Prep your 2021 Wedding like a Pro: An Interview with Elopement Photographer and Event Planner

Top Tips for Getting Married in 2021

Happy New Year friends!! 2020 was a memorable one (for better or for worse) and as much as we just want to move on, a bit of reflection is always healthy.

For the first post of 2021, I thought it'd be super relevant to tackle, "how should I plan my 2021 wedding?!" After so many postponements, micro weddings, and elopements, 2021 weddings are looking very different.

To paint a picture of one possibility, imagine this. You hike at sunrise to a first look and overlook the beautiful fall foliage and a lake. This is followed by an epic brunch picnic at the most scenic and secluded waterfall. After a little break, you do a sunset hike and then have someone transform your AirBnB for an intimate dinner. You end the night with a bonfire, beers and stargazing. I know right, this can be... my... wedding?! ​

Well friends, this actually happened and I interviewed the two masterminds who made this incredible event happen! Meet Kelsey Converse (Elopement Photographer), and Danielle Rand, Owner of Grandest Gatherings (Event Planner of Intimate and Adventure Weddings) who gave us the scoop on 2021 weddings. ​

How to Best Prep for your 2021 Wedding

What is your top recommendation for someone planning a wedding in 2021?

Kelsey:  Take a step back and write down the things that are most important to you AND your significant other. Ask yourself the difficult questions: 

• Who can we not see ourselves getting married without?
• What type of location is important to us? Do we want a venue with mountain views? Or do we want to be in the mountains, a place we feel most alive?
• What are some things we love to do together? Drink beers by the fire? Then make sure you have a firepit and beers waiting for you at the end of the night!

Danielle: Book your vendors ASAP! Due to so many weddings being postponed until 2021, vendors are now being booked up quicker than ever. If your wedding has been rearranged, try to contact your original vendors as quickly as you can to ensure they are still available for your new date. Alternatively, if your wedding was already originally booked for 2021 and you had your eye on your dream vendor, make sure you contact them quickly before they are fully booked with rearranged weddings.

What was the biggest lesson you learned from planning a 2020 wedding?

Kelsey: There are more people than we think that don't feel a bigger wedding is for them. If you haven't dreamt of your day for years, or if you are shy and don't like attention on you, then just know that there are different options. Do what you feel is right and what will make you happy. 

Danielle: An elopement or intimate wedding doesn’t mean you have to skip the wedding décor or design details. From a gorgeous ceremony to a beautiful bouquet, a tablescape for your post-ceremony dinner, and more, there are a lot of opportunities for design elements even in the smallest of weddings. 

Find floral bouquet inspiration here!

What do you foresee the top wedding trend to be in 2021?

Kelsey: ​Hands down, eloping. But I hope that this isn't just a trend. I hope that this is a way out for people who want an adventure and experience for their day. Eloping isn't just to get cool photos - it should be about a feeling. You will be with your closest people, spending quality time, in your favorite place and creating memories you surely will never ever forget.

Danielle: Unique locations. The greatest benefit is that it offers more freedom. When it’s just the two of you with a few guests, you aren’t limited to venues based on guest capacity. Reframe your hunt for a location to seeking out an “epic venue” or chasing some epic memories! You could exchange vows in the park where you have picnic dates, or by that little creek walking distance from your home, or climb to the top of the tallest mountain in your state!

Why should someone consider hiring an Elopement Photographer?

Kelsey: I am much more heavily involved than in other photography avenues. Because elopements are so intimate, as a photographer, adventurer and traveler, I help my couples throughout the entire process from the beginning stages of planning all the way until the end. Generally couples reach out to me and have no idea what they want. I help guide them throughout this entire process and make sure the experience is nothing but positive and exciting for them. They deserve to be stress free during this time and just enjoy it and be in the moment. ​

Why should someone consider hiring an Intimate Wedding Event Planner?

Danielle: Choosing to forgo an elaborate wedding with dozens of vendors, a lot of guests, and even more small details doesn't mean that an elopement is automatically less stressful or overwhelming. Hiring an Event Planner can help with...

1. Fostering connection and alleviating pressure by lifting the logistical load and creating space for you and your partner to focus on each other.
2. Creating stunning designs that enhance the natural beauty of the scenery and create meaningful moments for you and your partner.
3. Organizing the logistics of everything from scouting the perfect location to organizing vendor details to creating a general timeline for your day. Most importantly, making sure to create a space for you to relax and enjoy each moment throughout your special day.

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Photos, event styling, and flowers from this post are from: 
Kelsey Converse Photography | Instagram  
Grandest Gatherings | Instagram  
Grace Flora Studio | Instagram 

If you're curious to learn more, contact me here!