Most traditional weddings involve a full-day series of events, from getting ready through the ceremony, to the reception, and through the celebration. So, as couples pivot to thinking about eloping—skipping the obligations and baubles of the traditional fanfare—the frequent questions are “how long is an elopement?” and, “what are there for flexible elopement timeline options?” Because while it’s common to think that a wedding can be a full day, we’ve been programmed to think that elopements are a moment of pure function through a quick run to the courthouse, or, some vows and a few couples portraits, but not an experience worthy of fully celebrating.
I’m here to change that stigma. Why? Because I see and live the beauty, joy, and FUN of modern adventure elopements that fully embrace celebrating over a full day or more! (GASP, yes, I said a full day elopement!!! Let me explain!?) And I know from experience that your elopement planning can blow your mind when you set aside notions of how long an elopement “should be” and realize what you can do/see/feel in the flexible full-day elopement timelines we create for your adventure❤️
So as you consider what type of wedding suits you two best, know there are flexible timelines that allow you to elope in a way that fits you best, whether it’s just you two, or, you two + the crew!
What do some sample all-day elopement timelines look like? Take a peek below! Hopefully you can see why your elopement day deserves the same (or more!) photo coverage than you may have had planned for your traditional ceremony ?
Flexible Elopement Timeline Options + You Two = a PERFECT Match!
A Full Day Elopement Timeline — Just Us Two Adventure Option!
A perfectly chill 8 hours that allows for connection, flexibility, and enjoyment. This sample timeline allows you two to focus on enjoying each other and all the moments–big and little!!!– that come up throughout the course of the day. 🙂
– PRE-DAWN:30-
You get ready in your wedding finest apart from each other at the cabin, to allow “first looks” before heading out. Your first look is quiet, sweet, private, and filled with anticipation for the day as you see each other in your wedding finest for the first time! Your wedding day is finally here:-) I will be quietly capturing images of tasteful getting ready shots and the first look during this time.
– PRE-DAWN/DAWN-
Load up the packs into the car and head out to begin the hike out to the Overlook! Exchange your vows as the sun rises and the new, wonderful day begins! Enjoy a relaxed time post vows in the fresh new day with some quiet time and a picnic-type breakfast with fly-on-the-wall type photos as the sun fully rises.
-MORNING-
Enjoy a leisurely hike back to the trailhead. No hurry, no hustle! Enjoy the trail and the experience of adventuring in your formal wear! 😀
-MID-MORNING-
Hop back to the cabin for a little downtime & to pick up the next set of gear! Pontoon adventure, here we come!
-EARLY AFTERNOON-
Head up to the Lake to meet our guide for the Pontoon Multi-Sport adventure. Off we go to enjoy the beautiful waters and impressive cliffs of this amazing lake! Nothing says “Just Married” like a jump into the lake in your formals, right?!?! 😉 (Totally optional, but I’m totally down to photograph it if you are going to do it! wahoooooo! 😉 )
-AFTERNOON/LATE EVENING-
Enjoy the day as it excites you from your perch on the pontoon! Lunch with a siesta. Rock climbing from the boat! Stand Up Paddleboarding. Swimming. Sunbathing. And, of course–cake & a celebratory drink! The time is yours to enjoy!
-LATE EVENING/NIGHT-
Return to the cabin for a catered-in or private chef-prepared celebration dinner! Your low-key campfire dinner at the cabin caps an amazing Elopement Day!
**Kate will be capturing casual, candid images throughout the day. Very few images during this time are “formally posed,” including the vow reading. The beauty is in the location and your movement & experiences within the space 🙂 Spoiler alert–nothing in your agenda for the day is like a photoshoot! We have WAY more fun than that!
**Special note–looking at an elopement as a wedding option during COVID-19 when your larger wedding was postponed? You can elope now, and then bring it all back around later with a get-together or reception for the guests you would have invited! People are happy to celebrate you, whenever the time is right, so make the choice that’s right for you on the timing of your marriage!
1. 5 Day Elopement Timeline –“Us Two + the Crew” Wedding Option
Give us ALLLLLL the Adventures! If you are leaning toward a more traditional wedding to celebrate with your family and friends, the idea of a “Just Us Two” elopement as a wedding option may not sound like much fun at all! So, don’t go it alone! 😀
While you can’t (and probably don’t want!) to bring all 200 of the guests waiting to creep on your invite list, you can (and are totally welcome to!) grab your most cherished loved ones and bring them along to celebrate!
But, with guests can come compromises with location, type of ceremony, what you do/how you get to ceremony spot, time of day etc. And, it can add pace and a little bit more structure to that portion of your experience, so here’s where being open to how long an elopement “should” be will make the difference in your experience!
