Elopements are certainly easier to manage than traditional weddings but there’s definitely still room for problems to pop up if you don’t have the right info or plan ahead.
 
It would also be a mistake assuming an elopement is just a small wedding in an exotic setting. There’s certain things you have to think about when you get eloped that aren’t really an issue at all in traditional ceremonies, and likewise, some problems and situations you encounter with traditional wedding ceremonies aren’t a factor at all when eloping.
 
There’s a certain formula to crafting the perfect elopement that we’ve helped implement time and time again, and that other elopement and wedding planners and experts tend to agree on.
 
Here’s important tips that will save you a lot of hassle when it comes time to elope!

If you’re bringing some friends and family along on your elopement, you’ll save yourself a lot of time, money, and hassle by researching the best possible place for everyone to stay at.

Remember, part of the appeal of an elopement is to save money, right? Don’t feel pressured into inviting friends or co-workers or even including 6 bridesmaids. Keep it simple and you’ll be able to focus more on what matters: the actual elopement and the people you hold dearest to your hearts.

Don’t forget to notify them about the proper date and time, as well as the exact location and directions.

This is kind of a biggie. Part of the benefit of eloping is that you aren’t pressured into getting married in a local church or other place that doesn’t necessarily have any personal meaning for you.

Instead, you get to choose a location that means something to you and your significant other. Maybe the spot of a former vacation, a place you met while on business, or a place you’ve mutually fantasized about traveling to for years.

Whichever the case may be, take the time to pick a spot that will hold a greater meaning for you both, it will make everything that much more memorable.

Another big time and money saver is planning your elopement around a theme that matches your destination.

There’s no sense in traveling to the mountains in Maine and expecting tropical flowers in your set pieces. Look into local flowers, local styles, dress for the weather and pick a color scheme that matches the destination and time of the year.

You’ll be rewarded with less headaches and more money in your wallet.

Traditional weddings don’t really offer a wide variety of styles when it comes to wedding dresses. When you elope, the sky’s the limit!

This is your opportunity to create an outfit and look that really fits the theme of the event and location. Don’t feel like you have to don the traditional white gown and lace. There are a multitude of options, from simple sundresses paired with elaborate up-dos, to an array of tropical and bohemian styles to experiment with.

In other words, go with the look you want rather than the look that’s expected!

The area where you might want to splurge is in the “treating yourself” department! Think of an elopement as a hybrid wedding and honeymoon put together. Don’t be afraid to pay a little extra for the master suite and a fancy dinner.
 
Compared to the prices of normal weddings, this is a drop in the bucket and will make the entire experience come alive. When you elope, it’s not just about the ceremony, it’s about the magic and adventure.

Yes, eloping is about being free from the constraints of traditional weddings, and that includes their gigantic, outrageous budgets with dozens of expenses.

That being said, you don’t want to overspend or forget something.

In the planning phase, you should definitely put together a simple budget, and stay true to it. This will allow you the peace of mind not to worry about financial issues while you’re eloping, and show you a bigger picture of what you’re working with. Maybe there is room in the budget for that triple layer cake or that extended cruise? 

Whatever the case may be, you’re going to want to keep track of the basic expenses and make sure that you have a price limit on things like clothing, travel, hotels, and guest needs. Eloping should be simple and affordable, just keep that in mind. Don’t break the bank!

Check with officiant 2 weeks prior to arrival at your destination.
 
Read up on the laws on marriage in the area you are getting eloped, and don’t wait until the actual day of the elopement to do anything with marriage licenses. You’ll be setting yourself up for complications and headaches.
 
The best course of action is to get in contact with an officiant or your elopement planner to make sure you’re covered. Speaking of which…

This is the “big secret” to making sure your elopement goes exactly the way you want it, with minimal hassle and the most bang for your buck.

Hire an elopement planner! A wedding planner that specializes in destination weddings works too.

You might think you can handle everything by yourself, but chances are if you are flying halfway across the country to an exotic location, you’re going to need someone who knows the lay of the land that can guide you to make smart purchases on your behalf, schedule everything the right way, and set up the ceremony just the way you want it, without risk of forgetting something or letting something slip through the cracks.

Elopement planners are the magic makers behind the scenes, often making calls and taking care of your needs up to the last minute to make sure you don’t have to worry about any of the hassle that goes into event planning.

We specialize in elopement planning and have packages for couples looking to tie the knot in New Orleans.

Regardless of where you’re headed to elope, a professional elopement planner is a must. Not only will they help you save time and money, they’ll know the destination better than you and are trained to know the best places to eat, the best hotels for couples, and local attractions.
Not to mention they can take care of more than half of the tips on this list, including providing an officiant and taking care of your legal issues.

What more could a couple want?

So you have your heart set on an exciting New Orleans elopement. You know the date, you know what you’re going to wear, and you even picked out a theme.
 
But then you get into the legal side of things and suddenly feel overwhelmed. The good news is, it’s easy to get a marriage license in Louisiana, you just have to meet a few basic requirements and pay the fee.
 
Here’s everything you need to know about the process so you don’t have worry about doing too much research or feeling like you’re forgetting something. Thousands of couples get married and elope in New Orleans every year, so getting a marriage license is easy when you know how.
 

• Louisiana Marriage Licenses are issued by the Clerk of Court’s office in each individual parish, New Orleans being in Orleans Parish.
• They can be issued in any parish in Louisiana, it doesn’t matter where you perform the actual ceremony. In other words it’s a state license, there’s nothing different from parish to parish in that regard.
• Both parties need to fill out the paperwork.
• There is a fee for marriage licenses however that vary from parish to parish, between $25 and $35 plus $5 for each certified copy. This fee is mandatory and is required when you apply for the actual license.
• The marriage is always recorded where the marriage license is purchased, not in the parish where the ceremony is held, if these happen to differ.
• There is a 24-hour waiting period between when the license is issued, and the actual ceremony. Take this into account when you are planning your elopement so that you don’t wind up needing to delay.
• An unused marriage license expires 30 days from the date its issued.
• Blood tests are no longer needed in order to purchase a marriage license in Louisiana.
• You do not have to be a resident of Louisiana.
• Two witnesses are required to sign the marriage license at the time of the ceremony.

Make sure that when you are planning on applying for a marriage license, that you bring all the necessary identification and paperwork. This will ensure that the entire process goes smoothly.

Required documents needed to apply:

• Driver's license, current state ID or passport (current - not expired)
• Birth certificate for both parties (certified - no photocopies).  If birth certificate is not in English. certified translation must be attached.  If not born in the U.S., that person must present a valid unexpired passport or visa with attached I-94 form.
  • If a certified birth certificate cannot be produced, a waiver must be presented (please call office for more info).
• Social Security numbers provided to office for both applicants. If not born in the U.S., the applicant(s) must present a valid passport or visa from their country of birth with an attached I-94 form.
• Divorced or Widowed?  Must provide a certified copy of final divorce decree or certified copy of death certificate (not copies) when you apply for a license.
• Fees required depending on parish in which you apply for license.

Some general words of advice for getting eloped in New Orleans, be sure to check the dates you are planning on visiting ahead of time, so that they don’t conflict with Federal and State holidays, and that you take a morning several days before the actual ceremony to simply take care of all the legal matters, leaving you free to hold your ceremony without worry or red tape.

Getting a marriage license in New Orleans is fairly easy, but always prepare. You don’t want to be caught in a situation where the only day you left for yourself ends up being a Federal holiday.

If you decide you want New Orleans to be where you tie the knot, call us up and let us handle all your marriage needs. We’ll help you arrange your ceremony, take care of your marriage license issues, and even provide an officiant, photographer and your flowers!