How Long Should You Spend Eloping? Sample Timelines Included!
Let’s talk all about what you should plan for on your elopement day! From certain things to consider, to a bunch of general timelines, and fun activities to include at your elopement, this blog gets you a head start on what to do at your intimate wedding, and how long you should book a photographer for!
What is an elopement?
Elopements are typically really small weddings with either just the couple or under 10 guests! A lot of couples usually go this route because they love being outside, want a more intimate experience, or really want to make the day about them! If you’re not sure what wedding is right for you, take the quiz!
What to factor into your elopement timeline:
Drive Times
Something that isn’t typically needed at a traditional wedding, but with elopements you’ll need to factor in drive times from one location to another! If you’re starting at an airbnb then driving to a trailhead, or driving from one trailhead to an overlook! Going into google maps and making sure you choose locations that fit within your timeline!
Hike Times
Certain locations may be longer to get to than others! Making sure you factor in hike times to your elopement is important! If you have a packed day, it may be a good idea to think of some shorter hike options!
The amount of time you want to spend in each area
If you are doing vow writing photos at your airbnb, you may want to speed up the process by typing a copy on your phone first so you can save time by transferring the sweet words you wrote onto paper instead of coming up with them on the spot! Think about how long it may take to eat dinner, or how long you’d like to spend in an area if the hike takes 30min to get to!
The activities you want to do
If you want to have a meal, play a board game, go rock climbing, etc, factor in how much time you need for each activity! There’s a few activities listed later in this blog I think you’ll like 😉
Warm up time (if the weather isn’t great)
Elopements are in the great outdoors, and sometimes they’re a little unpredictable! I like to set a little bit of time aside to give you a warm up break if it’s in a cooler season!
Space to Breathe!
This is your day and you don’t want to feel rushed! If there are any little hiccups or you’re enjoying your time in one spot, give yourself some room to breathe and enjoy the day without feeling rushed to move on!
Example half day timeline (4 hours)
Half day coverage is amazing for couples that have a couple locations in mind that they love with a few activities!
4 hour elopement timeline:
4:00pm: Meet at the trailhead for your first location!
4:30pm: Arrive at a waterfall, exchange vows, drink a celebratory coffee!
5:45pm: Start the hike back to the parking lot
6:15pm: Arrive at parking lot, start the drive to the next location
7:00pm: Arrive at overlook, grab a picnic blanket and letters written from loved ones
7:10pm: Open letters, read kind words from your favorite people saying congrats!
7:30pm: Sunset Portraits
8:00pm: Sun sets, photo coverage ends
4 hour elopement photography packages
If this timeline sounds like your ideal day, reach out to me about making this a reality! I’m a digital, film, and super 8 photographer based in Scotland! Half day elopement coverage includes an elopement planning guide, a custom location guide, and more!
Example full day timeline (8 hours)
Full day elopements are great for story telling, giving you time to spend together, longer hikes, and more activities!
8 hour elopement timeline:
1:00pm: Meet at your Airbnb for storytelling detail photos
1:10pm: Make some tea and play a board game with your partner
1:30pm: Write out your vows while snacking on some of your favorite food
1:50pm: Start getting dressed!
2:00pm: Final getting reading photos, straightening ties, buttoning dresses
2:15pm: Photos around the airbnb and outside the airbnb
2:30pm: Pack up the car with anything you need and head to the first location!
3:00pm: Arrive at the first location, rock wall! Set up ropes and do some climbing!
4:00pm: Pack up and head to the next location
4:45pm: Arrive at trail head, start the hike!
5:15pm: Arrive at the arch and start vows
5:30pm: Share a snack and do some photos under the arch
6:00pm: Start the hike back to parking lot
6:30pm: Arrive at parking lot, start the drive to the next location
7:00pm: Arrive at the next location, set up a little tablescape and eat dinner!
7:30pm: Sunset portraits
8:00pm: Drive over to a local dive bar
8:30pm: Wrap up the day with a cute drinks celebration!
9:00pm: End of Day
8 hour elopement photography packages
If this timeline sounds like your ideal day, reach out to me about making this a reality! I’m a digital, film, and super 8 photographer based in Europe! Full day elopement coverage includes an elopement planning guide, a custom location guide, and more!
Example sunrise to sunset timeline (split coverage)
Split coverage is great when you love a location that looks better for sunrise than sunset (Glacier Point in Yosemite is a great example of this!) It also gives you a more intimate experience since there are less tourists around at sunrise. You have time to go take a nap and spend some time together before meeting again in the afternoon!
8 Hour Split Coverage Elopement Timeline
5:30am: Meet at trailhead to start the hike!
6:00am: Arrive at the overlook with coffee cups!
6:15am: Sun rises, get some golden hour portraits!
6:45am: Finish drinking coffee together! Maybe have a cute pastry!
7:00am: Start hiking back
7:30am: Arrive back at the parking lot
Take a nap, spend some time together, we’ll meet back up later!
3:00pm: Meet at airbnb
3:15pm: Write out vows into vow books
3:30pm: Get into wedding attire
3:45pm: Final touches. Buttoning dresses, tying shoes, applying makeup
4:00pm: First look and portraits at Airbnb
4:15pm: Drive to the next location
5:00pm: Arrive at location, walk to spot
5:15pm: Vows at the location with close friends and family
5:30pm: Group photos
6:00pm: Drive to next location
6:30pm: Arrive at the Trailhead and start the hike!
7:00pm: Yoga with a view!
7:15pm: Sunset photos
7:45pm: Hike Back
8:15pm: Arrive at parking lot, drive back to Airbnb
8:45pm: Arrive at airbnb, have a campfire and s’mores with your guests!
9:00pm: End of day!
Split coverage elopement photography packages
If this timeline sounds like your ideal day, reach out to me about making this a reality! I’m a digital, film, and super 8 photographer based in Europe! Split day elopement coverage includes an elopement planning guide, a custom location guide, and more!
Fun Elopement activities
Vow Writing
Write out your vows together at your airbnb or place you’re staying! Handwritten vows are a great keepsake and look so much better in photos than reading it off your phone
Coffee Making
If y’all love a good cup of coffee, make a bit of joe and enjoy the view or play a game together!
Board Games
If a fun activity for you is a card game or board game, bring one and play it together!
Reading Letters
Ask your friends and family to write letters saying congrats and wishing you well on married life! These are so sweet to read on top of a mountain!
Yoga
Have a good stretch before starting a hike, and get in a great headspace of being present for your day!
Enjoying a meal together
Grab a pizza, hire a caterer, or cook for each other! Have a fun meal that you can enjoy at your airbnb, with guests, or at a fun spot that is an easy turn out!
Hitting up a dive bar!
Have a celebratory drink with your lover at the end of your day!
What speaks to you and your relationship?
The best activities are the ones you love doing together. If you spend your weekends kayaking, include that! If you love reading together, incorporate that! Your elopement should be so much more than a photoshoot, and making sure you have activities that feel like you and your relationship is perfect to have on your big day!
Check out 50+ Elopement Day Activities!
Europe (Scotland) Based Elopement Photographer
If you’re searching for an elopement photographer, you’re in the right place! I’m based in Scotland, and help couples from the US elope all over Europe! I love taking care of people and helping couples plan their elopements! If you’re looking for an elopement photographer/planner, reach out here!
