How to Elope with Your Dog in a National Park
Check out our top tips for including your dog in your National Park elopement.
When you & your partner choose to elope, you are choosing to spend your day focused more on the love that you share & less on the many details that make up a traditional wedding day.
If this appeals to you, then you’ll want to spend time listing out what you truly want out of your special day.
We’re here to offer some professional tips for those that put a beautiful location in nature & including their furry best friend at the top of that list.
Our top tips for including your dog in your
National Park Elopement:
Choose Your Location
This may sound obvious, but it’s very important to do your research here. Most all National Parks have at least some restrictions in place for pets.
Some, like Acadia National Park & Shenandoah National Park have hundreds of miles of pet friendly trails. Be sure that your dog is properly leashed up & they will be welcome to adventure along right beside you!
Others, like Rocky Mountain National Park & Mt Rainier National Park, allow pets in the park, but only where vehicles are permitted. This means picnic areas, campgrounds, parking lots but not on trail.
Be sure to look into the exact rules of the parks you’re most interested in by visiting the NPS official website. However, do not get discouraged if the park of your dreams does not allow pets in the areas you’d hoped - look into nearby areas, like National Forests & State Parks, as they are typically much less restrictive.
You’ll also want to seriously consider the travel involved. Will you need to fly to this location? Has your pet ever flown before? If you are driving, will you need to stop along the way? Be sure to look for pet friendly places to stay, if so.
2. Plan out your day
Now that you have your location set, it’s time for the fun part - planning your adventure!
We already know that your pup made it on the guest list, but will anyone else be invited to witness your nuptials? Keep in mind in many states you may need a witness and/or an officiant to legally get married.
You’ll also need to decide which professional vendors you’ll be including in your day. For many, a photographer is an absolute must, but with an elopement, a planner may not be necessary. Some still want to have beautiful flowers incorporated into their day or maybe you want a delicious meal prepared to celebrate after the ceremony.
Even if you want to have flexibility in your day, you still want to put together a timeline & plan out the logistics of when & where you’ll need to be.
From there, work into the day how you’ll be including your pup. Perhaps they will only be joining you for a few photos, or maybe they will be hiking on trail with you.
This day is yours & the possibilities are truly endless!
Photo by Bethany Walter Photography
3. Bring Pet supplies
Once you have an idea of when your pup will be celebrating with you, you’ll need to put together the supplies needed to ensure their needs will be met.
The last thing you want on your special day, is for something unexpected to occur that you are ill prepared for.
Consider how long you will be out for & plan your dog’s meals accordingly. Be sure to have enough water for them to stay hydrated throughout the day. A pet first aid kit is always good to have on hand, especially when exploring backcountry trails, miles away from civilization.
A proper leash & harness/collar for your dog is a must. Some parks require shorter leashes & if you are going to be outdoors after dark, you’ll want something reflective for your dog to wear to stay safe.
4. inform your photographer
As we mentioned before, if there is only one vendor you hire for your elopement, it will likely be a photographer to capture your love against the beautiful scenery.
Be sure to inform your photographer that your pet will be joining you. They may want to discuss any specific shots you’d like with your pup and may be helpful in choosing exactly how to incorporate them in the day.
5. Hire a professional pet sitter
Last, but certainly not least, is to seriously consider who will be taking care of your dog for the day.
Even if you chose a location that is very pet friendly & your dog is extremely well behaved, will you & your partner want to be focused on ensuring your dog’s safety & needs are being met all day?
Think about who will be watching them while you exchange your vows. It is absolutely crucial when you are in the wild, that you keep a close eye on your dog. Even beyond the potential wildlife you may encounter, one step could be the difference between safety & danger.
Hiring a professional means that you will be rest assured knowing your dog is happy, comfortable & well taken care of throughout the day. They will properly pick up after your pet & their focus will be solely on their care.
This means you can remain present & flexible on your wedding day & that all of your plans will not need to revolve around where your dog is and is not allowed. The peace of mind this will provide is truly invaluable on your elopement day.
A professional will work closely with your photographer by posing your dog, when needed, & helping get their attention on the camera, too, so you’ll be guaranteed to capture that paw-fect shot!
Want to include your dog in your elopement?
Contact us today & we’ll be their plus one!
How To Elope
Whether you’re being forced by circumstance to celebrate your marriage in a more intimate fashion or you’ve decided on your own to go a non-traditional route, you may be wondering: How do I elope? Just like a traditional wedding, there is not a one-size-fits-all to elopements.
Photo by: Jessica Manns Photography
Whether you’re being forced by circumstance to celebrate your marriage in a more intimate fashion or you’ve decided on your own to go a non-traditional route, you may be wondering:
How do I elope?
Just like a traditional wedding, there is not a one-size-fits-all to elopements.
Photo by: Jessica Manns Photography
Many may think of elopements as a couple running off to Vegas on a whim, but in reality, they can be so much more than this! An elopement, in our definition, is an intentionally intimate & meaningful experience that authentically reflects the love two people share. You are still choosing to invest in your special day, but the focus is on the two of you & what matters most.
Usually, elopements include the couple, photographer, officiant, and whatever small group of family and friends they both may want to include. Remember, this day is intentionally intimate, small, and meaningful to reflect who you both are.
