How to Create Your Perfect Elopement Timeline
Tali April 28th, 2024
Eloping is an intimate and romantic way to exchange vows without the stress and constraints of a traditional wedding. However, even though eloping is often simpler than throwing a big wedding, it still requires careful planning to ensure everything runs smoothly on your special day.
One crucial aspect of elopement planning is creating an elopement timeline that outlines your day. Even if you’re planning a carefree, go-with-the-flow day, having a solid timeline for your elopement is still a critical part of your planning. A perfect elopement timeline will help you craft an exciting day filled activities that bring you joy, put together a flow of events maximizes your time, and give you time to soak it all in.
In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of crafting the perfect elopement timeline, from the moment you roll out of bed in the morning to closing your eyes after the best day of your life.
How is an Elopement Timeline different from a Traditional Wedding Timeline?
One of the magical things about elopement is that you start with a blank slate… your day can look however you want it to! Traditional weddings typically have a pretty established flow of events and formalities such as a ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner reception, and dancing. With fewer guests and a more intimate setting, elopements allow couples to focus on what matters most—exchanging vows and celebrating their love together.
You can choose to keep things similar for your elopement or you can completely mix it up! Whatever you choose, there are some key differences for an elopement that you will want to keep in mind when building your dream elopement timeline.
Weather Considerations
Unlike traditional weddings, which often take place in controlled indoor environments, elopements frequently occur outdoors where Mother Nature has free reign. This means that weather conditions such as rain, wind, or extreme temperatures can significantly impact your plans. When crafting your elopement timeline, be prepared to adapt to changing weather conditions and have a backup plan in case of inclement weather.
Crowds and Parking Logistics
Unlike traditional weddings, which often take place in rented indoor environments, elopements frequently occur outdoors in public places. Public outdoor locations popular for elopements, such as parks, beaches, or scenic overlooks, may attract crowds, especially during peak seasons and peak times of the day. Factor in additional time for parking and navigating through crowds to reach your ceremony spot. Consider choosing a less crowded location or scheduling your elopement during off-peak times to ensure a more intimate experience.
Natural Light and Timing
One of the advantages of eloping outdoors is the opportunity to take advantage of natural light for stunning photos and a romantic ambiance. However, this also means that your timeline needs to align with the changing light conditions throughout the day. We always like to start building an elopement timeline by figuring out sunrise and sunset times for the day (be sure to consider the impact your location will have on sunrise/sunset such as mountains or trees blocking the sun). This gives a great window for planning the rest of the day.
Personalized and Meaningful Moments
Elopements offer couples the freedom to create a day that truly reflects their personalities and relationship. Whether it’s incorporating meaningful rituals, sharing private vows, or embarking on an adventure together, your elopement timeline can be customized to include the moments that matter most to you as a couple. Embrace the spontaneity and intimacy of eloping as you plan your timeline, and focus on creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Our best elopement timeline building advice:
Create the elopement timeline *you want*, not the one people think you should have.
Top Tips for Creating Your Elopement Timeline
As you plan your elopement day timeline, pay close attention to the pacing and sequencing of events. Allow ample time for each activity, from getting ready in the morning to saying your vows. Factor in travel time between locations, as well as buffer time to account for any unexpected delays or spontaneous detours.
Consider how you want to structure your day to maximize enjoyment and minimize stress. Build in moments for relaxation, reflection, and connection with each other. Whether it’s sharing a quiet moment together before the ceremony or pausing to watch the stars come out after sunset, prioritize quality time spent together throughout the day.
Give Yourself Plenty of Travel and Transition Time
Adventure elopements often involve traveling to remote or rugged locations, which may require extra time for navigation and transition between different activities. Factor in ample time for travel between your accommodation, ceremony site, and any adventure locations you plan to visit. Keep in mind that outdoor conditions, such as rough terrain or inclement weather, may slow down your progress, so allow for flexibility in your timeline. Additionally, when planning hikes or outdoor activities, consider adding extra time to take in the sights and avoid getting sweaty in your wedding clothes. This will not only allow you to enjoy the scenery and capture breathtaking photos but also ensure that you arrive at your ceremony site feeling refreshed and ready to exchange vows. By giving yourself plenty of travel and transition time, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free elopement day, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the adventure and cherish every moment of your special day.