To that, couples may find that where they want to blend the best of both worlds, a split adventure is an awesome elopement choice for them!
A super flexible wedding option, this sample elopement timeline shows how adventuring over more than one day creates space to love and celebrate with your crew, but still allows you two to have the most beautiful, unique, and private day to celebrate just how you want! ❤️
DAY ONE:
– AFTERNOON-
You get ready in your wedding finest apart from each other at the cabin. This will allow “first looks” before heading out. Your first look is quiet, sweet, private, and filled with anticipation for the day as you see each other in your wedding finest for the first time! Your wedding day is finally here:-) I will be quietly capturing images of tasteful getting-ready shots and the first look during this time.
-LATE AFTERNOON-
Load up the crew and head to the Trailhead for the family ceremony! You love the moments within the family celebration that has readings and a more formal “ceremonial structure,” with everyone taking part. Celebrated in a beautiful spot that you picked for your crew to experience what it’s like to be in the places that bring you both so much joy, everyone in the crew is excited and happy, soaking in this totally unique experience! Enjoy a relaxed time post vows with “formal” family photos. Depart when ready.
-EVENING/NIGHT-
The family comes back together at the cabin for a locally catered celebration dinner, with cake and a champagne toast. With stories and celebration around the campfire, the evening is everything you hoped your “reception” would be! 😉 You two say farewell to adjourn for an early start!
DAY TWO:
– PRE-DAWN:30-
Having re-donned your wedding finest, you get ready at the cabin to begin your day of private, “Just Us” celebration to celebrate your way, without worry:-)
– PRE-DAWN/DAWN-
Load up the packs into the car and head out to begin the hike out to the Overlook! Exchange your special vows as the sun rises and the new, wonderful day begins! Enjoy a relaxed time post vows in the fresh new day with some quiet time and a picnic-type breakfast as I capture fly-on-the-wall type stealth as the sun fully rises.
-MORNING-
Enjoy a leisurely hike back to the trailhead. No hurry, no hustle! Enjoy the trail and the experience of adventuring in your formal wear! 😀
-MID-MORNING/EARLY AFTERNOON-
Hop back to the cabin for a little downtime, some lunch, & to pick up the next set of gear! Whether in your wedding finest or in normal “street clothes”, hiking, climbing, wine tasting, kayaking, mountain biking, beach walking, Jeeping, and other adventure or excursion you can think of at any pace and level of adrenaline is possible! 😀 Whatever you are feeling, at whatever speed you want to go, is 100% perfect. This day is all about you two!
-AFTERNOON-
Head up to the scenic drive to soak up the views and beauty at all the stops and see all the places, and make our way to a short walk to a favorite overlook.?
– EVENING/LATE EVENING-
A trail-side picnic dinner–and, of course, cake & a celebratory drink!–leading into the fading light of sunset is a perfect end to your amazing Elopement Adventure!
**I will be capturing casual, candid images throughout the 1.5 days! Very few images during this time are “formally posed,” including the vow reading. The beauty is in the location and your movement & experiences within the space 🙂 Spoiler alert–nothing in your agenda for these days is like a photoshoot! We have WAY more fun than that!
**Special note–looking at an elopement as a wedding option during COVID-19 when your larger wedding was postponed? You can elope now, and then bring it all back around later with a get-together or reception for the guests you would have invited! People are happy to celebrate you, whenever the time is right, so make the choice that’s right for you on the timing of your marriage!
Bonus Sample Elopement Timeline!
As one final timeline for your thoughts about how much time is needed for an elopement, know that it’s possible to combine family and private vows into one 8 hour day! But, it’s action-packed, so, we usually have to eliminate your private vows, or, scale down what your adventure looks like for you two to create “room” for the family portion.
It is possible though! If it is important to you both to have “sharing the experience with the crew” as a key part of your story, let’s make it happen! Reach out, and we can brainstorm what the right balance of players/parts in your shortened, single-day elopement timeline might be!
So while you could certainly look for an elopement that is a couple of hours, hopefully, you can see the promise of what’s possible if you ask yourselves “what if we dared to do what we love for our wedding?!”
Building your flexible elopement timeline with the right amount of time for the best experience possible doesn’t have to be daunting! Just reach out to a photographer and ace adventure guide (pssst, that’s me!) to help you bring your vision to life. ?
Know that you don’t have to have all the answers about what you want or how it will look, and in fact, l love having you come in with ALLLL the questions!
That curiosity will help you to honor your desire and commitment to be true to what you two want most from your wedding experience. The rest will fall into place ❤️ Let’s start planning how!
Book your photographer for more time than you think! Adventure is all around us and spending time with your partner is bound to create unexpected moments worth capturing. I always encourage my couples to book more time so that there is less stress, less rush, and more ease throughout the days adventure.
