how do you elope in france & europe ?

Make your wedding dreams a intentional elopement elopement

If you’re here, it's because you had the courage to think that an elopement would be the best way to celebrate your love. You are right.
Eloping are for brave people who love their partner so much that they are ready to move away from the norm of traditional weddings to choose something different, meaningful and intentional.

An elopement is a small, intimate, authentic and intentional wedding concentrated on you both.
This experience is a pure reflection of your love, and the wedding day is here to focus on the love that you share on your partner.
What you do is up to you. The chosen place is up to you. The people who are with you on this precious day are only up to you.
An elopement is a way to remove all the pressure, anxiety, or traditional obligations of marriage that can weigh you down. Choosing to elope is a guaranteed freedom : you can choose how, when and where to do it.

Being an Europe elopement photographer, I am passionate about this way of seeing things and transmitting these things to people who want to know what real elopement is.

Taking the first step towards elopement is to deliberately choose not to follow a tradition that makes no sense to me. But rather say I choose you to your partner. Say I choose us.

As mentioned earlier, planning an elopement is an intentional focus to take all the love you have for your other half (how & where do you want to celebrate the vows) instead of things that do not necessarily have a strong connection for you: a big party where you are the center of attention.
Contrary to this, you take the resolution to focus on the priorities that seem essential to you.
An elopement is simple: there is no rules! It's the creation of your most incredible wedding day for both of you - and to get married to it, of course.
It's one of my favorite things about elopement. One question remains: what would your D-day look like; if you had no limits, what would you do?
There are no wrong answers, limits, impossibilities. Just think of that day you would like to see your whole life again, that day when everything was authentic, honest.

This could be your wedding day.

Hello! Sorry, I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Antoine (Toinou if you want), and I am a europe elopement photographer passionate about travel and love.

If I write this "guide", it is to show you that elopement is an alternative and splendid way to spend a special moment - or even out of time - alone or with the people you love the most; and that there is no shame to have.

I myself hope to be able to create mine - maybe soon, fingers crossed!

So follow the guide, I take you to a new world!

Choosing to elope is a wonderful way to get married without constraints, stress, or traditions.

Even if elopement allows you to dream and realize your craziest thoughts, it does not prevent stress from coming to settle in your heads. I made a special "elopement" Frequently Asked Questions, which will allow you to set up some actions.

Frequently asked questions about elopement in europe !

ALL THE QUESTIONS YOU ASK YOURSELF HAVE THEIR ANSWER RIGHT BELOW!

You will not be illegal if you elope in Europe, don't worry! But unfortunately we do not do self-solemnizing. However, you can get married legally. You will need a lot of patience, and gather some documents (and their translation in the country where you will elope).

For this, I advise you to ask for information to the US Embassy & Consulate website of the country you want to elope in.

Here’s some :
France,
Italy,
Greece,
Spain,
Portugal,
Ireland,
Croatia,
Sweden,
Austria.

The symbolic ceremony in the place you want is an easier way to get married, but pay attention to the laws of the country where you want to live.
For example:
Be careful to the place: some places do not allow a wedding in a small committee. Check with your elopement photographer that the place is accessible for this kind of event.
Be careful to LGBTQ+ laws: For my queer couples who want to elope, take care to look at the laws of the country in relation to your rights. Some countries do not agree at all; forget your elopement in Egypt, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives... Know that countries have legalized homosexuality, but do not prohibit discrimination (or some).

Each couple has its history, origins and experiences. There is not a complete answer for everyone, I invite you to ask me, and I will manage it for you! :)

Is elopement legal in the eyes of the law? Will our ceremony be legal?

Of course! Even if elopement is known to be just the two of you - because of the origin of the word - it’s possible to have guests at your intimate ceremony. Ask yourself the question: "With whom I can NEVER marry if she/he is not by my side? "Obviously, the correct answer is your partner, haha.

You have several choices:

A couple's elopement without guests. You are one-on-one, free and happy.
Invite a few people who are dear to you - witnesses, parents, sisters, brothers, best friends... Overall, maximum 10 for an intimate wedding.
The big elopement! I consider that you can invite up to 30 people. After that it's a traditional wedding.

You can make a mixture of the two; have your symbolic ceremony with the people you love and spend time with them on the first day. The next day, go to the second place of your elopement, alone! And you have the whole day for only you, as planned. Good compromise, isn't it?

