How to Have a Reception After Eloping

Let’s be real, I could not elope without including my friends and family in at least one aspect of the day. And the good news is, whatever goes.

My partner and I said our vows privately at sunrise and then had a ceremony with our families at sunset. Here’s what our elopement timeline looked like:

Before sunrise

Drove up California Pass + changed into our wedding clothes on either side of our Tacoma in the dark

Sunrise

First look (we both unexpectedly cried), then private vows as the sun came up

After

Down to Lake Como to make pancakes in the back of the truck while our dog Flapjack wandered around (pancakes...Flapjack...lol)

8 AM

Swam in a very cold alpine lake (ran quickly in and out)

Midday

Back to the Airbnb + napped

Afternoon

Dinner with everyone, got redressed (this is where our photographer got our getting ready photos), gave each other tattoos

Evening

Stuffed all 7 + a dog of us into our 1987 Suburban and drove to Velocity Basin to read traditional vows and exchange rings, so our family could witness an actual ceremony

Sunset

Champagne, cake, and watched the sunset together!

“I get it now,” my mom said after our family ceremony. “I never understood why you didn’t want a wedding. Now I do.”

So if you're stuck between eloping and having your friends and family there, you can do both in the same day. We did!

Want a day like this? Tell me who's coming and if anyone has four legs (you don't need a date or a location yet).

Here are some ideas to get you started.

Why Have a Reception After Eloping?

Eloping is such a fun way to say “I do” without the stress of planning a traditional wedding. If you’re like me and can’t imagine celebrating with loved ones some way, having a reception after eloping can be a way to do it!

Just because you chose to have a private ceremony doesn’t mean you have to skip the celebration with loved ones!

Whether you want a casual backyard BBQ, a black tie affair, or a themed celebration, there are so many ways to make your reception special.

Is There a Rule for Having a Reception After Eloping?

Nope. Whatever goes.

10 years of photographing microweddings and elopements, and I have never had a couple ask me if it's rude to have a party after their elopement. Not once. What I hear is one of two things - they want to celebrate with their people, or they feel obligated to.

If it's the first one, keep reading. If it's the second one, you're allowed to skip it (that's the only rule here).

Can you have a ceremony after you elope?

Not "can we throw a party" but "can we still have a real ceremony with our family if we already did the legal part privately?" If that's the one you're stuck on, the answer is yep!

You're already married. So whatever you do with your people, whether that's a ring exchange at dinner, reading your vows again in front of everyone, or just a really good toast where you tell the whole story, is completely up to you. There's nothing to redo and no rules for how it has to look.

If you read my timeline at the top of this page, that's exactly what my partner and I did. Private vows in the morning, then a ceremony with our families that evening.

Here's what that looks like hour by hour, private vows in the morning and a ceremony with your people that evening.

11 Post Elopement Party Ideas

If you want to elope just the two of you and celebrate with your closest friends and family afterwards, here are some party ideas to get you started.

1. Have a private catered elopement dinner

One way to include friends and family is to include them in the meals throughout the day, whether that’s making brunch together in the morning, having a picnic before you head off solo to your ceremony, or hosting a dinner party when you return in the evening. If you’re like me and LOVE food, then this is the perfect way to include friends and family in your elopement. It’s probably also one of the most popular ways the couples I work with include their loved ones on their elopement day.

Tips & tricks for having a private catered dinner after your elopement: If you’re looking to have an outdoor reception after eloping, I can’t recommend enough having some source of ambient light once the sun sets: twinkly lights, large light bulbs, candles (if there isn't a fire ban). And I'm totally a fan of risking the weather (and avoiding large white event tents) in order to keep the ambiance of dinner parties what they are: and your photos will be so much better for it.

2. Host a dinner party at a restaurant

If you’re looking to head out to a restaurant after you elope, you can also look into different larger capacity restaurants to host your reception after. Some of my favorite places that might be able to host your party include restaurants, breweries, wineries, arcade bars, speakeasies, or even coworking spaces.

3. Have a picnic at a trailhead or your campground

You also don’t have to do anything wild and crazy and can always opt to go the simpler route of offering a grazing board/picnic at your elopement ceremony site, your campground, or your favorite trailhead. There are quite a few local options that source ingredients directly from Western Colorado too! Some of my favorite meat & cheese companies are Nibbles & Sips, Meat & Cheese, and Wander + Graze.

4. Enjoy your favorite local beverages around a campfire

Nothing says Colorado quite like sipping a Coors Banquet around a campfire. And there is truly no camaraderie like the kind that comes from trying to build that campfire together. Especially when you're an adult and usually in bed by 9 pm.

5. Host a get together at your rental property

While rental companies like Airbnb currently have event limits, some rental companies like Peerspace still allow larger events with hosts approval. Nothing lets you unwind like unbuttoning those pants and running around in your socks like a get together at your rental property.

Some great ideas my couples have done to celebrate with family after their elopement at their rental includes hosting a potluck, meal, or BBQ, playing cards and board games, karaoke, watching movies, star gazing, having a campfire, swimming, and more.

