Planning an elopement can be less stressful than a bigger wedding, but there are still some essential planning that needs some thought, like creating an elopement timeline! An elopement is no longer about having a quick ceremony, exchanging vows, and calling it a day. An elopement can be a full day filled with intentional activities and moments for you to fully soak up and embrace this next chapter of your lives together. No matter what you’ve got planned for your elopement day, a well-thought out timeline is a big part of helping your day unfold seamlessly, allowing you to be stress-free and fully present in every moment.
Don’t worry, as your elopement photographer and planner, I will help guide you through creating your elopement timeline depending on what you’ve got planned for your day. In this post I will share some tips for creating an elopement timeline, so continue reading!!
What is an Elopement Timeline?
What even is an elopement timeline!? Basically, it is what you will use to help plan out your whole elopement day and will include everything that will be included throughout the day. From getting ready, to your ceremony, to your celebratory meal! Unlike traditional weddings, elopements offer more freedom and less structure, allowing you to focus on what truly matters to you as a couple. An elopement timeline will help everyone stay on track with the events of the day, including vendors, so that you get to savor each and every moment without feeling stressed! So let’s get to some tips for creating an elopement timeline!
What to Include When Creating an Elopement Timeline?
Capturing the Details + Getting Ready
Eloping couples often forget about getting ready photos, or simply choose not to include them in their elopement day. I’m here to tell you that getting ready photos are SO beautiful and important. This time is filled with so much emotion and anticipation. Whether you’re getting ready together or separately, it’s an opportunity to capture the build up of your wedding day and can make for some amazing candid moments of you and your partner before your ceremony.
During this time, it is also an opportunity for your elopement photographer to photograph all of the tiny, thoughtful details that go into your elopement day. This can be anything from your wedding attire, wedding rings, florals, Polaroids, to family heirlooms. The detail photos can add to the storytelling aspect of your wedding gallery, and these details will be something you always look back on and help you to remember your wedding day.
Getting ready is also a great time to include reading letters written from your partner or friends/family, exchanging gifts with your partner, or writing your vows into your vow books. Leaving enough time for your getting ready photos and details is important so that you can enjoy the time building up anticipation and you don’t have to feel rushed. The sweet spot is 1 – 1.5 hours.
First Look
The first look is a deeply personal and emotional part of your elopement day. It’s a quiet moment away from the world where you see each other for the first time on your wedding day. This moment not only adds to the emotional depth of your elopement but also provides an opportunity for some stunning, intimate photographs. Even if you choose to get ready together, you can always do a first look after you put on your wedding attire! It still is a very intimate moment, kind of like the last moment together before you enter a new journey together of being married!
If you decided not to exchange gifts while you’re getting ready, this is a great time to exchange gifts, or if you have friends and family joining the ceremony, during your first look is a good time to read your vows privately to your partner. Leave room for 30 minutes to 1 hour for your first look in your elopement timeline.
The Ceremony
The ceremony is the heart and soul of your elopement. Whether it’s atop a mountain, by an alpine lake, or in a quaint backyard, this is where your vows are exchanged, and your marriage is celebrated. Elopement ceremonies don’t tend to last too long, but you may want to include a special tradition or celebration during the ceremony like popping champagne or planting a tree! Make sure you include additional time if you are adding any more elements to your ceremony, otherwise, 20-30 minutes is plenty of time for your elopement ceremony.
Couples Photos
After the ceremony, the excitement is high and this is the perfect time to capture some beautiful moments of the two of you in your ceremony location. This part of the day doesn’t have to feel like a posed portrait session, my approach is to give you plenty of direction and prompt you rather than “pose” you. Don’t worry, it will be fun and you will get you enjoy celebrating JUST being married. If you’re just eloping the two of you, this allows you more time to enjoy these moments together and maybe even explore multiple locations for your couples portraits. Depending on your ceremony location and if you are planning on going to multiple locations, you may need additional time in your elopement timeline.
