Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

Best Elopement Wedding Dresses for 2023

If a bride is going to elope, what should her dream dress look like? Should it differ from the traditional dress that would have been worn at a formal wedding?

In the past, elopements used to bring to mind spur-of-the-moment romances and couples running off to get married in secret. Eloping is far more common nowadays, particularly because of the COVID pandemic over the last few years. Couples are choosing to save money and avoid stress by opting for a more casual approach instead of throwing a large wedding. But getting rid of an extravagant affair doesn’t mean that you can’t wear your fantasy wedding outfit for your elopement dress. If you’re pondering something different from the traditional wedding dress, have a peek at our suggestions below so that you can choose the perfect look for your courthouse ceremony or private destination wedding.

There’s a Difference Between a Traditional Wedding Dress and an Elopement Wedding Dress?

Yes, there is! But it’s really up to you and there really doesn’t have to be a difference. Typically though, shorter hemlines, mid- and tea-length dresses as well as fitted silhouettes and slip-on styles are perfect for great choices for the more intimate elopement weddings as they’re easy to put on and don’t require additional help.

Generally, elopement dresses are simpler and have less intricate decorations; fabrics are also lighter for easier movement. Given that it’s a simpler and less fussy ceremony, you can also choose something unconventional like a brightly colored jumpsuit or a cute mini-dress.

Things to Consider When Choosing an Elopement Wedding Dress

When searching for the perfect elopement dress, consider how you want to feel on your wedding day first and foremost. Remember to keep practicalities in mind as well so that shopping for your outfit is enjoyable and simplified for your special day.

Where You’re Getting Married

When choosing your wedding outfit, the rule is that it should complement your venue. Even if you are eloping, the location should still be taken into account – a couple exchanging vows on a beach at sunset looks different than one getting married in an urban city hall. If you’re going to be married indoors, stick with A-line, Fit and Flares, mermaid or trumpet styles. If you’re going to be married at an outdoor venue, then pick something a bit more flowy or a shorter length gown with less fabric as you’ll need to be comfortable when you’re moving around.

Pick A Style and Fabric That Will Travel and Hold Up Well

Are you travelling to your elopement destination, even if it’s just for a few hours? If you’ll be traveling for any length of time, you’ll need to take this into consideration as your dress will need to be properly packed into a suitcase or a garment bag. Big poufy ball gowns with crinoline or long, cathedral trains will not fit or travel well, whereas slip dress and sheath gowns will be easier to pack.

When eloping, even the material of your wedding dress makes a difference. Climate and temperature aside, you likely won’t have the luxury of sending your gown to a seamstress or tailor to have it professional pressed before your wedding. To keep things as stress free as possible, pick easy care fabrics such as chiffon, organza or silk that’s easier to steam. Steer away from heavy fabrics such as satin and silk; they’re also less breathable and won’t be very wearable if you’re going to be married in a tropical location.

Also consider whether you’ll need to pack your dress and then change into it once you reach your elopement destination; this might be necessary if you’ll be married on a mountain top or deep in the forest. If that’s the case, you’ll need to choose the most packable dress that you can simply fold and fit into your backpack and then shake it out once you’re ready to change for the ceremony.

Regardless of where you’ll be getting married, choose something you’re comfortable in that makes you feel like you!

Getting Prepped and Dressed for the Ceremony

If you are eloping and will not be accompanied by a team of bridesmaids, make sure you choose a dress that is easy to put on without help; you’ll likely be dressing yourself. Solo dressing means keeping your dress simple – avoid corsets, buttons, long zippers and bustles so that you can dress yourself with ease.

 

Leave a comment

How to choose the music for the wedding

I personally can’t be without it, it’s one of the things that accompanies my days.

I often find myself looking for it: while I work, while I have breakfast, while I cook, while I drive. Almost always in short. I’m talking about the music.

Have you ever found yourself noticing embarrassing silences ? For example, when you enter a shop where there are few people and where there is a surreal silence, because there is no music.

This example should help you understand how much music fills the spaces.

The same goes for events, during a wedding music is fundamental.

Not only the fittings and decorations create the atmosphere.

Music is also a detail to be carefully evaluated.

We remember that music evokes memories and if we want to be able to imprint our most important moments, we must choose the right solution by relying on professionals.

The musical accompaniment is able to divide the various moments of the day, to mark the times, excite, enliven or calm the “minds”.

The moments of the wedding day are many and different, and it is right that the type of music changes: a whole day with a single musical genre until the end could be repetitive and boring, although it may be a genre that represents the theme of marriage.

But as always, before starting your search or contacting a professional directly, it is worth reflecting on the kind of musical entertainment that best suits the type of ceremony and reception you are organizing.

Dj or Live Band?

A good DJ, well organized and coordinated with Wedding Planner and location, is able to manage the entire music service, entertain and arouse new emotions.

