Destination elopement in Costa Rica at the bottom of an extinct volcano with a natural waterfall. Photo by me, edited by me.
You want to elope outside Canada, but don’t know what to do or how to do it? I'm a destination elopement photographer, let me tell you how!
Psst, I eloped overseas last year! I know first hand!
IMAGE BY Ieva Marija Photography, of me and my family eloping in Scotland in 2023.
So you’ve decided you want to elope (YAY!) and you are thinking of doing it outside the country, but now you can’t stop thinking:
HOW DO I ELOPE OVERSEAS? (as a Canadian)
Step 1: Decide WHERE do you want to elope?
Things to consider:
Do you want to turn your elopement into a full vacation, or honeymoon if you will.
What style of elopement would you like. Example: Hiking, mountains, body of water, camping, etc.
What time of year you would like to elope and the weather in the location you are considering.
IMAGE BY Ieva Marija Photography, of me and my family eloping in Scotland in 2023. This was our portraits after the elopement, at a local used bookstore.
Step 2: Decide if you want to be legally married where you elope, or if you’d like to do the ceremony overseas but sign the paperwork here at home.
Things to consider:
You CAN sign the paperwork in other countries, however it requires more legwork and time. You may need to contact an embassy, so ensure you give yourself enough time to get the proper paperwork in order before you elope if you are choosing to sign the paperwork overseas.
If you are choosing to sign the paperwork here in Canada, you can either go to City Hall, or hire a celebrant to oversee your signing and file the necessary paperwork.
My partner and I decided to sign our paperwork here in Canada after trying to get the necessary paperwork for signing overseas done, but not having enough time to ensure we would be approved. We went with a celebrant, invited two of our closest friends to be witnesses and even hired a local photographer to come and capture the signing. It was nothing fancy, we were not dressed up, we did not do portraits, but we wanted to commemorate the day anyways.
Then we went overseas, and had our full elopement ceremony with a celebrant in Scotland, a photographer who captured our ceremony, and walked with us through Edinburgh to have hot chocolate with our kids and then do portraits in a local used bookstore. We worked with everyone in Scotland to ensure we had a ceremony that was entirely US. The signing of the paperwork was not important to us, personally.
Image shot by: North Saplings Photography, Edited by me. This photo was taken at our signing ceremony here in Canada. We opted to sign our paperwork here in Canada and do our full elopement ceremony overseas.
Step 3: Begin the process of paperwork, whether you choose to sign at home or where you elope.
Things to consider:
Oftentimes, hiring a celebrant to ONLY oversee your paperwork signing is roughly the same price as going to City Hall. So, if the timing of City Hall ceremonies does not work for you reach out to some local celebrants!
If you are planning to get your paperwork signed where you elope (outside Canada), look into what you will need legally from both Canada and the country you are choosing to elope in. I can help you with this!
Give yourself ample time to fill out and file paperwork if you are choosing to sign where you elope - sometimes you might need to fill out paperwork twice, or even contact an embassy. don’t get discouraged! It isn’t that hard, just time consuming!
Destination elopement in Costa Rica at the bottom of an extinct volcano with a natural waterfall. Photo by me, edited by me.
Step 4: Look for a photographer you love, you can choose a photographer from the area, or one who travels (like me!).
Things to consider:
Most photographers, whether from the location or travelling, will have recommendations for locations in the area if you have not chosen exactly where you want to elope within the city/country.
If you choose a photographer from your area and have them travel to your elopement (like me!) They might offer to do a free engagement session, or a coffee chat so you can get to know one another prior to your big day! Oftentimes we will also have recommendations on vendors, locations, etc.
If you choose to go with a photographer from the location you are going to - which is also a great option! - they might not be able to do an engagement session, but they might know more about the locations, vendors, etc!
Destination elopement in Costa Rica at La Fortuna Waterfall. Photo by me, edited by me.
Step 5: Find your elopement outfits, anything special you want to bring or include, and come up with a timeline with your photographer!
Things to consider:
If you choose to hike to your location (I did this), you can wear a casual outfit to hike in and then change when you get there, OR you can choose to hike in your outfits - both are adorable and wonderful options!
You can still get detail shots, or flatlays, if you choose to elope! Bring anything you want to capture, and ensure you talk to your photographer in advance about getting those shots!
Your photographer is the best person to discuss your timeline with! They will ensure you have the right amount of time for each area of your day and ensure you get every shot you want!
Destination elopement in Costa Rica at the bottom of an extinct volcano with a natural waterfall. Photo by me, edited by me.
