How to Announce You Eloped

If you’re considering eloping, you may also be wondering how to tell friends and family that you’ve tied the knot.  With the way the world has changed over the last few months, more couples are choosing to elope or have a small ceremony with select individuals.  It’s not just a matter of manners or etiquette.  Sometimes it’s literally a health concern.  You should only include whoever you and your partner feel comfortable around and feel empowered to make your special day about the two of you!  Once you’re ready to share, here are some things to think about. 

1.       Announce when you’re comfortable with it!

Marriage is between you and your spouse.  Share the happy news of your wedding when you’re ready to and not a moment sooner.  It’s completely up to you and your partner when and how you announce.  You can wait a day, or you can wait a year.  It’s totally up to you.  We highly recommend sharing with close family members but the only people you have to tell is the state where you turn in your marriage license. 

 2.       Share with a Cheeky Social Media Post

Many of our couples have chosen to announce on social media about their new “relationship status” with posts along the lines of “we did a thing…” or “we did it”.  At Meander Gatherings, we love that idea and even provide some cheeky signage for photos that you can share after the nuptials. 

 3.       Throw a viewing party of the wedding photos

When you’re ready to announce, we love the idea of having people over to show them your photos in the old-fashioned way people shared vacation pictures. Get people over, have you photos hooked up to your TV and share the photos with them when you announce the marriage.   We’re also big fans of printing photos in general so get some 4x6 prints to pass out to the friends and family as well. 

4.        Print announcements instead of invitations

Use your photos from the wedding or engagement sessions to announce the wedding occurred instead of mailing invitations. 

5.        Go Live on Social Media at the Event

We’ve found that people love video.  You may want to go live after the wedding to announce on your social media pages or you can also record a video in your wedding dress and tux to share later.  Video can help your friends and family feel like they’re a part of the festivities without physically being present.  It can help you have a reduced guest list without hurting more feelings. 

6.        Incorporate the fun into a holiday

Dress up as a bride and groom for Halloween and let them guess.  Or gift people photos from the wedding day as prints or albums.  Post it on April Fools (or the day after) to keep them on their toes. 



There’s a number of ways to announce based on your own personalities and who you’re telling.  We just beseech you to not get too wrapped up in the how that you miss the what.  You got married to the love of your life and you want to share that joy with others.  As long as that’s the goal, you can’t go wrong! Congratulations!