Planning an Elopement?
You're in the right place!
Congratulations! It’s a big decision to break free from the traditional wedding and choose an experience that’s intimate and authentic. Eloping means having a wedding that’s unique, and intentionally designed just for you.
Now that you’ve decided to elope, it’s time to start thinking of elopement ideas, and we’ve got you covered! This guide has more than 50 different eloping ideas to make your elopement unique and authentic to who you are. Ideas from ceremony to photos, with or without guests, outdoors or city, simple hike or helicopter ride, and so much more!
Let's get started:
Two things you need to know when choosing elopement ideas:
1. Your elopement can be so much more than a quick ceremony. We believe you deserve a longer celebration! Most our couples celebrate for a full day or two days.
2. Fill your elopement with the activites that make you unique! The best elopement ideas are the ones that feel right for your relationship and bring you genuine joy.
Two things you need to know when choosing elopement ideas:
1. Your elopement can be so much more than a quick ceremony, you deserve a much longer celebration! Most our couples celebrate for a full day or two days.
2. Fill your elopement with the activites that make you unique! The best elopement ideas are the ones that feel right for your relationship and bring you genuine joy.
but first, Why trust us?
because we've been there:
Hi, we're Sammie & Micah!
Hi, we're Sammie & Micah!
Before we were award-winning elopement photographers, we were in your shoes planning our own elopement! We eloped and loved it so much that we decided to become elopement photographers and help other couples plan unique elopements that feel authentic to who they are!
We're passionate about creating a meaningful elopement experience for you while we capture artistic photos that document your connection.
We're excited for your elopement and we haven't even met (YET!)
We’re also more than just your photographers: we’re your elopement planners and biggest support system! We’ll guide you through all the planning process to make it as stress-free as possible.
Helping couples plan their dream elopement, all while being present in the moment and capturing beautiful photos – that’s what we do:
Book a free planning consultation!
Schedule a free Call!
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Elopement Ceremony Ideas:
Your elopement ceremony carries just as much meaning as any other wedding ceremony: it’s the central point of your celebration, and the moment you pledge your lives to each other! From vows to symbolic rituals, there are so many different things you can do for your elopement ceremony:
Best Elopement Ceremony Ideas:
Exchange custom-written vows
Get married in a national or state park
Hold your ceremony at an Airbnb or VRBO
Get married at a castle or countryside villa
Exchange rings
Have your first look down the aisle
Have a self-solemnizing ceremony with no officiant! (only some states allow this)
Wash each others feet
Exchange private vows with no one else around.
Read scriptures pertaining to marriage
Prayer (An impactful part of our elopement ceremony.)
Have your dog "sign" your marriage license (there are 29 states that allow this!)
Hire live musicians to play as you walk
Perform a unity ceremony (more on that below)
Pop champagne at the end
Elopement Ceremony Examples:
Elopement Ceremony Tip:
Don't forget to check if your elopement location requires a permit. Many of the most beautiful elopement spots are in National and State Parks (Like Yosemite or Olympic) where you'll typically need a Special Use Permit for your ceremony.
(As photographers, we'll help check permit requirements and guide you through the process of getting them!)
Elopement Ceremony Tip:
Don't forget to check if your elopement location requires a permit. Many of the most beautiful elopement spots are in National and State Parks (Like Yosemite or Olympic) where you'll typically need a Special Use Permit for your ceremony.
(As your photographers, we'll help you check permit requirements and guide you through the process of getting them!)
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Unity Ceremony Ideas:
A unity ceremony is a symbolic action or ritual you can do during your ceremony that symbolizes your two lives becoming one, or your devotion to each other. These ceremonies have various backgrounds, and can be a beautiful way to add a unique aspect to your ceremony.
Best Unity Ceremony Ideas:
Incorporate religious or cultural traditions
Do a symbolic sand pouring
Perform a handfasting ceremony
Light a unity candle together
Exchange Leis
Perform a tea ceremony
Plant a tree together
Perform the braiding of the three strand cord.
Pour two colors of paint on a canvas
Perform the Greek wedding stefana (crowns) ceremony
Blowing the Hawaiian Pu (conch shell)
Drape a rosary lasso around your shoulders
Unity Ceremony Examples:
Unity Ceremony Tip:
This can be a great opportunity to add something to your elopement that's uniquely special to you. Maybe you have a sand pouring ceremony because you proposed on the beach, or you incorporate your religious beliefs for a deeply personal, spiritual moment to begin your marriage.
Unity Ceremony Tip:
This can be a great opportunity to add something to your elopement that's uniquely special to you. Maybe you have a sand pouring ceremony because you proposed on the beach, or you incorporate your religious beliefs for a deeply personal, spiritual moment to begin your marriage.
