Maybe the pandemic threw a wrench in your initial wedding plans, and you decided to give it up and just get married already! Or perhaps you just know that the drawn-out, often expensive process of planning a big wedding is not for you.
Either way, we’re behind you 100%. Just be sure to send out the elopement announcements so that your friends and family can show their support and celebrate with you after the fact!
Elopement: The Modern Dream Wedding
Elopement: “To run away secretly with the intention of getting married, usually without parental consent”
Mirriam-Webster
Kind of outdated, right?
Elopements these days don’t follow the old-fashioned notion that you and your betrothed must run away because your love is forbidden. And we’re guessing you’re a grownup who doesn’t need her (or his) parents’ permission to wed. But whatever.
Most couples who elope do so because they simply want to keep it small, sweet, and simple. And that makes perfect sense to us. Besides, the idea of running away secretly with your true love can be super exciting (and romantic!).
But if you’ve decided that you’d still love to let your friends, family, and everyone else in on the exciting news, you may want to send out some elopement announcements!
Here are our fav announcements that we think you’ll love too. Plus, our answers to some common elopement questions below.
Elopement Announcement & Party Invitation Ideas
1. Bright Border Elopement Announcement
by Minted: Kelli Hall
Gold foil makes any piece of stationery look elegant and dressy – it’s a perfect fit for elopement announcements! This one comes in three foil color themes and two silhouette shapes to suit your style.
Dimensions: 7 x 5 inches
Printing: Foil-Pressed
Card Type: Flat Card
2. Fall Carving Elopement Announcement
by Minted: Amanda Joy
We love the playful mood of these flat cards, and when you include your favorite elopement photo on the backer, your recipients will love them too. Comes in woodgrain and two silhouette shapes with plenty of backing and foil envelope liner options.
Dimensions: 7 x 5 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
3. Date Check Elopement Announcement
by Minted: Up Up Creative
Bold and straightforward, this is an excellent design for a more casual elopement shoot! Comes in three color themes and four silhouette shapes.
Dimensions: 7 x 5 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
4. It’s Official! Elopement Announcement
by Zazzle: AffirmationsDesigns
The text on this wedding announcement card really stood out to us, and that tiny heart is adorable. You can personalize the template to include your specific details and create your own message. Comes in six versatile color themes.
Dimensions: 4.25 x 5.6 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Post Card
5. Loveclamation Elopement Announcement
by Minted: Creo Study
What’s better than a sweet foil exclamation heart to tell the whole world how excited you are to tie the knot? This custom elopement announcement card comes in six color themes and eight foil color options.
Dimensions: 7 x 5 inches
Printing: Foil-Pressed
Card Type: Flat Card
6. Island Palms Elopement Announcement
by Minted: Alex Elko Design
The retro, Baywatch-esque style of these announcements had us smitten from the start. Perfect for a beach elopement adventure! Comes in three color themes and two silhouette shapes.
Dimensions: 7 x 5 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
7. ‘Nothing Fancy, Just Love’ Elopement Invitation Template
by Etsy: AWildBloomPrintables
This template design was made to announce your elopement and invite your loved ones to the after-party, all in one pretty card. Simply customize your details directly through your browser, save your final design, and print!
Dimensions: 5 x 7 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Digital Template
8. Let Love Shine Elopement Announcement
by Minted: Kelly Ventura
Another of our favorite photo cards bedazzled with gold foil! We’re LOVING the confetti in the corner – so sweet and subtle. Comes in six color themes and two silhouette shapes.
Dimensions: 7 x 5 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Foil-Pressed
9. Offbeat Elopement Announcement
by Minted: Kimberly FitzSimons
Elegant flourishes of calligraphy announce your wonderful news on this chic card. It’s definitely designed to leave a lasting impression! It’s available in six colors and five silhouette shapes. Comes in a 6″ x 4.25″ postcard option, too.
Dimensions: 7 x 5 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
10. Minimalist Elopement Announcement
by Etsy: nicholewiddonstudio
Another fabulous example of how a simple template can become a truly elegant announcement. Customize and edit through your browser using TEMPLETT- no downloads, extra software, or fuss. The nicholewiddonstudio shop will even print them for you if you want to leave it to a pro.
