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How Long Should My Elopement Be? | Example Elopement Timelines

How Long Should an Elopement Be?

One of the biggest questions when beginning to planning an elopement is “How many hours of coverage should I book for my elopement?”

I just wanna remind you real quick (in case you somehow forgot)… This is your wedding day!! Sure, you could have a quick 15 minute ceremony, take a few photos after, and call it good.

OR, you could plan out a meaningful day that you’ll be excited to remember for years to come – the kind of day that actually makes you want to pull out the photo album and relive the experience every anniversary.

You deserve a day that’s full of special moments, meaningful activities, and a whole lot of fun. Just like a traditional wedding day, I recommend planning out a full day of celebration!

How Long is a Typical Elopement?

This is your day to celebrate your love, ditch outdated traditions, and do whatever feels right for you both. While there’s no set rules for any of this, I highly recommend at least 6 hours of coverage for your elopement. And that recommendation still applies even if you’re not planning on doing any hiking or big activities on your wedding day. In fact, if you do want to go on a moderate hike or longer adventure, I recommend planning for at least 8 hours.

What Would We Even Do During a Full Day Elopement?

Start off by thinking about what a perfect day would look like for the two of you. You don’t even have to think about it in terms of your wedding day quite yet, just think about a perfect day together:

  • What does your morning look like? Cooking breakfast at your luxurious AirBnB cabin or on a propane stove at your campsite?
  • Would you enjoy a long hike together or driving around to see multiple scenic overlooks?
  • What kind of activities would you enjoy doing together? Horseback riding? Exploring a botanical garden? Walking down the string-lighted streets of a small mountain town? Spending a couple hours at a local brewery? Jumping into natural hot springs?
  • Does a cute little picnic with charcuterie boards and your favorite snacks and desserts sound perfect? Or would you rather have a specially-crafted dinner made for you by a private chef right in your AirBnB?

Letting go of the traditional wedding structure leaves plenty of options for what your elopement day could look like. And it doesn’t mean you should settle for a 1-2 hour day either (in fact, I highly recommend that you don’t).

You’d be surprised how easy it is to fill a 4 hour day – a first look, ceremony, and dessert and champagne alone can easily take up the entire time. Add in one or two meaningful activities, a short hike, or a special dinner to end the day, and you’ll definitely want to budget for a few more hours.

Sample Elopement Timelines

To give you an idea of how easy it is to fill a full elopement day, here are some example timelines for two-day, full day, 6 hour, and 4 hour elopements. The exact times will vary a lot based on the locations you choose, the time of year, and how you’d like to structure your day, but these timelines should give you a good idea of how long typical activities take.


Two-Day “Just Us” Sunset & Sunrise Elopement Timeline

Sunset and sunrise both are unmatched experiences with different vibes. It can be a lot (and exhausting) to try to fit both into one day – splitting it between two days will give you lots of time to relax, rest, and enjoy each adventure even more!

Day 1: Sunset Adventure

3:00 PM: Meet at trailhead or private cabin/Airbnb for getting-ready photos.

4:00 PM: Hike or off-road to scenic overlook for sunset photos and an intimate tree-planting unity ceremony.

6:00 PM: Champagne toast, picnic, or dinner prepared by a private chef at your cabin.

7:30 PM: Sunset portraits followed by cozy fireside photos & your first dance.

9:00 PM: Stargazing photos & s’mores!

Day 2 – Sunrise Ceremony & Exploration

5:30 AM: Early morning wake-up, start getting ready separately or together.

6:30 AM: First look photos with sunrise as the backdrop.

7:00 AM: Intimate vow exchange.

8:00 AM: Breakfast picnic or coffee on the mountain.

9:00 AM: A lil’ adventuring (kayaking, paddleboarding, or exploring some nearby trails).

11:00 AM: Wrap-up and final photos.


Two-Day Elopement Timeline Including Friends & Family

Day 1: “Just Us” Adventure

2:00 PM: Getting ready photos at your AirBnB

3:30 PM: Get to the trailhead and start hiking

5:00 pm: Arrive at ceremony location, exchange vows, have a unity sand ceremony and a champagne toast

5:30 PM: Picnic dinner at a mountain overlook

6:30 PM: Find the perfect spot for your First Dance

6:40 PM: Explore more and take newlywed portraits

8:00 PM: Enjoy a quiet moment together to watch the sunset

8:30 PM: Grab the headlamps, start hiking back to the trailhead, and take a few stargazing photos on the way

10:00 PM: Get back to the trailhead & wrap up photo coverage

Day 2: Celebrate with Loved Ones

11:00 AM: Start the morning with brunch at your AirBnB, catch up with guests and show them some photos from yesterday’s adventures

12:30 PM: Head to a nearby lake for some relaxing afternoon activities (grilling, tubing, hanging out by the water, etc.)

