How to Plan a Last-Minute Elopement
How much time does it take to plan an elopement wedding? To be honest, it varies. But you can conceivably plan your elopement in 3 months or less.
Believe it or not, there’s no right amount of time to plan an elopement. I’ve worked with couples who book my elopement photography services a few months to two years in advance. It all comes down to a few key details—like how much time you want to plan or how soon you want to get married.
This year (2026), I’ve seen an increase in couples planning their elopement or micro-wedding in just 3-6 months!
Yes, it’s possible. And there are a lot of reasons to have such a short planning timeline:
You don’t want to stress out over planning for a long period of time.
You need to share marital rights ASAP, whether that’s for military, politics, immigration, or healthcare.
You’ve planned a trip, and want to get hitched during your travels.
You’re spontaneous and want your wedding to reflect that.
You’ve been waiting long enough to get married!
You too can get married quickly, if you discover exactly what it takes. When you have the right guidance from your elopement photographer, you can do a lot in that amount of time!
The key here? Flexibility. So if you’re down, let’s get into how to plan a last-minute elopement!
What Counts as a “Last-Minute” Elopement
What counts as “last minute” really depends on you, as a couple, plus how and where you choose to get married.
Technically, all you really need to get married is an appointment to apply for and complete a marriage license at your local courthouse. This can be done in a very short period of time:
Google your local county clerk's office
Contact them (phone or email) about booking an appointment to get married
Depending on your state, you can likely get legally married during the same appointment
Note: You’ll need to both be of legal age, both have IDs, and pay a small fee
Also note: Some states do not solemnize marriage during the appointment, and you may need to hire an officiant elsewhere
While courthouse weddings and elopements can be cute, you might want something a bit more festive. That’s actually what I specialize in—destination outdoor elopements and small adventure weddings.
Generally, I consider 1-3 months to be a last-minute elopement; specifically, because the availability of permits, photography, vendors, etc., can be tight!
What about 6 months of wedding or elopement planning? In most cases, that’s very doable. Obviously, there are edge cases or unreasonable expectations, from time to time. But in most weddings I help plan, 6 months is A-OK. That’s because this time frame gives plenty of time for: Locations, permits, activities, inviting guests, scheduling vendors, etc.
As long as you’re a little bit flexible and a bit reasonable, 6 months is absolutely something you can achieve. Three months is tighter, but doable with an increase in flexibility.
How to Plan a Last-Minute Elopement
#1: Manage Your Expectations
Planning your elopement in a short period of time means you need to be flexible. The more flexible and casual you are, the easier the process will be.
The shorter time period means you might not be able to obtain permits for particular spots or work with the exact vendor you want. Things can book up quickly! But that’s okay, because there are plenty of tips we have for planning a meaningful experience.
#2: Book an Elopement Photographer and Planner
Eloping couples might not need a wedding planner—especially if it’s a smaller affair. That’s where elopement photographers come in.
We can help guide you through the steps of choosing locations, writing schedules, hiring vendors, and more. Think of it as “Wedding Planning Lite.”
#3: Choose a Date and Location
This is potentially interchangeable with booking a photographer, but I put it in this order because a photographer can help set expectations around what types of places you can get married in a short period of time.
Each type of location has its own rules and restrictions around permitting for ceremonies, and as an elopement photographer with 5 years of experience, I intimately know the areas where you can pull this off quickly. This is where flexibility comes in handy, because you might not be able to choose your top location.
For example, there are locations such as BLM or NF Land where permits aren’t necessary for smaller groups. This makes it easier to get married there on a whim. As a bonus, it’s typically cheaper as well! Places like the Eastern Sierra are great for this!
On the other hand, there are locations such as state or national parks that might require more time to obtain a permit. In my experience, places like Redwoods NP need a minimum of 6 months to get a permit. That’s a long time if you’re planning a last-minute elopement!
Here are my favorite spots for last-minute elopements:
Joshua Tree NP, California: I have personally pulled a permit just weeks before a wedding. While you might not get your first pick, with some flexibility on the date and time, you can absolutely get married here last-minute.
