There are a million and one ways to celebrate a marriage. For some, it’s a big party with over 500 friends, family members, and acquaintances. For others, it’s an intimate affair, with close loved ones in attendance only.

There’s the backyard wedding, the big white wedding, the church wedding, the so-hipster-they’re-toasting-with-cold-brew-instead-of-champagne wedding. The list goes on.

For some, there’s the wedding with far less pomp and circumstance — perhaps the most intimate celebration of them all: the elopement.

Elopements aren’t for everyone, for a variety of reasons. As the big day draws close, many couples will ask “Why didn’t we just elope?”, but the truth is that secreting away takes its own bit of planning and care. There’s the travel, the outfits, and the answering of many crucial questions: Who will you bring? Will you invite your families? Do you still host a reception when you get back? What about a honeymoon?

All of these thoughts and more are likely tumbling around your mind already if you’re considering an elopement, but this Boise photographer is here to talk about savings. So here we go: How to plan an elopement for less than $5,000.

Keep the guest list short

If it’s a traditional elopement, this one’s easy! Just you and your soon-to-be spouse. For modern elopements with some headcount, this can get trickier. If you invite one friend, do you have to invite your whole circle of friends? What about parents? And at what point does an elopement become a destination wedding?

Couture Closet Bridal Boutique defines it like this:

• Destination wedding: A wedding ceremony + reception where travel is required + guests need accommodations to attend.
• Elopement, TRADITIONAL: A wedding ceremony done in secret with just the couple present, typically without parental consent.
• Elopement, MODERN: A wedding ceremony done to escape the norm, typically with a very small guest count or no guests at all.

If you’re working on a small budget, my suggestion is to simplify your elopement like Marie Kondo would: Does each potential guest bring you joy? This is your day, and it is 100% about you and your new spouse celebrating your promises and love. If that means celebrating with just the two of you and two witnesses you met the day before, that’s okay.

Consolidate as you personalize

Some couples elope with very few bells and whistles. If you do decide to add a few traditional touches, don’t be afraid to get creative and consolidate. Ask the florist who makes your bouquet to toss in a couple extra blossoms to dress up the cake. This is a cheap way to fancy up the dessert and still have it match with your bridal florals.

Of course, eloping is inherently non-traditional, so don’t feel like you have to stick with what’s typical. Instead, consider locally made treats that are readily available nearby. Not only will this make the meal more memorable and unique, it’ll also help you stick to that $5,000 budget.

Choose a photographer who can help suggest vendors

Most eloping couples still want photos to document the event. For some, one-of-a-kind photographs are the inspiration behind their choice to elope.

But who you choose to bring on that journey is important, and not just for the sake of the photographs. As a Boise wedding photographer, I make a lot of relationships with other vendors. Give me your budget ($5,000, $10,000, whatever), and I can help guide you to vendors who will work within that price point.

I also have extensive experience, working with couples as their day-of coordinator. So if your elopement is a little more involved, let me know! I can help ensure you have the experience you’ve been dreaming of, and take that stress off your shoulders.

Get married on a weekday

Most vendors offer discounts for midweek weddings. Plus, you’re much more likely to have the place all to yourselves if you perform your nuptials on a Monday or Tuesday when a lot of places are at their lowest volume of visitors. Just be sure to check online first to make sure wherever you’re going is open on the day you plan to stop in.

Travel during the offseason

If you’re looking to elope with a change of scenery, do your research first. Pick a date well into the offseason, when hotels and and other local vendors offer steep discounts. Might it be rainy? Yes. But if you’re eloping, flexibility is on your side. Wait until the weather clears, then get the ceremony you want. Or, find some romance in the imperfect, and add a couple umbrellas both for function and aesthetics.

A few tips for traveling during the offseason:

• If you aren’t able to find an officiant on short notice, ask a close friend of family member to marry you.  Or get the legal stuff out of the way at the courthouse ahead of time and have your ceremony in your wedding clothes be minister free and truly just the two of you as you exchange vows.
• Shop for packages, rather than one-offs. Many hotels and resorts offer special pricing with add-ons to tempt guests when business is slow (including Disney). And hey — maybe that package includes a free elopement dinner!

Saying “I do” is personal, so it’s natural that not everyone feels inclined to share their big day with others — even folks they adore any other time. This is your moment — your wedding. And no matter the budget, aesthetic, or location, so long as it’s approached with love and care, it’s certain to be absolutely perfect.