6. Get takeout from your favorite restaurant

If you’re like me and would rather head home than sit in a restaurant booth, you can always pick up some takeout or have food delivered to where you are staying. Double check that the place you want is open as a lot of mountain towns have low staff and therefore are closed on random days of the week. Nothing kills the mood faster than talking all day about how excited you are for tacos, only to realize the taco place is actually closed.

For larger groups you’ll want to let the restaurant know ahead of time, but if it’s just a few of you and you’re looking to split a couple of pizzas, you’re usually okay waiting until the day of.

7. Ask a food truck to cater for you

A lot of smaller mountain towns have more food trucks than they do locally owned restaurants, which means there is no shortage of local community you can support by asking them to cater your reception after eloping!

You can even have more than one food truck come if you are having a larger "traditional" sized reception, which allows guests to have options and not overwhelm the food trucks. You can also get different ones for the main course, as well as dessert. And as someone with a huge sweet tooth, don't forget the dessert one or else there will be fists being thrown.

8. Have a silent disco party in the desert

Okay this one is reallllly specific but if you’re the type to find this idea super cool then you know this idea is super cool.

9. Hang out with friends and family virtually

If you are heading out of town for a destination elopement then celebrating with friends and family virtually is still a great way to have a reception after eloping! Whether through a pre-planned Zoom call, a Facetime call, or a quick little Google Meet session, why not update your loved ones ASAP?

Tips & tricks for celebrating with loved ones virtually after you elope: Use an app that allows you to pre-plan your call if including more than a few people, that way everyone knows when to expect your call!

10. Go camping or glamping

While this is kind of like #4, it’s a little more general and my favorite way to have a reception after eloping. If you have family or friends like mine who couldn’t imagine sleeping in a tent… on the ground… in the middle of nowhere … look into renting cabins or yurts. You can play board games, stargaze, go for sunrise hikes, or go swimming in an alpine lake. If you want to go all in (twinkly lights, s'mores, lawn games), here's how to have a camp themed wedding or elopement.

If you have a larger group, forgo yurts and cabins at state parks and instead opt to reserve on private property. That way you don't have to worry about upsetting any other campers in case you get a little loud! Hipcamp is a great resource for locations for private camping.

If you’re looking for a venue to host your reception, check out a few of my favorite small wedding venues in western Colorado.

11. Have a Themed Celebration

A theme gives everyone something to get excited about - you, your guests (and your photographer). Western, disco, 80's/90's/2000's, black tie, whatever goes.

If you love the great outdoors, consider a camp themed reception! Grab those twinkly lights, have a cozy bonfire, and some cozy decor. S’mores, grilled favs, lawn games, storytelling, and stargazing can help create relaxing nature-filled celebration!

How Much Does a Reception After Eloping Cost?

So this is one of my favorite things about doing a reception after you elope. Your budget is whatever you want it to be.

Under $500: Backyard party, potluck style, playlist on a Bluetooth speaker, twinkle lights from Amazon. Some of the best parties I've ever been to looked exactly like this. Also probably the most fun because nobody is stressed about a budget.

$1,000 - $5,000: Dinner at a restaurant with a private room, a catered picnic, or a food truck parked in your driveway. This is the sweet spot for most couples who want it to feel "put together" without blowing a budget. The downside is you'll probably need to book a few months out for anything with a private space, so don't wait until the last minute on this one.

$5,000 - $15,000+: Full reception with a venue, a caterer, a DJ or band, open bar, the works. Still WAY less than the average wedding, and you already had the best part. The elopement!

Long story short, spend where it matters to you and skip everything else. That's kinda the whole point.

How to Plan Your Reception After Eloping in 9 Steps

1. Decide on the Type of Reception

The first step is deciding what kind of celebration fits your vision, budget, and guest list. For some ideas you could go with a:

• Casual Gathering: A laid back get together with food, drinks, music. Think BBQ, picnic, or potluck.

• Formal Reception: A sit down dinner at a restaurant or banquet hall for more of a traditional feel.

• Themed Party: Incorporate a fun theme that reflects your personalities, like a camp, western, or retro theme.

• Destination Celebration: Turn your reception into a vacation by hosting it in a scenic location.

2. Pick a Date (Yes, You Can Have the Reception Later)

Yep, you can elope and have a reception later. Most of my local couples have one the day after their elopement or microwedding. Or months later if they’re not! Both work.

When choosing a date, just be considerate about:

• Giving guests enough notice to travel.

• If hosting outdoors, picking a good season.

3. How to Word Your Elopement Reception Invites

I promise you don’t have to explain or justify eloping. So you can keep it simple. Something like:

“We did the thing! Join us to celebrate our marriage on [date] at [place].”

Or if you want a little more personality:

“Plot twist: we eloped! Now we want to eat, drink, and celebrate with you. [Date], [Place], [Dress code].”

And if you’re inviting people who don’t know you’ve eloped yet, the invite can be the announcement. Include a photo from your elopement if you want to soften the surprise (people love that). Also, have you ever gotten mail with a really cool photo on it? So much better than a text. Just saying.