But if you are dreaming of something more “profound”, a special experience that enriches your day more, then you also need to include a moment of live music.

Without discrediting the figure of the DJ, more known and easily involved, we will focus on live music, because sometimes it is not taken into consideration how it should be done.

Live music

Live music obviously changes for the genre (jazz, rock, pop,…), for its instruments and for the number of elements.

It is made up of people, and as such they will accompany you in your organization path with passion and dedication, making those musical moments even more beautiful, because they will live them together with you.

It is suitable for celebrations, religious and civil, for the aperitif time and more.

Each artist and each band will have its own characteristic that will help you understand up to what moment its performance is indicated.

My advice

Therefore my advice is to scan through a detailed list which will be all the main moments that must be accompanied by the music.

Together with the Wedding Planner and the musicians it will be pleasant and fun to choose the songs and songs that will characterize all your most exciting moments and that will help your guests to remember you thanks to that song that will characterize your wedding.

What do you think of a concrete help in dividing the moments of the day so that you can then define the musical program with your musician? Book your consultation online with me.

I thank Marianna Valloggia for having contributed to the drafting of this post.

Leave a comment

4 special questions to choose the best wedding photographer for you

Have you already thought about what remains of the wedding day besides the memory?

The images.

Videos and photos are the only tools that can help you better remember all the details, those that after a while in your memory almost vanish.

It may seem like it’s all a bit “vital” when you begin the preparations, but in reality this is not the case.

It would be better if everything was taken care of, that yes, but it does not all have the same importance.

The photos, in my opinion, should be among the priorities that you will put in the first places, in the Top 3.

Precisely for the reason already mentioned.

And when you are in front of a professional in the sector it would be fantastic if in addition to the “standard” questions you were able to go a little deeper in his knowledge.

So, in addition to seeing the photos and his albums, evaluating his list and understanding what kind of personality he has, I would advise you to investigate even those questions that at first glance might seem unusual, perhaps even useless, but which would help you to get to know him. better.

Today, for example, I wanted to ask this type of questions to Irene Fucci, a young photographer from Turin, with her very specific and recognizable style, which could help us to learn more about what lies behind the figure of the wedding photographer.

What differentiates one professional from another?

“There are many aspects that differentiate a photographer from another, in addition to the background of studies and the experience gained in the field, I would say that approach and aesthetics are two key factors.

Some professionals prefer a photojournalistic story of the day, mainly giving space to stolen shots and spontaneous photographs, while others have a more editorial approach and therefore carefully study each shot and frame to get the best out of every situation. Other anchors choose a middle ground by drawing on both ways.

As for aesthetics, on the other hand, wanting to simplify a lot, I would say that the main strands are two: the “birght and airy” photographs (ie bright shots, rich in natural light, characterized by creamy and pastel tones) and the “moody” images (shots full of pathos, dark and earthy tones and almost Caravaggesque atmospheres). “

How does a photographer have to be in line with the style of the couple and the wedding?

“I think it is essential that the photographer and the couple share the same vision. If the goals are common, it will certainly be easier to achieve them, right?

What is important for a photographer?

“A professional photographer knows how to make the most of every situation, however lights and environments have a big impact on the final result. For example, choosing a photographer who prefers bright and airy shots and taking him to shoot in a dark cellar, illuminated by artificial lights, could lead to a result that differs from what you have seen on his portfolio.

My advice is to let you advise and guide you in choosing the perfect angles in which to shoot and, why not, maybe even in the perfect moment in which to take couple shots. “

What has changed compared to a few years ago in terms of requests from the spouses?

“I confess that my couples are still quite traditional from this point of view and I would say that 90% decide to print an album and make prints. On the other hand I highly recommend it.

Reviewing your own images printed on paper, holding them in your hand, browsing through the memories of the day has an emotional impact that is difficult to achieve by looking at them on the monitor.

However, I would say that I have registered greater freedom of choice.

The spouses no longer feel obliged to print an album for the parents or take photos with individual groups at the tables.

They only do it if that’s what they really want. “

Leave a comment

Ideas and tips for the marriage proposal

 An ” will you marry me ?” accompanied by a beautiful diamond… What a beautiful dream! A desire we have always had. Yet something has changed in recent years.

Nowadays, asking for the hand has become something that must amaze, amaze and above all be remembered. The more original and extravagant the marriage proposal is, the longer you will talk about this moment.

On the other hand, there are those who choose more bizarre methods: they flutter a banner with the fateful question from a helicopter, those who decide to ask for it from the depths of the sea in a sub version, those who write it on the beach, those who use the letters of the Domino.

One of the ways I really like is to make the marriage proposal during a couple photo shoot. Imagine how nice to have the memory of that fantastic moment through photos (or videos)!

There are those who unexpectedly hire a photographer who will remain hidden photographing every moment until he… gets down on his knees. Isn’t that nice as an idea?