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Adventure Elopement Ideas:
The mountains are calling, and you two must go! These eloping ideas are for the nature-lovers, whether you’re an experienced backpacker, or you prefer to sit at scenic viewpoints: Nature is for everyone. So for the people who feel at home in the forest, who love to listen to the crashing ocean waves and see alpenglow light up the mountains, these elopement ideas are for you:
Best Adventure Elopement Ideas:
Hike to a beautiful mountain viewpoint (like in the Dolomites)
Explore an alpine lake
Walk through the forest
Get up and watch the sunrise together
Go canyoneering through a slot canyon
Take a private helicopter ride
Ride camels through the desert
Take a float plane to a remote location
Explore cascading waterfalls
Ride bikes on the beach
Stay up and watch the northern lights
Go rock climbing together
Canoe or kayak on a lake
Drive on off-roading trails
Go horseback riding
Snorkel in the ocean
Adventure Elopement Examples:
Adventure Elopement Tip:
Make sure you wear wedding attire you’re comfortable hiking in, complete with supportive hiking footwear. Choose a trail that fits your experience level, you don’t want to push yourself past your limit during your elopement.
Thinking about having an adventure elopement? Make sure to check out our full Hiking Elopement Guide for the best locations and tons of tips for gear and planning.
Adventure Elopement Tip:
Make sure you wear wedding attire you’re comfortable hiking in, complete with supportive hiking footwear. Choose a trail that fits your experience level, you don’t want to push yourself past your limit during your elopement.
Thinking about having an adventure elopement? Make sure to check out our full Hiking Elopement Guide for the best locations and tons of tips for gear and planning.
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Unique Elopement Ideas:
These ideas will make you say "This feels like us". Having an elopement means having a unique, one-of-a-kind experience that fits your unique relationship! Many of these are also perfect for destination elopement ideas! This is the time to include the things that make your relationship what it is, the things you love to do together everyday, or the things you’ve always dreamed of doing!
Best Unique Elopement Ideas:
Stay up and go stargazing
Explore castle ruins
Have a picnic on the beach, a meadow, or a mountain
Wander through an art museum
Jump into a lake or waterfall
Get tattoos together (Ring tattoos, each other's names, scenery of your elopement, or anything else you want!)
Play your favorite card game together
Hire a luxury picnic creator
Take a private boat tour along the coast
Play video games together
Sing karaoke with your guests
Have a fantasy-themed elopement and dress like LOTR characters
Go on a hot air balloon ride
Drink at a pub (Bonus points if it's in Ireland!)
Unique Elopement Examples:
Unique Elopement Tip:
Here are 3 categories of ideas to help you think of
things that are unique to you:
1. Activites that have been a meaningful part of your relationship. (Example: hiking if you hike together often.)
2. Everyday activites that form the routine you two have together. (Example: Drinking coffee together in the morning.)
3. Activites you've always wanted to do but haven't yet.
(Example: Hot air balloon ride, horseback riding, etc.)
Unique Elopement Tip:
Here are 3 categories of ideas to help you think of things that are unique to you:
1. Activites that have been a meaningful part of your relationship. (Example: hiking if you hike together often.)
2. Everyday activites that form the routine you two have together. (Example: Drinking coffee together in the morning.)
3. Activites you've always wanted to do but haven't yet. (Example: Hot air balloon ride, horseback riding, etc.)
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Elopement Ideas
with Family & Guests:
Yes, you can have guests at your elopement! Having guests at your elopement means you get to share intimate moments with each and everyone of them. Unlike a traditional wedding where your time is spread between 200+ people, an elopement with guests lets you include 0-25 of your closest friends and family, and actually spend time with them on your elopement day. Here are some eloping ideas you can do with guests:
Best Elopement Ideas with Family & Guests:
Invite them to your ceremony
Hold a reception after the ceremony
Have guests read letters during the ceremony
Do a first look with your family
Have your child be your ring bearer
Facetime or read letters from loved ones not present
Have a friend or family member officiate the ceremony
Go on a group hike together
Do a group activity like a boat tour, painting, cooking, or games
Have your guests gather and pray for you
Honor loved ones who have passed away with heirlooms or photos of them
Play with your dogs (your pets are guests too!)
Have your pet be your ring bearer
Family & Guest Elopement Examples:
Family & Guests Elopement Tip:
As a rule of thumb: Invite people to your elopement who will generally be positive and supporting. You can love someone, but choose to not invite them if you know they will be negative and unsupportive. Ultimately, your elopement should be a time of joy for all involved :)
Family & Guests Elopement Tip:
As a rule of thumb: Invite people to your elopement who will generally be positive and supporting. You can love someone, but choose to not invite them if you know they will be negative and unsupportive. Ultimately, your elopement should be a time of joy for all involved :)
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Elopement Reception Ideas:
A lot of couples choose to have a celebration with friends and family after their ceremony! Whether you throw a full reception, or just share some sandwiches on a picnic table, the most important thing is that you’re celebrating with the people you love the most.
Best Elopement Reception Ideas:
Hire a decorator for a beautiful tablescape
Share a meal at a restaurant
Hire a private chef for you and your guests
Host a mini-reception at your Airbnb or VRBO
Hold a large reception at a later date (more on that later!)
