What Does an Elopement Look Like? Your Guide to Creating an Experience-Driven Day

Not into the stiff timelines, ballroom vibes, logistical chaos, and five-figure price tag of a traditional wedding? Yeah. I get it. If you know me, you know elopements are 100 PERCENT my jam. But you might be wondering, “Okay… but what does an elopement actually look like?” Drumroll please…

It can look literally like anything you want. 

An elopement isn’t just a quick ceremony squeezed between photo ops. It’s not a checklist or a production schedule run by a venue coordinator with a clipboard. It’s an intentional, wildly personal experience you’ll still feel in your bones years from now.

Want something simple and sweet? Amazing. Maybe you want your day to be a little wacky and out of the box? Honestly, my favorite. Seriously, nothing is off limits here. That’s the beauty of eloping.

You get to build this day however the heck you want. No expectations. No weird pressure. Just the two of you choosing what actually matters to you. And as your elopement photographer I’m here for all of it. I’ll help you dream it up, then make it actually happen.

This blog post will walk you through what an elopement can look like, but just know, this isn’t a rulebook. Use it as inspiration and PLEASE feel free to change anything you want.

Dreaming Up Your Perfect Elopement Day

I’m ALL about exploring what your elopement day can feel and look like so that it’s your best day ever. If you’re still figuring out what you want your experience to look like, that’s a little adventure in itself (and a fun one, too). Yes, scrolling Instagram and Pinterest is a normal part of planning. But beyond inspiration, I encourage you to pull out your microscope and be a scientist about your own life. 

What consistently brings you joy and that you lose track of time doing? What feels grounding, exciting, or comforting? What’s something you’ve always wanted to try?

If it’s something epic and adventurous, that’s incredible. But it doesn’t have to be a mega adventure. If you love puzzles, reading your favorite book, playing music, or sharing a quiet meal, absolutely include that. I always tell my couples that your day should feel like your favorite things – just in formal wear. 

Quick storytime: my husband and I had an elopement-style vow renewal in New Zealand. The landscape around us was INCREDIBLE, and we 1000% took time to explore. But the moment that really defined our elopement was when we set up a picnic, ate pastries, and listened to Taylor Swift. It felt exactly like us,  just in a more dramatic setting. That’s the heart of eloping.

The Framework of an Elopement Day

Ok folks, here’s the thing: there is no gold star for “doing it right.”

Your elopement day doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It doesn’t have to fill eight hours or include hiking up a mountain. It doesn’t even have to include a first dance or champagne spray at sunset (unless you want it to). The only thing your elopement has to do? It just has to feel like you.

Core Elopement Elements

That said, after photographing 130+ elopements, I’ve noticed that most days naturally include a few core pieces that make everything feel intentional and complete.

• A ceremony: This is the heartbeat of your elopement. The part where you read the words you wrote at your kitchen table, where your hands shake a little, where you look at your partner and think, we’re really doing this. Whether it takes place on a cliffside at sunrise or tucked into a quiet forest near your Airbnb, this is the moment your experience is built around.

• An experience you share: Speaking of experiences, this part of your celebration is what makes an elopement different from a traditional wedding day. It’s not just about standing somewhere beautiful; it’ about doing something together. Maybe that’s hiking to a lookout, kayaking across still water, riding horses through the desert, or just wandering with no timeline and nowhere else to be. It’s less about the activity you do and more about the feeling of being fully in it together.

• Time to actually soak it in: Elopements are intentionally slower, but even then, the day can fly. Most couples build in space to breathe, to sit, to laugh, and to let the “we’re married” feeling sink in. It’s these quiet in-between moments that often are the ones that stay with you long after your wedding day is over.

Beyond these core elements, truly — anything goes.

Optional Elopement Activities

In the past, some of my couples have added things like:

• Getting ready together at their Airbnb or at the trailhead
• Photos of meaningful details they brought along
• A celebratory drink (champagne, mocktails, hot chocolate — I’ve seen it all)
• Their favorite snack — yes, Hot Cheetos and chicken nuggets absolutely count
• A first dance with a wildly beautiful view and no one watching
• An extra adventure like off-roading, kayaking, or ending the night around a campfire

You can include all of it, or almost none of it.

Your day can be four hours at sunrise or a slow, full-day experience that stretches into stargazing. There is no minimum requirement and no “correct” version.

And while every elopement is different, there is one rhythm that has naturally become the most popular over the years. If you’re someone who likes seeing an example to get your wheels turning (hi, same), I’ll walk you through what that often looks like next.

Starting Your Elopement: Sunrise & Morning Adventures

First things first. When looking at what an elopement day can look like for many of my couples, I recommend splitting coverage, half at sunrise and half at sunset (winter is often an exception, because the daylight hours are shorter). This lets us chase the best light, build in rest, and avoid that rushed, go-go-go feeling that so many traditional wedding timelines carry. It allows the day to unfold naturally instead of feeling crammed into a tight schedule.

And yes, that often means starting early. Like, waking up before the sun early.

Chasing the Sunrise

We’ll usually meet at some wildly beautiful, middle-of-nowhere spot before daybreak. (I promise I’m not a serial killer. Just someone who’s deeply obsessed with good light.)

We’ll give ourselves plenty of time to ease into the morning. If you pack your wedding outfits and get dressed on site, blue hour is an incredibly dreamy time for a first look. The light is soft, the air feels still, and it’s like the whole world is holding its breath just for you two.

