When planning an elopement or micro wedding, many couples assume that invitations or save-the-dates aren’t necessary. After all, you may only be inviting a handful of guests—or even no one at all. But invitations are about more than logistics. They’re about setting the tone for your day, sharing your story, and creating a keepsake you’ll treasure long after the vows are said.
While at EZ Elopements, we’ve seen couples approach this in all kinds of creative ways. Some send out detailed invitation suites, while others prefer simple one-page announcements. Others send postcards after the fact to celebrate their marriage. Whatever your vision, the key is making your invitation reflect your day—and your love story.
What to Include in Your Invitation
Invitations aren’t one-size-fits-all. What you include depends on the type of celebration you’re planning. A short ceremony with just the two of you might call for something simple and symbolic, while a weekend getaway with guests will need a bit more detail. Here are a few common scenarios:
- One short ceremony – A minimal card with the date, time, and location is often all you need. This can be formal or playful, depending on your style.
- Micro Wedding Ceremony + reception immediately after – A two-part invitation layout works well here, with ceremony details first, followed by reception information.
- Private Elopement/vow exchange + reception later – Some couples send a ceremonial announcement first, followed by a party invite later. A “we eloped!” card is perfect here.
- Micro Wedding Ceremony with reception to come at a later date – Announcements can note that a celebration is planned in the future, building excitement while keeping logistics simple.
- Weekend trip away – Multi-day events benefit from a more detailed invitation or a supplemental email, outlining timelines, travel tips, and lodging suggestions.
Remember: your invitation can be as short and sweet or as detailed as you’d like. Some couples create a single card that says it all, while others use their printed invite as a starter and follow up with a more detailed digital guide.
Designing a Micro Wedding or Elopement Invitation That Feels Like You
Think of your invitation as your guests’ first glimpse of your day. It doesn’t just share information—it shares your vibe. Consider:
- Tone: Formal, whimsical, adventurous, moody, modern?
- Format: A single card, a fold-out, a postcard, or a digital-only design.
- Visuals: Do you want photos, artwork, minimalist typography, or bold colors?
- Storytelling: Some couples love weaving their love story into the invite, while others keep it streamlined.
And most importantly: let your venue and timeline guide your design. A forest elopement may call for earthy greens and textures, while a luxury waterfront weekend could lean into chic typography and nautical details.
Micro Wedding and Elopement Invitation Styles We Love
Now that you know what to include and how to frame it, let’s talk about style. We’ve designed templates inspired by the many couples we’ve worked with, each with its own unique feel. Here are some of our favorites:
Adventure-Inspired Ideas
These are for couples whose wedding is about the journey itself.
- On a boat – Nautical touches, flowing blue palettes, and airy fonts that capture the romance of being out on the water.
- In a national park – Earthy tones, map-inspired details, or natural textures that honor the landscape. Perfect for couples exchanging vows under wide-open skies, then gathering later at an Airbnb.
- James Bond/adventure – Sleek black-and-white designs, with hidden details like coordinates, “mission accepted” wording, or weekend travel itineraries. It’s stylish, bold, and endlessly fun.
Seasonal + Scenery Invitation Ideas
While you plan, let your season and surroundings inspire your paper goods.
- Earthy fall palette – Warm ochres, terracottas, and leafy motifs for autumn weddings.
- Classic single color palette – Elegant, timeless, and versatile. Works for endless styles and allows you to highlight your wedding color scheme. Perfect for Tiffany blue or sage green and white events.
- Rustic vineyard – Wine-inspired colors, vintage fonts, and natural textures for countryside celebrations.
- Secret Forest – Our nature-inspired template, with deep greens, natural textures, and a touch of whimsy for woodland lovers at our Private Forest in Maryland.
Whimsical + Creative Ideas
For couples who want their personalities to shine.
- Fairytale/fantasy – Magical fonts, castle-like motifs, and soft pastels for a dreamy touch.
- Dark fantasy/gothic – Dramatic typography, rich jewel tones, and bold design—perfect for Halloween weddings or couples who embrace the moody aesthetic.
- Boho – Earth tones, organic patterns, and relaxed, artistic vibes.
- Geeky/video game – Pixel art, playful references, or game-style icons for couples who love to share their fandoms.. If your life is game-centric, make it a feature of your big day.
Simple + Modern Invitation Ideas
Not every love story needs elaborate details. Sometimes, less is more.
- Luxury/modern – Try clean lines, bold fonts, and minimalist layouts that radiate sophistication, perfect for elevated couples.
- Traditional – For couples keeping to a classic format, try classic serif fonts and timeless layouts.
- Simple photo card – One beautiful image of the two of you with simple text—no fuss, just your love front and center.
Post Wedding Announcements
Even if you’re eloping just the two of you, you can still share the joy with friends and family after the fact. Our “We Eloped!” postcard template is designed for exactly that—complete with space for a personal note and a promise that photos are on their way. It’s both a heartfelt announcement and a keepsake.
Your Day, Your Way
The beauty of elopements and micro weddings is that you set the rules. Your invitation can be elaborate or simple, traditional or playful, printed or digital. Regardless of your design, what matters most is that it feels like you. The invitation is a vehicle for your info, make it your way!
At EZ Elopements, we make this process easy with a library of customizable templates that reflect every style—from fairytale to modern chic. And if you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to guide you in building invitations for your elopement or micro wedding. Whether you’re looking for a whimsical woodland invite, an adventurous travel-themed suite, or a simple post-elopement postcard, we’ve got you covered.
Your love story is one of a kind—your invitation should be too. For more ideas and inspiration, head to our Website to explore our Blogs, scroll through our Instagram, or check out our Pinterest page!