There are a lot of misconceptions and outdated ideas out there about what eloping means - because a few years ago, it meant running off to the courthouse, and having a super simple ceremony. No frills and not a lot of thought or planning. But, that’s not what eloping is about anymore!

Elopements are meant to be intentional - it’s a way for couples to ensure that the day they get married is all about them, and that they love their wedding day. Everything from the adventures you have to the smallest details is part of your experience! So, eloping doesn’t mean you can’t have gorgeous decor! 

Elopement decorations, and thoughtfully styling your day, can make such a huge difference for the vibe, for how you feel, and for how personal your day is - so this guide will give you some tips for decorating your elopement, and some unique design ideas!

Why You Should Decorate Your Elopement

The biggest reason why elopement decorations are important is because it really brings so much personality to the day you get married. From big pieces of decor to little details, all of it comes together to set the mood! Incorporating some elopement decorations is a great way to make your ceremony, and every other part of your day, unique and personal to you.

Elopement Decorations & Design Ideas

Now, let’s get into some ideas for elopement decorations, and some ways to add some personality to your day! 

Gorgeous Florals

Flowers are always a good way to decorate an elopement day. Bouquets or boutonnieres can be a fun accessory for the two of you, but you can also add some more floral elements to decorate your setting! A professional florist will be able to create amazing pieces for you.

One design idea is to create an arbor for your ceremony! Head’s up - if you’re getting married outdoors, some locations might have restrictions on what you can set up, so check this ahead of time. But, if you have the all-clear, setting up an arbor, decorated with flowers, is a great way to make your ceremony look amazing! Some couples also just have two big floral pieces on either side of them.

A Rug

Another idea for elopement decorations during the ceremony is to have a rug for the two of you to stand on as you say your vows. A decorative rug will pop against your elopement backdrop, and you can keep it after the day is over - so it’ll be a fun addition to your home!

Lighting

Lighting makes a huge difference in how a space looks, and you can always include some as part of your elopement decorations. This could be twinkle lights, lanterns, or candles! Adding some lighting, especially if you’re indoors or if the sun is setting outside, can set the mood for your elopement, and it will be gorgeous in photos. 

Cake

Dessert is always a good time, so make it extra special! Getting a personalized cake (or maybe some cupcakes) made for your elopement can be a part of the unique design of your day, and it tastes good too!

The Tablescape

When it’s time to eat and celebrate after the knot is tied, a personalized tablescape is a great way to decorate your elopement day. You can decorate your table with flowers and greenery, unique plates, personalized napkins, candles and candle holders, and more!

Jewelry

What you wear can be part of your elopement decorations too - and unique jewelry is a great way to add some personality. Remember, this is all about incorporating your personal style and creating a day that’s unique to you, so this could be simple “something old” earrings or a statement necklace! 

Little Details

There are so many potential elopement decorations that you can incorporate in your day - and while the big stuff (like the dress and the florals) is important, the little stuff is just as crucial in setting the scene and making your elopement day unique! Anything like monogrammed silverware, personalized napkins, ring boxes, and any decorations you can think of can be a part of your elopement.

How to Decorate Your Elopement

Now, let’s talk about how to decorate your elopement, and some tips for personalizing!

Come Up With a Theme

A theme doesn’t have to be something super specific - this is about choosing the vibe you’re going for and the look you want! Do you like a dark and moody feeling, or are you more drawn to bright pastels? Think about the two of you and your personalities - do you lean a little more punk, are you the outdoorsy granola types, are you bold and colorful or mellow and laid back? Think about what you like to do, your personalities, and just what you like aesthetically!

Make It Personal

The whole point of elopement decorations is that they personalize your day and make it unique to you - so make sure you’re staying true to yourselves as you do all of this! Styling your elopement shouldn’t be about creating a Pinterest-perfect wedding day, it should be about the two of you and what you want your day to look like, and what would truly reflect you. 

Work With an Elopement Planner!

I’ll be honest, this is the best way to decorate your elopement - have a professional do it for you! Our job at AK Happenings is to plan your perfect day, but it’s also to design your day too - so this means that we’ll create a design and moodboard for you, create a concept and a color scheme, and help you bring everything to life. All of this is done with you in mind - there’s no one size fits all template for what an elopement day looks like! After getting to know you, we’ll design and craft a day that perfectly reflects who you are. 

So if you’re ready to design your one of a kind adventure, contact us!