Planning an elopement is an exciting and intimate way to celebrate your love. Whether you’re drawn to the idea of exchanging vows in a secluded destination or having a small ceremony surrounded by nature, creating a well-structured elopement day timeline is crucial. A thoughtfully planned timeline ensures that your special day runs smoothly and allows you to fully enjoy each moment. Here are ten tips to help you plan a perfect elopement day timeline.

1. Start with a Vision

Before diving into the logistics, take some time to envision your perfect elopement day. Consider the atmosphere, location, and activities that align with your desires as a couple. Having a clear vision will guide your planning process and help you make decisions that reflect your unique style.

Do you and your partner like quick-paced and spontaneous days? Or is a more relaxed pace with lots of flexibility more your style? Keep this forefront of your mind as you start planning your timeline.

2. Research Your Destination

If you’re planning to elope in a different location, thoroughly research your chosen destination. Familiarize yourself with local culture, weather conditions, and transportation needs and limitations. Understanding the logistics will ensure a seamless and stress-free experience.

Eloping in a large city will look much different logistically than an elopement at the top of a mountain. Cities often have public transportation (or are walkable), where a more rural destination may require driving or more complicated arrangements. Some more adventurous destinations will call for a 4×4 vehicle, or even a helicopter to reach.

3. Work with an Elopement Planner

Working with an experienced elopement planner can be immensely helpful. They can provide valuable insights, suggest unique locations, and assist in creating a personalized elopement day timeline tailored to your preferences. Their expertise will ensure that no detail is overlooked.

Often elopement photographers can help with planning your timeline, but someone who specializes in planning is your best bet for the whole package. They’ll help you with logistics, permits, etc.

4. Plan for the Season and Time of Day

The season and time of day play a significant role in the overall experience of your elopement, especially depending on your destination. Things like weather conditions, lighting, and tourist seasons are important details when deciding on your ceremony time.

Every place is different, and since you’re eloping you can shape your day any way you choose. My best suggestion is to choose the most ideal lighting of the day for your ceremony and just-married (or first look) portraits. This time will be location dependent (ie. you’ll lose the best natural light sooner in a city or in certain other landscapes than in an open place like the beach or salt flats).

5. Plan Sufficient Time for Hair and Makeup

Whether you’re hiring a professional or doing it yourself, allocate ample time for hair and makeup. Factor in any travel time to your location and ensure that you feel relaxed and ready before the ceremony begins.

The last thing you want to remember from your wedding day was feeling rushed or “behind schedule”, so build in some extra time so you can relax and feel pampered.

6. Set Your First Look or Couples’ Portraits Time

Designate time for your portraits and (if you want one) a first look. One of the keys to a fantastic elopement-day experience is having “landmarks” on your timeline, and these two items are a great choice. Since you can create the flow of your day any way you choose, you get to pick the ideal location and best lighting for everything. You’re (likely) not working around venue availability and guest transportation.

Deciding on a first look doesn’t mean you can’t spend the whole day together, either. You could plan a slow, leisurely morning together, then get (mostly) ready together, and just save getting fully dressed. Your first look could happen right before you head off on the next part of your day’s experience, and be an amazing intimate moment together before heading off to your ceremony. First looks also provide an opportunity for your photographer to capture beautiful and authentic emotions between you both.

7. Choose a Meaningful Ceremony Location

Select a ceremony location that holds significance for you as a couple. It could be a breathtaking mountaintop, a secluded beach, or a charming garden. Ensure that the venue aligns with your vision and provides the desired level of intimacy and luxury.

Some couples choose to hike together, and just stop at whatever spot feels right to share their vows, other couples have a very specific spot in mind to begin with. Both options are perfect, it’s totally up to you!

If you’re an introverted couple you may want a very private spot, if not – maybe saying your vows in front of your favorite architectural landmark in your favorite city sounds perfect to you! Whatever you choose, choose with intention.

8. Plan Ahead for Travel Time & Logistics

Most “typical” wedding days are spent at one or two places, the ceremony venue and the reception venue. An elopement day can go literally anywhere – you could start the day in your cute vacation rental or hotel, then travel to a great local restaurant for breakfast, then head to a spa for relaxation before getting ready, then go to your favorite spot as a couple to say your vows, then (you get the picture).

Plan ahead for transportation, and leave a little more time than you may think necessary. Sometimes traffic is worse than planned, or the train is late, or your driver can’t find you. It’s better to have these things planned ahead (and extra time scheduled) than to be rushing to find a way from one spot to the next while in a wedding dress.

9. Leave Space for Celebration and Reflection

The best elopement days are the ones with plenty of time set aside for quiet moments together, or freedom to flex the plan to whatever feels right to you both that day.

Imagine this: you’ve just said “I do” in a beautiful garden in your favorite European city, and as you’re walking away together you spot an adorable cafe. If you’ve left flex time in your schedule you can stop in and enjoy the local cuisine, rather than having to rush on to the next agenda item. If you’ve chosen to have your photographer capture your whole day (always my favorite option!) then you’ll also end up with the sweetest memories from this spontaneous moment!

10. Plan Food!

Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean feeding yourselves isn’t as important as if you had guests to feed as well! Make sure and consider your food plans for your whole day. Are you going to share breakfast? Does your day have a gap for lunch? And how do you want to cap the whole celebration off?

Hiring a private chef to come back to your hotel or house in the evening is an intimate and delicious way to customize your elopement experience, or making dinner reservations at your favorite local spot. Whatever fits your taste (ha, no pun intended) best is a great idea, just make sure and have a plan.

Happy Planning & Stay Wild. xx