Whether you get married with us or another wedding venue, we want to help.
We are here to start an ELOPE REVOLUTION!
Summer Elopement - Dazzle + Aaron
Their ceremony was filled with laughter, some tears and ended with cheers from loved ones while Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together started playing.
Fresh callas, a birdcage veil & heart-shaped emoji eyes.
Dazzle & Aaron got married with us on a perfectly warm day in July . They were surrounded by loved ones from one side of the country to the other as well as fresh calla lily floral arrangements that they had custom made for them. Their ceremony was filled with laughter, some tears and ended with cheering from family and friends while Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together started playing. He admitted to having heart-shaped emoji eyes all the time with her and she admitted to getting a bit emotional even though she “didn’t expect feelings to leak from my face”
Before the wedding, we met for their pre-meeting over the phone. I was camping with my family and they were at home making dinner. Even over the phone, you could hear how much these two cared for one another and how much fun they had together. I’m so excited for them and wish them all the happiness in the world!
Cheers you two!
(Psst… be sure to check out the cupcake shenanigans at the bottom of this post.)
Images by the lovely Lisa Monet Photography
Bonus! Check out this darling cupcake sequence!
About Rochelle
Hello! I’m Rochelle and I am the owner and founder of Elope 253, a small wedding chapel located in the heart of Tacoma, Washington. I have been planning “weddings” since I was in the 1st grade during recess on the playground. Today, I can hardly believe that I get to do this for a living. I am overjoyed to be helping couples get married in a fun, simple and low stress way. Cheers!
Tiny Wedding & Growing Family | Jessi & Alexander
It was their 5 year dating anniversary and it was about to become their wedding anniversary as well…
Jessi & Alexander
Jessi & Alexander arrived to their wedding together and both hid from guests behind our privacy screen. It was their 5 year dating anniversary and it was about to become their wedding anniversary as well. They were so sweet canoodling and giggling together back behind the screen. He was beaming at her and she looked beautiful with her floral crown, flowing white dress and that darling baby bump! Really…they were both beaming at each other.
From matching honey bear tattoos to walking down the aisle to Piano Man (the song playing when he first asked her out), to their weekly tradition of driving out to the foothills of Mount Rainier EVERY Sunday for their favorite pizza at The Carlson Block. I just love how sentimental and thoughtful these two are. Cheers to the newlyweds!
Images & Florals by the talented Melanie Faun
About Rochelle
Hello! I’m Rochelle and I am the owner and founder of Elope 253, a small wedding chapel located in the heart of Tacoma, Washington. I have been planning “weddings” since I was in the 1st grade during recess on the playground. Today, I can hardly believe that I get to do this for a living. I am overjoyed to be helping couples get married in a fun, simple and low stress way. Cheers!
Blues & Bubbles Elopement | Maddy & Chris
She wore a beautiful olive green dress that complimented her hair perfectly and he wore his very handsome Army Service Uniform…
Maddy & Chris
Maddy & Chris tied the knot earlier this month. She wore a beautiful olive green dress that complimented her hair perfectly and he wore his very handsome Army Service Uniform. They arrived with a handful of joyful guests and a small-but-mighty whale bubble machine. They said to me, “I hope it’s okay that we brought a bubble machine” and my response was “Oh, hell yeah!” They set it up outside the chapel so that all their photos in front of the chapel would have a touch of fun and whimsy. These two were so sweet and loving and we just wish them so much happiness in their soon-to-be little family!
Images by the fabulous Lisa Monet
About Rochelle
Hello! I’m Rochelle and I am the owner and founder of Elope 253, a small wedding chapel located in the heart of Tacoma, Washington. I have been planning “weddings” since I was in the 1st grade during recess on the playground. Today, I can hardly believe that I get to do this for a living. I am overjoyed to be helping couples get married in a fun, simple and low stress way. Cheers!
Awesome Upcoming Wedding Dates 2019/2020
Awesome upcoming wedding dates that are fun for your special day and for celebrating your anniversary for years to come.
What date do you want to celebrate every year?
A fun wedding date now and an awesome anniversary date for years to come.
A couple recently requested February 29, 2020 for their elopement date. Both Craig and I were like “OMG that’s Leap Year Day. What a great anniversary date!” and then we started thinking about the most awesome dates to elope that are coming up in the next year or so.
Choosing a wedding date can be a bit tricky but eloping can make it so much easier since there are only a few guests (only two guests is all that is required) to coordinate with. Which means that you and your co-eloper can get married on any day of the week. If the special date that you want falls on a Tuesday, then you can have your ceremony on that date with no stress about guests not being able to make that day.
