Elopement Tips
Elopements are such a special and unique way of getting married! They allow you to get married exactly how you want and keep the focus of your wedding on the two of you. But, are you wondering what type of things to do or include in your elopement?!
Let me begin by saying you can do whatever the heck you want on your elopement day! This is the beauty of eloping. It’s all about you! So, let’s get your mind racing with all kinds of ideas with these 15 Unique Eloping Ideas!
1. ELOPE IN NATIONAL OR STATE PARK
National and State Parks hold some of the most incredible views in the states! If you’re all about adventure, exploring, and having to pick your jaw up off the floor then this one is for you. From the epic mountain views in Rocky Mountain National Park to the desert vibes of Moab, there’s bound to be a park that fits what you’re looking for!
You can spend the day adventuring around and hitting up your favorite spots in the park. You could go hiking. You could make it a relaxing day of sightseeing. Or all the above!! Make it a day that you’ll never forget!
2. HAVE AN AIRBNB ELOPEMENT
Airbnb’s are the greatest place to stay at for your elopement! You can choose a secluded cabin out in the mountains with gorgeous views. You can say at a cute A-frame cabin out in the woods. You can choose a house to host your 10 closest loved ones you want to celebrate with.
They truly make the greatest home base to get ready, celebrate afterward, or even to hold your ceremony! The options on how to utilize an Airbnb/VBRO are endless.
3. ELOPE IN A PLACE YOU’VE NEVER BEEN
You’re choosing to have an adventurous elopement, so why not make it even more adventurous?! Choosing to elope in a place you’ve never been or a place you’ve always dreamed of exploring will add such a fun and unique element to your elopement experience.
How fun would it be to start off your marriage in a place that you’re both exploring for the first time?! Together! It can make for some of the best memories. Plus, you can easily turn it into your honeymoon afterward of exploring!
4. ELOPE IN A PLACE THAT’S MEANINGFUL TO YOU
Have you been to a place together that you fell in love with? If you’ve visited a beautiful place together on vacation or while exploring and you both absolutely loved it, why not get married there?! It would turn a special place into a place that you’ll never forget!
5. HAVE A PRIVATE CHEF COOK YOU DINNER
Calling all the foodies out there!! If you both are all about the food wherever you go then this is a perfect choice for you. How fun would it be to come back to your Airbnb after hiking or exploring all day to relax, sit by the fire, and let a professional cook you a crazy delicious meal?!
After dinner, you can sit outside by the bonfire and enjoy the night sky with happy bellies! I don’t know about you, but that sounds like the perfect end to the perfect day!
6. GO HIKING OR BACKPACKING
Hiking is one of the greatest ways to explore and get privacy during your elopement! In a busy national park, going on a hike is the perfect way to beat the crowds and be able to have your ceremony in peace!
Don’t think that you need to go on a crazy long hike either. You can definitely hop on a short trail if you’d like to include other activities besides just hiking! But, if hiking is your thing and you want to go on an all-day hiking elopement, then have at it and do it!
7. GO ON A UNIQUE EPIC ADVENTURE
If you want to reach a gorgeous mountain peak to say your vows without having to trek up there then the perfect alternative would be to take a helicopter or 4×4 Jeep tour! These add a thrill factor and it’s something you’re bound to never forget!
Including an adventurous activity like a helicopter ride, a 4×4 tour, a boat ride, etc. is a great way to be able to hit up multiple locations during your day in half the time! Who wouldn’t want to include more adventure into their elopement?!
8. ENJOY A PICNIC SURROUNDED BY NATURE
Picnics are so fun and that’s a fact! Imagine reaching the end of your hike and taking some time to relax, sit down, and enjoy your picnic right before the sun starts to set. Picnics are truly great at any location! The beach, the middle of a forest, a cliff overlooking the ocean, the mountains… Sounds picture perfect, right?!
You can have a cheese and wine board, bring along sandwiches, or whatever you want!
9. INCLUDE YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITIES
Eloping is a very intentional way of getting married and allows the focus of your day to remain on you! This is amazing for so many reasons, but a fun perk is that you can include your favorite activities or hobbies on your elopement day!
If you both love to ski or snowboard, why not hit the slopes on your elopement?! If you both love to longboard, why not take your boards along and take some time to go ride around?! You can include absolutely anything on your day!
10. HAVE A ROMANTIC FIRST LOOK
First looks are always so special and create a fun moment for the couple to anticipate! You can get ready completely separate from each other so you don’t see each other at all until the first look or you could get ready together until it’s time to put on the final touches like your outfits, shoes, and any other accessories you’ll be wearing. I’ve seen it done both ways and every time someone usually tears up!
11. ADD PERSONALIZED DETAILS TO YOUR ELOPEMENT
Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean you can’t have details! You could do things like a bouquet, a boutonniere, a jeweled hairpiece, a veil, a rug to stand on during your ceremony, etc. The list could go on and on, but I think you get the idea! This is YOUR wedding day so do whatever you want!!
12. SHARE A FIRST DANCE
Who says you can’t share a first dance?! All you need to do is take along a Bluetooth speaker and dance away! How sweet would it be to play a song and share a dance at the top of a mountain or wherever you are with nobody around?! …Except me
Heck, if slow dancing isn’t your thing why not pull out the tunes and break out a few dance moves?! Nobody to watch, but me! I’ll be dancing behind my camera with you, don’t worry!!
13. GET MARRIED WITH AN EPIC VIEW
Let’s be real – A big reason you’re eloping (and a reason most couples choose to elope) is that you can get married exactly where you want! There are no rules or limitations on where you decide to have your adventure.
So, why not get married in your dream location? Why not get married with the backdrop of your dreams?! There is nothing and no one holding you back!
14. INCLUDE YOUR LOVED ONES
Some people still have a misconception that you can’t elope with your loved ones. Let me tell you that you absolutely can!
15. LITERALLY ANYTHING YOU WANT
This is your elopement day. This is your chance to have an unforgettable wedding day! Dream it all up and dream big! You can celebrate your way and get married however you want to. There are no rules!! Why not come up with your own unique eloping ideas?! Just think about the things you love to do or the things you’ve always wanted to do!
I totally understand that you might be thinking, “How on earth to start to plan my adventurous elopement?”. There are no rules and it’s a totally different and unique way of getting married which makes it so dang amazing!
But, don’t worry, that’s what I’m here for! I’ll work closely with you to help plan out all the details and logistics of your elopement. I want to keep the focus on you and help you get married exactly how you want!
If you’re looking for an experienced Elopement Photographer who can tell the story of your day and help guide you through all the planning, you’re in the right place! I’d love to chat with you and hear all about your vision!
