If you ask me, eloping is magical for so many reasons!

It allows you and your partner to escape everyday life and create intimate memories in a unique location. Elopements also tend to be smaller events, resulting in less stress and more money to allocate towards having a memorable experience that you’ve always dreamed of. Still, there’s no reason your elopement can’t be as amazing as a traditional wedding! I’ve personally photographed dozens of elopements that rival the grandeur of some traditional venues. Elopements are big in their own way!

As part of my client experience, I always take the time to help my couples create a custom timeline for their big day. Because elopements can be whatever you want them to be, you may need a bit of direction on how to structure the flow of the day. From what time to hold your ceremony to when to take portraits, I’m going to be breaking down the key things to consider when planning out your special wedding moments. With just a bit of planning and preparation, you can craft the perfect elopement day timeline that you’ll treasure the memories of for the rest of your life! Grab a notepad and let’s get started!

When and where is your big day?

The most important thing to figure out as you plan your elopement is the date and time the ceremony will take place. If you don’t already have a date, talk with your future spouse and narrow down a day that feels right. Keep the seasons in mind, as some of the best elopement spots are outdoors. You can choose any time during the day or night to perform the ceremony, but I think portraits look best during “golden hour” (one hour before sunset or one hour after sunrise).

Next, figure out where you want everything to take place. Consider what landscapes you and your partner enjoy. A houseboat on a lake? A snowy cabin in the forest? A helicopter ride to the top of a mountain (one of my personal favorites)? This is your special day, so pick somewhere you’ve only ever dreamed of! Your timeline will depend greatly on location, because you’ll want to factor in travel time to and from your ceremony spot, as well as destinations for any activities you have planned for the day.

Bride and groom having champagne after their elopement in Sedona

Which elopement day activities are a must-have?

This day is all about you and your love story! Eloping allows you to craft a romantic experience completely customized to what excites you most. If you and your partner love hiking, swimming in the lake, or enjoying s’mores and a bonfire - work some of those activities into your elopement day timeline. Whatever you enjoy doing, your elopement will be all the more unique and personalized when you include it!

What you choose to do during your elopement will determine your final timeline, so talk it over with your partner early in the planning stages. Prefer to skip tradition and spend the morning getting ready together at an Airbnb after a nice breakfast? I’m here for it! Brainstorm, write it down, and figure out how it can all fit together. It’ll be easy to fill up an entire day’s worth of activities!

bride and groom cutting wedding cake after their elopement in Arizona

Example adventure hike elopement timeline

1:00 PM - Park at the trailhead, make sure you have everything you need in your pack, and set off on the scenic trail with your partner and your photographer who will capture all the big moments and the little ones in between.

2:00 PM - Arrive at your ceremony spot! Rest for a while, eat a snack, and explore the area. Have a quiet moment together to enjoy nature and take it all in.

3:00 PM - Florist and rentals arrive to accent the ceremony location with decor

4:15 PM - Guests begin to gather at the ceremony spot

4:30 PM - Ceremony begins! You and your spouse exchange vows. Many lovely words are spoken, and it all finishes with “I do”.

5:00 PM - A few bottles of champagne are opened and shared amongst friends and family (the newlyweds get their own of course!).

5:45 PM - The sun starts to set and you all appreciate the stunning colors streaking across the sky. Time to capture some stunning golden hour portraits!

6:15 PM - Head back down the trail after photos with your guests

7:15 PM - Just before dark, the cars are loaded and your small caravan heads towards a nearby rental cabin.

7:45 PM - You and the wedding guests arrive at the cabin and enjoy an intimate, catered dinner reception.

8:30 PM - Time for the first dance, cake cutting and celebrating with guests!

9:30 PM - The night ends with a sparkler exit, s’mores, or a celebration late into the night - the possibilities are endless!

An elopement will give you beautiful memories to look back on for the rest of your lives together. Hopefully, this guide helped you get started on creating your dream elopement timeline! As an experienced elopement photographer, I’ve helped many couples figure out the details for their big day. I know how much preparation goes into every second of any adventure elopement, and I love helping my couples through the planning process!

If you’re ready to start planning an elopement experience that you’ll treasure forever - contact me!