Zola, The Knot, Adventure Wed)
- Social Media – Are they active and showing their face in their content, do they show off their personality in reels or tiktoks?
Now the nitty gritty ways to pick apart your vendors to know the green flags:
- Do they list their location at the top AND bottom of their website?
- Do they talk about where they love working? (For me it’s national parks and mountains!)
- It’s okay if they don’t live there, do they show knowledge about WHERE you want to elope
- Do they speak in a normal conversational way, just hey this is how we’re going to work together!
- Are they quick to respond to your message (Truly 72 hours max unless they said out of office)
- Do they personalize things, this is a high level vendor wanting your experience to be worth it not just the end product of photos / service hired
- Do they offer help to you when you reach out?
When I am searching for a vendor I will legit go to google and type, “Colorado Elopement photographer” then see what I see. See what stands out to me, and then I start some research, do I like how they tell the story, am I clicking with their copy on their website? Is it easy to navigate, am I left with questions or doubt?
Wanting Colorado? Make sure to reach out to Wild Social Microweddings – Amazing planner!
How to Include Your Elopement in the Reception
Just because you’re doing your vows in the mountains (or where ever we decide!) doesn’t mean your elopement has to stay separate from your celebration. Here are a few ways couples blend their private ceremony into the party back home:
– Play a video from your elopement. Whether it’s your full ceremony or a highlight reel with music and voiceover, you can loop it during dinner or dessert.
– Create a photo gallery wall. Print a handful of portraits from your elopement day and set them up like a mini art show—your guests will love walking through it.
– Share a toast or story. Kick off the reception with a brief welcome where you share what the elopement meant to you, or reread your vows together.
– Use your photos as decor. Think custom table numbers, guestbook spreads, or even thank-you cards with elopement photos printed on them. This is also where we can print a guest book type album where they can see your photos and sign the book (yearbook style)!
It’s a beautiful way to bring your whole story full circle.
Travel + Timeline: How to Make This Work
If you’re planning both a destination elopement and a local reception, timing matters. Here are my quick bullet points to think about as we wrap up this post!
– Elopement first, reception later: This is most common, plan your elopement as a private or semi-private trip, then come home and celebrate with everyone. You’ll be glowing and have photos ready to share.
– Reception first, elopement after: Less common, but works for couples who want to legally marry with guests, then do a private vow renewal or spiritual ceremony somewhere epic.
– How far apart should they be? I recommend 2–6 weeks. This gives you time to travel, decompress, and get your images back in time for the reception.
– Should guests be invited to both? Totally your call. Some couples keep the elopement ultra-private and only invite guests to the reception. Others bring parents or a few close friends along for both.
No wrong way—just choose what actually feels doable and fun for you.
Is a Dual Celebration Right for You?
This plan isn’t for everyone, but if you’re reading this post, here’s how to tell if it might be your jam:
– You want to exchange vows somewhere meaningful without 100 people watching.
– You still crave the dance party, hugs, and clinking glasses with the people who raised you.
– You’re stuck between two aesthetics—maybe earthy elopement vibes and big glam reception energy.
– You love the idea of spreading the celebration out instead of packing it all into one high-pressure day.
It’s about choosing both, without settling.
Destination elopement and wedding reception ready, Just hit contact below!
I’m so invested in your plans already.. so.. You just have to hit the buttons below so I can keep helping you figure out what your ideal plan is.
If you want to elope in Colorado.. or elope in Utah.. or even New Hampshire! I have full guides to those locations, too.
I’ll see you in your inbox soon, and keep reading my content if you’re not ready to reach out just yet.
Jamie Tobin Photography // Destination elopement and wedding reception // Elopement Legend Award Winner