Dimensions: 5 x 7 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
11. Up and Away Elopement Announcement
by Minted: Leslie Hamer
If the destination is as important as the journey, a card letting everyone know where you exchanged vows is an excellent choice. Comes in three color themes and your choice of three silhouette shapes.
Dimensions: 7 x 5 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
12. We Said Yes Multi-Photo Elopement Announcement
by Zazzle: NamiBearArtStudio
Elopement packages to faraway destinations call for plenty of pics of the happy occasion, and this card is the perfect medium to show them off. Comes in your choice of seven sizes and includes standard white envelopes.
Dimensions: 5 x 7 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
13. Modern Offset Elopement Announcement
by Minted: Stacey Meacham
A bold offset design is a fantastic way to let everyone know you couldn’t wait to begin your forever together. These photo cards come in six color themes and three silhouette shapes. Available in 6″ x 4.25″ postcards too.
Dimensions: 7 x 5 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
14. Airmail Elopement Announcement
by Minted : Annie Clark
We love the notion of an old-fashioned postcard announcement, especially for an elopement – and this little art deco number fits the bill. Very silver screen! Comes in three color themes.
Dimensions: 6 x 4.25 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Postcard
15. Happily Ever After Elopement Party Invitation
by Etsy: NikiPressDesigns
Minimalist, modern, and a touch of whimsy? Sounds like a great way to announce a party. These elopement party invites are easy to customize, download, and print, so you can send them out in no time and get on with the celebrating.
Dimensions: 7 x 5 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
16. We Tied the Knot Elopement Party Invitation
by Etsy: BigSkyDesignLLC
For a rustic theme, kraft, fairy lights, and mason jar bouquets will never get old. If you’re having an outdoor elopement party, these are the perfect invitations. Simply send your details to the BigSkyDesign shop, and they’ll create your invites to either print yourself or send out digitally via email, social media, etc. Available in 5″ x 7″ or 4″ x 6″ sizes.
Dimensions: 5 x 7 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
17. Refined Surname Elopement Announcement
by Minted: Oscar and Emma
Announcing your name change is a clever way to let everyone know you tied the knot in a private ceremony. We really like the juxtaposition of fonts on this elopement announcement card – it looks great in all of the silhouette designs and color themes available.
Dimensions: 5 x 7 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
18. Bottom Line Elopement Announcement
by Minted: Jennifer Wick
Sweet and serious fonts mingle in this design. Together, they make an excellent border for your favorite elopement photo. Comes in three color themes and three silhouette shapes.
Dimensions: 7 x 5 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
19. We Did! Elopement Announcement
by Etsy: SomeDoodles
Another charming rustic choice! We think the barn door background on this one would make the perfect invite for a farmhouse reception. This template can be edited through your browser then printed by you or by a pro. Easy peasy.
It also features a free editable backside where you can include a photo from your wedding day, along with more text.
Dimensions: 5 x 7 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
20. Patient Elopement Announcement
by Minted: Owl and Toad
When you can’t wait to get hitched, sometimes a girl’s just gotta elope. If this is you, the cute message on this card gets the point across beautifully. Comes in four card sizes (including a 4.25″ x 6″ postcard), six color themes, and six silhouette shapes.
Dimensions: 7 x 5 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
21. Cottonwood Elopement Announcement
by Minted: Eric Clegg
This design is just so classy – it looks radiant in all three color themes. It’s available in three silhouette shapes, too. It’s amazing what a little gold foil can do…
Dimensions: 7 x 5 inches
Printing: Rose Gold Foil
Card Type: Flat Card
22. XOXO Elopement Announcement
by Minted: Carolyn MacLaren
The combo of fonts and modern design of this announcement are the perfect complement to your stunning elopement photo. This portrait card comes in four classic color themes and five silhouette shapes.
Dimensions: 5 x 7 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
23. Vegas Elopement Party Invitations
by Etsy: CreativeLimeDesigns
What could be more fun than a fabulous Las Vegas destination elopement?!
Maybe winning a million dollars while you’re on said elopement could be more fun. Either way, awesome! Send the folks at CreativeLimeDesigns the deets and they’ll design your elopement card, then send it back to you to print as you like. Comes in 4″ x 6″ as well.