Speeches from friends and family
Hire live musicians to play
Have a traditional cake-cutting
Share a first dance with each other and your parents
Dance the night away with your loved ones
Elopement Reception Examples:
Elopement Reception Tip:
Your reception doesn't have to be the same day as your ceremony, or even in the same location! You can have it a two-day elopement with ceremony on day 1 and reception on day 2, or you can have your reception weeks later in your hometown.
Elopement Reception Tip:
Your reception doesn't have to be the same day as your ceremony, or even in the same location! You can have it a two-day elopement with ceremony on day 1 and reception on day 2, or you can have your reception weeks later in your hometown.
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Artistic Elopement Ideas:
One of the core ideas eloping is to express who you truly are while you celebrate your marriage, and art is all about expression! You don’t even have to consider yourself “artistic” in order to express your creativity with any of these cool elopement ideas, it’s your day, do whatever you want!
Best Artistic Elopement Ideas:
Play music for each other (guitar, piano, ukelele, etc)
Paint the landscape or each other
Make pottery together
Listen to music together
Take a private dance lesson
Make each other cocktails
Take a private cooking class
Read each other poetry (and/or write poetry)
Take photos of each other
Artistic Elopement Examples:
Overwhelmed by all the options?
We make it simple by guiding you through the planning process and giving personalized recommendations along the way!
Inquire about your elopement!
Overwhelmed by all the options?
We make it simple by guiding you through the planning process and giving personalized recommendations along the way!
Schedule a free call!
Elopement Photo Ideas:
Hiking wild mountain trails:
Strolling through lush forests:
Adventuring on the coast:
Visiting ancient castles and historic cities:
Exploring hidden waterfalls:
Ideas for Structuring Your Elopement:
Ideas for Structuring Your Elopement:
Eloping doesn’t mean a quick ceremony just the two of you anymore, nowadays there are a lot of different ways you can structure your elopement!
For example: the majority of our couples have full-day or two-day long elopements, filled with activities and adventure!
Elopement with Guests
Having guests at your elopement is an amazing way to include your closest loved ones in your marriage celebration. With 30 guests or less, you'll be able to spend quality time with friends and family. (We eloped with guests and cherished being able to hug each of them after the ceremony for as long as we wanted to.)
You can include them in whatever part of your experience you want. You can have your guests with you for getting ready, ceremony, activities, and reception. You can also have your ceremony be the only time with your guests, and then afterwards you share an adventure with just the two of you.
A common type of elopement we photograph is a two-day elopement where the couple spends one day with their guests, and then an entire day with just the two of them. That way they can include their closest loved ones, and also have a completely intimate experience as well.
Elopement with No Guests
Many people choose to elope with just the two of them, in this structure your entire experience will be just the two of you. If you want, you can still include other people even if they’re not physically present with ideas we mentioned before like reading letters, facetiming, etc.
Couples choose this elopement structure when they truly want their elopement to be a completely private experience that they share alone, spending intimate time, one-on-one throughout the whole day.
Maybe you don’t want to be in front of other people when you say your vows. Maybe you want a unique experience that only the two of you share. Maybe you dislike the idea of having to plan even with a small guest count. Whatever the reason, your elopement day can be just the two of you.
Elopement with Reception Later
Whether you have guests at your elopement or not, you can also have a larger reception at a later date to celebrate with everyone! Many people who choose elopements don’t like the idea of a big reception, but a lot of other people do. You might be choosing to elope because you don’t want the stress of planning a big traditional ceremony, but you still want to have a low-pressure party with all your friends and family.
You can hold your elopement wherever you want, then anytime afterwards hold a large, more “traditional” wedding reception! You can still have toasts, cake cutting, dancing, and whatever else you want.
(P.S. This is what we did! We eloped with 20 guests and then a few days later had a reception with 150+ people.)
Choosing Photographers for Your Elopement
We think you deserve elopement photos that are more than just beautiful: they're authentically YOU.
It's simple: We know that the best photos happen when you feel comfortable and you’re totally enjoying yourself.
The best part? We’re more than just your photographers: we’re your elopement planners and biggest supporters!
Here's What to Expect:
We'll guide you through all the planning to make it as stress-free as possible! That includes:
• Choosing your perfect location
• Building your custom timeline
• Helping you get permits
• Vendor recommendations
We'll be with you every step of the way and treat your wedding with the care and attention it deserves.
Ready to plan your dream elopement?
Contact Form
No worries – that's our specialty! Many of our couples come to us without a specific vision, and we'll help find you a perfect location and dream experience!
Unsure where or when you're wanting to elope?
No worries – that's our specialty! Many of our couples come to us without a specific vision, we'll help find you an amazing location and dream experience!
Unsure where or when you're wanting to elope?
Inquire above and let's start planning!
"Planning our special day felt effortless with Sammie & Micah's guidance and expertise. Their shooting style is pure magic: nothing felt posed or forced; every laugh, tear, and smile was authentic"
- Eva & Arturo
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