To elope, you decide what kind of day you want and what you want photographed, pick a date and a place with a weather backup, get your marriage license, book an officiant and a photographer, and plan a simple timeline. That’s the whole process, and most couples can do it in a few weeks. We have photographed elopements, courthouse weddings and micro weddings around Atlanta since 2008, and this is the step-by-step plan we walk our couples through, with Georgia details where they matter.
What Does It Mean to Elope?
Today, eloping usually means a small, planned, intimate ceremony: just the two of you, or the two of you with a handful of your closest people, such as parents or a best friend. It skips most of the structure of a traditional wedding day. There’s no long reception timeline, no big guest list and no months of logistics, and it isn’t secret or rushed unless you want it to be.
Once your guest list grows past about 20 people, you’re usually planning a micro wedding. The planning steps below still apply. You’ll just give more time to the guest experience.
How to Elope in 10 Steps
- Decide what kind of elopement you want.
- Decide what you want photographed.
- Choose your date and time of day.
- Choose a location with a backup plan.
- Get your marriage license.
- Find your officiant and check witness rules.
- Book your photographer and other vendors.
- Plan a simple timeline.
- Look and feel your best.
- Decide how to share the news and celebrate.
Step 1: Decide What Kind of Elopement You Want
Start with the feeling, not the logistics. Talk through a few questions together before you book anything:
- Is it just the two of you, or will a few family members or friends be there?
- Do you want a legal ceremony on the day, or a symbolic ceremony after a quick courthouse visit?
- Would you rather be indoors somewhere historic and elegant, or outside in a garden?
- Is the ceremony the main event, or do you also want portraits, a toast or a dinner afterward?
Your answers shape every step that follows. A courthouse ceremony with two guests needs a very different plan from a garden vow exchange followed by dinner for ten.
Still deciding between an elopement and a micro wedding? Here’s how they compare.
Step 2: Decide What You Want Photographed
Before you book a photographer, decide whether you want your ceremony photographed, a portrait session to commemorate your marriage, or both. They are different kinds of bookings:
- Ceremony coverage is event coverage. Your ceremony happens at a set time and place, with your officiant and guests, so it goes ahead rain or shine and needs a real indoor backup plan. With us, coverage that includes a ceremony usually starts at 2 hours; if your plans are unusual, reach out and we’ll talk through what works.
- A portrait session is a commemorative experience. It can happen on any date, at any time and in any location that gives you beautiful photos, including a different day from your ceremony. Because nothing else depends on it, an outdoor portrait session can be rescheduled if the weather turns.
The day of the week matters too. Weekdays (Monday through Thursday) are in far lower demand than weekends, so they offer the most flexibility and the best value. Weekends (Friday through Sunday) are the most requested dates in the event industry and are priced to reflect that demand. You can compare our weekday and weekend elopement collections to see how each one works.
Step 3: Choose Your Date and Time of Day
Pick your date with the light and the season in mind, not only the calendar.
- Time of day: for outdoor photos, the most flattering light comes close to sunrise or sunset. The sun sits lower in the sky, skin tones look soft and warm, and no one has to squint. Midday sun casts hard shadows under the eyes and nose. If midday fits your plans best, choose shade or an indoor space, or plan for a lighting assistant.
- Indoors: light is far less of a concern because we bring professional lighting, so an indoor elopement can happen at any time that suits you.
- Season: Atlanta summers are hot and humid. For summer dates we recommend indoor spaces, and our Atlanta summer elopement tips cover heat, humidity and backup plans. Spring, fall and winter are the best seasons to elope outdoors.
Step 4: Choose a Location With a Backup Plan
Georgia weather can change in an hour, so choose a place where you would be happy to say your vows whatever the forecast. A strong elopement location:
- has an indoor space, or a covered space you’d be happy to use, if it rains or the heat spikes;
- is private enough that you’re not working around crowds, tourists or other events;
- photographs well both for your ceremony and for your portraits;
- fits the size of your group, including anyone who needs easy access.
Public parks can work, but they come with crowds, permits and no plan B. A private venue, a historic building, an elegant rental home or a small event space usually gives you a calmer day. For ideas, see our guide to places to elope in Atlanta, where every location we suggest has an indoor option. If you’re planning an outdoor portrait session rather than a ceremony, our inclement weather policy explains how weather rescheduling works.
Step 5: Get Your Marriage License
A marriage license is what makes your elopement legal. The rules come from the state where you marry. In Georgia, the license comes from a county probate court:
- You both need to be there in person, with a valid photo ID and proof of age. If either of you was married before, bring proof the marriage ended (for example, a divorce decree).
- If at least one of you lives in Georgia, you can apply in any county. If neither of you lives in Georgia, apply in the county where the ceremony will take place.
- Fees vary by county. The standard fee was $56 to $77 at the courts we checked, and completing a premarital education program lowers it.
- After the ceremony, the signed license goes back to the probate court within 30 days.
Hours, fees and appointment rules differ from county to county, so check your probate court’s website before you go. If you’re planning a courthouse ceremony, our guide to courthouse weddings in Georgia walks through the process county by county.
Step 6: Find Your Officiant and Check Witness Rules
Your officiant signs your license, so choose someone who is legally able to perform marriages in the state where you marry. You have three common options:
- A friend or family member who gets ordained. Many couples love this because it makes the ceremony deeply personal. Our Atlanta elopement guide explains how to get ordained in Georgia online.
