The Elopement Podcast: Recent Episodes

Ruthanne Zouboukos

The Elopement Podcast is the FIRST EVER wedding planning podcast for those ditching tradition and having a modern elopement! Whether you're heading to the mountains or keeping it simple at the courthouse - The Elopement Podcast has tips for every eloping couple.

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The Guest Episode! Arguably the most anticipated episode I've ever recorded - today we're talking ALL about guests - or rather, how to be a guest at an elopement! This isn't just for couples to know what to tell their friends and family - but for guests to listen to so that they're prepared for the elopement day and how to best support them in saying I-do!

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An unfortunate reality of the American West right now is that wildfire season is longer and earlier than ever, and the implications are great. This episode overviews the common questions I get about fires, how to combat changed plans, and some general tips to managing your expectations. 

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This episode covers a checklist for your elopement day to help pull together all of the elements from the previous 7 episodes to ensure your day is perfect! 

ruthannez.com/blog/elopement-planning-101-elopement-day-checklist for the freebie! 

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Ah - hiking on your elopement day! Sounds fun, maybe a little daunting, but who doesn’t love an adventure, right? (Some of you will answer “not me!” And that’s totally great. Stick to what you love!)

However…if you’re wanting to make your elopement day a little extra exciting, and plan to hike on your elopement day, there are some things you should know! This episode covers the basics (some might feel obvious) and things that I find people tend to forget, even my experienced and avid hikers.

The Elopement Podcast is sponsored by Wandering Weddings! Wandering Weddings is the #1 elopement blog for couples who are adventurous at heart & looking for help in planning & sourcing amazing vendors. Wandering weddings guides couples with the inspiration and resources they need to make their elopement dreams come true. Start planning your elopement today at wanderingweddings.com

Additionally, if you’re elopement vendor looking to book more adventurous elopements and intimate weddings this year - I’ve got 10% off for you! Learn all about the perks of being a Wandering Weddings member by going to wanderingweddings.com/join-now. Use promo code PODCAST to get 10% off your first yearBe sure to subscribe for weekly episodes & to stay up to date with this series, and connect on social channels below:

IG / instagram.com/missruthanne // instagram.com/theelopementpodcast
Website: ruthannez.com // theelopementpodcast.com
Email: theelopementpodcast@gmail.com

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Your elopement timeline can make or break the day that you have - and it all starts with accounting time for the things you want not just the things you think you should have.

Timelines are unique to each elopement - so while I can't give you a personal breakdown of how your day should look, I can give you some tips on how to get there!

The Elopement Podcast is sponsored by Wandering Weddings! Wandering Weddings is the #1 elopement blog for couples who are adventurous at heart & looking for help in planning & sourcing amazing vendors. Wandering weddings guides couples with the inspiration and resources they need to make their elopement dreams come true. Start planning your elopement today at wanderingweddings.com

Additionally, if you’re elopement vendor looking to book more adventurous elopements and intimate weddings this year - I’ve got 10% off for you! Learn all about the perks of being a Wandering Weddings member by going to wanderingweddings.com/join-now. Use promo code PODCAST to get 10% off your first yearBe sure to subscribe for weekly episodes & to stay up to date with this series, and connect on social channels below:

IG / instagram.com/missruthanne // instagram.com/theelopementpodcast
Website: ruthannez.com // theelopementpodcast.com
Email: theelopementpodcast@gmail.com

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One of the most commonly asked questions about eloping, is "what do traditions look like when you're opting out of the biggest one?"

Today's episode is short & sweet, highlighting the common expected traditions & how to stray away from them while still keeping things special!

The Elopement Podcast is sponsored by Wandering Weddings! Wandering Weddings is the #1 elopement blog for couples who are adventurous at heart & looking for help in planning & sourcing amazing vendors. Wandering weddings guides couples with the inspiration and resources they need to make their elopement dreams come true. Start planning your elopement today at wanderingweddings.com

Additionally, if you’re elopement vendor looking to book more adventurous elopements and intimate weddings this year - I’ve got 10% off for you! Learn all about the perks of being a Wandering Weddings member by going to wanderingweddings.com/join-now. Use promo code PODCAST to get 10% off your first yearBe sure to subscribe for weekly episodes & to stay up to date with this series, and connect on social channels below:

IG / instagram.com/missruthanne // instagram.com/theelopementpodcast
Website: ruthannez.com // theelopementpodcast.com
Email: theelopementpodcast@gmail.com

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A day late & switching up the schedule - here is my fantastic conversation with my favorite officiant, Meredith Richmond! We talk about making your ceremony unique, memorable, and a couple tips for the first timer friend/family officiants out there!

