Post Elopement Party Guide: How to Celebrate With Loved Ones

Eloping doesn’t mean skipping the celebration.

For couples who choose an intimate ceremony—whether on a mountaintop, in the forest, in the desert, or in a quiet backyard—there’s usually still a desire to celebrate. Maybe not with a ballroom reception or a 100-guest dance floor, but with something warmer, more grounded. That’s where a post elopement party comes in.

A post elopement party is a relaxed, intentional way to include your loved ones after you’ve already exchanged vows, celebrated with just the two of you (or a few guests), and had time to reflect. And yes, it can be as creative, emotional, or laid-back as you want it to be.

As an adventure elopement photographer who works throughout the Western and Southwestern U.S., I’ve photographed everything from sunrise mountaintop vows to cozy backyard post elopement parties filled with string lights, toasts, and loved ones teary-eyed over photo slideshows. No matter the setting, I believe you can have the best of both worlds—an intentional elopement experience and a post elopement party that honors your community.

Here’s how to plan a post elopement party that’s connected, low-pressure, and uniquely yours.

A post elopement party is any type of celebration you plan for after your elopement—days, weeks, or even months after your vows. It’s not a traditional wedding reception (unless you want it to be), and it has no pressure to perform or follow old-school etiquette.

Instead, think food, connection, storytelling, and celebration—with freedom to do it all in your own way.

Some couples call it an elopement reception, others host it as a backyard party or anniversary-style event. You might wear your wedding outfits again, share your vows aloud for family, or keep things 100% casual with wood-fired pizza and porch toasts.

There’s no script. Just your story.

Your ceremony was private. Your connection was personal. But the people in your lives who love and support you? They’re still part of your story, even if they weren’t physically there when you said “I do.”

A post elopement party is the perfect way to:

Good news—you can do it whenever it feels right. Some couples host theirs the following weekend. Others wait until their one-month or one-year anniversary.

Popular options include:

You don’t need a fancy venue to have a meaningful celebration. What you do need is somewhere that allows people to relax, connect, and enjoy a shared experience.

Great settings for a post elopement party:

Choose a location that feels like you—not what you think a wedding should look like.

You can keep it simple and sweet, or add structure and small rituals—whatever feels the most natural.

• A meal you love, not a plated dinner (charcuterie spread, wood-fired pizza, taco night, food trucks…)
• Photo display or slideshow of your elopement day
• Vow reading or storytelling from your ceremony
• Toasts and blessings from friends and family
• First dance together if you didn’t have one before
• Guestbook table with notes, advice, or polaroids
• Dessert table or a small cake to cut (if that feels special)

Post Elopement Party Ideas with Personality

• Backyard BBQ with twinkle lights and local beer
• Mountain lodge dinner with close family, days after a Colorado elopement
• Campfire circle with stories and stargazing after a Utah canyon ceremony
• Picture slideshow and toast night at a small Airbnb with pizza and laughter
• Gondola ride party in Telluride, followed by drinks on the deck
• Travel-themed celebration with printed photos, paper maps, and souvenirs from your elopement day

Real Moment: A Fort Collins, CO Elopement Reception Full of Heart

Fort Collins, Colorado at The Agave Room

Looking for ideas on how your post elopement party might actually look and feel? I recently photographed an intentional, joy-filled evening for Alex and Tommy, who had eloped the previous winter in Crested Butte and chose to celebrate with their favorite people that following October in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Their party was hosted at The Agave Room, a cozy upstairs space above the bar where they first met (check it out here). They kicked off the night with a drink—just the two of them—downstairs at that same bar, and a stranger even bought them celebratory shots.
From there, the evening unfolded with so much warmth and love.

Pre-Party Portraits & Drinks at the Bar

Alex and Tommy began their night revisiting the exact bar where their story began. They toasted, laughed, and soaked up the start of everything.

Party Entrance, Speeches & Watching Their Elopement

They made a High energy entrance to cheers from loved ones, shared heartfelt words, and played their elopement video for the group. Guests laughed, cried, and saw their story come to life.

Dinner, Toasts & Special Dances

The couple served a relaxed dinner and enjoyed some of the sweetest, funniest toasts I’ve ever witnessed. They shared their first dance, followed by dances with family and friends that felt deeply meaningful—not scripted.

Dancing, Decor & Thoughtful Touches

Once dinner wrapped up, the dancing kicked off and didn’t stop for the rest of the night. The room was filled with laughter, hugging, and joyful movement. Their decor was minimal but inspiring—simple string lights, a beautiful cake table, and tiny succulent gifts for guests.

Alex and Tommy’s post elopement party was proof that you don’t need a huge venue, elaborate timeline, or traditional reception structure to create something beautiful and memorable. All you need is intentionality, great people, and space for real connection.
Want to see more celebrations like this? Check out my elopement portfolio or reach out to start planning yours!