So, you’ve decided to elope (or are still weighing your options between an elopement and a wedding), but you’re not quite sure how to elope in Pennsylvania and what you actually need. After all, weddings can sometimes feel like a complicated process.
Well, as a Pennsylvania elopement photographer, I have got you covered. I have been a part of plenty of elopements over the years and have seen the ins and outs of what you need to do to have your dream elopement.
Ready to start planning your dream day? Let’s dive into everything you need to know about how to elope in Pennsylvania.
Legal Requirements for Eloping (aka Your Marriage License)
First things first, you want to make sure that you actually get your marriage license. This isn’t necessarily a super complicated process, but you should definitely start applying for it 2-3 weeks before your wedding day.
Now, there are a few things that you need to know. First, there are actually two different types of marriage licenses you can get in Pennsylvania: a traditional marriage license and a self-uniting marriage license.
The traditional one is what you would expect. This is a license for a wedding done by an officiant and is what you would most likely think of when you first think of a marriage license.
However, PA is one of the states where you can actually self-unite. This is thanks to the Quakers. But don’t worry; you don’t actually have to be Quaker to self-unite in Pennsylvania anymore.
The difference between these two licenses is that the self-unite license allows you and your partner to effectively marry yourselves. This license doesn’t require an officiant to actually do your wedding. However, you do still need to have witnesses.
Speaking of witnesses, you will need to have two witnesses sign your marriage license, so be sure you keep that in mind as you plan out your wedding day.
The fee for the marriage licenses will vary by county. But you can expect to see anything from around $50-$100 for the license. There is also a mandatory 3-day waiting period, so be sure not to wait until the last minute!
When to Elope in Pennsylvania
The next question you’ll probably ask yourself is when is the best time to elope in Pennsylvania? And honestly, there really isn’t a bad time. The great thing about PA is that there are so many incredible places that you can choose for your elopement.
If you are planning something in the warmer months, there are an endless amount of outdoor locations that you can go to for your ceremony. Whether you’re someone who wants to go on a hike to find the perfect overlook or have a city elopement right in Philly, there is a spot for everyone.
Pennsylvania also has so many incredible venues that offer elopement packages if you are planning on eloping in the winter months and want something indoors. These are a great option if you are looking for something special and still have that “full wedding” experience without actually having one.
Tips for a Pennsylvania Elopement
Now that we have covered a few of the basics, here are some of my tips to have your dream Pennsylvania elopement.
Picking your location
When it comes to picking a location, the great thing about elopements is you can practically get married anywhere. Especially if it is just going to be you and 2 or 3 other people, the world is your oyster when it comes to where to actually have your ceremony.
If you are feeling a bit stuck on where to go, here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help get the ball rolling:
- Is there anywhere special to you and your partner that you would want to use for your elopement? This could be where you had your first date, your favorite spot to go, or even your own home.
- Is there anything that you love doing together that you’d want to incorporate into your wedding? For example, if you love being outdoors and hiking, maybe you can plan a mountain elopement and find a trail to hike up with a great view for your ceremony.
- Is there anywhere you and your partner have always wanted to go? This can be a great chance to go there and create memories together that you will never forget.
- What is the vibe or aesthetic that you want for your wedding? If you are looking for something more urban and chic, the mountains probably aren’t the place to go. But, if you want to feel connected with nature, somewhere like the Poconos could be the perfect spot.
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that you get to choose how each and every part of this day goes. So, think about how you want to spend it, how you want to celebrate your love, and then base your locations on that!
Decide if you want anyone else there
Now, there is the legal requirement of two witnesses to actually sign your marriage license, but you may also want to think about whether you want anyone else there with you for your elopement.
Now, I know some people will say that to be an actual “elopement,” it should only be you and your partner, but it is your day, and you can do whatever you want. Just because you are doing something intimate doesn’t mean there aren’t a few people that you still want to be a part of your ceremony.
You can also have the best of both worlds here. If you want to have that moment with just you and your partner as you say I do, but you also want to be able to celebrate with your friends and family, a great alternative is to have a private ceremony and then have a larger reception afterward.
This way, you can still have that moment with just the two of you (and your witnesses) and can make that anything you want. You also get the memories of celebrating with your loved ones!
Find the perfect photographer for you and your partner
I may be biased, but I do believe that your photographer is going to be a big part of your elopement. Especially if you are keeping it really intimate, they are probably going to be one of the only people there with you as you get married.
So, it is really important that you find the right fit for you and your partner. You want to make sure that your photographer matches the style that you actually want for your photos and is open to whatever you have planned for your wedding day.
For example, you may find some elopement photographers who specialize in city elopements and some who specialize in adventure elopements. If you are planning on going on a 5-mile hike to get to your elopement spot, you want to make sure that your photographer is down for that!
You also want to make sure that you feel comfortable with them. This is so important because these are the photos that you are going to look back on for years to come, and if you feel awkward with your photographer, that may come through in the photos.
So be sure to take your time and get to know them, make sure your personalities mesh, and communicate with them about what you do or don’t want your elopement day to look like.
Make a whole day out of it
Finally, why not make a whole day out of it? Just because elopements are traditionally shorter than weddings doesn’t mean you just have to go home after you say I do. Instead, plan a whole day around your elopement.
This may look like doing some sort of activity after your ceremony, meeting up with friends and family after to celebrate, or even planning a special dinner with just the two of you.
I absolutely love adventure so whether you are looking to do something in the city or out in nature, I am totally game. Side note, I am also an ultrarunner so I will always be down for any distance or difficulty you want to throw at me out on the trails!
Whatever it is, just remember that this day is all about you, and you can make the day whatever you want!
Final Thoughts on Eloping in Pennsylvania
Hopefully, this helps you as you start to plan out how to elope in Pennsylvania. At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that this day is all about you, so be creative, have fun with it, and do it with the people that you love.
If you are still looking for that perfect photographer to come along on this adventure with you, I’d love to connect. You can learn more about my elopement photography services here, or you can reach out to me here to talk about your dream day!
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