When it comes to eloping, I have a lot of advice I like to share with couples. Ultimately, I could talk for hours about what to do when planning your elopement, how to plan it, and what to remember during the whole process. 

But if I had to pick, if I could only share one piece of advice with an eloping couple–just one thing that I believe makes the difference between a good elopement and a magical one–it’s this piece of advice: give yourselves the gift of time. 

If you’ve started planning your elopement or even if you’re just considering an elopement, I encourage you (with so much love and support) to think about choosing elopement day coverage that gives you that gift and never makes you feel like you’re sacrificing anything. 

In this article, I want to detail all the ins and outs of two-day elopements. I want eloping couples to understand how absolutely amazing they can be, and their unique benefits, and offer insight on how to start constructing your own two-day elopement timeline. 

So, let’s get into it. If you ever had questions about two-day elopements, this is the place to start. 

Everything You Need to Know About a Two-Day Elopement Timeline 

The Two-Day Elopement Basics: Why Plan Two Full Days for Your Elopement? 

Before I dive into this part, I want to make a clear disclaimer–I don’t think that a two-day elopement is the perfect fit for every eloping couple out there. In fact, for a lot of couples, a really well-planned full-day elopement could be the exact right amount of time. 

Ultimately, it all depends on the kind of day you’re looking for, how you want it to feel, and what’s most important to you.  

But for those couples who have big, wild elopement dreams, who want to include so much amazing stuff in their day, and aren’t interested in compromising anything, two day elopements can be the ultimate choice. 

Here’s why. 

The Benefits of a Two-Day Elopement 

More to Explore, More Coverage of it All 

If you’re a couple who wants to have it all–lots of locations to explore, tons of activities, and doesn’t want to say no to anything that outlines your dream elopement–you’re going to want to opt for a two-day elopement. 

When you have two days of coverage, you’re not just experiencing more, you’re giving yourself the gift of having all of those experiences documented. Every second, every hike, every little moment is yours, because you’ll have a photographer there with you to document everything as it happens. It’s the ultimate way to peek back into your two-day experience and relive it all–no matter how many years pass. 

And trust me, that’s an heirloom you’ll want forever. 

A Better Balance of Intimate Experiences & Including Guests 

One of the absolute greatest benefits of a two-day elopement is that you can still get a full day of intimacy with your partner AND include your loved ones. 

On day one, you could spend the entire day with your partner. Wake up, go for a secluded hike, have an intimate ceremony, and enjoy a sunset. Whatever you see fit, you and your partner can do and experience all on your own. Then, the next day, you can do it all again with the people you love the most. Have another ceremony with public vows, rent out a gorgeous venue for your reception, or go on a family 4×4 adventure. The possibilities are endless!

Instead of trying to pack in a sliver of personal time alongside time with your loved ones, you could give yourselves an entire day of privacy followed by a full day including the people you care about. 

Less Rush Means Less Stress 

Time is everything, and with two days, you’ll never have to worry about ticking by too fast. But it’s less about the worry of time passing and more about the presence you’ll be able to focus on. 

You won’t look at your watch wondering when you need to move on to the next thing to “keep the schedule,” you’ll be able to soak in moments without your mind traipsing off to worry about what comes next, and you won’t find yourself wishing you had more time (because you gave yourselves plenty). 

More time means less stress, built-in buffer space to let plans change without throwing anything off, and the ability to fully exist in the moment knowing that you’ve got plenty of time. 

You know what else? Two days means less pressure for everything outside your control to work out. Have bad weather the morning of the first day? Don’t sweat it–you can wait out the rain and explore that spot the next day. 

No Compromises Here 

Imagine not having to say no to a single thing you want on your elopement day. Imagine never having to choose between one hike and another because you have time to do both. Picture not having to decide between a private elopement ceremony or one where your favorite people can be present. 

A multi-day elopement opens up your day into something more–you can do more, experience more, see more, and feel more because you’re not trying to fit all of your wild dreams and plans into a smaller window than they deserve. 

