Oof. This is probably one of the hardest questions people ask. I get it, this is a big day, and there’s a lot of outside pressure. There’s a lot to consider when you decide who to invite to your elopement (or who to not).

I just want you to know, this is a safe space for you. To dream. To believe. To live. A place to do all of that in the absolute freedom you deserve. The whole point of eloping is to create a day totally centered on your love story and the God you serve. Outside of all that, the rest is really up to you.

Take a deep breath. This doesn’t have to be scary.

Consider If Having Guests Will Add Value Or Diminish It

Wow, that sounds like really harsh doesn’t it? It’s not meant to. But really, your elopement is meant to be all about you and your partner, and sometimes I think its ok to admit that having a handful of people following you around on your great adventure just may not be adding value to it.

There’s nothing wrong with admitting that.

So, when you think about who to invite to your elopement, or if you want to invite anyone, consider if you will need to make accommodations for them, how close you are to them, if they are docile and supportive, if they will bring stress with their attendance, and most of all if they will be happy to be there.

Not everyone can hike 2+ miles, and not everyone wants to. Are you hiking? Will having this person who doesn’t want to hike be a hinderance to your day?

Is this person really close to both you and your partner? Do you both have a good and healthy relationship with them?

Is this person going to be in full support of all the choices you make for your day? If you want to have a 5 minute private ceremony and share some secret vows before the main ceremony, will this person be supportive of that? Just think about how supportive this person typically is. You deserve to be supported in any choices you make for your elopement.

Consider Your Motivation For Inviting Them

Think about the reasons you are considering having guests at your elopement. Is this because you really value these relationships and don’t want to do your day without them? Are you inviting guests to your elopement because you have carved out times for friends and family as well as time to focus on the two of you? Are you inviting them because you are eloping in your favorite place in the world and having them there will just make it even better?

Or, are you still feeling a bit bogged down by the expectations?

There can often be a lot of pressure from loved ones when you announce your elopement. Pressure to do this or that. Pressure to include them. While, it is perfectly fine if you WANT to have friends and family at your elopement, and if it matters to you then you should.

It is also perfectly ok to invite no one.

Let me say that again.

IT IS OK TO INVITE NO ONE!

Consider Location Specific Restrictions

I know that the 10 Steps To Plan Your Elopement has your guest count as the first task, but if you can not get yourself to made a choice, or if you are still on the fence give yourself time to breath. It’s totally ok to put the guest topic on the back burner and come back to it.

When you get to the location selection part of planning, you may find that your location has restrictions that help you make this choice a bit easier. If your location has a limit of 5 or 10 people this will help you be a bit more selective about who who choose to invite to your elopement.

To drive that home a bit more if your elopement location spot is a 6 mile hike, having guests just really may not make sense. Now, that doesn’t mean you cant include them in your elopement day in other ways even if you choose to have a private ceremony.

It’s Really Up To You Who You Invite To Your Elopement

Eloping is about taking back all your freedom and granting yourself the right and the opportunity to dream freely and create a day that is centered around you. You’ve done the hard part by simply choosing to elope. Don’t allow the outside pressures of other peoples wants to change the vision you’ve been creating.

If you are looking for an awesome photographer to join you for your elopement I would love to chat with you! Message me or check out Pricing on the site!