Group Photos
If you’ve invited friends and/or family to be part of your ceremony, this is the best time to schedule in time to take photos with them because everyone is in the same place already. As your elopement photographer, I provide couples with a questionnaire prior to your elopement day that will list off any group photo combinations so we can make this part swift and seamless! For group photos, it is best to leave 30 minutes for this part!
Activities
Your elopement day doesn’t have to end with the ceremony. Your elopement day can be filled with activities that reflect your personalities and interests as a couple. This could be a simple picnic, a hike, or canoeing on your favorite lake. These activities not only add to your overall experience but also provide more opportunities for memorable photographs. Don’t rush these activities! Depending on what you’ve chosen to include in your elopement day, these activities can vary in time needed!
Dinner + Winding Down
Make sure you include time to enjoy a meal together, whether it is just the two of you or if you’ve decided to include friends and family. Whether it’s a picnic, a relaxed, catered meal at your Airbnb or a cozy brunch at your favourite breakfast spot, this moment allows you to celebrate the first few hours of married life!
As the day winds down, take time to relax and reflect on your journey together. Maybe it’s watching the sunset or enjoying a bonfire together, these moments allow you to soak in your elopement day and appreciate the start of your new life together. Leave room for 2+ hours in your elopement timeline for enjoying a meal and winding down.
Things to Consider when Creating an Elopement Timeline
Leave Room for Unplanned Moments
Allow flexibility in your timeline to accommodate spontaneous moments. Whether it’s stopping to admire a stunning view or sharing an unexpected dance. Remember, the timeline is a guide, not a strict schedule. Stay flexible and schedule in some buffer time so that if things don’t go to plan, you don’t have to feel rushed or stressed!
Include Travel Times
Depending on where each event is going to happen throughout the day, you need to include travel times in your elopement timeline, especially if you have multiple locations. These are also things to consider when planning your elopement day, for example, how far is your accommodation from the ceremony location or are you planning on hitting up multiple locations for your couples portraits.
Avoid the Middle of the Day
With elopements you have more flexibility with choosing your ceremony time. I always recommend avoiding the middle of the day for your ceremony if possible – the lighting tends to be harsher mid-day, which can cast unwanted shadows on you. Sunrise or sunset are the optimal times for your ceremony since the lighting is the best and generally, locations are quieter during these times of the day, allowing for more seclusion and privacy when you exchange your vows!
Example Elopement Timelines
Just the Two of You:
2:00pm – Start getting ready, hair + make up
4:00pm – Photographer arrives at your Airbnb for final touches on getting ready and detail photos
5:00pm – First look photos at a location close to your Airbnb
5:30pm – Head to ceremony location
6:00pm – Begin ceremony
6:30pm – Couples portraits around ceremony location and another location nearby
8:30 pm – Wrap up golden hour/sunset photos + enjoy a picnic charcuterie board dinner
9:00pm – Photo coverage ends
With Friends + Family:
2:00pm – Meet at ceremony location + change into wedding attire
2:30pm – First look + detail photos
3:30pm – Guests arrive
4:00pm – Ceremony begins
4:30pm – Ceremony wraps up, start group photos
5:00pm – Guests heads into town back to Airbnb
5:15pm – Couples portraits + exploring location, taking photos along the way
7:15pm – Head back to Airbnb (30 minute drive)
7:45pm – Arrive at Airbnb & meet guests for catered meal + toasts
9:00pm – Bonfire + s’mores with guests to wind down
10:00pm – Photo coverage ends
Hire an Elopement Photographer
Hi, it’s me!! As a BC elopement photographer based in Fernie, BC, you get so much more than just a photographer. I’m also your go-to resource for all elopement planning, as well as, your holder of things on the day of and your biggest supporter! As your elopement photographer, I will help you create an elopement timeline that is customized for your unique day so you get to sit back, and enjoy the elopement ride! Inquire here to start planning your elopement!
Wow, this is beautiful and so educational!!