I Said Yes! Now What?

There is nothing quite like the dreamy moment when the love of your life slips a ring on your finger and you become newly engaged. It is so electric, so adventurous, and the excitement is simply undeniable!

At first, everything feels magical. But before you know it, Pinterest boards flood your feed, and opinions start pouring in from every direction. Suddenly, the endless decisions feel overwhelming, and that giddy excitement spirals into full-blown panic. Then, reality hits – I am suddenly a full-time wedding planner with zero experience!

However, here’s the truth: planning your wedding doesn’t have to be stressful—especially if you’re already considering an elopement, destination wedding, or micro-wedding. Unlike traditional weddings, these intimate celebrations strip away the chaos and instead focus on what truly matters—you, your partner, and the adventure of a lifetime.

So, if you find yourself staring at your shiny new ring, wondering, Where do I even start?—don’t worry. Take a deep breath and relax. Up next, I’ll break it all down into simple steps to make planning feel exciting again!

1. Get Clear on Your Vision

Before diving into logistics, take some time to dream about your perfect wedding day. Can you picture exchanging vows on a cliffside at sunrise? Or perhaps saying ‘I do’ barefoot on a secluded beach feels more like you. Maybe running hand-in-hand through a wildflower meadow in the Alps gives you all the feels. If not, your heart might be set on escaping to the mountains for an unforgettable adventure.

Close your eyes and imagine your perfect day— what truly lights you up? Now, once you have that vision, planning becomes less about checklists and more about bringing your dreamy love story to life with guidance every step of the way.

2. Choose the Right Type of Intimate Wedding

Not all intimate weddings are the same! Knowing the difference can help you decide which one fits your personality and priorities best:

Elopement – Just the two of you (and maybe a photographer or officiant). Adventure-driven, personal, and full of spontaneity.
Destination Wedding – Think – an intimate celebration with a small group of loved ones in a breathtaking location like Italy, Bali, or a cozy mountaintop lodge.
Microwedding – A mini version of a traditional wedding with 10-40 guests. You get the personal touches without the big-production stress.

No matter which route you choose, the best part is you get to design a day that feels right for YOU with the guidance to make it seamless.

3. Pick the Perfect Location

Now, the adventure begins! Some couples know precisely where they want to elope, while others need inspiration. When choosing your dream spot, consider:

Scenery: Do you want mountains, deserts, waterfalls, or cityscapes?
Season & Weather: Will you embrace winter vibes or chase the sun?
Accessibility: Do you want an easy-to-reach location or a hike-in adventure?
Regulations: National parks and international destinations often have rules for weddings and photography.
Legalities: Each park, each country, and each location vary – be sure you know!

Pro Tip: Some of the most unforgettable places are not in wedding magazines. I share some of my favorite off-the-beaten-path elopement destinations in my book, ELOPE: A Modern Elopement Guide for the Free-Spirited and Adventurous – the perfect read for couples craving something fresh and unique.

4. Simplify the Logistics

Once you have a vision and a location, it is time to take care of the details—without overcomplicating things.

About Legalities: Take a moment to research marriage license requirements for your chosen destination. Alternatively, you might consider a symbolic ceremony and handle the legal paperwork at home.
Finding Vendors: Rather than stressing over a large team, focus on finding a few key people—perhaps a photographer, an officiant, and someone for hair and makeup.
Travel & Accommodations: When planning a destination wedding or elopement abroad, explore flights, lodging, and any necessary permits well in advance.
The Guest Experience: If including a small group of loved ones, think about how to make their experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible.

Remember: Not every detail needs to be solved right away. With the proper guidance, your adventure will come together beautifully.

5. Make It YOURS

The best thing about elopements, destination weddings, and micro-weddings? No rules, you have been given a blank slate.

You don’t have to follow tradition—this is your day to make it unique! Consider getting ready together instead of waiting for a first look. Imagine hiking to a hidden waterfall for your vows. Maybe you’d love a post-ceremony picnic instead of a formal dinner. Or why not celebrate with a campfire, a hot air balloon ride, or even a dive into the ocean?

Your wedding day should be an experience, not just an event. So ditch the pressure, embrace the freedom, and create a dreamy day as extraordinary as your love story.

Still Feeling Overwhelmed?

Where can you start? If you love the dreamy idea of eloping, I wrote ELOPE: A Modern Elopement Guide for the Free-Spirited and Adventurous just for you.

✨ Step-by-step guidance on planning your dream elopement
💡 Insider tips for choosing a jaw-dropping location
📖 Advice on vendors, legalities, and logistics
❤️ Real stories of couples who ditched tradition and never looked back

Planning your dream wedding should feel exciting—not overwhelming. If you are newly engaged and ready to trade stress for adventure, grab your copy of ELOPE and the companion book ELOPE Planner today and start turning your vision into reality with expert guidance.

➡️ Order Now and start planning your unforgettable adventure.

But first — have you had your engagement photos taken yet? Why not do it different? Go rent an epic dress, and find a gorgeous landscape. Read here to find 10 Epic Landscapes to Stage Your Engagement Photos.

Conclusion

Your ring is on your finger, your heart is full, and your dreamy adventure is just beginning. Congratulations, you’re newly engaged! Take a moment to soak it all in and enjoy every minute of this exciting time.

Excitement is settling in, you might be wondering—what’s next? If you’re dreaming of an adventurous wedding, start by exploring some of my other blogs to see what other adventurous couples have done. For instance, does an intimate wedding on the cliffs of Puglia, Italy, sound like your type of adventure? Or, are you seeking a snowy wintery wonderland, maybe in Greenland or Iceland? Perhaps you envision an Alaskan adventure elopement or an African elopement safari is on your bucket list?

However, if planning is starting to feel overwhelming, don’t worry—you have options! For example, you could explore Wandering Weddings’ Elopement Packages., which might give you a great starting point. After all, there are so many ways to plan your elopement, and it should feel stress-free. So take a deep breath, step back for a moment, and return to it tomorrow with fresh eyes. It’s perfectly okay to take your time!

Photography by The Wild Love Collective