4:00 PM: Head back to the AirBnB for some games and downtime before dinner

5:30 PM: Have a private chef come to the AirBnB to prepare a special meal for you and your guests

7:00 PM: Cut your wedding cake (or dessert tower). Spend the rest of the night around a firepit, playing games, or partying it up with your loved ones


Full-Day Adventure Elopement Timeline

*Most Popular Option*

10:00 AM: Start with a quiet brunch and getting-ready photos at your AirBnB.

11:00 AM: Have your first look on a stunning forest path, surrounded by tall evergreens.

11:30 AM: Hike up the mountain for a private, outdoor ceremony with your officiant.

12:30 PM: Share your vows, exchange rings & sign your marriage license to make it official! Pop a bottle of celebratory champagne and take some time to enjoy the moment.

1:00 PM: Explore a few different spots along the trail as we make our way back to the trailhead.

2:00 PM: Adventure session – travel to your next location for more hiking, off-roading, or relaxing by a lake or waterfall.

3:30 PM: Find the perfect spot for an intimate picnic complete with a charcuterie board, mini desserts, and your favorite drinks.

5:00 PM: Travel to a gorgeous rocky overlook for golden hour, and have your first dance under the setting sun.

6:00 PM: Head back to your AirBnB for a special meal cooked by a private chef & enjoy some hot-tub or fire-pit relaxation. Maybe even some card games and shots, if that’s your thing.

8:00 PM: Finish up the night with stargazing photos!


6 Hour Elopement Timeline with 10-15 Guests

1:00 PM: Getting ready photos at your hotel or AirBnB

1:40 PM: First look

2:15 PM: Drive to ceremony location

3:00 PM: Arrive at the gorgeous mountain overlook ceremony site you reserved. Take some family photos and solo portraits or simply have a quiet moment to yourselves.

3:45 PM: Your guests arrive and settle into where they’ll be standing or sitting. I (your photographer) or a trusted family member can help arrange everyone if there’s no seating.

4:00 PM: Your ceremony starts, led by a loved one like your sibling or best friend.

4:20 PM: Take some formal group and family photos, spend lots of time catching up everyone you’ve chosen to invite.

4:50 PM: Just the two of you (and me) venture off to explore some nearby trails. Exchange your private vows that you saved for when you both could be alone.

5:30 PM: Head over to the restaurant you booked for your mini-reception!

6:10 PM: Have dinner, celebrate with your loved ones, and party the night away!

7:00 PM: Photo coverage ends.


6-Hour “Just Us” Elopement Timeline

1:00 PM: Get ready with your partner, helping each other with the final touches and calming those pre-wedding excitement jitters.

2:00 PM: Drive to your ceremony location

2:30 PM: Have an intimate ceremony with sand pouring, reading vows, exchanging rings, and a first kiss!

3:00 PM: Explore and hike around your ceremony location, or travel to a second nearby location!

4:30 PM: Have a picnic and champagne toast

6:30 PM: Take in the sunset, have your first dance, and make your way back to the trailhead.

7:00 PM: Photo coverage wraps up.


4 Hour Elopement

2:00 PM: Meet at your chosen location for some quick final touch “getting ready” photos (fixing your makeup and tie, buttoning up your dress, or putting on the final pieces of jewelry) and have your first look.

2:30 PM: Ceremony & vows, sign your marriage license, and take some newlywed photos!

3:00 PM: Explore your ceremony area more or head over to a nearby location.

4:30 PM: Champagne pop, dessert, and your first dance. Followed by sunset & golden hour photos.

6:00 PM: Photo coverage wraps up.

Creating Your Elopement Timeline

As you can see, it doesn’t take a lot of activities or locations to fill up your elopement day. For the best wedding day experience, you’ll want enough time built into your timeline so that you aren’t rushing around from location to location or spending your entire day stressed out. The more hours of coverage you book, the more relaxed your day will be. One of the biggest perks of eloping vs. having a traditional wedding is that you get to ditch all the stress and rushed timelines, so be sure to give yourselves enough time to actually enjoy your special day!

My job is to help you build that perfect timeline so that you get to experience a meaningful day that you’ll happily remember for years to come. If you’re ready to get started on planning your dream elopement day, reach out!

Katrina S. Joseph Colorado elopement photographer

Hi! I’m Katrina,
Your Elopement Guide

I want to provide you with the absolute best elopement experience. If you value photography, authenticity, genuine emotions, and meaningful experiences – we’ll be a great fit 🙂

Fill out my contact form & let’s chat about your dream day!

Click here for pricing information

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