- A professional officiant, who can also help you write a short ceremony and keep it on track.
- A courthouse ceremony, where available. Some Georgia probate courts perform ceremonies and others don’t, so ask your county.
Ask your officiant or probate court whether your county’s license needs witness signatures. If it does, a friend, a family member or your officiant can often help you arrange them.
Want family there for your vows? See how to include family in your elopement, including who can officiate in Georgia and how to plan family photos.
Step 7: Book Your Photographer and Other Vendors
When the guest list is small, your photos become the way everyone else gets to share the day. Book your photographer early, especially for a weekend date, and look for someone who is used to small, fast-moving days and can guide you through posing if you feel awkward on camera.
Most elopements need 2 hours of photography, enough for the ceremony, a few family photos and a relaxed portrait session. Plan 3 to 4 hours if you want getting-ready photos, a second location or photos at dinner. Our elopement timeline guide shows sample 1-, 2- and 4-hour timelines so you can see exactly what fits.
Other vendors to consider:
- An officiant (see Step 6).
- A florist for a bouquet, boutonnière and a few small details.
- A hair and makeup artist, so you feel photo-ready without the stress.
- A restaurant, private dining room or caterer if you’re celebrating afterward.
Step 8: Plan a Simple Timeline
An elopement timeline should feel relaxed, not rushed. A few things make the biggest difference:
- Take couple portraits before guests arrive if you can. You’ll have unhurried time together, and you won’t need to step away from your guests later.
- Keep the ceremony at the center. Most elopement ceremonies last 10 to 20 minutes, and courthouse ceremonies can be even shorter.
- Leave buffer time for traffic, parking and courthouse security lines.
- Plan around the light, as in Step 3.
We plan every timeline with our couples, so you won’t be figuring this out on your own. You can see full sample schedules in our elopement timeline guide.
Step 9: Look and Feel Your Best
Small details show up in close-up portraits, so a little preparation goes a long way:
- Do a makeup trial about a month before your date, whether you hire an artist or do your own.
- Choose a transfer-proof lipstick so kissing photos don’t leave marks on your partner.
- Use translucent powder to take down shine. This goes for everyone in the photos, because shine can’t be fully removed later.
- Pack a brush or comb for wind, humidity and the drive over.
- Wear comfortable shoes or bring a second pair for walking between locations.
Step 10: Decide How to Share the News and Celebrate
Eloping doesn’t mean leaving out the people you love. Decide ahead of time how and when you’ll tell family and friends:
- Tell your closest family before the day, and invite them if you’d like them there.
- Include loved ones in part of the day, such as a toast, a dinner or a video call during the ceremony.
- Share the news afterward with a phone call, a card or a wedding announcement with a favorite photo.
- Plan a celebration later, anything from a private dinner or champagne toast to a relaxed party with the people who couldn’t be there.
Does Eloping Make You Legally Married?
Yes. Eloping is legally the same as any other wedding. If you have a valid marriage license, a qualified officiant performs the ceremony, and the signed license is returned to the probate court, you are legally married, whether you had two guests or two hundred.
Some couples marry legally at the courthouse first and hold a symbolic ceremony somewhere else later. That works well too. The courthouse visit makes it official, and the second ceremony can be as personal as you like.
How to Elope FAQ
How Long Does It Take to Plan an Elopement?
Most couples can plan an elopement in 4 to 8 weeks. Weekend dates and popular venues book further ahead, so give yourself more time if you have a specific Saturday or venue in mind. Weekday elopements are often possible on shorter notice.
Can You Elope Without Anyone Knowing?
Yes. You can marry with just your officiant, and any witnesses your county requires, and share the news afterward. Many couples still tell a parent or close friend beforehand, or invite one or two people to be their witnesses.
Do You Need Witnesses to Elope in Georgia?
Ask your county probate court or your officiant. They can tell you whether your license needs witness signatures. If it does, a friend, family member or your officiant can often help you arrange them.
Can We Elope at the Courthouse?
Yes, if your county offers courthouse ceremonies. Some Georgia probate courts perform them and others don’t, and a few have their own rules for photography. Some counties, including Fulton County, ask for an advance photography permission form. Our courthouse weddings in Georgia guide covers the details.
Do You Propose Before Eloping?
Most couples do get engaged first, but there’s no rule. Some couples decide to elope together without a formal proposal, and others plan a surprise proposal and elope soon after.
How Long Does an Elopement Ceremony Take?
Most elopement ceremonies last 10 to 20 minutes. A courthouse ceremony can take as little as 5 to 10 minutes, although the whole visit, including check-in and security, often runs 30 to 60 minutes.
Start Planning Your Elopement
Knowing how to elope comes down to a few clear decisions: the kind of day you want, what you want photographed, a date and a place with a backup plan, your license and officiant, and a simple timeline. Get those in place and the rest falls into place too.
If you’re eloping in Atlanta and want a team that will guide you through every step, from choosing a location to posing you naturally on the day, meet your Atlanta elopement photographer or tell us about your plans. We’d love to help.
For a full breakdown of license, venue, officiant and photography costs, see how much it costs to elope in Atlanta.
