A common question I get as an elopement photographer is “how do we spend a full day eloping?” My answer is to always include activities that speak to you and your partner! It is your wedding day, so having fun things to do throughout your timeline is important! Since it’s not a traditional wedding, most couples I’ve talked to have trouble coming up with non-traditional ideas, so here is a whole list! All these activities make your day feel more like a celeration of you, and less like a long photoshoot!

Morning of your Elopement Activities

These are a few activities I recommend during the morning of your elopement! After just waking up in your airbnb, you can plan a few festive things while still hanging out in your casual clothes.

Yoga

Coffee Making

Reading

Board Games

Kayaking 

Rock Climbing

Writing Vows Together

Making Breakfast

Playing music

Getting Ready Ideas

Once you’re ready to get all dressed up, here are a few ways to do so!

Getting Ready Together

Buttoning up a dress, tying shoes, helping with jewelry, are all great ways to have a little extra quality time together!

First Looks

If you love the first look idea, you can get ready separately and then do a first look in the woods behind your airbnb!

Including Friends and Family

If you have friends or family with you, they can get ready with you, or help button up dresses, vests, etc!

Ceremony Ideas

When it comes time for the ceremony, here are a few ways you can make it special to you!

Vows

Writing out vows in vow books is a really sweet touch and great keepsake!

Sealing it with a shot

Take a shot after you’re officially married!

Rock Paper Scissors 

Not sure who’s going first with the vows? Rock, Paper, Scissors!

Planting a tree

If you’re in an area where you’re allowed to plant a tree, this is a sweet idea, and a great spot to visit on your anniversary! 

Ring warming Ceremony

If you have friends and family with you, passing around your rings to everyone present so they can hold them and “warm” them with love and well wishes before passing it to the next person!

Elopement Day Activities

More generally, here are a bunch of activities I’ve seen as an elopement photographer, and how you can have fun on the rest of your elopement day!

Relaxed elopement activities

For mornings, or couples that enjoy a more chill, stress free, day!

Drink coffee

Yoga

Decorate your cake together

Meditate

Walk your dog

Read love letters from your people

Watercolor

Read your favorite book

Scrapbook your day

Cook dinner together

Fun activities

For couples looking to be a little more active on their day!

Go rock climbing

Rappelling 

Kayaking

Stand up Paddleboarding 

Line Dancing

Hit up a bar

Roller Skating

Longboarding 

Have a campfire and make s’mores

Adventurous activities 

Your once in a lifetime day deserves a little adventure! Here are some more wild activities to add!

Helicopter tour

Get tattoos

Backpacking tour

Glacier Kayaking Tour

Base Jumping

Skydiving 

Including Family and Friends

The common thing I see that prevents couples from eloping is not being able to have guests. While I consider an elopement 10 or less, and a micro wedding 40 or less, your location or your ideal day may be excluding some of your favorite people. Here are some ways to include them!

When Family and Friends are not present

Facetime/ call them after your ceremony!

Have them write you letters to read

Have them record videos of well wishes

Bring heirlooms 

Bring photos of them

When there are a few people present

Ring warming ceremony

Group yoga

Group cooking session

Set up the ceremony space

Go on a hike together

They help you get ready

How to choose your activities 

There are so many fun activities here for you to choose from! However, the best activities are the ones that speak to you. How do you usually spend Sunday mornings? (A great way to spend your elopement morning!) What’s your favorite date you’ve been on? Can that be added as an activity? What food to you love to eat? Can that be at your elopement?

The best part of eloping is that it is a full day catered to you! Choosing activities that you love doing is what makes your day special!

Utah and PNW Elopement Photographer

If you’re looking to elope and are in search of a photographer for anywhere on the west coast or Europe, I’m your gal! I’ve loved helping couples find their perfect spot, plan their day, and give them so many fun memories to look back on! For more information on my elopement details, check out this page!