When considering what day you want to get married, I would suggest thinking about how you may want to celebrate this date in the future for your anniversaries. For example, if you and your co-eloper are big travelers, I would suggest avoiding holiday weekends that may be expensive travel times for future anniversary trips such as Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, etc. You may also want to consider a date that is fun and easy to remember like your current dating anniversary date or double numbers where the month and the day are the same number (i.e. 04-04-20)
Whether you get married at our little wedding chapel or somewhere else, here is a list of cool wedding dates to consider. Have fun!
2019 wedding dates
New Years elopements are so much fun!
Eloping at Pride would be super fun. You would be surrounded by so much love!
July 13, 2019 (Saturday) - Our wedding venue is located right in the heart of the Tacoma Pride Festival. Wouldn’t it be fun to elope and then join the Pride festivities in your wedding attire?
September 9, 2019 (Monday) - 9-9-19 easy-to-remember anniversary date.
September 10, 2019 or 9-10-2019 (Tuesday) - For those who think numbers are lucky, this date is a palindrome. It’s the same forward and backward 9102019.
September 13, 2019 (Friday) - Friday the 13th
September 22, 2019 (Sunday) - Hobbit Day and the birthday of both Frodo and Bilbo.
October 10, 2019 (Thursday) - 10-10-19 easy-to-remember anniversary date.
October 13, 2019 (Sunday) - Treat Yo Self Day for those Parks & Rec fans out there.
October 31, 2019 (Thursday) - If you want to get married in costume or have black roses, I’m here for it.
November 11, 2019 (Monday) - 11-11-19 easy-to-remember anniversary date. Also, it’s Veterans Day for any veteran couples out there.
December 1-15 of any year - If you and your co-eloper like to travel I would suggest picking an anniversary time that is a great time to travel. I worked for an airline for 20+ years and I can tell you the first 2 weeks of December is a slow travel period when you can often find great deals.
December 12, 2019 (Thursday) - 12-12-19 easy-to-remember anniversary date.
December 22, 2019 (Sunday) - Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. A fabulous excuse to go to bed early for all future anniversaries. ;)
December 31, 2019 (Wednesday) - New Years Eve elopement with built in parties all across town.
May 4th. AKA “May the Fourth be with You” is a popular day to get married.
2020 wedding dates
National Donut Day would be a fun day to get hitched!
January 1, 2020 (Thursday) - Imagine every year of marriage will start with a kiss at 12:00am
February 2, 2020 ( Sunday) - Now this is a Super Palindrome day. The only date in a century that is a Palindrome with the MM-DD-YYYY format. 02022020 Oh and it’s ground hogs day.
February 29, 2020 (Saturday) - It’s a leap year so you get an excuse to celebrate really big every 4 years.
March 3, 2020 (Tuesday) - 3-3-20 easy-to-remember anniversary date.
March 13, 2020 (Friday) - Friday the 13th
March 14, 2020 (Saturday) - Pi Day is a popular math geek holiday since Pi starts with 3.14 and it’s an excuse to eat Pie every anniversary.
March 17, 2020 (Tuesday) - St. Patricks Day
April 1, 2020 (Wednesday) - April Fools Day
April 4, 2020 (Saturday) - 4-4-20 easy-to-remember anniversary date.
May 1, 2020 (Friday) - Do you love Springtime and flowers? Then maybe May Day is for you!
May 4, 2020 (Monday) - May the Fourth Be with You or Star Wars day
May 5, 2020 (Tuesday) - 5-5-20 easy-to-remember anniversary date. Also, Cinco de Mayo.
June 5, 2020 (Friday) - It’s National Donut Day and we fiercely believe in donuts on your wedding day.
June 6, 2020 (Saturday) - 6-6-20 easy-to-remember anniversary date.
June 20, 2020 (Saturday) - Summer Solstice is very romantic! Note: this year is tricky because usually the Summer Solstice is on June 21st however since its a Leap Year, the solstice is on the 20th in 2020.
July 7, 2020 (Tuesday) - 7-7-20 easy-to-remember anniversary date.
July TBD, 2020 (Saturday) - Tacoma Pride Festival - Same reasons as 2019.
August 8, 2020 (Saturday) - 8-8-20 easy-to-remember anniversary date.
September 9, 2020 (Wednesday) - 9-9-20 easy-to-remember anniversary date.
