March 6, 2024

10 Tips for Planning a Vermont Elopement

bride and groom at their elopement in vermont

Lindsay Appleton

Considering eloping in Vermont? Planning something like this can be quite an overwhelming process, although maybe not quite as stressful as planning a wedding, it still takes lots of research and time. Eloping just the two of you, or with friends and family takes some work and knowledge to make the pieces all fall into place. Here are some tips and things to consider, coming from a born and raised Vermonter AND a wedding and elopement photographer!

Time of year – first things first, what season do you and your partner envision your day happening in? Do you want green mountains, warm sunny days, flowers just starting to bloom, bright oranges and reds, or snow covering the trees? There aren’t many months in Vermont that aren’t beautiful, but if I had to choose, I would definitely avoid the earlier part of the year aka February to early April or late October to November. February is typically cold, gloomy, and we can get mixes of rain and snow. March is what we Vermonters call mud-season where all of our back roads are barely passable, days can be freezing cold, pouring rain or sunny and really warm, it’s a very unpredictable month, but we do appreciate less traffic during this time! Late October and November is stick season, as Noah Kahan says, the leaves have all fallen, it’s getting dark earlier and it’s typically cold without that pretty layer of snow on the ground. The most beautiful months (in my opinion) for each season are May or early June for spring time elopements, late July or August when everything is in bloom for summer elopements, first week of October for Fall (usually, it changes every year), and late December or January for a winter elopement! Picking a time of year can be a challenge, but make sure to truly think about what months mean the most to you and your partner, does any specific time of year have any sort of significance to your relationship? That is the most important part, and all of the other details can be sorted out!
Location – Do you want to rent a venue, airbnb, climb a mountain, use a friend’s backyard or ski on your favorite mountain? Whatever ideas you are coming up with, write out a list and narrow it down to your favorite one, one that carries meaning to your relationship in some way. You truly can’t go wrong in Vermont; there’s lakes, mountains, trails, fields, farms, and tons of beautiful Airbnb’s and venues to choose from. Another thing to consider is your ceremony location and how far it is from everything else.
Vendors – Choosing vendors as soon as you start your planning process is HUGE! Vendors can typically start booking at least a year in advance, and we typically book up fast! Start with a list of vendors you think you might want – photographer, videographer, planner, caterer, MUA… and inquire with them early on so you can get on their calendars and then they can help with any planning questions you might have!
Guest List – Whether you want it to be just the two of you or you and your closest family and friends, it’s your day. Narrowing down the guest list and considering space, food, travel expenses, physical abilities (if you decide to climb that mountain) and your budget in general is wildly important. It’s your day – I know it might be challenging to feel like you might hurt some feelings, but it truly is about you and your love. Take your time in deciding your guest list, I know it can be tricky.
Budget – Having a budget for your day is important. Things can add up very quickly, and if you are trying to avoid spending thousands and thousands on a typical wedding day, then having an idea of a max that you are willing to spend will help you in your planning process. Vendors and rentals are typically your biggest investments, although worth those investments, having an idea of your budget is always helpful in making sure you don’t spend way more than you want.
Attire – If you are hiking to your location, consider your attire thoughtfully. Although hiking in a wedding dress and heels might be unique, it’s also going to be painful. If you’re only hiking a short distance, a wedding dress (that you’re okay with getting dirty) and hiking boots is so fun! But, if you’ve chosen to do an all day hike, I’d recommend bringing your suit and dress, and whatever shoes you decide to bring with you along in your backpack that you can carry to your ceremony location. You can either change in the woods or maybe your photographer can bring along a changing tent for you both to use (I bring mine to all my shoots and elopements – it folds up and packs easily and my clients LOVE it!) Remember to consider the weather as well and maybe bring along a raincoat or sweatshirt if you don’t want to be wet and cold the whole day when mother nature might not cooperate with plans.
Timeline – Something I try to do with my clients is draft up a timeline for them once they have an idea of how they want their day to unfold. I’ll include whatever they have dreamed up, as well as offer my advice on time slots for everything. Deciding if you want detail photos, getting ready photos, whether you’ll be getting ready together or separate, will you be doing a first look, how will you get to your location and how long will it take, what time is sunset and how long do you block out for ceremony and photos afterwards? These are all things that should be considered and for first time elopement planners, this might be very challenging to navigate, which is another reason I recommend booking vendors early AND vendors that can assist in the process if you decide you want advice!
Plan B’s – Eloping can create a bit more of a challenge when it comes to weather as typical wedding venues usually have indoor back up plans if the weather doesn’t want to cooperate on your day. But, with an elopement, especially if you are getting married on top of a mountain or next to a beautiful Vermont lake, sometimes there is no rain plan. If you know you and your guests will absolutely not enjoy standing on a mountain in the pouring rain, then make sure to consider what you will do if the worst happens, and also make sure it is not something you will be disappointed by if it does happen. Try to choose an equally cool location where you can do your ceremony and photos if needed.
Legality – This is something you want to look at in advance! There are laws surrounding marriage licenses and officiants that you will want to be aware of before you get too far into your planning! Take a look here to read more about getting married in Vermont.
Permits – Some locations will require permits to get married on their property and/or to have professional photography and videography conducted on their land, simply due to insurance and liability. It is typically a short application and there is sometimes a fee accompanied with it. This is something that your vendors can likely assist with, but it is important to consider when planning!

Planning an elopement can be taxing, especially for regular folks who truly have now idea where to start. That’s why hiring a team that sees and understands your vision and that you can trust is SO important. Finding that team will make sure your day is a success. Putting in the time to do the research and narrowing down specifics for your day will, I promise, make it run so much smoother. Eloping is supposed to be intimate, adventurous and fun, so try not to put too much pressure on it all! Best of luck with your Vermont elopement, it’s going to be magical!

A list of locations throughout Vermont that are perfect for your elopement!

Lake Champlain! A personal favorite with lots of sandy beaches, cliffs, and stunning views of the mountains!
Camels Hump – roughly 4,000 ft with insanely beautiful views
Killington – A very popular location, but for good reason. Tons of gorgeous views and lots to see and do in the area.
Stowe – Another popular location, but Stowe has tons to offer. Mountains, biking, hiking trails, fields, good food, amazing hotels and close proximity to lots of other Vermont destinations.
Woodstock – the town I grew up in and the most picturesque Hallmark town ever. Climb up Mt. Tom or Mt. Peg for a quick, easy hike, check out the green or the old buildings in town, or drive a short distance to any of the local farms. Can’t go wrong anywhere in Woodstock.
Rent an Airbnb, cabin or small venue! – There are SO many great places to rent in Vermont, and lots of unique options. You can truly cater your day to whatever is significant to you both, Vermont has so much to offer!