It’s no secret that elopements–especially adventure elopements–tend to fall into the non-traditional wedding category. Don’t get me wrong; elopements can include a ton of traditional elements (especially if you want to include a ton of conventional elements).

But really, classifying them as non-traditional is, in my opinion, a good thing. Why? 

Because once you get on board with the fact that elopements can be anything you want them to be, you can start getting on board with the fact that the timeline of your day doesn’t need to look traditional either. 

The fact of the matter is traditional weddings tend to follow a pretty particular pattern.

Get Ready. Vendor Setup. First Look. Ceremony. Cocktail Hour. Grand Entrance. Reception. Dinner. First Dance. 

It’s not a bad pattern by any means–just a traditional one that’s designed in a specific way to cater to a large group of people attending a big event. 

But here’s the thing–an intimate adventure elopement isn’t a big party. It’s the best day of your life, and that means you should plan it the way you want, the way that works best for you, and the way that makes you the happiest. 

As an elopement photographer, I’ve got a lot to say about adventure elopement timelines–but I figured I’d cover some of the basics in case anyone is new to the idea of eloping. 

Let’s talk about some of the top considerations couples should consider when building the timelines for their elopement day. 

What Does a “Non-Traditional Timeline” Mean?

When I talk about elopement timelines, I want to be clear with my couples that we never have to follow a certain formula. I’m always happy to provide suggestions of what might work best based on certain factors (many of which I’m sharing with you a little later in this article), but the fact of the matter is you can do things in any order. 

Want to throw your reception with your family first and then go have a private ceremony on top of the mountain? Let’s do it. 

Want to have a private ceremony in the morning, take a nap break, then start the party again with another ceremony surrounded by friends and family? That’s what Bailey and John did! 

Want to make breakfast together, have a first look, go on a white water rafting adventure, say your vows, then eat McDonald’s to celebrate? That sounds like an epic day to me. 

Elopement timelines are not created to restrict you. They are not here to box you in. 

I get a lot of questions about eloping (so many I actually wrote a blog with all the FAQs!), but most of them center on elopement timelines. 

Why do we create timelines? Do timelines kill the spontaneity of the day? No way! The main reason I encourage my couples to talk with me about timelines is so we can be as sure as possible they’re getting to do everything they want to do on their wedding day. And that timeline can be as loose or rigid as you want. 

The Top Considerations for a Non-Traditional Elopement Day Timeline 

Working with the Light 

Adventure elopements are so unique because they take place mostly outdoors. From an adventure perspective, that’s incredible. From a photography perspective, that presents unique challenges. To make sure I’m capturing your love in the most authentic and beautiful way possible, we’ll need to work with the best natural light. 

Think about it this way. When you photograph a traditional, indoor wedding, the light doesn’t matter all that much–you can always flip on a light switch or string up market lights. Outdoors, though, we’ve got to work with what Mother Nature will give us. 

Really harsh light–like the middle of the day!–can make capturing your photos more challenging than it needs to be. Working with soft, glowing light–like a sunrise or sunset–ensures that you’re getting the best, most photogenic light possible. 

But more than that, working with the light often gives you more rewarding views. I’m not here to say that a Moab canyon at high noon isn’t gorgeous–but imagine it bathed in the soft glow of a sunrise. Purples and pinks, desert oranges, and soft pastels during blue hour are truly out of this world. And if you want to experience that magic on your wedding day, I highly recommend planning your day around the best light. 

Early Risers or Night Owls 

Think about who you are, and be honest. Would you rather wake up bright and early before the sun to set off on your adventure? Does waking up at the crack of dawn sound less than exciting to you? I get that. The good news is, chasing the best light doesn’t automatically mean you have to be up by 3 a.m. Sunset is a great option, too. 

I always encourage couples to be honest and realistic about what’s going to make them feel their best on their wedding day. If you know that getting up at 2 a.m. to climb a mountain isn’t your ideal day, then don’t do it. Wake up slow, drink your coffee, go for a stroll just the two of you–then launch into your elopement day as the afternoon approaches. Just because you want to have a full day planned doesn’t mean you have to start it super early! And the same is true for the opposite–no one said you had to have your wedding ceremony at sunset. No one says you have to have your reception after your ceremony! 

Location, Weather, & Temperature 

Where you decide to elope will help you narrow down when you should elope and how you should plan your day. If you’re in a spot that’s wildly warm during the afternoon in some seasons (we’re looking at you, Southern Utah), you might want to plan your day with activities in the morning, a break in the afternoon, then more festivities as the evening sets in. 

If the sunrise jaunt up a mountain is going to be bitterly cold but warms up in the afternoon, it might be best to go with a day planned around the most comfortable temperature.  Where you’re eloping, what the weather looks like, and what temperatures you can expect should all factor into how you plan your elopement timeline. 

Prioritizing What Matters

Is there a specific activity you and your partner want to do you on your wedding day? Sounds like you should plan around that! If you want to crush the slopes with your loved one on your special day, getting an early start might be the best route. 

If you want to take a short hike up a canyon for incredible views, there’s no reason you can’t catch the sunset at the top and hike back down in the dark. Priortize what matters to you first and foremost when planning your elopement timeline! 

Focus on What YOU Want 

Your elopement timeline should be about exactly what the two of you want. When I say focus your elopement timeline on what matters to you, I mean don’t compromise for anyone. Do you want to include guests at you wedding but they’re not keen on doing a sunrise ceremony? 

Oh, well! Sounds like you and your partner can have an intimate elopement ceremony, just the two of you, exactly when and where you want–then, your loved ones can join you later! Focusing on what you want and how you want your day to look is key to planning an elopement that’s perfect for you. 

Let’s Plan the Perfect Timeline For Your Elopement Day 

When it comes to how your elopement day can look; there are truly no limits to what you can do.

That being said, planning everything out–activities, buffer times, transport, and more–can be challenging. How can you be sure you’ll fit everything into the day? 

What’s the best way to get the most out of your elopement day?

Good news–I can help! If you’re ready to start planning your elopement day, are looking for insight into the planning process, or actually, just want someone to walk through every step with you, then you’re in the right place.

Reach out to me ASAP to start chatting about how to plan the best elopement day–and elopement timeline–ever.