Can You Elope with Guests? How to Include Your Friends and Family in Your Intimate Canadian Rockies Elopement
When you picture an elopement, you might imagine a couple whisking away to a secluded mountaintop, just the two of them, exchanging vows in complete privacy. But what if you want to elope in the stunning Canadian Rockies, yet still include close family and friends? Can you have the best of both worlds: a private, intimate ceremony with your loved ones by your side? The answer is absolutely yes, and here's just a few creative ways to show you how you can do it.
1. Buy your wedding attire with them
This might be a bigger deal for some of you than others, but getting together with your friends and family to go dress or suit shopping could be the perfect solution to including them in your elopement plans. Map everything out, build in a lunch or dinner and you have your very own pre-elopement celebration that helps them visualize what you’ll look like on your special day. Set the Stage for a Private Elopement with Guest-Friendly Touches
2. Have a “last dinner”
If your plans allow, why not have a dinner as a send off before you elope? This could work nicely if you are going to be heading to the airport for your elopement destination and gives you chance to get everyone together as a pre-elopement celebration. Your guests can wish you the best and hear all about your plans after the fact.
3. Get ready with them
If you plan to elope in a way that has your family and friends close by then why not have your “getting ready” part of your day with them. That way they are there to support you through your morning, be a part of the excitement and help you ease those early nerves before you make your way to your ceremony, first look or adventure ahead!
4. Have family or friends make you something
This one speaks for itself. Simply have family or friends be responsible for certain elements of your day, or even your attire or accessories. Of course, be careful how you go about this part as you want to make sure that it’s in keeping with the style and colours for your day and not simply something that they came up, without guidance. Vow books, handmade jewellery or even your “we eloped” signs are some good ideas.
5. Record a video message ahead of time
Yet another amazing way to bring guests along with you…get them to record a video message! If it was us, we’d be getting a close friend (who’s willing and knows how to help!) to collect these and put them together in a single video. That way, depending on the practicality of your elopement plans, you should be able to get a copy of the video clip ahead of time and be able to watch it on your personal device on the day of your elopement. You can create personalized versions for each of the couple, or something to watch together at the start of your day.
6. Hire an Expert Photographer to Capture the Moment
An experienced photographer, especially one with knowledge of the Canadian Rockies, will help ensure your day remains intimate yet beautifully documented. A professional who understands the landscape can find secluded spots that highlight both the stunning scenery and the connection between you and your loved ones. Whether you choose to capture the elopement with just the two of you or with family included, hiring someone who knows how to tell the story through photos is key.
7. Include meaningful details
This is not necessarily different than any wedding day. It’s a chance to include any keepsakes, family heirlooms or special details close to you throughout the celebration. Perhaps you have a piece of jewellery or clothing that you want to wear? Maybe it’s a family tradition that will be focused on at some point throughout the day? Whatever it is, make sure that you connect with your photographer and/or videographer about these details to ensure they aren’t overlooked. No matter how small or trivial some of these details may seem, we know how important they can be on your special day!
8. Have a family member officiate or be a witness
Before you get too carried away with this idea, you need to make sure that by doing this, your ceremony is legal in the Country, State, Province, Town etc that you elope in! Even though they may not “legally” be able to marry you, there are creative ways for them to be included in this way and it will likely depend on your officiant and how they like to do things too. For example, your brother may be able to help with your ring exchange, your sister may be able to read to you both during your ceremony…you get the idea! If you need recommendations for officiants who can help you customize things in this way then please ask and we’ll be happy to recommend.
9. Video chat or livestream
Location allowing, you may have enough service coverage to livestream your celebration to those who aren’t there. It’s a beautifully simple way for them to watch the ceremony and get that “we were there” feeling without having to travel, particularly if they aren’t able to. For those that are eloping far from wifi and service coverage options then the next best option is to set up your phone on a tiny tripod and record your ceremony so as soon as you return to the online world, you can send a copy to those you want to!
Alternatively, why not take the time for a video chat with your loved ones at an agreed time to show them what you’ve been up to and keep them involved with your day. This of course depends on whether or not you have service coverage so be sure to check ahead of time what’s possible at your chosen location or venue. If you time things nicely, you can even raise a glass together or share an intimate speech!
10. Have a post elopement reception/dinner
After your elopement, make plans to have a reception or dinner with your closest family and friends as a way to celebrate and mark the occasion with them. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy, perhaps just a nice sit down dinner at your favorite spot or even a backyard BBQ, but the simplicity of the celebration is what works best! You can even make time for some impromptu speeches or kind words from those that might have wanted the chance to give a speech at your wedding.
11. Have them write you a letter to read
There’s a few ways to do this creatively, but at its basic level, you’ll have loved ones write you a short letter to read on the day (or day before) of your elopement. You can set some parameters or let them write whatever you want! If you really want to make sure that everyone is in on the plan and gets their message to you then why not send out an RSVP style card that they can send back to you with the message inside before you elope! These can be a powerful way to include family and friends on your special day and a reminder that you’re never far from their hearts.
12. Gifts
If your family and friends insist on getting you a gift of some sort then you can always bring them along with you. This is a lovely way to bring them into your plans and if you can pair this with a video call then you can all share in the gift experience together.
Another way to approach gifts, and something we prefer, is to get something special from the location you elope for your family and friends. Obviously don’t just head to the local souvenir store and buy something you can get anywhere with the location name stamped on it. Think a little deeper on this one. What is your location known for? Is it world renowned Scotch? Is it breathtaking scenery? Is it the local cuisine or dining? You can look for local drinks, spices, oils, artwork or even have a photo from your photographer as wall art printed and delivered!
13. Have an engagement party
This one requires a little more planning ahead and is usually best suited for couples who want to tie the knot soon after getting engaged and have things mapped out pretty well in the calendar! If you already know that you want to elope, or have a smaller, more intimate wedding then your engagement party is a great way to celebrate with a wider range of guests…if you want to. The best part is that you can start sharing with them some of the details of your elopement, and get them involved in the pre-elopement excitement so that everyone is “in the know” and feels a part of things before they happen.
14. After Elopement Cards
There’s a good chance you’ve been to a friend or family member’s wedding and at some point, received an RSVP or even a thank you card, after the event. Well, now it’s your turn to return the favor but with a difference. You and your partner can create your own card that you can mail out to all of your loved ones letting them know that you have (or are about to) elope. You can create an “e” version, if you prefer to save the printing, or you can go all out and hire a card designer to create something special. You can take this one step further for your nearest and dearest with photo gifts, wall art or even a customized album as a gift from you both.
15. Invite family and friends to your license signing
This will depend on how you have things set up for your elopement. If you have plans to take care of the legalities ahead of time then this is well suited to having them be a part of things. They can act as your witnesses before you depart for the more adventurous part of your elopement.
16. Invite them anyway
This may sound a little counter intuitive given that you’re planning an elopement, but, why not simply elope and keep your guestlist under 5-10 people. That way you can celebrate with your closest family and friends and still focus on an intimate celebration, the way you want to! This helps for those couples that really can’t imagine getting married without that “one person” they need close by!
Eloping with guests in the Canadian Rockies is a perfect way to enjoy an intimate wedding experience without sacrificing the chance to share it with those who mean the most to you. With a little creativity and careful planning, you can craft a meaningful day that blends privacy, adventure, and love. Whether it's a simple ceremony in the mountains or a celebration with close family, your elopement in the Canadian Rockies will be one that you and your guests will never forget.
Do you want to create the perfect intimate elopement experience in the Canadian Rockies? Let’s talk about how we can capture your special day, with or without guests, to make it unforgettable.
Kahli & Leo
Wild Alpine Image Co.