Unique Considerations for International Elopements

Eloping in a far-flung paradise with just the two of you and breathtaking, life-changing scenery sounds like every eloping couple’s dream come true! When you open up your destination options, the world truly becomes your playground. But there are unique considerations when planning your elopement internationally, and while those shouldn’t turn you off from them, they can definitely be a deciding factor for where you end up. Let’s dive in:

First and most important is any potential legal issue. This includes knowing whether you can obtain a marriage license in your destination country, allowing your marriage to be recognized legally once you return home. You can find out more about this with a Google search or even by contacting a local government office to ask. If you’d rather not bother with this or you know for sure you would have to get “re-married” once you’re home, consider doing the ceremony in spirit and obtaining your license back in the states.

Next up is typical travel stuff starting with health and safety requirements. Lots of people expect elopements to feel very spur-of-the-moment, but when it comes to international travel, it’s so, SO important to know what prep work needs to be done before hitting the road. This includes vaccinations, an understanding of water quality, if you need extra personal safety measures (like taking a self-defense course), and bringing the right clothes for your environment (when you’re not in your wedding outfit, of course).

Another typical travel consideration is a language barrier. How could this affect your elopement? For one, if you’re booking a venue or other vendors local to your destination, you may need to brush up on your Duolingo hours or hire an interpreter to accompany you. Check out more on this specific topic here and here!

Overall, traveling internationally can be a stressful ordeal and doing so for your elopement can pile a little more on top of that. However, that shouldn’t dissuade you from how absolutely incredible the whole experience will be once you put in all the prep work! If you have more questions about international elopements, please don’t hesitate to reach out and chat about my experience with them.

Amber is an International Elopement Photographer who is available for travel for elopements and weddings. Send in a contact form through the link above to schedule your free consultation.