Elopement Day!
The elopement day has finally arrived! Here are a few things I recommend bringing with you that you may forget, and some tips on what to expect.
Elopement Day Checklist: What to Bring with You
Your elopement attire for what you're going to wear for the ceremony! This is obvious, but it needs to be on the checklist. :)
Both wedding bands + the engagement ring
Water: This is super important for an elopement day! Bring some water bottles to make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day, especially if you will be doing any kind of activity.
Shoes to walk through varied terrain in, even if not for the ceremony or photos. If we will be walking at all, bring shoes you can walk comfortably in.
Makeup for touch-ups if you'd like
Accessories like belts, hats, socks, jackets, etc.
Food/Snacks: You are going to need to eat throughout the day. Plan to have some easily accessible snacks with you that are easy to eat and unlikely to make a mess. Dried fruit, nuts, granola bars, chocolate, crackers, and cheese cubes all make great elopement day snacks.
Deodorant. I recommend a clear kind.
Chapstick
If you are doing an activity, bring the gear and items you will need for that activity. I'll give some recommendations of what to bring for your specific activity, but think it through for what is going to make you the most comfortable.
Breath mints - I recommend mints over gum
Extra bobby pins, safety pins, etc. A small pair of scissors can come in handy too.
An extra layer/warm clothes: Even for summer elements, I recommend bringing an extra layer. Colorado weather is unpredictable, and weather in the mountains can change quickly. It's always good to have an extra layer with you!
Sunscreen - Colorado sun is strong all year long
Elopement Day Briefing
- Throughout the day, I'll be taking a lot of candid, documentary-style photos, but I may ask you to do certain things. I'll also direct/offer suggestions for certain parts of the day that are most photo-heavy. I want the day to feel as authentic to you as possible, so I will do my best to be in the background sometimes, and direct sometimes too.
- Throughout the day, I will likely ask for your opinion on what we can do. For example, I might ask - "Would you like to stay in the trees for a little longer or head over to the lake?" or "Would you like to take some photos together before vows, or go straight into vows?" I am always happy to make an executive decision!
- During photo time, I'll give you some poses - like look this way, put your hands here, etc. But I'll also give you lots of directions and action-based prompts to get you to interact with each other.
- I encourage you to think more about interacting with each other than any specific direction or prompt I give you. For prompts, there is no wrong way to do anything that I suggest. Everything is open to your interpretation.
- If you ever don't know what to do with your hands, put them on each other. If you ever don't know where to look, look at each other.
- If you ever don't want to do something that I suggest, just say so. It's no problem. I promise I won't be offended, and we'll just do something else.
- If at any point you want a photo of something or you want to try something for a photo, let me know! I'll also ask you if there's anything we haven't done that you want to do.
- If you ever need anything - a break, water, a chance to warm up, etc. please tell me! I always have things like extra water, snacks, handwarmers with me.
- The day is about YOU and I'm on your team. Whatever I can do to make your day better, just let me know.
- One more thing - If the elopement is in Colorado or within driving distance, I'll most likely be driving a blue Subaru Forester.
- I want you to be comfortable for your elopement, not cold. I recommend bringing warm clothes to wear, even if not for the photos themselves. You can always take jackets and gloves off when you're ready, and then put them on again to warm up.
- Your hands will get cold faster than the rest of your body. Bring gloves, even if you think you won't need them. I also recommend bringing hand warmers. I can't stress this enough!
- Bringing a thermos (think HydroFlask or Yeti) with a hot beverage can be amazing. Trust me.
- Ladies, if you're worried about wearing a dress in the cold, here are a few tips. You can wear leggings, tights, or even fleece-lined tights under your dress. A dress with a fuller, more flowy skirt is going to allow you to layer underneath and stay warm. You can also consider dresses with sleeves or get a shawl to go over your upper body.
- Remember, the higher in elevation we go, the colder it will be! Check the weather forecast for the town closest to where we will be, NOT just the weather for somewhere like Boulder or Denver (unless we are shooting there).
- Check out this page of the guide for more tips on weather and preparing for cold weather.
- If you have questions about weather and how to prepare, please ask!
Final Notes
In general, RELAX and just focus on spending time with your partner. Have fun, be yourselves, and let your emotions show. If you forget something or a detail isn't perfect, it's ok.
Copyright Abby Shepard Photography
