Elopement Ideas [2024]

50 Ideas for Your Elopement

How Does Eloping Work?

Usually when people think of an elopement, they picture a quickie ceremony, a few photos, and done. But this is your WEDDING, and your love story deserves more than that! So, what can you actually do on your elopement day? How do elopements last all day? Actually, more and more of my eloping couples are planning not only full-day elopements, but multi-day adventures!

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to elopements, and the possibilities for your day(s) are endless! I always tell my couples to think about…what are some of the things you already love doing together, the things you’ve always wanted to do, the items on your bucket list, what you enjoy when you’re on vacation, places you want to visit, what your dream trip would look like, and so on! Picture it – that day could be yours! You could have the elopement experience of your dreams…

Elopement Location Ideas

Unique Elopement Ideas

There’s so many amazing ideas for elopement locations! Depending on where you want to travel (or if you want to be local to home), what kind of experience you want, the scenery you’re looking for, whether you want more amenities or somewhere more remote, and so on…

To help give you some ideas for beautiful elopement locations and unique elopement ideas in general, check out the following location guides:

Elopement Getting Ready Ideas

This is how you’ll start your wedding day together! Your wedding morning can be a nice relaxing slow morning together, maybe you want time for some cuddles before starting the day, make your morning coffee or tea, cook your favorite breakfast together…
 

  • AirBnb all to yourselves or a big one with space for loved ones

  • Why not get ready together? How romantic!

  • Or you can get ready separately and do a First Look - also super romantic!

  • Make breakfast together

  • Pick up your favorite donuts

  • Do yoga together

  • Write your vows in your vow books together

Morning coffee together on your elopement day

Enjoying some pre-elopement drinks with loved ones

Elopement Ceremony Ideas

Your elopement ceremony is one of the most meaningful moments during your elopement. It can start with a First Look and you can incorporate traditional elements or create your own ideas or a mix of both, and commit your lives to each other in a way that’s special to you… 

  • Personalized, handwritten vows

  • Love letters

  • Ring exchange

  • Unity Ceremony (sand ceremony, wine mixing, etc.)

  • Cultural or religious rituals/traditions

  • Include music that’s meaningful to you

  • Surprise each other with something

  • Have a First Dance

  • Read letters from loved ones

  • Watch video toasts from loved ones

Elopement Activity Ideas

This part is really where the sky’s the limit! You can basically incorporate anything that excites you two, anything that feels like it would be a “hell-yeah-this-feels-like-us” experience! Whether you want to do something relaxing, or adventurous, or thrilling, or whatever you’re into - here’s just a few ideas…

  • Scenic hike

  • Off-roading in a jeep

  • Hot Air Balloon ride

  • Boating / Sailing / Kayaking

  • Camping / Backpacking

  • Cliff jumping

  • Relax in a hammock

  • Swim in a lake

  • Enjoy some hot springs

  • Get matching tattoos

  • Cuddle by a campfire or fireplace

  • Horse-back riding

  • Wine Tasting

  • Rock climbing

  • Bike Riding 

Enjoy a morning swim before getting ready

Breakfast picnic after a sunrise ceremony

Stop at a local brewery

Elopement Transportation Ideas

This is always a fun one! You can do some really adventurous, make a road trip experience, get ready in a camper van…
 

  • Road trip

  • Rent a car you’ve always wanted to drive

  • Adventure in a camper van or RV

  • Jeep tours

  • Helicopter ride?!

  • Float plane

  • Sunset sailing

Elopement Food & Drink Ideas

Yesssss, my favorite topic, haha – FOOD! I definitely encourage couples to savor this part, I feel like most couples who have traditional weddings don’t even get a bite of their dinner or their delicious cake, so take advantage of that elopement freedom…

  • Eat at your favorite place (even if that’s fast food burgers!)

  • Private chef to cook you an intimate dinner

  • Picnic setup

  • Charcuterie board

  • Pizza lunch

  • Cooking together

  • Late night snack

  • Mimosa brunch

  • S’mores by a fire

  • Cook together and candlelight dinner

  • Brewery

  • Drinks at a bar

  • Shots after your First Kiss

  • Blend your own wine at a winery

  • Pop champagne 

Have some celebratory drinks

Enjoy some donuts together

Toasting after sunset

Elopement Photo Ideas

Elopement Photos

Honestly, part of the point (and the fun!) of having an elopement instead of a big traditional wedding is not even having to worry about having “photo ideas.” Rather than feeling like you’re in an all-day photoshoot, you’ll be so immersed in the experience and adventure of it all, actually be able to enjoy yourself, savor all the moments, and create beautiful memories. When I’m capturing these moments for my couples, I focus on you two interacting with each other, rather than you interacting with the camera, if that makes sense.

I encourage you to embrace the together-ness, the lightness of these moments that aren’t clouded by stress and drama, enjoy the quality time and soak in the experience we create together!

Elopement Picture Ideas

I’m your PLANNER too!

I’ll help you plan your elopement from start to finish!

*You’ll have an EXPERT by your side the whole way*

 
 

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Elopement Tips, Elopement ResourcesSarah MezaElopement Planning, Elopement Guide, Elopement TipsComment