Build in Buffer Time into your Elopement Timeline for Unforeseen Circumstances
When crafting your adventure elopement timeline, it’s essential to build in buffer time to account for unexpected delays or challenges that may arise. Whether it’s taking a wrong turn on the trail, someone running late, an adventure running longer than anticipated, or the weather not cooperating, having extra time built into your schedule can alleviate stress and ensure a smoother experience.
Tight schedules can lead to added pressure and anxiety, especially in outdoor settings where variables are less predictable. Buffer time provides flexibility and breathing room in your timeline, allowing you to adapt to changing circumstances without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. It also creates space for special unplanned moments to unfold organically, whether it’s stopping to admire a breathtaking view, pausing for impromptu photoshoots, or simply enjoying quiet moments together amidst the beauty of nature.
By incorporating buffer time into your adventure elopement timeline, you can approach your day with a sense of ease and readiness to embrace whatever surprises come your way. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination, and allowing for flexibility in your schedule ensures that you can fully savor every moment of your elopement adventure.
Embrace Spontaneity and Flexibility
Adventure elopements are all about embracing spontaneity and going with the flow. While it’s essential to have a general timeline in place, be prepared to adapt to changing weather conditions, unexpected trail closures, or other last-minute changes to your plans. Remain flexible and open to the unexpected, and focus on enjoying each moment as it unfolds. Remember, it’s the unplanned moments that often make for the most memorable adventures.
Plan Your Elopement Timeline like you Would Plan the Best Day of Your Life
When planning your elopement day timeline, prioritize activities that truly resonate with you and your partner. Think about the moments that would make it the best day ever—whether it’s watching the sunrise together, exploring a favorite hiking trail, sharing a picnic in a scenic spot, or dancing under the stars.
Focus on creating a day that feels authentic and meaningful to you as a couple. Incorporate activities that reflect your passions, interests, and shared experiences. Whether you’re adventurers at heart or lovers of quiet moments, tailor your elopement day timeline to include the experiences that bring you the most joy and fulfillment.
Elopement Activities : What should we do during our elopement?
There is literally an endless list of activities that you could incorporate into your elopement day… so many that we made an entire blog dedicated to it! If you’re looking for a creative list of things to do on your elopement day, check out our 101 Things to Do During Your Elopement blog. We’ve included some in this blog too for convenience.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Canoeing
- Horseback riding
- ATVing
- Jeeping
- Rock climbing
- Picnic
- Paint a watercolor picture
- Write letters to each other to read on your 10 year anniversary
- Cook dinner together
- Decorate your own wedding cake
- Go whale watching
- Helicopter ride
- Walk along the beach
- Bike riding
- Visit an orchard or farmer’s market
- Go to a museum
- Ride a rollercoaster
- Have a campfire
- Relax in the hot tub
- Cuddle in a hammock
- Look for four-leaf clovers
- Make your own bouquet
- Swimming
- Float down a river
- Take a Horse Drawn Carriage Ride
- Slow Dance in Front of Your Car Headlights
- Design a signature cocktail or mocktail
- Wildlife watching
- Stargazing
Elopement Timeline Examples
When reading through these example adventure elopement timelines, note that times are likely going to be different for your day as sunrise and sunset will vary with both the time of year and the location. Use these as a starting point and inspiration for your day! Every couple is unique and every elopement is unique. Be sure to take this opportunity to craft a day that truly reflects your best day every.
Feeling overwhelmed? We have years of experience planning and photographing elopements and help all of our couples put together the perfect timeline for their day.
2 Day Intimate Wedding in the Mountains - Example Timeline
We can practically hear you on the other side of the screen, “How the heck are we supposed to plan 2 days worth of elopement activities?!” But hear us out, the time goes SO much faster than you think it will. This timeline is very similar to what we did for our wedding and two days still wasn’t enough time.
Our two day elopement package allows you to split 14 hours of time over two days, with the flexibility to add additional time if you adventures calls for it. This is perfect for splitting time between family and the two of you, building a backup day into your elopement schedule, or creating a peak existence elopement that really is the experience of a lifetime. It’s also the perfect package for a couple who wants to do a backpacking elopement (did we mention that we love backpacking?) or has a more remote location in mind.