You Can Plan the Wildest Elopement Ever 

With two days, you can truly throw caution to the wind. And why shouldn’t you? It’s your wedding! If you and your love are big on the idea of celebrating in style, soaking up every moment, and know for a fact that spreading this “day” out is the biggest priority, I can tell you that a two-day elopement sounds right up your alley. 

You Can Rest As Much As You Need 

I always recommend couples build downtime and relaxation time into their elopement timelines–but with shorter coverage, that window is (obviously) a little more defined. With a two-day elopement, you can take hours to relax and recharge all without having to compromise on the plans of your day. 

You Can Catch Sunrise & Sunset Without Exhausting Yourself 

I often work with couples who have trouble choosing between experiencing sunrise or sunset on their elopement day. And, trust me, with one day, it’s exhausting to try to catch both. It can be done (and often is!), but if you’re a couple who doesn’t like running around and packing things in one after another, this can be a draining choice. 

With two days, you have a chance to experience sunrise and sunset in a more relaxed, and rested day. Get up for the sunrise on day one, then snooze the next day and experience the magic of a sunset on day two. 

What’s an Elopement Timeline? 

An elopement timeline is like a loose roadmap of your day that tells you when things happen. The idea? A timeline keeps you on track to ensure you can do all the things on your elopement day (or days) list. 

It might sound counterintuitive to have a “schedule” on a multi-day elopement that’s all about flexibility and freedom, but ultimately, this timeline is really just about ensuring you get to experience everything you want to. 

The nice thing about these timelines? They’re suggestions, not rules. At the end of the day, how you spend your day is fully up to you. If you and your partner decide spur of the moment that you want to change things, you absolutely can. 

How Do I Plan an Elopement Timeline? 

If you work with an elopement photographer who helps you plan your day, your timeline will be a collaboration between the three of you. The photographer will help you determine what’s important to you, help you work out logistics, and advise on how to build the timeline so you have plenty of coverage for the important parts of your elopement days. 

Here are a few things you’ll want to consider when creating your elopement timeline. 

• The Absolute Non-Negotiables: There are probably a few things you want to experience during your elopement days that are totally non-negotiable. The good news? With a multi-day elopement, you can have a huge list of non-negotiables that all get included in your day. Build your days around those non-negotiables. 
• Think the Days’ Logistics: Consider how you want to break up the days. Do you and your partner want a full day together and then a full day with guests? Would you rather intermingle your alone time and time with your loved ones? Do you want them to join you on hikes or adventures, or just at your ceremony and reception? 
• Don’t Skip the Getting Ready Time: You’ll have two full days of coverage, which means you’ll have two opportunities for “getting ready.” I highly recommend including these moments in your coverage. Without fail, these moments are the things my couples end up loving the most. And if you’re planning on having two days where these moments will potentially look different each time, you’ll want the memory of both. 
• Leave Space for Soaking Everything In: Leave a little time for “nothing.” It’s tempting to pack things in back-to-back, but with two days, you have time for plenty of just being present and existing in the happiness of a moment. Save plenty of room for that in your timeline. 
• Account for Buffer Time: My logistical secret? Everything takes longer than you think it will. Anything could happen–you could hit traffic, your family members could get lost, or the hike could be more challenging than you anticipated. With buffer time included in your day, you’ll never be “off schedule.” 
• Don’t Forget Hiking Time/ Driving Time: Just like you should consider buffer time, you should consider logistics like driving time and hiking time, too. Work those kinds of things into your elopement day so you can have a realistic picture of what your timeline will look like.  
• Consider “Plan B” Elements: What’s great about two-day elopements is that you get a little more flexibility when it comes to weather or unforeseen circumstances. So, plan for those in your timeline.  
• Focus on the Feeling: Above all, focus on how you want your days to feel. During your planning, keep your priorities straight, don’t compromise, and relentlessly chase the feeling you want to experience on your day. 

