What if your wedding ceremony was just... yours? No script, no stranger with a three-ring binder, no one telling you when to look up or how long to pause. In this episode, we're breaking down what a self-solemnizing ceremony actually looks like when it's truly just the two of you.

Self-solemnizing means you don't need an officiant. In Colorado, you can legally marry yourselves, sign your own license, and that's it. No witnesses required. Want the full breakdown of how it works? We've got you covered.

We walk through what we call the four bones of any ceremony. The introduction, where you set the scene and say "okay, we're doing this." The vows, which have no rules except that you mean them. (We have a downloadable vow workbook to help you write something that actually sounds like you, link below.) The ring exchange, which is worth slowing down for even if nobody's watching. And the pronouncement, which can be three words, a kiss, or a "hell yeah" and a high five.

We also talk about how to make it feel like a ceremony and not just a Tuesday. Short answer: presence. Know the structure so you can stop managing the logistics and actually feel what's happening.

If you're in early planning mode, our Elopement Planning Guide is a solid place to start. If you don't know where to start with writing your vows, here's our Crafting Your Elopement Vows Workbook to get you un-stuck. Ready to talk about your actual day? Check out our range of elopement package options.

Resources mentioned:

How to Self-Solemnize in Colorado

Crafting Your Elopement Vows Workbook

Elopement Planning Guide

Elopement Package

Getting ready photos: worth it or skippable? 🎙️

Larissa is making the case for them, but not for the reason you'd expect. It's not really about the photos at all. It's about what happens when your photographer gets to meet you before your ceremony instead of right at it. The comfort, the ease, the ability to actually be present when the big moment comes.

Plus, a reframe on what "getting ready" can actually look like on your elopement day. (Hint: Catan is fully on the table.)

Every year the ins and outs lists come out, and this year we decided to make one for elopements. Because heading into 2026, we're noticing some real shifts in how couples are approaching their wedding days. And honestly? We're here for it.

In this episode we're talking about what we're leaving behind: overscheduled timelines, posing for the grid, picking vendors for the wrong reasons, and planning a day that ends up feeling more like everyone else's vision than yours. And what we're leaning into: chasing the experience over the aesthetic, all-in-one cabin days in the mountains, film photography, candid unposed moments, and locations that actually mean something to you.

If you're in the middle of planning and something feels a little off (like the day is slowly becoming something you didn't ask for) this one's for you. We're not here to tell you what your wedding should look like. We just want to help you find your way back to what actually feels right.