One of the best features of adventurous elopements is the fact that they aren’t one-size-fits-all experiences. Even though wedding days can hold their own unique touches, they generally follow a standard run of events. Since wedding days are tied to an outlined structure, they are limited in the amount of tweaks that can be made in creating a one-of-a-kind experience. That’s where elopement planning steps in to save the day! Here’s the process I walk my couples through to narrow down their own elopement ideas!
3 Questions to Discover the Elopement Ideas That Fit You Best
Not every couple wants an elopement day that’s never been seen before, but most want their day personalized. The choices you make in which elopement ideas fill your day will determine just that!
Here’s the 3-question process I use to help couples choose their elopement day adventure:
Question #1: What are your favorite kinds of activities to do together?
Every couple has that thing that they love to do. These couples activities can range from visiting a new coffee shop every Saturday morning to sunset walks on the beach. Or it can be trying something you’ve never done before like underwater photography. It can be quirky, unique, or completely ordinary–the only requirement is that it’s your thing.
Often, the shared activity is one that brought you two together or it’s tied to your first date. Another way to approach these activity choices is pulling from what you did for your engagement session.
I tend to recommend doing an activity or going to a location that’s either part of your love story or that you already enjoy. We can incorporate this same place or activity category into your elopement day!
These are some couples adventure ideas to get you started!
Once you know the one or several kinds of activities that you enjoy doing together, you’ll be better prepared to narrow down your elopement day timeline.
Question #2: How much of your wedding budget do you plan on dedicating to your selected activity?
There are many ways to split how you budget for what it costs to elope. I have broken this down into more details and also created an Elopement Cost Calculator to make this as simple as possible! Once you have a general idea of whether your day is long or short, with or without guests, and if it includes any outside vendors, you can then better plan for your elopement activity.
After skipping larger costs like a wedding venue and reception catering, most of your budget will go to the photography elopement package. Hiring me as your adventure elopement photographer also provides you with elopement planning and day-of coordination. I’ll do the research, location scouting, connecting you to the best local vendors and creating a timeline personalized to your wedding day.
Some couples will DIY their own hair and makeup, borrow or use what they already have for the wedding dress and suit, and get local flowers for the bouquet/boutonniere. This means that the remainder of the budget can be reserved for capturing the day and for the adventure itself. There isn’t an exact recipe you must follow, but if you desire to go with particular kinds of adventures then these are the two spots I suggest putting your main investment!
Question #3: How adventurous would you like your elopement activity to be?
Little Known Fact: you do NOT have to be adventurous in order to elope. Does that seem a little hard to believe? While I’ve already broken down the major differences between a wedding and an elopement, here I would like to touch upon what it means to be “adventurous.”
According to my own definition, going down the adventure elopement route at its basic level is doing something that’s adventurous to the two of you. If it’s hiking on a trail you’ve never visited before or driving around your favorite national park, it can truly be what you make it. Even though elopement ideas generally pull from more adventurous activities, you can choose which level most appeals to you!
Wedding Day Timeline Examples for Your Elopement Ideas
Now, with the answers to these three important questions under your belt, it’s time to actually put your elopement adventure ideas into an elopement day timeline. These vary primarily according to the time allotted (elopements can range from four hours to two days) and the chosen type of activity.
A traditional wedding has the basic timeline of getting ready, portraits, first look, ceremony, family portraits, newlywed portraits, dinner, toasts and dancing. Without all of these activities, it’s OK if you have no idea how to fill an average eight-hour elopement day. When you’re eloping in nature there’s so many possibilities! I literally have endless elopement ideas based on your style and answers to the previous three questions!
Here are fun elopement activity ideas separated by more or less adventurous!
Low-Key Elopement Adventures:
High Energy Elopement Adventures:
Here are some elopement timeline examples pulling from different length elopement days and elopement ideas:
Elopement timelines
Hot Air Balloon / Off-Roading Adventure Elopement
Painting & Stargazing Elopement Timeline
Sunset Helicopter Elopement Timeline
More Elopement Inspiration & Resources
Hey, I’m Kelcee!
I would love to be your ADVENTURE elopement photographer
I’ve been capturing elopements since 2021, and it’s my passion to help adventurous couples like you create the perfect wedding day.
Your elopement is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you deserve the support to make it uniquely yours. Together, we’ll create quality memories that beautifully tell your love story, lasting a lifetime.