Yes, even the proposal must have its why

A new professional figure has even developed in the United States: that of the Proposal Planner, the one who helps plan the marriage proposal.

Here we are not yet at these levels, so I think that for now some useful suggestions may be enough to create an unforgettable wedding proposal.

  • evaluate the proposal based on the person to whom it is made (you must also follow the tastes of your partner… not just ours!);
  • you will find the idea for the ideal proposal starting from the character of your partner. For example, if shy / a avoid glitzy ads in front of a thousand people. And then he uses his hobbies to make magical surprises;
  • if you don’t have extravagant and alternative ideas, don’t despair, a nice romantic dinner and the most sincere words are all you need;
  • if your partner is a cheerful and upbeat person then you will have to put in a little more effort so you can leave him speechless. In this case I advise you to rely on friends and relatives to organize a super wedding proposal that you will certainly not forget;
  • finally, the ring. Whether it’s a small or large diamond, whether it’s a solitaire or a trilogy, whether it’s silver, yellow or white gold, simple or showy, it doesn’t matter… the important thing is that it is there!

And now that you know how to organize the proposal, find out how to organize your wedding: it will be easier together!

Leave a comment

How to make the right choices to organize a perfect wedding

“ But if it’s the first time I’m getting married, how do I know what to do? “

I’m sure you’ve thought this sentence too, at least once until now.

What are the steps to follow, assuming there is a specific order, what are the costs to be faced and where to start?

These are the initial doubts when deciding how to start in organizing the wedding.

How much confusion will there be in your head?

Now I will not dwell on the criteria for evaluating suppliers and their proposals – indeed, for this aspect I invite you to read the post dedicated to the subject – but I will tell you how often we find ourselves having to make more general decisions.

  • Before even starting a real search, stop for a moment.
  • Grab a pen and paper, close your eyes and try to think carefully about what you have been dreaming of since you were a child and what it represents to you.
  • Maybe you have already shared it with your boyfriend and together you have already dreamed of what you would like to achieve – and perhaps you have even discussed some details a bit -.

It is only after you have a clearer idea of ​​the place, the context, the type of party, that you can make the best choices that will reflect all these fundamental aspects.

Think about it: how can you think of finding the perfect location for you if you haven’t even imagined it yet ?

Today’s market is able to offer you any solution you are looking for ! In fact, you will find some that you can’t even remotely imagine right now.

My role in this case is fundamental, I am here to help the couple to evaluate together everyone and the pros and cons of each choice.

It will be easier for you (compared to other brides who do it independently) because, after having told me all the details, the search and selection of suppliers and professionals – who are right for you – will initially be up to me, so you will have to choose among a range of proposals, already filtered, that reflect your tastes and your budget.

And then what can help you will be the time at our disposal: the element that allows you to choose with the right calm.

This is the reason why I always advise to leave early (usually about a year earlier) and not to postpone until tomorrow what we can already do today – as long as it is done wisely.

Being ahead of a deadline does not generate anxiety, on the contrary, it charges us and gives us enthusiasm.

You enter that pleasant “vortex” from which it is almost a shame to leave once the preparations have been completed.

Not to mention how many unforeseen events we can avoid if we play in advance, we prevent them and, in the worst case scenario, we have all the time necessary to manage them in the best possible way.

So, in conclusion, even for the management of the preparations the right approach is to “let yourself go”: dreaming and imagining are not just beautiful words that you will often hear in the “world of weddings”. It is a real starting point to start the selection and arrive at the result you have always wanted.

Leave a comment

How I organize a vintage style wedding

In Maryland, between the hills and the plain full of fields and rice fields, I found the perfect combination of landscapes, structures, the atmosphere that reigns and one of my favorite styles for the preparation of the wedding.

How I approached this style

I’ve always had a passion for objects that have a story to tell, it’s stronger than me.

My husband and I have fun discussing this because I would spend my days among the antiques markets, while he prefers objects with a modern and ultra-colorful design.

After a few years of experience in my sector and after having been able to experiment with various types of set-ups, I naturally oriented myself towards what satisfies me most, amuses me and represents me.

What you need to set up in a vintage style

What I like most about this style is being able to mix many elements with each other, oscillating in multiple declinations (such as the cousin ” Boho style “, different for some things but similar for others), because there are more genres depending on the era of belonging (20s – 50s – 70s).

The “highlight objects” that I use often and willingly are:

  • typewriter
  • phone
  • gramophone
  • books, papers and old postcards
  • tin cans and bottles
  • cameras

and in addition to objects, I really like to recreate sets with pieces of furniture such as armchairs, rugs, bedside tables, mirrors and trolleys.