Today's episode is sponsored by Wandering Weddings!
Wandering Weddings is the #1 elopement blog for couples who are adventurous at heart & looking for help in planning & sourcing amazing vendors. Wandering weddings guides couples with the inspiration and resources they need to make their elopement dreams come true. Start planning your elopement today at wanderingweddings.com

Additionally, if you’re elopement vendor looking to book more adventurous elopements and intimate weddings this year - I’ve got 10% off for you! Learn all about the perks of being a Wandering Weddings member by going to wanderingweddings.com/join-now. Use promo code PODCAST to get 10% off your first yearBe sure to subscribe for weekly episodes & to stay up to date with this series, and connect on social channels below:

IG / instagram.com/missruthanne // instagram.com/theelopementpodcast
Website: ruthannez.com // theelopementpodcast.com
Email: theelopementpodcast@gmail.com

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I’ll be honest: video is oftentimes an afterthought. I can’t tell you how often my couples decide to hire a videographer within months of their day. In fact, I know this to be true from my own experience. We decided on getting a videographer as an absolute last minute decision and I’m absolutely grateful that we did.

Today we’ll dive into the things videographers wish you knew about hiring them, what photographers wish videographers knew, and some of the questions you should always ask before diving into hiring this vendor.

Today's episode is sponsored by Wandering Weddings!
Wandering Weddings is the #1 elopement blog for couples who are adventurous at heart & looking for help in planning & sourcing amazing vendors. Wandering weddings guides couples with the inspiration and resources they need to make their elopement dreams come true. Start planning your elopement today at wanderingweddings.com

Additionally, if you’re elopement vendor looking to book more adventurous elopements and intimate weddings this year - I’ve got 10% off for you! Learn all about the perks of being a Wandering Weddings member by going to wanderingweddings.com/join-now. Use promo code PODCAST to get 10% off your first yearBe sure to subscribe for weekly episodes & to stay up to date with this series, and connect on social channels below:

IG / instagram.com/missruthanne // instagram.com/theelopementpodcast
Website: ruthannez.com // theelopementpodcast.com
Email: theelopementpodcast@gmail.com

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Yaaaaahoooo! I’m so excited about this episode, y’all! Building a solid team of vendors is one of the key pieces of your elopement planning process, and when done correctly, will eliminate a ton of stress. 

You know what else eliminates stress? Wandering weddings!

Wandering Weddings is the #1 elopement blog for couples who are adventurous at heart & looking for help in planning & sourcing amazing vendors. Wandering weddings guides couples with the inspiration and resources they need to make their elopement dreams come true. Start planning your elopement today at wanderingweddings.com

Additionally, if you’re elopement vendor looking to book more adventurous elopements and intimate weddings this year - I’ve got 10% off for you! Learn all about the perks of being a Wandering Weddings member by going to wanderingweddings.com/join-now. Use promo code PODCAST to get 10% off your first yearBe sure to subscribe for weekly episodes & to stay up to date with this series, and connect on social channels below:

IG / instagram.com/missruthanne // instagram.com/theelopementpodcast
Website: ruthannez.com // theelopementpodcast.com 
Email: theelopementpodcast@gmail.com

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Today's episode kicks off our 8 week Elopement Planning 101 series, and we're laying the foundation! We'll be going over the things you need to consider when choosing these elements, and the steps to get there. 

Be sure to subscribe for weekly episodes & to stay up to date with this series, and connect on social channels below:

IG / instagram.com/missruthanne // instagram.com/theelopementpodcast
Website: ruthannez.com // theelopementpodcast.com 
Email: theelopementpodcast@gmail.com

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Drumroll, please!

After a 6 month hiatus, global pandemic, unprecedented wildfire season, and the busiest elopement season I've ever had - I've put together an 8 week Elopement Planning 101 Series to help you on your elopement journey!

I'll be sharing the ins & outs of lessons I've learned, essential elements to creating the perfect day, having a couple of vendor chats & giving YOU the tools to plan an intentional, powerful, and adventurous elopement day.

Here's what you need to know!