September 22, 2020 (Tuesday) - Hobbit Day and the birthday of both Frodo and Bilbo.
October 10, 2020 (Saturday) - This is predicted to be the most popular wedding date of 2020 with its aesthetically pleasing 10-10-20 wedding date plus it’s on a Saturday.
November 11, 2020 (Wednesday) - 11-11-20 easy-to-remember anniversary date.
November 13, 2020 (Friday) - Friday the 13th
December 1-15 of any year - Same reason as 2019.
December 12, 2020 (Saturday) - 12-12-20 easy-to-remember anniversary date.
December 21, 2019 (Monday) - Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. A fabulous excuse to go to bed early for all future anniversaries. ;)
If you would like to see if any of the above dates (or any others) are available for your elopement at Elope 253, you can find us here. Cheers!
That time I was on a Podcast
On the Move to Tacoma podcast talking about the City of Tacoma and opening up my elopement chapel, Elope 253.
Talking with Marguerite Martin about launching an elopement business
Cheers to podcasts, eloping and longtime friends! Image by: Grit City Photo
Recently, I re-listened to a podcast I was on back in 2017. I was a guest of the infamous, Marguerite Martin, Tacoma Real Estate Agent and creator of Move to Tacoma. Also, full disclosure, she has been one of my BFF for 20+ years.
On the podcast, we start out by talking about why my co-eloper and I moved to Tacoma in 2014. This is the first question she asks all her guests. Then we go into how I came up with the idea for my little wedding place and some of the mental hurdles that comes along with starting a business.
It’s fun to remember how this business came together and how many people helped me along the way. Tacoma is truly an amazing community filled with creativity, kindness and that “grit” that is needed to make things happen. I am especially grateful to Spaceworks who taught me so much about being an entrepreneur and still offers professional and emotional support to me today .
You can check out the podcast* here. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
* Please note that this podcast was recorded in 2017 so some of the wedding packages and prices have changed. For the most up to date information, check out details on our wedding package page.
Just a few photos from Elope 253 origin story.
Top 10 Recessional Elope Songs
Over 130+ couples have been married at our little wedding chapel and we have our pick of the 10 recessional songs they have walked down the aisle to.
What song should play after you are pronounced married?
Imagine…you were just pronounced married at the end of your ceremony and it’s time to celebrate. What song do you imagine playing in the background? Better yet…what feeling do you want to be surrounded by in that moment? Is it joyous and celebratory? Romantic and moving? Epic and iconic? Fun and a little tongue-in-cheek?
Image by: Rochelle Bergstrom
Just like choosing a processional song, the choice is really personal to the couple. Start with the feeling you hope to create in that moment and then brainstorm songs that make you and your co-eloper feel that way. I always suggest couples think about songs that are upbeat and make them happy. What is the song that you both can’t help but sing along with? Or dance to?
The most important thing to remember is that this is your elopement. Try to keep the whole wedding process as low stress and fun as possible. The truth is no song will be completely perfect until you pick it, then that song IS the perfect song. If you still need help thinking of a great song to get married to, below are my top 10 picks for recessional songs used by real elopers at Elope 253.
Top 10 Recessional Elope Songs:
Marry You by Bruno Mars
If I could pick a theme song for Elope 253, this would be it. If a couple asks me to pick for them, this is my go-to song for ending the ceremony. It’s fun, upbeat and says “Well I know this little chapel on the boulevard we can go”.
Stand by Me by Ben E. King
From 1961 and still so good. I love the emotions and throb of the percussion. This will never go out of style.
Act My Age by One Direction
Okay, hear me out on this one. Or at least listen to the song to get a feel for it’s great celebratory vibe. The couple that choose this song had just a handful of guest but they all jumped up and started dancing in the pews. It is still one of my favorite moments!
A Good Night by John Legend & Blood Pop
I dare you to not dance to this one. It’s so good. The beat and the lyrics: “But everything's gonna be alright. I think I just met my wife.” (FYI: There is an F-bomb in the first line which doesn’t bother if it doesn’t bother you. There is a clean version also if children are present.)
This Must Be the Place by Talking Heads
This song has a vibe that was just perfect for the couple that picked it. It’s less about the words and more about the feeling you and your guests get from the song.
You Make My Dreams by Daryl Hall & John Oates
Okay, how fun is this!? The two couples that chose this song were very fun and joyful. I can’t imagine not feeling joyful with this song.
Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen
I like to think this song just matches our little wedding venue so well. Upbeat and a little quirky.
