Looking for Christian Elopement Ideas? Here’s some inspiration we’d love to share with you for your wedding day!
Getting Started with Christian Elopement Ideas
First – This needs to be said. A Christian Wedding and a Christian Elopement are the same.
We’re just going to come out and say it – there are plenty of old-school Christian bloggers out there who continue to say that it is “un-Christian” to elope. We wholeheartedly disagree (as you can see in our blog post What Does the Bible Say about Eloping).
This antiquated thinking is anchored in the misguided idea that a large traditional wedding is the only setting for a Christian wedding. No disrespect, but these authors are thinking back to a time when large weddings were an event supported by many friends and family. These were the times when a community would celebrate the couple as the center of the day.
Nowadays things have changed drastically, to where unrealistic expectations have been placed on a couple getting married (and usually, mostly on the shoulders of the bride). The great irony is that it’s no longer the community having a celebration for the couple, but the couple is being expected to throw a party for their “community.”
We want to encourage you to know that you are free from the expectations of a big wedding that society places on you! We are free to worship our God in Spirit and Truth and are not locked into “traditions of men.”
Second – Decide on your “why” from scripture for your elopement.
Let’s quantify our prior statement a bit. We believe that traditions are good from the perspective that they help us look back at our history and our “why.” But we are against tradition for tradition’s sake where we are simply doing something because “everyone else is doing it.”
With that in mind, we can find our “why” from scripture on how we intend to elope. Below we’ve explored some ideas that may be helpful to you!
- Time alone important to you? (Jesus prioritizing quiet time; Mark 1:35)
- Glorify God in His Creation? (Psalm 24:1-2)
- Want to make a statement that together you are a new creation, sanctified as a couple before God? (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- Want to start your marriage as a picture of service to God? (Aquila and Priscilla in Acts 18:1-3)
- Want to glorify God in worship? (1 Chronicles 16:23-31)
- Having your parents present is important to you? (Exodus 20:12)
- Your home church has a special place in your heart? (Romans 12:4-8)
Third – Discover ways to symbolize your Christian faith on your elopement day
As we mentioned previously, there may be something from Christian tradition that resonates with your faith. You may choose some of these, all, or none at all. Totally up to you! What matters is that you are experiencing an elopement day which is meaningful to you and your faith.
- Communion together (often, couples choose to share communion immediately after they are declared husband and wife).
- Choosing scripture to share with each other (for example, writing letters to each other).
- Choosing worship songs you love for your ceremony.
- Feet washing (sometimes done during the ceremony, but also would be great after a long hike!).
- Praying Together (some couples choose to do this in place of a first look).
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ELOPEMENT PACKAGES
Christian Elopement Examples
With all this in mind, here are a few examples to help inspire you for your day!
Prioritizing your time together
Inspiration verses: Mark 1:35; 2 Corinthians 5:17
If your priority is your relationship together before God, then a “just us” elopement might be the right choice for you. Explaining this to your family can be a point of friction (we have lots of advice for this!) but if this is on your heart, it is an incredible and inspiring experience!
Glorifying God for His handiwork in Creation
Inspiration verses: Psalm 24:1-2
Maybe you love how the peace of nature brings you into closer communion with our Creator. This is definitely one of the reasons we love adventuring together! Nothing declares His handiwork like the beautiful earth He has given us.
If this is the core of your inspiration for an adventure elopement, let’s adventure together to an awesome place to celebrate your love and worship our great God. We’d love to show you how!
Bring acts of service into your elopement
Inspiration verses: Acts 18:1-3
Are you feeling called to glorify Him through acts of service as a couple? Maybe you are missions-minded to reach others with the gospel, or want to make an impact by meeting the needs of others. Make a statement by setting aside time to serve as part of your elopement adventure.
This might be as simple as trash cleanup on a popular trail in the area you choose to elope, or taking steps to serve with a non-profit that is on your heart. Prayerfully seek what He would have for you on your day and then step out in faith!
Have your ceremony in your home church
Inspiration verses: Romans 12:4-8
Why yes, you CAN elope in a church! Like we said above – we don’t necessary throw away all traditions, we just want for you to be able to observe the ones that are meaningful for you – not being pressured into something by anyone else.
If your church family holds a special place in your heart; if these are the people that come to mind when celebrating your amazing day – then go with it!
We’d love to show you how to celebrate a day which combines time with your church family, together with “alone time” to focus on each other.
Have your immediate family along
Inspiration verses: Exodus 20:12
If you cannot imagine your day without your parents (and maybe brothers and sisters too) then maybe this is the right approach for you! Eloping is not only about “what” is on your heart for your day but also who you want to spend the time with.
We work with lots of couples who want to have parents, grandparents and siblings along. The balance of time with family and time alone is something we have lots of experience with, as the situation is different for each couple. Logistics of getting the group together, creating separate plans for just you, and locations compatible with everyone’s physical ability – we’re here to help you plan the day just right!
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ELOPEMENT PACKAGES
Ask your pastor or someone from your home church to officiate
Inspiration verses: Romans 12:4-8
Maybe you’re looking at traveling to a destination away from your home church, but want to bring part of your story & connection to your church into your day. Our advice? Ask one of your church leaders to travel and officiate for you! Or you might have a counselor or small group leader who you look up to; it’s relatively straightforward for them to be ordained by your church to officiate for your ceremony.
It is truly a special moment when couples are led through their wedding vows by a close family member or church leader.
What is on Your Heart for your Christian Elopement?
A little about us … we wanted to elope but went with a big church wedding because that is what “everyone else said” we were supposed to do. If we could go back and do it all over again, we would have had our ceremony on top of a mountain – with our family and pastor to share in our day.
If a smaller, intimate celebration to glorify God in the start of your marriage together is on your mind, please take a moment and reach out to you. We are here to help guide you through every step of the process – so you can enjoy a carefree day where you feel celebrated & loved.