Dimensions: 5 x 7 inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
Elopement Announcement Wording Examples
Elopement announcement wording is all about short and sweet. Unless you have a specific story to tell about why or how you eloped, you’re under no obligation to explain yourself in your announcements!
A good idea is to include the date and location, but other than that, no biggie.
Suppose your announcement will double as an elopement celebration invitation? In that case, it’s essential to include all the details your guests will need on time, place, and attire if applicable. Be sure to include RSVP information so you can plan appropriately!
7 Elopement Wording Examples
- Please help us celebrate! [Insert elopers’ names here] eloped to [location] on [date]. They would love for you to join them for an elopement celebration on [date] in [location]. Details will follow soon!
- Newly-eloped bride and groom [insert names here] would like to invite you to celebrate their elopement with a reception at [insert address here]. The festivities will begin at 5 p.m., Saturday, August 14th, 2021.
- Please join us as we elope! [Insert elopers’ names here] will elope in the morning on Sunday, June 27th, 2021, and would like you to celebrate with them at a reception at [insert address here] that evening. Details will follow soon!
- We eloped on [date] and we would love for you to join us at the elopement celebration on September 4th, 2021 in [location]. All the details will be provided upon your RSVP.
- [Insert elopers’ names here] eloped in [location] May 8th, 2021. Please join them as they celebrate their elopement! Details will follow soon!
- [Insert elopers’ names here] eloped to [location] on [date]. Please join them in celebration at the elopement reception, July 24th at 5 p.m. at their home: [insert address]. Details will follow soon!
- Our elopement date has come and gone, our celebration will be on [date] at [location], and we’d love for you to join us. Details will follow soon!
Elopement Etiquette FAQ
Ok, maybe not THE all-time question, but definitely one of the most important frequently asked questions about eloping. The answer is simple but definitely depends upon your individual circumstances. Here are some suggestions on dealing with that gracefully.
-Just explain why you want to elope. If your people don’t get it, it may take some gentle reassurance that it isn’t necessarily because you don’t want to see their faces when you exchange vows. And it may take a little time before you can convince them it’s nothing personal. But we’d be willing to bet it won’t be too hard. Especially if you…
-Document the event thoroughly! If it’s within your budget, hire an elopement photographer and/or videographer to give your loved ones a virtual front-row seat and pics of your special day. If not, DIY is always delightful!
Word to the wise: Refrain from posting on social media until you’ve delivered the good news to those closest to you. Think about how you’d feel if you found out someone really close to you got married on Instagram without at least an email or message (or preferably a bona fide paper announcement in the mail) from them in advance! No Bueno.
-Have a post-elopement shindig! The people who love you will want to celebrate with you, so throw a party. Whether it’s a simple gathering at your fave pub, a backyard celebration, or an intimate dinner – it’s sure to be a joyous event.
Of course you can! And the best part is that elopement receptions don’t need to be fancy. In fact, unless you’re hosting a small, intimate sit-down dinner with a few of your closest friends and family members, it’s best if your elopement reception is relatively casual.
As far as who you should invite goes, in our honest opinion, we think you should invite everyone you’d send an elopement announcement to. You definitely don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, and they could always RSVP no if they don’t have enough time to plan or don’t want to come.
One important thing to note: Do your guests a favor and don’t include the word “wedding” or “ceremony” in your elopement celebration invitations. You definitely don’t want to confuse anyone into thinking they’re coming to a wedding reception. Awkward.
That all depends on if you’re planning a celebration with family and friends after.
If your announcements include a post-elopement celebration invitation, including a link to your registry is acceptable. If you’re only doing announcements and have no intention of celebrating with anyone, asking for gifts is kind of tacky, in our opinion. (But that’s just us!)
That said, if there are a few practical things you need, it never hurts to create a registry in case you get personal requests from close friends and family for a gift list.
Enjoy the Peace and Quiet
Or the sounds of gentle waves along the beach. Or the bustle of your favorite city. Wherever your elopement location happens to be – take your time and savor the moment.
BUT, after all is said and done, let your loved ones know it’s official! We happen to think that the announcements included in our list here are a fabulous way to do so, and we certainly hope you think so too.
If you’re eloping (or have already), our sincerest congratulations to you. It’s a great way to begin your happily ever after!
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