Weekends surely feel like the natural time to travel but you're not the only one who thinks that way. Let’s keep your elopement calm, stress free, and filled with all the private moments you will treasure forever. 

Not sure which weekend to pick for your elopement? 

Let me give you a hot tip: Don't elope on a weekend!

It’s happened! You’re officially engaged and ready to plan your elopement. You always knew you wanted a wild elopement in the most beautiful place and it seems like you’ve been searching for your favorite spot for years. Now that you've finally decided on your dream location you have to figure out the date. It’s true that elopements offer flexibility when it comes to setting dates, but selecting the perfect day for a once in a lifetime event does require careful planning. I always encourage couples to pick a weekday instead of a weekend. 

Elopements are all about intimacy, but on the weekend that experience can be hard to find. A private place might not be so private on the weekend; those locations will be jammed packed with kids, beach combers, and tourists. Grandpas with metal detectors and bros with buzzy drones are just a few of the likely distractions. You want the spot without all the distractions and you shouldn't have to settle for your elopement! Also, who wants the Smith family on their annual vacation listening in on your vows or for your elopement to become another tourist attraction? On a weekend, the location you’ve picked will feel like you’re on vacation. But on a weekday, it will feel like it’s just you two. 

Did you mention you wanted a stress free elopement? Well on a weekday there will be no traffic jams, battles for parking, or lines to get through. You can take your time getting ready, tying ties, fixing fly away hairs, or making sure you don’t forget your vows in the car. Does your elopement include an attraction? Like an aquarium? Generally, tourist attractions open earlier on weekdays and have more relaxed “peak hours”. And that’s what you want; relaxed and unrushed.  

 Does your elopement include a National Park? Maybe one of the big ones, like Mt. Rainier in Washington state or Glacier National Park in Montana? Well, on weekdays, timed entries and special use permits are easiest to get, group pricing is lower, and the best lodging is more available and less expensive. 

Are you traveling a far distance for your elopement? Flights are always cheaper and easier to book on weekdays. What about reserving your post elopement feast? I’ll bet there’s more availability on a Wednesday over a Saturday evening. How about booking vendors? Make up artists and hair stylists are notorious for being booked out on weekends but are so much easier to find for a Thursday.