A great deal of preparation and anticipation took place before your big day approached, but because of COVID-19, planning was halted and your wedding plans were canceled. The pandemic has stopped many big life events, such as birthdays, graduations, and weddings. This is definitely enough to cause a great deal of anxiety for the bride and groom and prompt thoughts on how to proceed. 

Changing gears and planning a new date to tie the knot doesn’t need to be complicated. Your new wedding plans can be just as special as the original one you spent so much time preparing for. To make this easier, plan an elopement on the beach! This option is a great alternative to traditional weddings since they require a lot less detail, money, and are becoming increasingly popular due to the current environment. An elopement on the beach can be the perfect way to have a private celebration with the people closest to you. 

Deciding what dress you should wear, what destination to host it in, and what kind of reception to have can feel overwhelming, but this guide from Florida Panhandle can help you plan the beach elopement you never thought you needed. Read more for some steps to follow to help ensure your new plans run smoothly exactly how you imagined. 

Must-Dos Before Your Beach Elopement 

Even though getting eloped is much more laid back than a typical wedding ceremony, planning an elopement still requires some thoughtful preparation. Being on the same page as your soon-to-be bride or groom about all the details is crucial and can ensure your plans are problem-free.

Here are some things to must consider before getting eloped: 

1. Make sure the reveal is planned: To ensure no one is left out when hearing the big news, consider sending out some wedding announcements to close family and friends. Or, if you want to stick to a more casual option, make some phone calls or talk to them in person so they don’t hear it from social media first!
2. Grab your legal documents: Do your research on what documents are required to make it official and be aware of the legal process that elopements entail. For example, you will need a marriage license and identification cards. 
3. Craft an itinerary: Sticking to a timeline will ensure everything runs smoothly and help avoid any stress. It doesn’t have to be a strict plan since this is an elopement, but consider where to spend your time on each activity. 
4. Plan your budget: Deciding on a budget allows you to allocate your spending towards the details that are most important to you. Elopements can be much cheaper than traditional weddings, but you still need to think about potential payments such as reception costs, wedding attire, transportation, and officiant cost. Plus, you may even end up with extra money at the end of it all, so you can go and take an adventure!

Just because your large wedding ceremony plans have changed doesn’t mean your elopement can’t be special, too. In fact, having just your closest friends and family with you on your big day can be even more memorable.