Eloping Without a Bridal Party? Here’s How We Included Our Favorite People

We Didn’t Have a Bridal Party – Here’s How We Included Our Favorite People in Our Elopement Instead

Let’s be real—one of the best parts of eloping is leaving behind all the wedding stress. No matching dresses, no seating charts, no obligatory bridesmaid drama. But if you’re like me, you might still want to honor your favorite humans in your elopement in a way that feels natural, meaningful, and you.

I spent weeks trying to find bridal party alternatives. Outside of my Maid of Honor and my fiance’s Best Man, we aren’t having a bridal party, but I still wanted to do something special for my best friends. Prior to COVID crashing the party, we planned to get married mountainside in Breckenridge, Colorado with less than 30 people so it didn’t make sense for us to have a full blown bridal party. However, I wanted to include some of my best friends in the festivities. I spent weeks trying to find something that said “hey, I love you, you’re my best friend, join in if you want!” There was seriously nothing (at least nothing that spoke to me). I found one article about asking your ladies to be your “non-bridesmaids”, but how off putting does that sound?

With zero help from Pinterest, I was back at the drawing board. The only thing that came to my mind was just telling each person how much I love them. I wanted to give each person something unique and memorable to that they could have it between now and the wedding. Something tangible that would still be here even after the vows.

So how do you bring in your closest friends without turning your elopement into a mini wedding? Here’s exactly what we did to include our people, keep it stress-free, and make our elopement unforgettable.

📍 Our Elopement: Keeping It Small & Intentional

When Caleb and I finally got married after two years of postponing our original intimate wedding in Breckenridge (thanks, COVID), we knew we wanted something small, stress-free, and all about us.

We semi-eloped in Estes Park, Colorado, with less than 10 people. It wasn’t the big wedding we had originally planned, but looking back, it was perfect.

I wanted to include my best friends in the “lead up” of our elopement, but these were my rules:
❌ No matching dresses
❌ No rigid expectations
❌ No wedding party stress

So instead, we found unique, personal ways to honor them—without turning our elopement into a full-blown wedding.

💡 How We Included Our Favorite People Without a Bridal Party

1. We Chose an Intimate Location Where They Could Join If They Wanted

Instead of assigning “wedding roles,” we invited our closest friends and family to simply be there. We originally picked a stunning mountainside location in Breckenridge, CO, and made it clear that they were welcome—but there was zero pressure to stand up front or participate in any formal way.

💡 If you’re eloping, think about this: Do you want loved ones there? Or do you prefer total privacy? Either way, your day should feel right for YOU—not based on anyone’s expectations.

2. We Gave Meaningful Gifts Instead of Titles

Instead of giving them “bridesmaid” or “groomsman” titles, I wanted to give my closest friends something personal—something that would last beyond the elopement day.

I originally thought about giving each girl matching mountain rings, but I thought that was too basic. Instead, I set out to find unique turquoise rings from Etsy. Rings that I felt matched each friend’s style and personality. Each ring beautiful, each ring is different, and each ring important – just like my circle.

📝 If you want to honor your friends in a meaningful way, consider:
✔ Personalized jewelry (rings, bracelets, necklaces)
✔ A handwritten letter expressing why they’re important to you
✔ A unique experience to enjoy together

3. I Wrote a Handwritten Letter to Each Friend

I didn’t want to just hand them a gift—I wanted to tell them exactly why they mattered to me. After getting all the rings from Etsy, I wrote each friend a letter about what they bring to my life, why I love them, and an invitation to join in an any wedding stuff – no expensive dress, no obligatory bridal shower, no gifts, and no expectations.

Each letter was printed on 5×7″ card stock and two slits were cut on the sides to wrap satin ribbon through. I used the ribbon the tie the ring in place and it was so pretty. Check out the below photos for what I came up with! If you’re not having a bridal party, but aren’t sure how to honor your friends, this is the perfect way to say “hey, I love you, you’re my best friend, join in if you want!”

Did you do anything similar for your best friends? What unique ideas did you incorporate into your small, intimate wedding?

Planning an Elopement That Feels Like YOU? I Can Help.

If you’re dreaming of an epic, stress-free elopement in Florida (or beyond!) but don’t know where to start, that’s where I come in.

I help couples create a laid-back, adventure-filled elopement experience that actually feels like them—no stress, no pressure, just an unforgettable day in an amazing place.

Meet Your Florida & Georgia Elopement Photographer