 Risks to avoid: too much is good

I am not a “total-vintage-addicted” in the sense that my life is not all like this: I don’t just wear long rust-colored skirts, or lace and lace, nor do I have a retro haircut, indeed, I love everything that glitters, I go crazy for everything that is golden, yet there is something inside me that makes me fascinated by everything that bears witness to a past life.

In fact, from the photos of the weddings that I make you can see it.

Maybe it’s because I don’t like to exaggerate, I always tend to dose well the style, a theme or a color, so that it is not heavy, neither in the personal aspect, nor in the design of the wedding.

How to recreate a vintage atmosphere

  • I told in this previous post how the style must be present – although in my opinion well measured – even with everything else (location, flowers, dresses,…).
  • Vintage is therefore not a collection of ancient objects placed here and there.
  • It is a very delicate style, which must be taken care of, but pretending to do it in a casual and sometimes almost “messy” way.
  • As always, before taking action, a precise design can help you, through a moodboard or, why not, a personalized consultation.
  • Try to evaluate these two hypotheses, even with the preparations underway, and find out what I created with my couples for their wedding day (vintage).

Leave a comment

3 tips to find out where to start your wedding preparations

Do not start the search for the location, do not contact the photographer to ask him for his rate card, do not book the wedding dress trial if you do not yet know what you can or want to achieve.

Among the most important choices to make when starting the organization of the wedding, as I told you in the previous post, there is to think in depth what kind of wedding yours will be.

First of all, you have to work with your imagination.

Do you remember when you were a child?

Try again, but don’t stop dreaming only of the dress of your dreams.

Start with the style, which must reflect your couple: who you are and what you like.

It is he who will help you to filter all the other searches you will do.

Let me explain: if your tastes lead you to dream of a rustic wedding it will be useless to evaluate the proposal of an ancient and royal castle or a modern and baroque location.

Even the photos, and the video, will have to respect your style. Even the music! As well as everything else.

It is not just the locations, based on their structure and design, that have a particular characteristic.

Every wedding professional has her own.

In your search you will find photographers or wedding planners specialized in their own specific style and you will immediately realize it, because it is like recognizing a brand, their imprint.

For example, I realize what the spouses ask of me, as they wish, but with a strong inclination to vintage taste, to retro and you will notice it from the photos of my set-ups.

Try starting with these questions:

  • Where do you want to get married?
  •  In a wood, in the green, by the sea?
  • What kind of reception would you like? 
  • A big and cheerful party or a more formal banquet?
  • What reflects you the most? 
  • Do you prefer to focus on romance or other characteristics?

These are basic questions you need to ask yourself for every detail you are going to evaluate.

Without having first clarified your ideas, you could risk finding yourself choosing a princely dress, wildflowers and a completely inappropriate context.

Everything must follow a precise logical thread (fil rouge) and in addition this “mental scheme” will help you calculate the wedding budget.

Leave a comment

How to choose the design and style of the wedding

Here we are talking about one of the funniest moments of the preparations: the study of Design.

Although it is usually the bride who follows him more with the Wedding Planner, because it seems to be a more feminine subject, it is nice to have more points of view, which is why I like to dedicate a dedicated meeting to this aspect, in which both spouses participate.

Tastes and interests will be fundamental elements to begin to understand the style of marriage.

Studying the wedding style means giving meticulous attention to its image.

Where do you start?

First of all, I suggest you brainstorm: let’s write down all the ideas, underlining the ones that are indispensable for you. We search for inspirational photos from the web and newspapers and collect them all on a single sheet, which can be digital or paper.

Are you short of ideas or on the contrary do you have a thousand of them? Come and browse through the inspirations I saved in my Pinterest folder: you will see, it will be a real addiction!

Do not worry if looking at them you will realize that you have selected ideas with several different styles, it is normal because the proposals are so many!

It will then be easier to reflect together on the one most suitable for you, especially when we will build our moodboard together (we will talk about it in the next posts), but always remember to evaluate every detail not only individually, but also as a whole, inserting it in the entire context. that you will want to recreate.

For example: electric blue details will not be indicated in a rustic, red brick location. Do you agree with me?

 The types of style to choose from

In my opinion, to date, we can divide the styles of marriage into three macro – categories:

Luxury:

extremely elegant, full of flowers and precious details, such as mirrors, gold and crystals; it can be baroque or modern, but clearly refined and eye-catching.

Boho and Vintage:

natural, bizarre, characterized by vintage pieces, laces and messy and disheveled flower bouquets; it offers many variations and for me it is really original.

Rustic and shabby:

rural or romantic, it can be made in the roughest or most chic version, passing from jute to lace, from sunflowers to gypsophila; it might seem like one of the simpler styles, in reality in my opinion it should be dosed very well to give it the opportunity to stray too far from the concept of elegance in marriage.

Is it clearer to you now why it is important to choose a style that is similar to everything you choose, starting from the place of the ceremony to get to the smallest detail?

Leave a comment