Sample 2 Day Elopement Timeline
4:00am Wake-up and get ready for the day
5:30am Sunrise first look and portraits
7:00am Private breakfast picnic and morning hike
9:00am Morning Break (naps, time to relax)
11:30am Lunch Time
1:00pm Touchups, getting back into wedding clothes, and details
3:00pm Head to Ceremony Location with Family
4:00pm Ceremony
4:30pm Portraits with Family
5:00pm Family Heads Back to the Cabin and the couple sticks around for some just married photos
7:00pm Meet up at the cabin for dinner, first dance, and celebration
10:00pm That’s a wrap on the first day!
~ The Next Day ~
Enjoy a slow morning together as a married couple after a full day of celebration. (We suggest having a gooey pan of caramel rolls ready to pop in the oven.) Take time to soak it in and enjoy the place you chose to stay during your elopement. Too often, couples choose epic places to stay during their wedding and then don’t have time to enjoy all the amenities. Soak in that huge tub, nap in that hammock, and take in the views from your deck!
5:00pm Meet up for a sunset hike, explore, have fun, and get banger sunset photos
9:00pm Head back to the cabin after dark
Looking for a little extra adventure? Consider extending your hike to capture some wedding photos under the stars before heading back!
9 Hour Mountain Lake Elopement - Example Timeline
Our 9 hour elopement package is our most popular and with good reason! We have found that 9 hours works really well for capturing the story of your day and gives a lot of flexibility to how you structure your day. There’s time to relax, adventure, and get married! You can also split this package into two chunks of time on one day, allowing you to experience both sunrise and sunset with a break in the middle of the day for some relaxation.
Sample 9-Hour Elopement Timeline
Start the day off with a slow morning getting ready together—breakfast in bed, mimosas on the balcony, and some time to take it all in.
12:30pm Photographer shows up for final getting ready moments, details, and individual portraits
1:30pm First Look
2:00pm Head out for fishing and canoeing -> Not your thing? Check out our elopement activities blog for other fun activities you could incorporate into your day!
5:00pm Hike to sunset location
6:00pm Picnic Dinner
7:00pm Vows and Sunset Portraits
8:30pm Hike back to the car (in the dark)
9:30pm Head back to your airbnb
Looking for a little extra adventure? Consider extending your hike to capture some wedding photos under the stars before heading back!
Half Day Elopement on the California Coast - Example Timeline
Half day elopements work well for couples that want to incorporate a bit of adventure into their day. It works well to focus on specific highlights of your adventure, such as a sunrise ceremony followed by a scenic hike or a sunset vow exchange overlooking breathtaking vistas.
Sample 6-Hour Elopement Timeline
Start the day off with a slow morning getting ready together—breakfast in bed, mimosas on the balcony, and some time to take it all in.
1:30pm Photographer shows up for final getting ready moments
2:30pm First Look
3:00pm Beach Picnic
4:00pm Hiking adventure, wildlife watching, and looking for seashells
5:00pm Scenic drive down the coast
6:00pm Sunset vows and epic just married golden hour photos
7:00pm Blue hour first dance on the beach
7:30pm Hit up the town for a fancy dinner to celebrate your marriage!
Want to see an elopement with a similar timeline? Check out this Big Sur September elopement for some inspiration!
Quick Sunset Elopement - Example Timeline
Quick elopements work well for a day that is structured around one location with a simple timeline. The time goes by quickly (it still catches us by surprise every time), so planning ahead and keeping things simple is key to making your best use of the time and keeping things from getting stressful.
Our 3-hour elopement package is the shortest time that we offer for elopements. After shooting some shorter elopements early in our career, we found that anything under three hours ends up feeling rushed and doesn’t do the day justice. To make sure our couples have the best experience, our packages start at three hours.
Sample 3-Hour Elopement Timeline
5:00pm Details and Final Touches
5:30pm First Look
6:00pm Ceremony
6:30pm First Dance and Celebrations (cake, champagne, etc.)
7:00pm Sunset Portraits
8:00pm Wrap-up
Looking for a photographer that can help you put together the elopement of your dreams? Get in touch and let’s get rolling!