Elopement Planning 101 will launch on Monday, January 11th, and new episodes will release every following Monday. The episode topics are listed below! Be sure to subscribe, rate the podcast 5 stars and feel free to email questions & topic requests to theelopementpodcast@gmail.com

Week 1: picking your date, season, and location
Week 2: picking your vendors: how to build the best elopement day team
Week 3: everything you need to know about hiring a videographer
Week 4: traditions: what to keep & how to make new ones
Week 5: creating a meaningful ceremony with Meredith Richmond
Week 6: how to create a kickass timeline
Week 7: hiking on your elopement day: what to expect & how to prepare
Week 8: elopement day checklist 

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Today we chat about how to pick your elopement location, factors to consider, and why I don't give out my locations to non clients. We also dip into Leave No Trace (LNT) and "tagging responsibly" on Instagram in an effort to preserve natural places we all love.

For elopement inquiries, email me at info@ruthannez.com
For podcast suggestions, comments, and questions: theelopementpodcast@gmail.com
Visit me online at ruthannez.com and insta @missruthanne

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The question of the year, should we just elope?! 

Many couples faced with altering plans due to COVID19 have asked if they should just give up their wedding and elope instead. This episode is a quick overview of what eloping could look like for you, and to encourage you that an elopement isn't a lesser option, just different. 

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Hello hello HELLO my friends! Whew - what a time, huh? Life is crazy right now - nothing is normal, and frankly? I think we all are ready to resume our daily life. 

COVID19 is wreaking havoc on just about every industry, and the wedding industry is one of those. As wedding vendors, myself and my peers are facing some really hard conversations with clients & ourselves. We are being forced to adjust our policies, be more flexible than we ever thought, and in some cases, completely alter the days of our couples. It’s hard, and we are all grieving what was set to be an incredible wedding year. 

I got my friend Allison on the podcast to chat with her about COVID19! She is a local wedding planner here in Tahoe and is such a light in my life on a personal level, but also helps couples plan incredible days. Being that I specialize in smaller weddings & events, I wanted to have her on to discuss the realities of larger events and what couples can expect during this time!

The following episode is recapped in this blog post, here: https://ruthannez.com/blog/covid19-q-and-a

You can get in touch with Allison from this episode by emailing her hello@forgetmeknotevents.com or on Instagram @forgetmeknotevents!

Stay safe & STAY HOME!

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Today's episode is an insight to our love story, elopement, and the beginning of my mission to empower couples to choose a wedding day that will empower them to live a bigger life. 

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Calling all adventure photographers & adventure couples: what are you supposed to do when the weather hits with more force than you bargained for? How do you prepare as a couple (or prepare your couples as photographers) to be ready to pivot? 

This episode is a real-time look into how I try to solve the issues that come with weather & disasters for a couple on their elopement day. 

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I believe in marriage, I believe in commitment, and I believe in empowerment. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: marriage is literally the coolest thing I have ever been a part of. This article dives into why I believe in the power of elopements and how I think they change your perspective on life beyond the day you marry the love of your life.

ruthannez.com/blog/the-power-of-elopements

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Eloping, but thinking about turning it into everything all at once? Here’s some tips for how to turn your elopement into your honeymoon, too!

Blog Post: https://ruthannez.com/blog/how-to-turn-your-elopement-into-your-honeymoon

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If you’re thinking about eloping in Lake Tahoe but have no idea where to start, this is the episode for you.

Resources mentioned in the show:

Blog post - https://ruthannez.com/blog/how-to-elope-in-lake-tahoe
Non-stop flight list to Reno/Tahoe
Lake Tahoe AiBnb List

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Elopements - this old yet new way of tying the knot with the person you love most. To many, elopements are outdated and involve Las Vegas and an officiant that looks like Elvis…to others, they are secretive and require rejecting family and friends. Today, we're breaking down what an elopement is in 2019 and beyond.

Correlating blog post: https://ruthannez.com/blog/what-is-an-elopement

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Eloping is not only better on the wallet, but better on the planet, too! In today's episode,  we're going to dive into the impact traditional weddings can have on the earth, and give you 6 reasons to consider eloping in an effort to reduce overall waste. 

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OMG, you're engaged! Congrats! This time is SO great...until the stress of planning  a wedding sets in. If you're like me, you want nothing to do with that. Here are 3 tips to refocus your perspective and enjoy the season you're in, your way.

You can find the correlating blog post here. Email anytime with questions - theelopementpodcast@gmail.com

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Welcome to the very first episode of The Elopement Podcast! I'm pretty passionate about this subject because I eloped - and that's what started this whole thing! Listen in to get to know me a little bit, discover that my story might be similar to yours, and learn what questions we asked before we made the choice to elope!

Blog Post: 5 Questions We Asked Before Deciding to Elope