As the sun starts creeping over the horizon and illuminating the landscape, I’ll take a step back. While there’s plenty of opportunities for STUUUNNING portraits, I want you take in the crisp air, the way the light hits the landscape, and the stillness of the morning. The reality that you’re getting married today. That’s really what matters. 

And then we break out breakfast!

I always tell my couples to bring whatever sounds the most fun. Breakfast burritos heated up on a backpacking stove. Donuts and coffee spiked with peanut butter whiskey. Tea. Mimosas. Cold brew. If it sounds good to you, it belongs.

There are zero rules out here. And I absolutely will not judge you for a 6 a.m. whiskey shot. Promise.

Embarking on Your Adventure

After sunrise, we’ll set out on some sort of activity or adventure. And before you assume that means a massive, adrenaline-fueled moment, let me say: it absolutely does not have to.

Could it be off-roading, kayaking, or rock climbing? Totally. Maybe a slower 3 to 5-mile hike is more your speed. Or it could also be wandering through a beautiful place, skipping rocks, fishing, or sitting together and talking about how wild it is that you’re getting married today.

The activity isn’t about proving anything. It’s about building the day around who you already are. Once it wraps up, we build in a break (and yes, often a well-deserved nap), letting you soak in the day so far.

Building the Second Half of Your Elopement: Ceremony to Stargazing

In the afternoon, I’ll meet back up with you where you’re staying. A lot of couples opt for super cool lodging options, like quirky Airbnbs, glamping tents, and A-frames, so I love getting to showcase that during this part of the day. 

I also use this time to document getting ready moments and details like your rings, vow books, and the overall quiet anticipation building before the ceremony. After the pause from earlier in the day, everything tends to feel relaxed and more present, which makes such a difference in how the rest of your elopement unfolds.

If you have a pet and they couldn’t join in the morning, this is a perfect time to include them, too!

Your Ceremony, Fully Your Way

When it’s time for your ceremony, the first step is getting to your location. Depending on where you’re eloping, that might mean hiking, driving, off-roading, or even taking a helicopter. If you’ve reserved a permitted site, we’ll head there. If your location is more open-ended, we can simply wander the trails until you find the spot that makes you both look at each other and say, “Yeah. This is it.”

During your ceremony, you can exchange vows and include any other personal touches that feel meaningful to you. You can read letters from family, recite a favorite poem, incorporate religious scripture, include a hand fasting ritual, play Uno, or sit together in total silence for a moment. There are no rules dictating what this part of your elopement can look like.

After the key ceremony moments, I’ll step back and give you space so you can let the moment really sink in, without a camera in your face. I wholeheartedly believe that presence matters more than capturing the perfect photo, both in this moment and always.

Then it’s time to celebrate! Champagne, sparkling cider, sandwiches, cake, cookies, cold pizza, whatever feels fun and satisfying in that moment. 

Sunset, Stars, & Stillness

To cap off your elopement day, we can chase sunset and, once night falls, stay out for the stars. If you’re coming from a city or suburban area, the night sky in remote locations (like Moab) can feel UNREAL.

Ending your elopement day in that kind of stillness, under a sky that feels bigger than you’ve ever seen, really does bring everything full circle. As a bonus, I’ll document those once-in-a-lifetime night sky photos for you to treasure forever. 

When a Sunrise Elopement Ceremony Might Be Perfect for You

Most of the couples I work with choose to have their ceremony in the afternoon, but that doesn’t mean you have to plan yours the same way. If you’re eloping in a popular area, sunrise often means fewer crowds and more privacy. Some permitted locations, like certain national parks, may even require morning time slots. And sometimes, sunrise simply feels aligned with the energy you want to carry into your marriage.

There isn’t a “normal” here. There’s only what feels right for you.

Building an Elopement Around Your Favorite Things

While it’s super important to dig deep and figure out what really matters to you and lights you up, sometimes it helps to get a few ideas on the table. If you’re still brainstorming ways to spend your elopement day, here are some ideas of what your activities can look like to get your wheels turning:

• Hiking
• Enjoying a Meal
• Fishing
• Off-roading
• Completing a Puzzle
• Skipping Stones
• Kayaking on a Pack Raft
• Rock Climbing
• Playing Uno

The possibilities here are basically endless. I even wrote a blog that dives into this in more detail. But at the end of the day, your elopement is all about having fun, being present, and making the experience yours. There truly are no guidelines. Just you two, good vibes, and great memories.

Embracing the Full Elopement Experience

Even when we try to plan for everything, sometimes the day unfolds differently than expected. Weather changes, trails close, and timelines shift. But the beauty of an elopement is that it’s flexible by design. If there’s rain in the forecast, we’ll embrace it. If a location doesn’t work out, we pivot to something that’s just as epic. And if the wind tries to steal your vow book, we’ll laugh and keep going.

It’s not about having a perfect elopement day. It’s your presence that really matters.

Why Elopement Days Feel Full

Sometimes people assume elopements are quick or rushed. But when your day is intentionally designed around what matters most to you, it feels full.

When it comes to building timelines, I make sure there’s plenty of breathing room. You’ll have space to wander, snack, sit quietly, and just soak in the view. The goal isn’t to pack in as much as possible. It’s to create a rhythm that actually feels good, aligned, and sustainable (whatever that means to you).

If you want to nerd out on timelines a little more, I’ve written a whole blog on exactly that.

So what does an elopement actually look like?

It looks like your favorite day ever, built around your favorite things, with your favorite person. It looks like intention over expectation, experience over production, and connection over everything else.

If that sounds like your kind of energy, I would love to help you bring it to life. Reach out to me at the link below and let’s explore what this could look like for you.

Blog post written by Sonder Studio