Can we elope with guests?

For a symbolic marriage, no, and this applies to many countries. However, it is important to look at local laws, rights & duties to be well prepared. The same goes for witnesses: as long as it is a symbolic wedding, you can elope just the two of you.

Freedom is yours! Dream of any country where tears will flow as soon as you read the first lines of your elopement vows.

Do we necessarily need an officiant? And witnesses?

It's a big YES! There are no limits - as long as it’s on planet Earth. Be crazy and think about the continents / countries you want to travel to. In any case, I will help you plan your Europe elopement, from beginning to end; you will not be alone.

Eloping in Europe is incredible: I think of the south of Spain, Scotland, the Dolomites, the Puglia region in Italy, Norway (the Lofoten Islands for example), Croatia... You will find your happiness there, that's for sure!

Can we elope everywhere in Europe ?

This is a delicate subject... Despite the reluctance there may be, nothing should make you doubt. It's your couple, your wedding, and your love.
From the moment you know that the elopement is the ceremony of your dreams - even before you say that you are engaged - try to leave clues about the next events. It will be less complicated when you’ll announce it. And for people who will be a little skeptical, you can ask relatives to help you :)
You can also choose the direct approach: no waste of time, and your loved ones will understand.

In any case, give some arguments about the reason for an elopement instead of traditional marriage. Most often:
We would like as little stress as possible.
Traveling is part of us, and we would like to create a unique moment that looks like us.
We would like a really intimate ceremony.
We would like a wedding in which we celebrate our love, and not try to please everyone.
That's what we feel deep down.

In order not to leave them lonely, you can do your ceremony in FaceTime call: your phone / tablet put down and off you go!

Planning a party when you return is also a convincing solution, and you can tell your elopement experience to everyone ! <3

How to announce that we elope ?

How to find the perfect elopement place that suits you? -> exercise to do it

I think this is one of the most difficult steps! Finding the place you need takes a little time and reflection. It depends on several things: the number of people you want to invite, the activities you want to do, if you like a particular season... There will be a lot of research, but it's worth it!

Every continent and country have their charm, you have to know how to find them. From cherry blossoms in Japan, to Banff National Park, through large expanses of wilderness in Namibia and the Alps in France, Switzerland & Italy. Our planet is filled with resplendent places, and I can't wait to discover them with you and document your love in front of one of them!

I have already made a guide on elopement in Greece, and you have several ideas for France here (do not hesitate to look at the blog, new guides are coming!)

Take some time. It is important that you’re relaxed. The idea is to start finding some general ideas. Close your eyes, and think about the elopement / intimate wedding / symbolic ceremony. What are your brains thinking about? Do you have images? It can be in relation to what you have seen before, or a trip…

Write what you saw, felt. Simplist or already very detailed, there are no wrong answers. I.e.: cliff. Or: large expanse flowering in the hills in the spring. Let yourself go!

Now that the general ideas are written on paper, the trick is to close your eyes - again! - and project yourself. Do you see yourself saying your wishes in one of these places? If several places remain, it doesn't matter. Separate the places and think about them one by one. These places will become more detailed, with a season, a time during the day, guests, a perfume...

You had to create a list of very detailed options now! However, you will have to choose only one... Perhaps some of these places do not have the necessary logistics for you (and possibly your guests), or are they closed for example? Proceed by elimination, and you're there!

Give me your vision, and I will find the perfect place to make this dream come true!

Being your Europe elopement photographer, I'm not just an average person who arrives, photographs you and goes home. I am your best friend, your consultant, your shoulder to cry on. My planning mind will be able to help you with every step of the organization of your intimate wedding! I will make sure it is the best time of your life, and I hope you will cry again when you get old <3

Elopements are not always easy to manage, especially if it is in another continent. We can forget a stage, a detail... Ups and downs exist, but in the end you get to the top of the mountain! I have created a guide on elopement that you can download and read it if you want.

how to elope in europe

The Studio Firmin's 5 STEPS

Here’s what’s in my Elopement Guide :

DREAM & CONCEPTUALIZATION

This step is crucial because it allows you to visualize what you would like for your ceremony. Write down all your thoughts; even those that you believe are unrealizable. It's a reflection to do for two, in a quiet space, with the two of you.

The small exercise that you did before will help you for this first step. Let yourself travel, surprise by your desires. Just imagine what you will do from the beginning to the end of the day.

