The elopement is the ultimate romantic getaway. Whether you're looking for a quick trip to the courthouse or an extravagant destination wedding, New Jersey has it all! In this article, we'll discuss planning and executing your perfect elopement in New Jersey. We'll share our tips on choosing your location and finding a photographer who will capture every moment of your elopement perfectly. We'll even give you some advice on what not to do so that your special day doesn't become anything less than perfect!


Planning and executing your perfect elopement in New Jersey can be easy if you follow these 10 tips!

Planning and executing your perfect elopement in New Jersey can be easy if you follow these 10 tips!

  • Choose a location that is unique and memorable.
  • Choose a date that fits with your schedule, but also allows for plenty of time between the ceremony and reception. You'll have enough to do as it is without rushing around trying to throw together everything else on top of it all!
  • Talk about what you want for pictures with both your photographer ahead of time so they know exactly where to go when planning their shots for the big day!
  • Consider having multiple photographers at different locations taking pictures during various parts of the day (during preparation, etc.) so no topic feels left out or unrepresented in any way! Make sure everyone looks at least once though so there's continuity between photos taken throughout those moments too though - don't forget this important detail!"


Choose Your Location Wisely

Choosing the perfect location is one of the most important steps in an amazing elopement. You want to choose a location that fits your style, as well as your budget and day-of timeline. It can be difficult to narrow down all of your options when choosing a location, so we suggest starting by picking out three or four different spots that you love and then narrowing those down until you find one that feels right for you! Once you have identified what type of environment you would like (beach, farmhouse, winery), start researching other locations around it that are similar but also offer something new to see or experience while there!


Make Sure You're Legal

You must be over 18 to get married in New Jersey. The county clerk will issue you a marriage license, and you'll need two witnesses (who also need to be over 18). Once you have all of your documents together, take them to the courthouse and apply for your marriage license. They will check your identification, conduct a background check on both parties and make sure that no one has any outstanding legal issues. If everything checks out, the couple can then sign the marriage certificate before their witnesses who signed as well.


Scout the Landscape

One of the best parts about New Jersey is its natural beauty. There are so many amazing places to elope in New Jersey, you just need to find one that suits you. You can look for a location with breathtaking views or a location that has some natural beauty where your ceremony will be held. If possible, choose a spot where there’s easy access and easy exit.


Hire a Photographer Who Captures Emotion

An elopement, by definition, is a small, intimate ceremony. It's the perfect setting for capturing all that you feel on your big day—and you want to make sure your photographer can do so too! Hiring someone with the right style and demeanor for the job will help ensure that those genuine emotions are translated into photos in the best possible way. Make sure they have experience shooting in different weather conditions (especially if you're planning an outdoor wedding), and ask about their comfort level with different budgets (if applicable). You'll also want to make sure they're able to capture everything from formal portraits to candid moments; sometimes these two types of photography look very different from each other but still capture what's important about your day!


Create an Epic Invite List

Whether you're eloping in New Jersey or anywhere else, it's important to consider who needs to be invited. You want to invite everyone who is important in your life—family, friends and coworkers. If there are people that you think will be upset or offended by not being invited, then it's probably best not to include them on the guest list. It's also a good idea not to invite anyone with whom you have had recent disagreements.


If you're having an intimate ceremony with just the two of you and a few close family members present, consider sending out an electronic version of your save-the-date cards as well as paper invites with postage pre-paid envelopes so there is no need for RSVP cards or postage stamps required from guests! If there are still some friends/family members who may be unable to attend due to geographical reasons (far away), consider providing them with an opportunity through social media such as Facebook Live Video or Instagram Stories so they can see what happened without really being there!


Treat Yo'self

You’ve spent a lot of time and energy planning your big day. You deserve to spoil yourself! Treating yourself to a little pampering or treating yourself to some extra splurges will make this day all the more special.


  • Get your hair done (or let it air dry). Even if you don't normally do anything with it, this is an important time for being presentable and looking your best in photos, so when you're getting ready for the wedding, take extra care with how you look.
  • Take a bath or shower. If you're doing something fun like getting ready at home before heading into town, treat yourself by taking that extra time to relax and unwind before what is sure to be a whirlwind of activity later on in the day.
  • Have a glass of wine (or two). Alcohol isn't allowed during ceremonies themselves, but there's no rule against having one or two glasses beforehand if that helps calm nerves—and who doesn't want another excuse for wine?


Schedule a First Look

A first look is an essential part of any wedding, and it's especially important for an elopement. Even if you have a small group of friends and family coming to your wedding, having some time to spend with each other before the ceremony will help keep nerves in check and make sure that everyone is relaxed for the big day.

If you don't have much time for this type of preparation, consider packing up some snacks or drinks at home so that you can hang out together while you wait for everyone else to arrive. You can also go on a short hike together beforehand—this may even be the perfect place where you want your first kiss as husband and wife! If all else fails, try holding hands while waiting inside until everyone shows up; this will still allow plenty of alone-time between just the two of you!

However, if neither option seems ideal (or realistic), there's nothing wrong with skipping it altogether! The most important thing about any wedding is getting married; everything else comes second—including those photos from earlier today where both partners looked like they were ready to pass out from exhaustion rather than excitement (it happens).


Have a Plan for the Time After the Ceremony

Once the ceremony is over, you won’t want to spend all day in a crowd of people. So, have a plan for where you are going to go. The best time for this is before your guests arrive so that no one is waiting around for hours (which happens more often than not).


We made reservations at a restaurant called AZURE in New Hope and it was beautiful! We had access to their private dining room and were able to set up our own little cocktail hour with some appetizers and drinks. It was very comfortable since no one else was there except my husband and I plus our parents who joined us later on. If anyone has ever been there before, they know how great their bartenders are! They create amazing craft cocktails that make everyone feel like they’re at heaven’s door (and they aren’t too expensive either).


Schedule Some Portraits, but Don't Overbook it.

Schedule some time for photos. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of your wedding day, but it's important to remember that photography is an art that takes time. If you want professional-quality shots, you need a photographer who will spend at least half an hour on each location or set-up. And make sure there are no distractions when they're shooting!


Have group photos taken before the ceremony so everyone can relax later in the day.


Don't feel like you have to get every single photo taken at once; focus on quality over quantity and let the moments take care of themselves!

Include Something Personal, But Nothing Outrageous.


When it comes to designing your elopement, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost is that you want this special day to be just that—personalized. You’ve probably been thinking about every minute detail for months if not years, so don’t let anyone else ruin your plans by suggesting something outlandish or over-the-top. In the end, it's your big day, so do what makes sense for you!



Don't do anything that's too much of a hassle: eloping is already stressful enough without worrying about planning an over-the-top wedding at home! Don't spend thousands on flowers or food when all either one does (in my experience) is get in the way of enjoying time with friends and family who traveled far distances just to celebrate with us on our special day. If something could potentially distract from our time together as husband and wife then I'd rather not go through with it at all--it will only result in disappointment and regret later down the line."


If you're still unsure about whether or not elopement is for you, we encourage you to do some research and see if it might be a good fit for your relationship. If it sounds like something that would add excitement to your relationship, then go for it! Remember that there are so many ways to have a meaningful wedding without spending a ton of money on a big party.

If you're interested in learning more about budget-friendly options for your wedding photography, please contact us today! We'd be happy to chat with you about our packages and discounts.


Thank you for reading!


Affordable Wedding photography by Fungirlwithacamera Photography.


Hope from Fungirlwithacamera Photography specializes in affordable wedding photography as well as backyard wedding photography and small intimate weddings. Currently accepting weddings in East Brunswick, Highland Park and surrounding areas in New Jersey.