4. Choose the Right Venue

Your venue sets the whole vibe so obviously it’s important. Here are some of the options:

• At Home: Perfect for an intimate and budget-friendly celebration.

• Outdoor Spaces: Parks, beaches, or gardens. Just be sure to double check reservations or permits.

• Event Venues: If you want a formal atmosphere, book something like a banquet hall, restaurant, brewery, or winery.

• Vacation Rental: Renting a cabin, lake house, Peerspace, or Airbnb can create a weekend long celebration. Party away!

Make sure to check venue availability, alcohol rules, parking, and guest capacity before booking. Airbnb explicitly does not allow “parties” or gatherings so be sure to double check with your host beforehand.

5. Incorporate Personal Touches

This is where you get to go “Yea, crazy right!” when everyone asks you “You eloped THERE?”. A post elopement party is your chance to share your journey with loved ones. So you can include moments from the actual day by including elements like:

• Photo & Video Display: Set up a slideshow or print photos from your elopement.

• Vows & Toasts: Read your vows or give a short speech.

• Memory Table: Include keepsakes from your elopement, like dried flowers, souvenirs, or your framed marriage certificate.

• Customized Favors: Send guests home with small tokens, like engraved keychains, candles, or seed packets of flowers native to where you live.

6. Plan the Food & Drinks

Food-wise, you’ve got all of the options. You can:

• Hire a private chef or caterer.

• Order a bunch of pizzas (no problem with a couple of hot’n’readys!).

• Order takeout from a restaurant.

• Hire food trucks.

• Eat on location at a restaurant or brewery.

• Cook everything yourself (go you!).

As for food and drinks, that just depends on what style you’re going for. You could do a:

• Casual Buffet: Tacos, BBQ, or pizza stations.

• Sit-Down Dinner: A multi-course meal with wine pairings.

• Cocktail Party: Light appetizers and signature drinks.

• Dessert & Coffee Bar: A low key option with sweet treats and warm beverages.

7. Decide on Entertainment

It might seem like you don’t need to keep guests engaged but there’s nothing wrong with giving them something to do as you’ll be busy running around talking to everyone! This is also helpful if you’ll have kids around.

• Music: Hire a DJ, live band, or just create a great playlist.

• Games: Lawn games like cornhole, giant Jenga, or trivia.

• Photo Booth: Set up a DIY backdrop or photo station with a Polaroid camera and props.

• Dancing: Rent a dance floor or pick a theme and dance.

8. What Should You (and Your Guests) Wear?

One of the best things about a post elopement reception is that there are no rules. You can:

• Rewear your wedding attire so you can say “I got to wear my wedding outfit twice” (rare).

• Grab a post elopement party dress! Another wedding dress, cocktail, semiformal outfits. Whatever matches the vibe.

• Go casual and comfy. Sweatpants if you want. No rules! Remember?

You can also change halfway through your reception. I had a couple once who wore their wedding clothes for an hour or so and then they changed into something more comfier.

9. Thank Your Guests

You’re having a reception to celebrate with your favorite people so it’s always thoughtful to sneak in moments of gratitude to your loved ones:

• Give a toast to them

• Send thank you notes after

• Gift small favors

“She was super helpful planning all the details and giving recommendations, especially since we are not from Colorado. She made planning the elopement so much easier!”

— Kayla

Frequently Asked Questions About Receptions After Eloping

How long after eloping should you have a reception?

Whenever you want. Some couples throw a party the same week, others wait 6 months until everyone can fly in. There's genuinely no expiration date on this - I've had couples do it a full year later and it was just as fun. Personally, I think the sweet spot is whenever it actually feels exciting and not like a chore to plan.

What do you call a party after an elopement?

Most people say "post-elopement reception" or "post-elopement party," but honestly you can call it whatever you want. Celebration dinner, elopement after-party, "we eloped and now we're having tacos" - there really are no rules here. If you're sending invites, something like "Join us to celebrate our marriage" gets the point across without overthinking it.

What do you wear to a post-elopement party?

Whatever you want. Some couples re-wear their elopement outfit - and honestly, you only wore it in front of like 4 people the first time, so it basically counts as new (just kidding, we all know the bottom of the dress is gonna be so dirty from being outside). Others grab something totally different. I've seen matching jumpsuits, coordinated colors, one person in a mini dress and the other in jeans and boots. Whatever makes you feel like you.

For your guests - just give them a dress code on the invite so nobody shows up in a tux when you're doing a backyard BBQ. Awkwarddddd.

Do you register for gifts if you elope?

You absolutely can. Eloping does not mean you forfeit presents (that would be a terrible deal). A lot of couples set up a small registry or a honeymoon fund and include the link with their reception invites. Some people will ask anyway, so having something ready saves you from fielding 30 "what do you guys want??" texts.

How do you announce your elopement to family?

Most couples tell close family before or right after the elopement, then announce to everyone else with the reception invite. A simple "We eloped!" text with a photo works. If you want something more formal, send elopement announcement cards - you can find templates everywhere. Pro tip: tell your parents before posting on Instagram. I promise you do not want to learn that lesson the hard way.

Curious what the heck it looks like to work with me?