Think about how you as a couple would like to commemorate your marriage. For some, this may mean being in nature. Perhaps, you choose your favorite outdoor activity & make your wedding day an adventure, like hiking to a scenic location in a National Park to exchange your vows!
For others, it may be an intimate gathering with a delicious meal prepared at a local restaurant or by a professional chef in your home.
If the idea of spending your wedding day the way YOU want to, in an intimate setting following your own version of the rules, sounds like your perfect day, then elopement may be the way to go!
Questions about including your pet in your elopement or intimate wedding?
Contact Us - We’re All Ears!
How to Include Loved Ones in Your Elopement
For so many, it’s still important that you find a way to include all of your loved ones in your special day, even if they cannot be physically present with you. So whether your wedding day will consist of just the two of you or an intimate guest list, we have a few ideas to make sure the most special people in your life have the chance to commemorate with you!
Photo by Lifelong Photography
Whether you’re being forced by circumstance to celebrate your marriage in a more intimate fashion or you’ve decided on your own to go a non-traditional route, we want to help you create a beautiful, unforgettable experience on your wedding day!
Remember, this day is intentionally intimate, small, and meaningful to reflect who you both are.
For so many, it’s still important that you find a way to include all of your loved ones in your special day, even if they cannot be physically present with you.
So whether your wedding day will consist of just the two of you or an intimate guest list, we have a few ideas to make sure the most special people in your life have the chance to commemorate with you!
7 Ways to Include Family and Loved Ones in Your Elopement
Zoom Reception
Photo by Abundant Grace Photography
If you still want to spend quality time with those that would have made it on the guest list of your more traditional wedding, consider hosting a Zoom reception.
Break up your “would-be” guest list into smaller groups (think of it like a seating chart) & create a timeline so you & your guests know when & where to virtually join in on the celebration.
You can encourage your guests to dress up & enjoy a cocktail or hors d'oeuvre in your honor! Or you could hire a cake company to deliver mini cakes to your guests to enjoy “with you” on your wedding day!
Live Stream
Photo by Shauna & Jordon Photography
This is a great option if you will be exchanging vows in a location that has cell service!
It will allow your guests to witness the most intimate part of your day in real time & is probably the closest thing to them actually being physically present.
There are many free streaming services, such as YouTube or Instagram, & one of your vendors may even be able to handle the logistics for you so you can stay focused on marrying the love of your life!
Day-Of Announcement Video or Photo
Photo by Lifelong Photography
You did it - you eloped! Now, it’s time to share the big news!
Of course, you could send an announcement out days or weeks later, but if you want to really make your guests feel included, consider planning a day-of photo or video announcement to send to a pre-determined guest list.
With love in the air & excitement in your bones, a same-day announcement for your closest friends & family will be authentic & special!
Split Up the Celebration
Photo by Meche Ausina Photography
Getting ALL of your loved ones together in one place to celebrate may not be possible, but splitting your time up between them may be a great alternative!
You could plan several intimate dinners on separate days following your elopement to celebrate. Or you could plan stop ins at different locations on your actual wedding day!
You can really get creative with this type of celebration, but keep in mind costs & logistics as they can really add up when putting together multiple events.
Host a Post-Elopement Reception
Photo By Jessica Manns Photography
This is probably the most popular idea for couple’s that are choosing to elope, but still want to celebrate with their loved ones.
Just because your guests are not going to be a part of your ceremony, does not mean that they will not want to celebrate with you!
After your elopement, plan a reception party, just like you would if it were immediately following the ceremony. You can share stories from your special day, or better yet photos & videos!
It will be a lovely way to include your guests & they will still feel honored to play witness to your love & commitment.
Elopement Guest Book
Photo by Marc Edwards Photographs
Before your elopement, ask your loved ones to sign a “guest book” of some sort for you & your partner to read on your wedding day. This will not be just any guest book to collect signatures, get creative & make this an opportunity for you AND your guests to reflect on the commitment between you & your partner.
Your guests could write letters, send recipes, date night ideas or even record videos with a sweet message. Be sure to carve out time on your wedding day to enjoy these personal entries into your Elopement Guest Book!
We love this idea, not only is it a way to involve your loved ones, but it will be a memento from your special day that you’ll hold onto forever.
7. Pre-Elopement Activities
Photo by Ashlee Hamon Photography
Yes, you’re eloping, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have any planning activities to prepare for the big day!
Invite your loved ones to join you during dress or suit shopping. Ask their opinions on styling or for their feedback on your vows.
If you want to have an engagement party or bridal party or bachelor/bachelorette party still, then go for it! There are no rules to elopements & just because you’re choosing to exchange your vows intimately does not mean that you cannot choose to celebrate with family & friends!
Just like a traditional wedding, there is not a one-size-fits-all to elopements.
Put away all expectations & just focus on what feels right for you.
Don’t worry so much what others will thing of your choices or whether or not they will understand. We believe that those that truly love & support you will just be happy to give their best wishes & commemorate a momentous occasion in your life!
IF YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT INCLUDING YOUR DOG IN YOUR ELOPEMENT,
CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ELOPEMENT & INTIMATE WEDDING PACKAGES!
When it comes to actually carrying the wedding rings, we have an important recommendation—let’s leave the real rings to the humans!