Let’s Stay Together by Al Green
For a couple that likes to groove and have a more romantic tone. It also has some sensuality to it, am I right?
I’m A Believer by Smash Mouth
Again, we are looking for that feeling you get and this song is so happy and exuberant.
Despacito by Justin Beiber ft. Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee
The first time I heard this song was when the couple requested it and I was like… Yep, this makes sense. The co-elopers that choose this song were a super hot couple so it just seemed to fit very well.
Honorable Mentions:
Favorite song for a Friday elopement: Friday I’m in Love by The Cure
Favorite song for April Fools Day elopement: Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley
Favorite song for May 4th: The Throne Room by John Williams
Favorite song no one has picked yet: I Believe in a Thing Called Love by The Darkness
Top 10 Processional Elope Songs
Best part about eloping is that you can break all the wedding rules and make your own traditions. This goes for the music too. Here are 10 real life examples of songs that you can walk down the aisle to.
Picking the Perfect Entrance Song for your Wedding
Image by: Melanie Faun
The song you choose to walk down the aisle to can set the tone for your ceremony and the feeling you want for your elopement. There are many traditional songs you can pick but my favorite thing about eloping is that you can break all the rules and make your own traditions. This goes for the music too.
When it comes to the perfect processional song, the choice is really personal. Maybe it’s a song that makes you and your co-eloper cry or reminds you of a specific moment in your relationship. Maybe it’s a song that makes you laugh or is an inside joke between the two of you. Perhaps it’s a song that makes you feel empowered, sexy or just feels magical. What makes you feel all the feels? Cause that’s probably the one you should go with. Remember… don’t worry about what others think. It’s your wedding and these songs are about the two of you.
Okay, all that being said, please don’t freak out if you can’t think of a song. Eloping is also about having a low stress wedding and not sweating the small stuff. So if you need help deciding, here is a list of some of my favorites that were used by real couples at Elope 253 (in no particular order).
Top 10 Processional Elope Songs:
Into the Mystic by Van Morrison
This song has such a laid back, pretty vibe. It’s just a damn good song. Fun Fact: We had two brides who were getting married the same day pick this song as their processional song. They didn’t know each other and had no idea that the other chose that song. If that is not mystic… I’m not sure what is.
Fool in the Rain by Led Zeppelin
Admittedly, I am not the biggest Led Zeppelin fan BUT when I recently saw a bride sashay down the aisle to this song with a little sway in her hips and a twinkle in her eye, I thought to myself “Wowza! Everyone should walk down the aisle to this song!”
By Your Side by Sade
Ok, if you are looking for a little sass, romance and sensuality, this song has all of it.
Can’t Help Falling in Love by Kina Grannis
So we’ve all seen the movie, Crazy Rich Asians, and seen the wedding scene, right? Well, we can’t all afford a $40 million wedding but we can use the same song. Fun Fact: My co-eloper and I walked down the aisle to this song (Elvis version) at our elopement in Vegas.
Rainbow Connection by The O’Neil Brothers Group
This instrumental version of this song is lovely but then again, I’ve never heard a version of this song that I didn’t LOVE.
Marry You by Midnite String Quartet (In the style of Bruno Mars)
When a couple says they don’t want the stress of choosing a song and just want me to pick something, this is my go-to song. I have always felt that Bruno Mars’ Marry You was a perfect song for eloping and this instrumental version fits so well with walking down the aisle.
Halo by Beyoncé
Um, it’s Beyoncé… do I need to say anything else? Seriously though, her voice is silky and strong and passionate. It’s a fantastic song for a bride to walk independently to.
Perfect by Ed Sheeran
This song is by far the most popular at Elope 253. It’s relatable, modern and simply chalk full of so much emotion. If you want to set a romantic tone, this might be your to-go song.
Uptown Girl by Vitamin String Quartet (in the style of Billy Joel)
I am a big fan of finding string quartet versions of fun songs that you wouldn’t normally choose for a wedding song. This song is so good in its original form but when it is performed by this string quartet it sounds very wedding-y but a super fun and personal touch.
Coming Home by Leon Bridges
Reminiscent of another time (think Otis Redding or Sam Cook), this song is modern, soulful and upbeat. It has a chill vibe and R&B throb to it. Plus Leon Bridges’ voice is AH-MAZ-ING!
Bottom line to picking your processional song is to have fun and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. There is no “perfect” song until you pick one… then that song will be perfect for you.
