When it comes to packing for your elopement, you don’t want to miss a thing! We’re here to give you tips on what to remember so you don’t have to worry about it the day of when you’re far from home!

Wedding day outfits:  Sounds like a no-brainer but make sure you pack your full outfit for the day of. Often times wedding gowns require certain underwear and bras to ensure you cant see it. For the grooms, it comes down to the little things like handkerchiefs and socks. Be sure to properly pack your garments so they don’t get damaged during travel. Ask your hotel or Air BnB if you can expect an iron, if not, pack one or plan to stop at the store upon arrival.

Accessories:  Whatever you plan on wearing on the day of your wedding, make sure it’s packed! That includes jewelry, heels, and your comfortable shoes. If you plan on changing your shoes and even if you don’t, its nice to have as an opinion for getting those photos on top of a hill or if you start to get blisters. The best advice we have here is to break in those heels first!

The ceremony is arguably the most special part of your entire wedding day, it’s the moment you commit to your partner for the rest of your lives. The best part is you can make it all your own – a memory you and your partner will cherish forever.
To make your ceremony extra special, there are a number of rituals and traditions you can incorporate. We have listed some of our favorites in this blog.

Many couples are choosing to plant a tree together as a symbol of their new relationship and how they will grow together. You don’t need to dig into the earth and get dirty either. It can be as simple as you both pouring soil into a pot and adding a few seeds to it.  

​TIP:  many venues, especially on public lands, will not let you plan on their grounds.  We recommend a potting ceremony and then taking the plant back to your own home and then putting it in the ground on your personal property.  

Another meaningful way to highlight your union is to incorporate hand-binding into your ceremony. Basically, your officiant will place a ribbon or delicate binding around your hands while saying vows of commitment.

If you are choosing to have an adult-only wedding, there is still a way to include the children of friends and family. In the months leading up to your wedding, get your guests to ask their children what love means to them. Your officiant can then incorporate these sweet and special answers into your ceremony.

If you and your partner have different faiths or very strong family traditions, find ways to incorporate both into the ceremony. This makes everyone feel welcomed and loved and sets the tone for your life as a married couple.

Thinking about writing your own wedding vows? It’s always so romantic when couples do this because they are sharing a piece of their hearts with each other and their guests. It can feel like a huge undertaking, so we’re sharing some of our favorites tips with you

Share personal anecdotes​.  Was there a moment when you knew your partner was the one? Let them know in your vows. Keep in mind that any guests in attendance might not be familiar with the story, so consider that when you write it out. You want everyone to be able to follow along.

Why and how you fell in love.  There is no such thing as too sweet or cheesy at weddings! This is your chance to tell your partner why they are the only one for you and why you want to spend forever with them.

Quotes.  Try adding quote from your favorite movie, song or book. It should be something you both enjoy or make sense for you as a couple. From there, you can expand on why its important to you.

Take your time.  Give yourself plenty of time to write your vows and don't put it off until the last minute. It is easier to express yourself when you aren't under a time crunch~

Have a notable beginning, middle, and end.  It's true for any writing, a good speech has a notable beginning, middle, and end. Sometimes its easier to write your middle and then fill in the intro and conclusion.

Get inspired.  If you’re feeling stuck, jot down your favorite memories with your partner or what you ike about them. Watch movies you both love and listen to your song(s) to spark creativity.

Practice.  Practicing will prevent you from fumbling over your words on the day of. You’ll likely be a little nervous and filled with emotion the day of so you’ll be glad you practiced. When practicing and for the real thing talk loudly and slowly to ensure everyone can hear and understand.

Use a Book.  We’re all about embracing technology but if you’re not memorizing your vows, please don't read them off your phone. You’ll be glad you didnt when you get back the photos. We highly recommend writing them down in a small moleskine notebook as an alternative!

We love it when you have a meaning for ceremony, and what better way to express your love than by writing your own vows. Of course if you're a more traditional couple, you can combine your own vows with traditional ones and have the best of both worlds. 
Either way, we want your wedding to exceed your expectations. Reach out to us for help with planning your colorado elopement or micro wedding.

When it comes to your wedding, what are you and your fiancé dreaming about the most? Stunning outfits? A mountain landscape? Top shelf bar? Whatever it is, that’s where you should start. To do this you can use wedding magazines. Print out photos, or do it entirely on a digital platform.

If your focus is the gown and you have a type of gown in mind, put that in the center of your board and expand from there. If you are dreaming of a floral boho dress for example, then you might want to consider reception locations that fit that vibe. The location could help to inspire your colors, which can then influence your flowers and cake.

Questions to ask yourselves:

• What mood do we want to create at our wedding?
• What is our favorite thing to do as a couple and how can we incorporate that?
• What time of year makes sense for us to have the big day?

Outfits
Try on dresses/suit and take in to consideration the time of year you plan to get married. Warmer months may opt for linen suits and colder weather couples may lean towards long sleeves dresses or to add a fur shawl.

Location
A wonderful aspect of small weddings is the ability to take them almost anywhere. Location options for your small wedding are different from big weddings.

To start, those picturesque ceremonies with mountain backdrops are typically only obtainable for those with a slim guest count. That’s because access and space at the site are limited.

You can host your small wedding reception at a restaurant or in an Air BnB. Unlike larger weddings which are held at banquet halls and other facilities, there is no minimum requirement for the alternative locations. Meaning, you and your spouse can pick more unique spots to host both the ceremony and reception. 

Flowers
What type of flower arrangements are you going to have and what colors do you want them to include? Some couples opt for white, simple bouquets and others want large bouquets with vibrant colors and maybe even feathers!

The best part of a vision board is it allows you to see your dream wedding in advance! You can then see what fits and what could be adjusted in order to have your vision come to life in a cohesive way.
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When it comes to planning your Colorado wedding, ask us how we can help! Wendee has years of experience in crafting small weddings and elopements that are uniquely yours. Contact us for more details:  www.CustomWeddingsofColorado.com
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