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5 Ways to Include Your Favorite Wedding Traditions in Your Elopement

March 15, 2018 | juliette

photo by Maggie Grace Photography

Just because you’ve decided to elope doesn’t mean you shouldn’t include some of your favorite wedding traditions in your big day. In fact, eloping gives you a golden opportunity to pick the traditions you love and leave that ones you don’t. Whether you’re saying “I do” with just a minister present or you have a handful of your nearest and dearest around you, adding one or more of these wedding traditions will make your elopement feel extra special.

photo by Lindsey Noel Photography

Wear White

We’ll be the first to admit that there are few things that make a wedding feel more like a wedding than the bride(s) in white. Even if your fiancé is the only person to see you, you should choose a wedding dress that makes you feel like a bride. For some, that means a lavish wedding gown they’ve had their eyes on for years. For others, that means a simpler dress, such as one of these wedding dresses under $200, a handmade gown from Etsy, or even a little white dress that they can wear beyond the wedding day. No matter what you’re looking for, this handy list of elopement dress inspirations is sure to help you find the wedding dress of your wildest dreams!

photo by Emily Kirke Photography

Indulge in a Wedding Cake

Hopefully this goes without saying, but you should never pass up an opportunity to eat cake! And you definitely don’t need a room full of people to justify getting a wedding cake you’ve always dreamed of. We are obsessed with these wedding cake trends for 2018 and think any of them would be perfect for any size celebration. You don’t even need to go for the full-out wedding cake if you know you two won’t be able to finish it. Simply ask your bakery to make a small-scale version of your favorite design so that you have a little something sweet to enjoy on your wedding day and freeze the rest for later.

photo by Kayla Rocca

Have a First Look

A lot of couples that elope choose to get ready together on their wedding day, which we absolutely love! But, if you’ve had your heart set on that emotional and exciting moment when your husband- or wife-to-be sees you for the first time in your wedding dress, we say go for it! You could even have the best of both worlds with a relaxing morning and breakfast together then go your separate ways to get ready before your first look. Depending on where you’re getting married, you might even be able to do one of these first look alternatives and save the reveal for the ceremony.

photo by Nicole Veldman Photography + Video and Kelly Breann Photography

Include a Ceremony Reading

In addition to your wedding vows, make your ceremony one to remember by reading a meaningful passage that reflects your understanding or wishes for marriage. If you need a little inspiration, we have a list of unexpected wedding ceremony readings from famous books, TV shows, and movies to get your creative juices flowing. This is also a great place to include any witnesses that will be attending. You can either ask them to read a meaningful passage or ask them to write a little something special for you two, such as a prayer or their best marriage advice, and read it before you exchange your vows.

photo by Kristen Kaiser

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue

While a lot of old-time wedding traditions have gone out of style, the sentiment behind something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue has stood the test of time. Traditionally, your something old should reflect a connection to the past, such as a family heirloom or childhood photo you can carry with you during your elopement day. Your something new signifies optimism for your future and can be anything from your new wedding attire to a new piece of jewelry or a even simply a new haircut. Look to your grandparents, parents, siblings, or dear friends for something borrowed to show respect for the support your loved ones have given over the years. And, finally, get creative with showing your love and fidelity through your something blue. If you’re stuck for ideas, take a peek at our round-up of the best something blue ideas for your wedding day.

Are you planning an elopement and looking for ways to include your loved ones? We’ve got some tried and true ways to keep your family and friends involved when deciding to elope.

Happy planning!

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