How to plan your elopement day schedule <3
This is your wedding day. This day deserves attention, celebration and care. Every single elopement looks different because every couple is different. Unlike your traditional wedding this is not a one shoe fits all when it comes to planning and putting it together. Eloping is truly the most authentic way to get married because you get to have a day that tells your love story, share moments that mean a lot to you, get married in a place that you connect with and have who ever you want there. Or just you two! Eloping is not a shot gun wedding or something you show up for a short ceremony and then take a few photos and go home. Eloping is an experience, it is the way you start your marriage and the rest of your lives together. It is one of the most important days you two will share together so far in your journey. It deserves the attention of its significance. Here at Adventure & Vow we help all of our couples plan a day that truly fits them and gives them the experience they want. We build timelines for our couples after getting to know them and hearing more about what they want out of the day and from there we make changes together. Below are some timeline samples of elopements to help you get an idea of what your elopement day could be like!
Half Day Elopement Timeline Sample
Olympic National Park Elopement - Some locations may not require much of a hike and the drive may be short making it easier to have a half day elopement with just you two. This was a 5 hour elopement day.
4pm - meet at camp to photograph getting ready and vow writing
4:30pm - drive to beach
4:30-5:30pm hike to location for ceremony
5:30-6:30pm sunset photos in wedding attire along the coast
6:30-7:45 outfit change for champagne toast and photos in the ocean
8:15 - 9pm back to camp for a campfire for smores
Sedona two locations - Sometimes you end up at two different locations for a variety of backgrounds or due the accessibility of the ceremony location.
2:00 - pick up groom at hotel
2:30 - arrive at slide rock state park, set up for first look
2:45 - bride arrive
2:50 - first look
4:20 - leave slide rock state park
5:00 - arrive at trailhead for ceremony & portraits with family
6:15 - back at cars for champagne toast
Sunset is at 7:22pm
Full Day Elopement Timeline Sample
Sedona Split Day Elopement - Not all full day elopements are split up in time, but sometimes you may want time on the day of to yourselves, but also time with your family. This is a 8-9 hour elopement day.
4:15 am Meet at Trailhead
4:20am - 4:50am Off Road adventure to trial head parking
4:50am- 5:20am Hike to location
5:20am - 7:15am Private letter reading
7:15am- 7:45am Head back to town
4:45pm- Meet in the evening at the trailhead with family
5:00pm- 5:45pm- Hike to ceremony location for ceremony
6:15pm- 7:00pm Toast with family and photos at sunset
8:00pm- 9:00pm Backyard bonfire at Airbnb
Joshua Tree Elopement - Some places, like Naitonal Parks, may involve a lot of driving time to and from locations or traffic in the area which makes for a longer day. In the National Parks you can only hold a ceremony in specific places, but you may want to take photos at some of the epic locations on the other side of the park so it is important to plan timing accordingly. This is an 8 hour elopement day.
2:30pm - Meet at Airbnb for getting ready photos
3:30pm - Drive into Joshua Tree National Park
4:30pm - Ceremony with family
5-5:30pm - Pictures around the ceremony location
6-7pm - Drive to Sunset Overlook for champagne and a sweet treat
7:45pm - Pick Up Pizza in town
8pm - Meet back at the Airbnb for Dinner, relaxing and games in the Airbnb
10pm - Head back into the park for Milky Way Photos
Two Day Elopement Timeline Sample
Iceland Elopement - Maybe you are eloping somewhere you have never been before and I mean somewhere epic! There are so many stunning places and you’ve traveled far to be here. Celebrate and enjoy!
4:00pm Meet at location
4:15 First Look by water at the lagoon
4:45 Go to beach for ceremony
5:45pm Drive towards town for dinner
9:30pm Go to natural hot spring to relax and share a toast
11:00pm Camp
8:00am The following morning meet at waterfall nearby for pictures
8:30am Drive to location off of F road to the wilderness
11:00am Hike to location on mountain over looking lakes for time to read letters from family
1:30pm End at near by Ice Cave for tour
High Desert Elopement in Oregon - Maybe you didn’t travel far at all, but you want to do the things you love most together without being rushed and document your true love story to its fullest.
2:00pm Meet at Smith Rock Parking area
2:15pm Hike to climbing route
2:45pm Photos of climb and top of climb
6:15pm Head back to camp for jam, cheese and beer while watching the nested eagles feeding their babies
4:45am Meet at sunrise for getting ready photos at camp and first look
5:15am-8:00am Hike to over look for private vows/breakfast picnic/ song prepared by groom to bride
10:00am Ceremony at lake at nearby mountains with family
11:45am Catered lunch at picnic tables
12:45pm First dance and toasts by family
I hope that these elopement day timeline samples give you some inspiration in planning your own big day! There are so many things you can do on your elopement day! I tell all of my couples to sit down and have a date night where they sit and imagine their wedding day. I ask them to chat about things that are important to them to have documented that day, what things they love doing the most together and what they are most excited for the day. I have them imagine being in the place they’re eloping at and this helps us draw an outline to fit their day. I am here to help each couple the logistics. Check out these lists below to give you some ideas of things you can do on your elopement day!
Morning
vow writing
private letter reading
breakfast
sunrise hike
get ready together or seperate
Day
chef lunch
canoe/kayak
helicopter ride
ceremony
climb
tour through ice, caves, on boat, on train, off road, bike ride
Evening/Night
sunset hike
dinner
campfire
star photos
dances
mini reception
Ceremony Ideas:
smudgeceremony
music
hand fasting
culture or religious traditions
unity actions
Meet your elopement photographer!
Not only am I your photographer but I am your planner, friend and guide for the day of your elopement. I truly believe eloping is the most connective and authentic way to get married. I am passionate about the places you may get married at and telling your love story in them. If you are looking for a photographer that will be just as excited and dedicated to your day as you are, reach out!