Trona Pinnacles, California: For the couples who want a rugged adventure, this off-the-beaten-path spot is perfect for a last-minute elopement.
Alabama Hills
Mammoth Lakes/Bishop, California: There are some truly first-class views in the Eastern Sierra, and a lot of that is on public land—no permit required!
Utah Badlands: Between Capitol Reef and Moab, you’ll find some absolutely amazing desert. Some of the most unique views around, from gray stone overlooks to colorful hills. And all with no permit!
Sedona, Arizona: Arizona’s premier red rock desert. There’s public lands with no permits if you know where to look.
Laguna Beach, California: A surprisingly easy place to get a wedding permit. The beautiful beach views are an obvious plus!
Airbnbs/VRBOs: Some rentals will allow you to have your wedding ceremony on their property. That makes things easy—just get ready and get married all in the same spot! Just make sure to get permission to do so.
#4: Book a Wedding Officiant to Make It Legal
In most states, you need an officiant and at least 1-2 witnesses to get legally married. You can either hire an officiant or have a friend or family member become ordained online. This is an easy process through the Universal Life Church.
Lucky for you, we have one on staff! My husband, Isiah, can perform all kinds of ceremonies, both religious and secular.
#5: Get a Marriage License
This is the most important document you need to get married. Every state and county is different, but in general, you can pick this document up 90 days before the date.
Here’s how you do that:
Find your local county clerk’s office or the local county clerk’s office for the county you’re getting married in.
Book an appointment for you and your fiancé to pick up a marriage license.
Both of you go to that appointment with your IDs.
Pay a small fee.
Bring the marriage license to your officiant/witness(es) to get signed.
Deliver it back to the same courthouse. If you book our officiant, we do that part for you!
#6: Book Travels and Stays
If you’re traveling to your elopement location, you’ll want to book travel as soon as possible. Flights, car rentals, and hotels can all be booked last-minute, you just might not have your first pick.
#7: Purchase Your Attire
Buying wedding dresses and suits can be a longer process, especially if you’re getting something custom-fit. If you’re tight on time, the best thing to do is shop online or in-person for wedding clothes that are ready to go and fit without alterations.
#8: Book Other Vendors or DIY What You Can
Most of the last-minute elopements I capture are DIY. There are a few reasons for that:
The best vendors get booked up fast.
Couples eloping last-minute are often saving money.
Vendors are harder to find, depending on the location.
It doesn’t hurt to look around at vendors who might be available, especially ones who are local or just opting for small businesses instead. You can always get your hair and makeup done at a salon or buy a bouquet at a local flower shop.
Or skip the vendors and DIY what you can. Many couples I work with do things like braid their own handfasting cord, make their own bouquet with flowers from a place like Trader Joe's, or grab a cake or picnic foods from a local bakery.
#9: Decide Whether to Invite Guests
Depending on how last-minute your elopement is, skipping guests or inviting fewer people is the way to go. People are busy and need time to plan their travel arrangements as well. The best last-minute elopements are the ones with the most flexibility and the least amount of people.
Last Piece of Advice
Ditch all expectations and go with the flow. After all, if you wanted a wedding day totally in your control, you wouldn’t be getting married in the great outdoors. The beauty of eloping this way is that we are at the whims of Mother Nature, so embrace it all.
Book Your Last-Minute Elopement Photographer
If this all sounds overwhelming—don’t fret! I’m here to help. If you want to work together, the best way to do so is (you guessed it) be flexible! I even have some discounts on packages if your last-minute elopement is taking place somewhere I’ll be already. So I’m ready to start planning your day! Reach out today.
Last-Minute Elopement Packages
+ 4-12+ hours of coverage
+ Planning and vendor services
+ Location assistance
+ Online gallery with high-resolution photos
+ Option to download images or purchase prints online
+ Travel fees included, minus permits
+ Complimentary officiant services.
