So, all that elopement advice from my last blog got you thinking huh? Well, here is a list of the things you need to know for an Alabama elopement.

Check The Law

Let me be very direct here, neither I nor Helen is a lawyer. We don’t even play one on TV, and we did not spend the night at a Holiday Inn Express. With that said, this is Alabama law as I understand it.

• To get married in Alabama, you must first apply for a marriage license, which may be obtained online.

• It will cost you between $70.00 and $104.00, and you must register it within 30 days of purchasing it.

• In Alabama, two witnesses are required for your wedding to be official.

• The last and final stage in the process of getting married in Alabama is to submit a marriage certificate to any probate court in the state.

I beg of you to check the laws for yourself, but this is what I think you need.

Book Your Venue/Vendors

If you are going anywhere other than a courthouse or a very public setting, make arrangements in advance. If you want to use a restaurant, bar, or bowling alley, reach out to them and book them in advance. Is there a makeup artist you like or a photographer whose work you love? Book them in advance. Don’t just assume the vendors you want will be available. Book them in advance.

When you book them, don’t be afraid to ask for an elopement rate. Lots of wedding professionals – us included – have special rates for elopements, particularly if they are not weekend dates.

Plan The Ceremony

What will you wear? Are rings your thing? How should the vows go? Do you want a bouquet? Don’t overthink it, but have a plan for what you want.

Throw A Post Elopement Blowout

Once you tie the knot you want to give your friends and family an opportunity to celebrate you. I’d make sure this is just a party, so you can do it in someone’s yard or house, or at a state park. I also wouldn’t exchange vows or do a slide show or give speeches, because if you do that, you’ll be right back to planning a huge thing you didn’t want to plan to begin with. Just make sure you celebrate with the people who matter to you.

Send Out Announcements

Make sure you send out announcements so people know you tied the knot! You could even print some variation of an announcement and photo if your photographer got your pictures back to you quickly. Hint, we typically deliver our pictures within 48 hours of your wedding, which is pretty fantastic.

Schedule a consultation to discuss your elopement ideas and let us help you create something magical.