Your Guide to Eloping in Saskatchewan
Elopements have definitely changed, especially in the last few years. Gone are the days when eloping meant giving your nosy auntie something to gossip about. Now it’s the ultimate intimate wedding, an intentional and meaningful day focused on the true essence of what a wedding is: the two of you. If you’re thinking about eloping in Saskatchewan, there are plenty of great reasons to do so!
Budget is probably the most common reason. No venues to book, fewer guests to take care of, less stuff to have to spend money on. The things you do book don’t become cheaper because it’s an elopement and not a wedding, but it means more room in your budget to spend on the things that are meaningful to you. It also means less stress, not having to plan for all these things! Location is another one. Eloping means you can get married somewhere with personal significance, which may be not be possible otherwise.
Maybe the idea of spending money on things like chair covers feels like such a waste. Maybe you’re struggling with how to manage a ballooning guest list without causing family drama. Or maybe all of those wedding ‘traditions’ just don’t resonate with you. If you value experiences over things, elopement might be your key to your dream wedding day. You can still wear that gorgeous dress, cut a cake, and have a first dance, if that’s meaningful to you. You can even still have guests. The best part about eloping is that there are no rules!
So how do you go about eloping in Saskatchewan?
1. Dream up your Saskatchewan elopement
First, consider what you truly want from your day! What is meaningful to you? Having some family along, or focusing solely on each other? A relaxing day or an adventurous one? Incorporating some traditions, or saying screw it and totally doing your own thing?
A great way to start is to think about your idea Saturday together. Where are you, and how do you spend the day? Maybe you’re at the lake. You start the day off with coffee on the deck, then take a hike in the forest with the dog. In the afternoon, you hang out on the boat, and end the day with beers around a campfire.
Imagine centering your day around the things you enjoy doing together. Guess what – when you’re eloping in Saskatchewan, you can do exactly that!
2. Plan your elopement day
Pick a date
One of the great things about eloping is that it doesn’t have to be on a weekend. If there is a date that is meaningful to you, go for it! If you’re planning on eloping in Prince Albert National Park or another popular tourist area, choosing a weekday means you can avoid the crowds. It may also give you more options for accommodation during the high season. Make sure to check that there are no special events happening at your location on your date!
Choose a location
This is a biggie! Many couples consider eloping in Saskatchewan because they already have a special place in mind. Elopements are wonderful if you dream of having nature as your venue, away from the crowds, where you can truly feel connected to each other and your surroundings. You have the freedom to get married somewhere that perfectly fits your vision, without having to figure out how to get 100 guests there or what to do with them if it rains.
Deciding on a location for your Saskatchewan elopement is a topic all its own! My post on where to elope in Saskatchewan will help you choose the perfect location, with a list of ideas to get you started. If you were thinking about eloping in Waskesiu, I have a separate post all about that too!
Plan your wedding day timeline
With a big wedding, almost every minute of your day is scheduled. It can be hard to fit everything in, yet deviating from the timeline will become stressful. This is one of the best things about eloping! Not having to stick to a schedule means you can truly be in the moment and savor the day. Those in-between unplanned moments are often some of the most meaningful and memorable ones.
That said, sketching out a plan will help you make the most of your day. Consider the most important elements and plan around those. Your elopement is much more than a ceremony – the entire day is your wedding day!
You’ll need to set a ceremony time for your marriage commissioner. Plan your ceremony for a time when there is good light for photography, especially if your location is meaningful to you (I can definitely help with that!). If you’re hiring vendors for hair and makeup, or planning a meal afterwards, you will also need to set times for those.
Consider what else you want to do that day, because guess what – you’ll have time! If you plan your ceremony for early in the morning or at sunset, you can spend the day doing what you love. You can go for a hike, a paddle or a horseback ride, play a round of golf, or just kick back and enjoy a gourmet picnic or good old weiner roast. You have the freedom to configure your day in a way that makes sense to you.
Book your Saskatchewan elopement vendors
When you elope, you can DIY as much or as little as you want! For vendors such as hair and makeup, consider that they may need to travel from a neighbouring community. Maybe you want to end the day with a catered meal al fresco or a nice restaurant. And you’ll obviously want an elopement photographer 😉
So how much photography coverage do you need? Your ceremony may be the most important fifteen minutes of the day, but it’s a very small part of your story. It’s a whole day of love and memories. When you look back decades from now, you’ll want your photos to bring back the emotions from the entire experience – from the nervous anticipation as you got ready, to kicking back at the end of the day because you just freakin’ got married!
Make it legal
When eloping in Saskatchewan, you’ll need a marriage license, a registered marriage commissioner, and two witnesses (hot tip: if you don’t want many people there, your photographer can be one!). You can find all of the information on getting married in Saskatchewan here, including how to get a marriage license, and a list of marriage commissioners.
And here’s a fun thing! You don’t have to have a marriage commissioner perform your ceremony on the day. You and your witnesses can meet with them beforehand to sign the paperwork and register the marriage. Then a special family member or friend can conduct the ceremony on your day. This works especially well if you don’t want to work under the time constraints of an officiant or have a big hike in mind.
You may also need a permit for your location if it’s on public land. If you’re eloping in a national park, you will require a wedding permit, and your photographer must have a business license issued by that park.
3. Enjoy your wedding day!
Be present with your partner, leave room for spontaneity, and soak up all this beautiful day has to offer. Celebrate a day that truly honors your commitment and reflects your relationship. Nothing else matters!
Ready to start planning your Saskatchewan elopement or intimate wedding? Get in touch – I’d love to help!