Two-Day Elopement Timeline Example: A Moab, UT Elopement 

Before we jump right into my example of a two-day elopement in Moab, UT, I want to make one thing clear– this is just an example. Your two-day elopement can look totally different if that’s what suits you best! There’s no right way to plan an elopement, and the only wrong way is to plan a day that doesn’t align with what you and your partner want. 

Day One – Intimate Elopement Day 

• 4:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m.

Rise and shine and get ready! It’s time for hair, makeup, and getting dressed at your accommodations. 

• 5:15 a.m. – 5:45 a.m.

We’ll drive to our first spot–Arches National Park. I’ll take you to the parking lot of one of my all-time favorite Arches. 

• 6:00 a.m. – 6:15 a.m.

We start our hike out to an epic arch for your private sunrise ceremony. Once we arrive, we’ll wait for the sun to start peeking over the arches, capturing that beautiful, soft light. 

• 6:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. 

It’s time for your private ceremony! As you take your time saying your vows and partaking in your unique intimate ceremony, I’ll capture these moments for you, making sure to give you plenty of privacy. Once your ceremony is done, we’ll hike around and explore, taking in the morning light in the desert. Around 8, we’ll start our short walk back to the car. 

• 8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Let’s have a snack, drink some coffee and tea, and take a breather to reflect on your beautiful ceremony. Bust out the pastries, breakfast burritos, or even cold pizza (no judgment here). Take some time to enjoy your breakfast and soak in the moment. 

• 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

We’ll start our trek to a few more beautiful spots. I’ll capture you two exploring new areas and enjoying every second. Traipse around the desert and soak up the sun as the temperature rises. 

• 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 pm 

We’ll head back to the car to another location where you’ll have a cozy picnic lunch in the shade. 

• 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. 

Together, you set up a picnic lunch by the river with your favorite treats. You sit back, relax, and relive the magic of your ceremony earlier in the day. 

• 2:30 p.m. – 8:30 pm 

Enjoy a long and luxurious rest together. Take a nap, watch your favorite show, talk about your favorite moments of the day! Whatever you do, soak in some time together. 

• 8:45 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

After a long and relaxing rest, it’s time for star photos, champagne, and dessert. We’ll meet up at a secret spot I know for a relatively short session of star gazing. Then, it’s off to bed to enjoy a full second day of your elopement. 

Day Two – Loved Ones Included Elopement Day 

• 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

It’s time to get ready for elopement day, round two! Get ready with your family and friends surrounding you, and I’ll capture all these special moments. 

• 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Everyone drives over to your ceremony spot of choice; a stunning secret overlook I know! We’ll give everyone ample buffer time to arrive, preparing for every eventuality. 

• 2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. 

It’s time for your ceremony! With your loved ones surrounding you, you share vows, have the public ceremony you pictured, and are celebrated by your family and friends. 

• 3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

We’ll capture some photos of you and your loved ones to remember the day forever. We can chat in advance about what photo combinations you want to make sure we capture. 

• 4:15 p.m. 4:40 p.m. 

Everyone heads over to the amazing reception venue you’ve booked.

• 4:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. 

Let the celebration begin! It’s time for dinner, cake cutting, music, champagne popping, and all the partying you’ve dreamed up. 

• 6:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.

You and your partner (and whoever else you want to join you!) piles up in the car to drive out to an epic sunset spot. 

• 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Enjoy a beautiful sunset in the stunning desert with some champagne and dessert, the perfect way to end your multi-day elopement.

Let’s Plan Your Two-Day Elopement Together 

If all of this talk about two-day elopements resonates with you, it’s likely you and your partner are two-day elopement folks. The good news? You’re my kind of people. If you’re ready to talk about your multi-day elopement, are seeking advice on planning your days, or want to hop on a call to see if we’re the right fit, reach out to me. I can’t wait to help you plan your days.