Elopement Timeline Examples: What to Do on Your Elopement Day
Eloping means that your wedding day is truly customizable – unique, one of a kind, crafted just for you. And so, while traditional wedding timelines tend to follow a very similar pattern, elopement timelines are very personal, and each one looks different. Whether you want to elope just the two of you on top of a mountain, or spend a day at a cabin with your family, this guide will give you some elopement timeline examples, tips for building a timeline, and some insight into what to put on yours!
How Long is an Elopement Timeline?
First things first – your elopement should last all day. I’m talking six hours, minimum, but ideally, your adventure should be 10+ hours. Maybe even two days!
A lot of couples who first start planning their elopement have a hard time imagining this. But if you’re thinking that your elopement is just a ceremony and some photos, and only needs an hour or two of photo coverage, let me set the record straight. Your wedding day is important! It matters, and deciding to keep it small doesn’t change that.
You’re getting married – it’s not a quick photo session, it’s a full blown experience. It should be meaningful, and special, and a day that you’ll remember forever. Don’t undermine the day you get married by only giving yourself two hours!
If you’re not sure what you would do during a full day elopement, keep reading – because the possibilities truly are endless.
What Goes on an Elopement Timeline?
Now, let’s talk about what goes into an elopement timeline, and what you can do on the day you get married. Remember – the point of an elopement is that it’s customizable, and all about what you want, so some of these things might not be your jam, or you might have something to add!
GETTING READY
Elopement prep and getting ready is a really special, but often overlooked, part of your day. This can include hair and makeup and getting dressed, but also things like mimosa toasts with your sisters or quiet coffee on the porch with your partner.
These getting ready moments, when excitement is building and you’re soaking in the “We’re getting married” butterflies, are definitely ones you’ll want to remember and look back on when you flip through your photos.
If you have a hair and makeup artist, talk to them about how long that will take, then add about 30 minutes for putting on a dress, or 15 for putting on a suit. In general, the getting ready process (not including anything you do before, like a pancake breakfast or some morning yoga) takes around 2 hours.
FIRST LOOK
Some couples like to do a first look, which is the moment that you see your partner for the first time in all of your elopement attire. This can happen at the Airbnb where you got ready, or you might decide to drive or even hike to your ceremony location before changing into your attire.
After the first look is a great time to take some couples photos, so plan for 30 minutes to an hour for this on your elopement timeline!
CEREMONY
The main event! Ceremonies usually include exchanging vows and rings, but you might also add some cultural or religious traditions, or just something fun that feels like you – like putting two halves of a sandwich together to celebrate you two coming together.
If you have an officiant, ask them about how long your ceremony will take – most couples plan about 30 minutes for this part of the day.
PHOTOS WITH GUESTS
If you’re inviting guests to your elopement, there will be plenty of time throughout the day for candids with them, but it’s also important to schedule some dedicated time for some portraits with the people you love! Depending on how many people you invite, it can be helpful to make a list of photos that you want and different combinations of groups to ensure that we don’t miss anything. Half an hour is usually enough time for this, but you might want to add more if you have a lot of people!
COUPLES PHOTOS
Of course, you’ll also want some photos of the two of you! The beauty of an elopement is that instead of feeling like you’re in a photoshoot, you’ll be exploring and having a fun adventure while the camera (with me behind it) documents it all. If you’re having guests at your elopement, I definitely recommend taking an hour or so to go off on your own and enjoy some time together – or even plan a two day elopement, with one day for spending time with loved ones and a second that’s all about the two of you.
ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTUES
This is that part that makes every elopement unique – the way you choose to celebrate getting married! Think about what would truly make your wedding the best day ever (because isn’t that what this should be about?) and how you want to tie the knot. This could mean hiking to your elopement location before the ceremony, having a picnic at the beach or on a mountaintop, or planning your own unique reception with loved ones – you could have a private chef at an Airbnb or rent out space at a local restaurant, have a celebratory dinner, hear some toasts made by family, have a first dance by the campfire, eat some s’mores…. Truly anything is possible on your elopement day, and ending it with a relaxed evening and unwinding is a great way to celebrate.
TRAVEL AND BUFFER TIME
These aren’t as exciting as other parts of the elopement timeline, but it’s important to account for any time spent traveling between locations, and also “in between” time for things like loading stuff into the car and getting everyone out the door.
Make sure to also add extra time (15 minutes or so) to each part of your elopement timeline – things tend to take longer than expected, and it’s always better to have some buffer time than to feel stressed and rushed on your elopement day.
ELOPEMENT TIMELINE EXAMPLES
Here are some sample elopement timelines to give you an idea of what your day can look like!
Full Day Elopement With Family
9:00am Dad makes breakfast for everyone and you spend some time with your loved ones before starting the day
11:00am Hair and makeup begins
1:00pm You both get dressed
1:30pm You go outside the cabin for your first look, see each other for the first time and take some photos after a few happy tears
2:00pm Everyone drives to the ceremony location
2:30pm You reach the parking lot, and take the short trail over to your ceremony location
3:00pm Your officiant performs a personalized ceremony, you exchange vows and say your “I do’s!”
3:30pm You pop some champagne before taking some photos with your loved ones
4:00pm Your family heads back to the Airbnb to set up a celebratory dinner, and the two of you explore the area and take some photos
5:00pm You drive back to the Airbnb
5:30pm You have dinner with your family, with toasts and cake to celebrate
7:30pm You head outside, have your first dance around the fire, and spend the rest of the evening making s’mores and relaxing with the people you love most
Full Day “Just the Couple” Elopement Timeline
9:00am You head over to a local diner to have coffee and breakfast together, getting ready for the adventures to come
11:00am Drive back to the Airbnb, and split up to get ready
11:30am Hair and makeup begins
1:30pm You drive to the trailhead, with your elopement attire secure in your packs
2:30pm After a quick lunch, you start hiking
4:00pm You reach the summit, change into your wedding attire, and do a first look
4:30pm You have your ceremony surrounded by a beautiful view, exchanging vows and rings on the mountain top
5:00pm Pop some champagne and have a celebratory picnic!
6:00pm Wander around and take some photos, enjoying the scenery
7:00pm Start hiking down as the sun begins to set!
How to Make an Elopement Timeline
The best way to make an elopement timeline is to have your elopement photographer do it for you! Part of my job is helping you plan your perfect day, which includes creating a timeline that’s customized to fit you and your day. Every detail, from how long the hike will take to how much time to add for photos to when the light will be best, will come together to create a timeline that’s relaxed and stress free, but that ensures the day flows smoothly and that you get to have all the adventures you’re dreaming of!
Ready to elope? Contact me and we’ll start planning!
