Elopement vendor guide

ElopementsResources
Written By Kaitlyn Hill

The type of vendors and the number of vendors involved in elopements vary from couple to couple. Some couples have as little as one vendor—the photographer. Yet, other couples can have up to ten vendors. There’s no right or wrong number of vendors to hire for your elopement.

The magical thing about elopements is that they are an intentionally intimate, meaningful, and authentic wedding to reflect your relationship and focus the day on your love and connection to one another. What does that mean? It means there are no rules to follow! You and only you get to decide which vendors are important to hire for your day.

This guide will navigate you through:

  • The most popular vendors hired for elopements

  • Other vendors to hire

  • Questions to ask vendors

  • How to get good vendor recommendations

By the end of this guide, you will be confident in how to take the next steps in hiring your elopement vendors! Yay!

Popular elopement vendors

Photographer

It goes without saying that a photographer is one of the most popular elopement vendors hired. Many couples choose to hire a photographer for their elopement because:

  • They want their elopement story documented and curated into a story to be able to show loved ones who weren’t there.

  • They’re eloping to a beautiful location where they want wow-factor portraits.

  • They want high quality photos of the location they’re eloping to.

Videographer

Videographers are also growing in popularity with eloping couples. A videographer captures the elopement story too but in a different way. It’s also a great way to incorporate a recording of your vows so that your loved ones can feel like they were there!

Marriage commissioner

Many couples opt to sign the paperwork at home and have a symbolic ceremony and vow reading for their elopement. But if you choose to get married legally, you will have to hire a marriage commissioner. Every location will have their own marriage laws, so make sure you understand them and apply for the correct documents. Most elopement photographers can point you in the right direction. 

Click here to learn how to elope in Alberta legally.

Hair & makeup artist

Fewer guests don’t mean less importance. Most brides still want to look and feel amazing when they elope. This is why hair and makeup artists are a popular vendor for elopements. The important thing to remember about hiring someone to do your hair and makeup vs. doing it yourself is that they know how to make your hair and makeup last all day long. This is crucial for those all day hiking elopements where you may be sweating and spraying on bug spray!

Florist

Every bride wants a gorgeous giant bouquet for her elopement. One of the best things about eloping is that you’re not budgeting for table flowers or bridesmaid bouquets, so you have more funds to put towards a magnificent bouquet and/or floral crown!

Other vendors to consider

Planner

Elopement planners are rising in popularity. Here are a few reasons to consider hiring a planner:

  • You’re unfamiliar with the location you’re eloping to.

  • You’re really busy and would like someone to find vendors in your price range for you.

  • You want your elopement to be grand but are lacking the vision for it.

Cake baker

Is there a better way to celebrate than with cake? I think not! Many cake bakers create beautiful small cakes perfect for your elopement. If you choose not to eat it all that night, just freeze it and you can enjoy a slice together for your first anniversary!

Caterer/private chef

Whether you’re inviting guests or not, many couples choose to hire a caterer or private chef for their celebration dinner. This can be done at a venue, a private picnic during the day, or even at your Airbnb for an extra private affair!

Rentals

In some elopement locations, you can set up items to add an authentic touch to your elopement. Here are some rentals you may consider:

  • Signing table

  • Arch

  • Persian rugs

  • Chairs

  • Sweethearts table, rugs, pillows, for a private picnic

  • Dinnerware

  • ‘Just eloped’ signs

  • Hiking gear

  • Backcountry camping gear

Driver/pilot

If you’re not familiar with the area and want to visit multiple locations on the day of your elopement, you might consider hiring a driver or local guide. This way you don’t have to potentially waste time navigating your way through unknown territory!

Helicopter elopements are becoming increasingly popular in the Rocky Mountains. There are many different elopement packages available to couples ranging from a quick peak visit to an all day secluded adventure.

Venue

It seems that most elopements are held outside in a dramatic landscape, but many choose to elope at a venue. Here are a few venue ideas for your elopement:

  • Historical building

  • Church or temple

  • Private/semi-private gardens

  • Restaurant

  • Vineyard

  • Brewery/distillery

  • Etc.

Seamstress/Tailor

Don’t skip the dress and suit for your elopement. You’re going to want to look and feel your best when you exchange vows. Purchasing your attire usually requires a bit of alteration. So don’t forget to hire a seamstress/tailor to make sure your clothing fits perfectly - especially if you’re hiking around in it all day!

Questions to ask your vendors

It can be overwhelming hiring vendors, especially if you’ve never had to do it before. You want the best value within your budget, but you also want to hire people who will treat you well. I’ve written a few questions to ask your potential vendors that will help you determine if they’re a good fit!

  • Are you available on ‘x’ date?

  • What packages/collections do you offer?

  • Is the deposit/retainer fee non-refundable?

  • What’s your cancellation/rescheduling policy?

  • Do you have a contract? Can we review the contract?

  • Do you have additional travel or accommodation fees?

  • Do you have special rates for travel?

  • Will you provide dinnerware and linens? (for caterer, private chef, or venue)

  • What is your payment schedule? When will our final payment be due?

  • How far in advance should I book you?

  • Can I see your portfolio?

  • Can you be one of our witnesses? (if you’re not inviting guests to your elopement, vendors are a great option for witnesses)

  • Do you specialize in a specific style? (for hair/makeup artist, florist, cake baker, photographer, & videographer)

  • When will our photos/video be delivered?

  • What’s your planning process?

  • What’s your day-of process?

Vendor recommendations

If you’ve never had to hire specific vendors before, how do you know what’s the average cost? How do you know what to set your floral budget to? I remember feeling this way when planning my wedding. I often came across this phrase, and still do:

“Can you recommend a vendor that charges a reasonable/affordable price?”

That phrase will not narrow down your search. What’s reasonably priced for one individual will be too expensive or cheap for another individual. Affordable looks different to each couple. As well, each couple has different priorities. Some put the majority of their budget into photography while others will invest mostly in dinner.

To get good recommendations follow these steps:

  1. Determine your overall budget

  2. Decide the 1 or 2 most important elements to your elopement - the priorities

  3. Put 20-50% of your budget towards those 2 priorities

  4. Calculate what that looks like

  5. Ask for recommendations using a variation of the following question:

  • “Can you recommend a vendor within a budget of $xxxx?”

Asking for a recommendation within a specific budget will provide you with a list that is actually useful to you. You may also find that certain elements don’t cost as much as you expected. This way you can put the money you saved there into something that costs a bit more than you expected. There is definitely room for flexibility in your elopement budget.

Remember, your elopement is about you as a couple, celebrating your love authentically. It can include a couple of vendors or ten! It really doesn’t matter. What matters is you’re doing things your way.

Kaitlyn Hill
Previous

Haven + Grayson | Dreamy sunset elopement at Bow Lake
Next

Brooke | At-home Edmonton boudoir session