Elopement & Intimate Wedding Planning Checklist
A free download to get you started planning your elopement or intimate wedding
Not Sure Where to start on your wedding day?
A Free Elopement Planning Checklist for Intentional Wedding Days
Starting to plan your elopement or intimate wedding and not sure where to begin?
The Elopement & Intimate Wedding Planning Checklist will help you cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters. The decisions that shape how your day feels, not just how it looks.
If you want an elopement that feels intentional, personal, and easy to be present in, this is where to start.
Download the free Elopement Planning Checklist and start building your elopement day with clarity.
What Is The Elopement Planning Checklist?
➜ A clear starting point to help you define what matters for your wedding day
➜ A 27-page guide on vendors, design, unique additions & experiences.
➜ A way to prioritize your vision without getting pulled into unnecessary details.
➜ The key elements that shape an intentional, experience-driven wedding.
➜ What goes into choosing the right location and setting the tone.
➜ Real insights from photographing elopements & weddings worldwide.
➜ Guidance on logistics and decisions that affect your experience.
➜ Prompts to help you build a day that feels natural, personal, and fully your own.
➜ A thoughtful approach to planning that’s focused on your experience.
Who Is The Elopement & Intimate Wedding Planning Checklist For?
This is for couples planning an elopement or intimate wedding who want a clear place to start, without feeling like they have to follow a set formula.
If you care about how your day feels and how it looks, and you want something personal and intentional, this will help you focus on what actually matters.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed in the planning process, this is meant to help you slow down. To help you create an elopement day where you can feel present from start to finish.
Avoiding the stress of a big wedding is just one reason many couples elope. See why more and more couples choose eloping here.
Most Couples Start in the Wrong Place
A lot of couples assume that because elopements are simpler, they can piece everything together as they go.
The issue is that each decision affects everything that comes after. Locations. Timeline. Lighting. Permits. Flow.
When those pieces aren’t aligned early on, things tend to get more complicated than they need to be
How It Can Work Differently
When a day comes together well, it usually starts with the right foundation.
This is why I always recommend starting with your photographer first, to document the day, but also to help shape it.
The right photographer helps you:
→ Choose locations that match your vision
→ Plan around light, weather, and crowds
→ Build a timeline that actually flows
→ Navigate permits, logistics, and moving pieces
When you start with an experienced photographer to guide you through your elopement, things start to feel simple. And your day will feel easy to be present in.
You’re planning a day as intentional as your decision to get married this way. Let’s bring clarity to the process and shape a day that feels fully your own.
Real Elopement Experience
This checklist is built from years of photographing elopements and intimate weddings across a wide range of locations, from simple, low-key days to more elevated, design-focused celebrations.
No two weddings are the same, but the way a day comes together tends to follow a similar rhythm when it’s done well.
The Elopement Checklist gives you a clear starting point to understand that rhythm and build your perfect elopement day around it.
What’s the difference between an intimate wedding and an elopement? Find out here.
A Proven Approach to Planning Your Elopement
This is the same approach I’ve walked hundreds of couples through as they planned their elopement or intimate wedding.
Over time, I’ve seen what actually works, and what tends to create a day that feels smooth, well-thought-out, and easy to be present in.
This checklist is a simplified version of that process. A way to focus on the decisions that matter, in the right order.
Learn more about the process and the experience you’ll have with an adventure elopement photographer here.
Download Your Elopement & Intimate Wedding Planning Checklist and start creating your day with clarity and confidence.
Want Personalized Help to Bring Your Elopement to Life?
Hey! I’m Will Khoury
Having a starting point helps.
Having someone guide you through it is what makes it all come together.
Whether you’re planning an elopement that’s intimate or a more elevated wedding, the goal is the same. A day that feels effortless, intentional, and fully your own.
If you want help building that out, I’d love to talk more and hear about your wedding. Contact me to start planning your elopement today.
FAQ
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The elopement planning checklist covers key elements that shape your day, from location and timeline to vendors and the details that influence your overall experience. This list focuses on what actually matters, not everything you could include.
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There’s no answer that fits everyone, and that’s part of what can make it unique and meaningful to you and your partner. Whether it’s a Yosemite sunrise, a hike through the cliffs and forests of Big Sur, or a private villa in Europe, there are so many ways to enjoy a destination elopement in an unforgettable location with the people you love.
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Your location sets the tone for everything. Think about the kind of experience you want, then factor in things like accessibility, weather, and privacy. The right location supports both the feeling of the day and how it unfolds. Read more about how to choose a destination here.
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Dream big. Start by thinking about how you want your day to feel and what you want to do. From there, your location, timeline, and vendors begin to take shape. This checklist helps you organize those decisions so you’re not trying to figure everything out at once. It’s a starting point before you hire an experienced wedding photographer who can help guide you through the process from start to finish.
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It depends on your plans. For simpler days, you may not need one as your photographer (in our case) covers the logistics and overall plan. If you’re working with multiple locations, guests, or more design elements, a planner & coordinator can help keep everything running smoothly and cohesive. Read more about the differences to find out what fits your day here.
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Most couples start with a photographer, planner, officiant, and any required permits. From there, vendors like florists, hair and makeup artists, and videographers can be added depending on the experience you want to create. For adventure elopements, vendors for things like helicopter rentals, boat rentals, hiking guides, and more can be a part of your elopement.
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Some elopements come together quickly, while others take longer, depending on the location and vendors involved. Starting earlier is always advisable because it gives you more flexibility, especially for in-demand locations and experienced vendors.