The goal is simply to have a global vision of what you could have during your elopement. Be fun, think of activities you have never done, places you have never visited. Don't bother with the details, we'll see later. The impossible is possible.

Generally, it is at step 1 or 2 that most couples contact me. I love making my clients' dreams come true, even if your ideas are still unclear. The important thing is to give your desire to conceive the best experience of your life!

RESEARCH & LOGISTICS

Once you have a clear vision of your day, Step 2 is dedicated to finding the feasibility of each of your ideas. For this, it will be necessary to deepen your still vague thoughts.
The purpose of this level is to be sure that the elopement you thought of can become a reality in the best possible way. You could even finalize some details.

As with the previous step, I suggest you to do it in a quiet and serene place to carry out the research. Look on the Internet, Instagram or Pinterest; the library is a good way to find what you want while having a good coffee ;)

What to think about when you plan:
What are the laws and requirements in the chosen place?
Is the place easily accessible? Do you need a permit to do the ceremony or photos?
How is the weather in general? When is the best time to go, and how to prepare?
What elopement activities do you want to do?

If you have trouble finding the answers or if you feel lost, ask me for help, don't be afraid. It's normal to need help when you want to create the elopement of your dreams – it happens once in a lifetime, and you have the right to celebrate your love in the most incredible way possible.

For more information and logistical questions, you should consider downloading my free elopement Guide! This is THE step couples are MOST likely to ask me for help with their development ideas.

CHOICE & booking

Now that you've decided what's important to you and the research went well, it's time to make choices and start booking!

The purpose of this step is not to finalize each detail, but to set up the most important so that you can focus on the details after = step 4.

To start, the date and place are important.

Think about the dates that make your two souls vibrate. Does a date work well with the place you have chosen? Can guests come on this date? Don't forget to look at the holidays (of both countries), but also the events that occur in the country you are going to. For the elopement place, decide the general place where you want to do the ceremony; the exact place where you will say "yes" can be at the moment, spontaneously. Be sure of the general location to be able to reserve the house and the way to get there.

Once you've done that - the date, the place, the accommodation reservation - the most stressful part is over. Take a break and celebrate the beginning of this new adventure, tell your friends and family (if you wish), and we just have to wait for the next step!

DETAILS & BE READY!

You are at the last step of planning your elopement, and it's getting really exciting!

Step 4 is to focus on all the details; the most important has been put in place.

There are a lot to check at this stage – so I wrote it as a checklist! I suggest you do it little by little; put a deadline on your calendar or keep it as a to-do list.

My elopement guide allows you to have an idea of checklists to think about for your elopement. It's free! :)

SOME THINGS ARE TO THINK ABOUT:

Buy and gather all clothes and accessories.
Reserve your vendors.
Book the activities you are going to do during your day.
Create your schedule for the day.

The day before your elopement is used to rest, think about nothing, and sleep early. The next day is important!

have fun in your dream elopement !

You did it! All this hard work of thinking, researching and planning is over. You just have to appreciate what you have built for so long!

Think of nothing else but your partner, and let emotions float around you. Enjoy every moment of your day, and don't worry about what you may look like. Don't stress - if the experience is cool, the photos will be too.

When you return home, finally tell your families and friends! Have an evening, a huge barbecue, dinner or a large reception surrounded by your loved ones. Remember to choose an album by your photographer (it’s included in my Europe elopement package, even for my France elopement package!), so that you can relive your dream experience.

Download the Guide of + 30 pages of tips, checklist and information that will help you plan your perfect elopement!

If you need help at any time, I am here for you.

You know how to plan an elopement.

Now, I think it’s time to make your own dream elopement.

I know I gave you a lot of informations, so if you need time to get through this, let’s do it. When you’re feeling ready, let me know !

I am so excited to plan your Europe elopement, help you with all the details and celebrate it ! Besides, I have the bottle of champagne with me if you want to crack open it (or drink it).
For me, there’s not better way to get married as serenely as this one. So enjoy it!

You did it !

inquire and be ready!

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Give me your thoughts, I'll make them real !

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Where do you think eloping ?

DATE DE L'EVENEMENT

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When you do think eloping ? Did you already choose a date ?

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Have you ever traveled together ? What was the best travel ?

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Why would you like eloping ?

If your ideas are not yet clear, it doesn't matter, most couples do not yet know where their intimate wedding will take place.

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