Elopement Day Activities : How To Make The Most Of Your Elopement Day

So… you want to get married in a way that represents you as a couple and ditch the stress of a traditional wedding? Our couples come to us from all over the world wanting to plan their dream wedding in an incredible scenic location, but your wedding day is so much more than just a pretty spot to take photos! Sure, elopement days do not include the many activities that traditional weddings hold but that does not make it any less of an experience! Instead of focusing time and money on a huge production for guests, couples are deciding to elope and instead prioritize a day filled with places and activities that are special to them as a couple.
There are many ways to get married, your wedding day does not have to be a one size fits all. If skipping the traditional festivities and planning a once in a lifetime experience sounds more up your alley, consider eloping!
Aside from the vows and ceremony, what do couples actually do on their elopement day? When it comes to helping our clients with planning, this is always the first question we get! We created this to help more couples discover that their elopement day can be anything they dream of and to spark some inspiration on different activities that can be included on the big day to help your experience be unforgettable and everything you could wish for on a wedding day.



Let’s dive in, what is an Elopement?
An elopement can mean different things to anyone. An elopement can be a quick courthouse wedding, a ceremony with just the two of you, an intimate gathering to get married, I could go on and on. For me personally, an elopement is an intimate experience that focuses on the couple and creating an intentional celebration of your love. When couples choose to elope, they prioritize themselves and their experiences instead of feeling obliged to perform in traditional activities that they do not align with.
Couples elope because they want the type of wedding day that they truly enjoy and are excited about. Your wedding day should never feel like a stressful time and planning should not feel like you are checking a box off of a list. a day they want to relive time and time again. Eloping does not necessarily mean it is only you and your partner either. Your celebration can include family, your closest friends or even just the two of you if you prefer it that way. The beauty in eloping is that it can truly look however you want.
A common misconception with elopements are that they are somehow looked at as less of an experience than a traditional wedding, which is absolutely not the case. Elopement days are just as important, and in my personal belief, even more special because you are choosing to go against traditional beliefs to create a day that is tailored to you and your relationship. You deserve just as much documentation and celebration regardless of the way you decide to say “I do.”


How could an elopement even last all day if it’s just me and my partner?
Listen, I totally get how a full day of coverage can seem like a bit much when there is only two of you. The idea of having photos clicked for a full 6-8 hours on your wedding day can feel daunting, but the day goes by so quickly! While it is not a traditional wedding yes, IT IS STILL YOUR WEDDING DAY!
For us, we absolutely are not clicking photos all day long! We create an experience for our couples, so while we may be together the entire day do not stress about needing to be photo ready at all times. Our time together could look like cooking a meal, writing vows, going on a hike, laughing together, exploring new places and stargazing and boom! 6 hours. Your wedding day will truly be a whirlwind of a day and I promise you will want every second documented.
Your wedding day deserves documentation, whether it’s just the two of you or with a full guest count. With traditional weddings it is standard to get 7+ hours of coverage. From start to finish traditional weddings are documented, what makes your wedding day deserve any less?


How to Start Planning Your Elopement Activities
Close your eyes and envision your absolute perfect day from start to finish. Are you enjoying a quiet morning together sipping coffee and reading a book or writing your vows? Are you cooking lunch together and having a picnic at your favorite spot? Are you taking a new hike or trying something brand new for the first time like zip lining or a hot air balloon? Are you in the desert in Arizona or chasing a waterfall in Iceland? Are you traveling to a new location or somewhere familiar and sentimental?
When it comes to envisioning the day, try and let go of realistic expectations and what seems logical. Focus on creating a day that will align with you, give you joy and excitement and be the most incredible experience of your life. That’s what your wedding day should be about! Ignore what social media says to do, what your family expects of you and what society deems appropriate as a wedding. Your wedding day is all about celebrating your love in the most intentional way.










20+ Elopement Activities You Can Enjoy On Your Wedding Day
Elopements are not a one size fits all. Your elopement experience should be so much more than just exchanging your vows and snapping a few quick photos. When it comes to deciding what activities to include on your wedding, ask yourself what makes us happy? What do we enjoy doing together? Is there a new place we want to see or a new thing we have been dying to try out? Is there a sentimental activity we can incorporate? The options are truly endless! Here are a few of our favorite ideas you can incorporate to have an out of this world elopement experience!

Adventurous Elopement Activities
- Stargazing
- Have a campfire with s’mores!
- First dance by a campfire or under the stars
- Sparklers
- Make breakfast together
- Have a picnic
- Go to a craft brewery
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Jeep off-roading
- Helicopter tour
- Kayaking
- Rock climbing
- Snorkeling
- Snowshoeing
- Skiing or Snowboarding
- Zip-lining
- Watch the sunrise or sunset
- Hot Air balloon
- Taking a bath together
- Read a book
- Go horseback riding
- Yoga
- Play an instrument or listen to music
- Read letters from family and friends
- Write letters to each other to open on an anniversary
- Paint together
- Soak in hot spring or lagoon

If you need some help on where to start planning your elopement, check out our 10-step-guide on how to elope! Wandering Weddings also has a great blog on Elopements and how to help couples decide if Eloping is the right decision for them, check that out here!