How to Include Activities on Your Elopement Day
You’re thinking about your elopement day, and the thought of it brings you butterflies. You can’t wait to finally be married and get to celebrate at your elopement, but other than your vow reading, you’re not sure how to spend the rest of your day. Whatever you do on your elopement day, make it a DAY to remember. Yes, the entire DAY should be spent doing things that bring you two closer together. Most of my couples choose to add some activities to their elopement day as a fun way to celebrate. As a Colorado elopement photographer, I’ve planned and photographed many different types of adventures during elopement days. Here is a list of some of my favorite elopement day activities!
What kind of activities sound best to you?
Adventurous Activites
HIKING
DUH! As a Colorado elopement photographer, this is of COURSE one of my biggest elopement day activity suggestions. Even if the hike to your location isn’t incredibly long, it’s still a great adventure to include on your elopement day. Think of it this way… You’re eloping in a gorgeous location, so why not explore to see MORE of that gorgeous location?
Wondering where you should hike on your elopement? When you book me as your elopement photographer, I curate a list of gorgeous places we can go and make an elopement day map and timeline! Hit me up here to start planning your elopement day ;)
AIRPLANE OR HELICOPTER TOUR
Now, I get it, this might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but let me tell you: seeing the mountains you said your vows by from ABOVE is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen a couple do.
A couple aviation places throughout Colorado offer airplane or helicopter tours. This tour was done through Red with On the Fly Aviation in Gunnison, CO outside of Crested Butte. This experience was definitely a 10/10.
OFF-ROADING ADVENTURE
Want to explore even further into the beautiful Colorado mountains, without having to hike 10+ miles to get there? Then off-roading is for you! Be warned though; off-roading is not for everyone. Only include this in your elopement day plans if you are a confident driver off-road and have access to a capable vehicle to handle the tough mountain terrain.
SWIMMING
Want to take a quick dip in an alpine lake? Let’s do it! Swimming is a fun way to do something adventurous on your elopement day. I’ve had couples change into swim wear, or go straight into the ocean in their wedding attire. Either way, make sure to pack some warm extra clothes, and a couples of towels!
PADDLE-BOARD
If you’re getting married in the summer, a great way to get epic views is from a paddle board. This is a great idea if you’re looking for a low-impact way to sight see, especially if you go at sunrise when no one else is on the lake.
GET TATTOOS
Are you a tattoo junky like me? Then getting a tattoo at big life milestones is kind of your thing. Maybe get a matching or themed tattoo with your partner!
HAMMOCK
If you’re anything like me, you LOVE a good hammock chill time after a long day of hiking. Did you know you can also do that on your elopement day? There’s no one telling you you can’t take an hour to just chill, maybe take a nap, and enjoy the scenery around you.
CAMPING
If you and your boo love to camp, set up camp to end your elopement day! Get into some warm and comfy clothes and snuggle up next to a campfire for some s’mores, hotdogs, and peace and quiet. I can hear the crickets and frogs in the background now. If you want a way to truly wind down to end your elopement, this sounds like the perfect route for you to go!
STARGAZING
Are you an astronomy nerd like me? Love the peace and quiet that comes with stargazing at the end of the day? Then this may be a great addition to your elopement day plans. Change into some warm comfy clothes, or stay in your wedding attire for some awesome astro-photography shots.
Chill Activities
READ
If you’re a bookworm like me, you’ll LOVE this idea. If you two spend a lot of time together reading, why not incorporate that into your elopement day? Imagine sitting next to a gorgeous lake, or in a hammock listening to the wind through the trees, with the latest page-turner you’re reading, all with the love of your life. How romantic is that?
PICNIC
I know you foodies reading this just did a cheer to yourselves. YES, LET’S EAT!!! You’re going to be starving after a long day pf hiking and, ya know, getting married. It’s SO important to include a meal break in there, cuz’ you’re a human and you have to eat. How you choose to eat during your elopement is up to you, but here are some ideas to get your brain ticking.
Pack a picnic with your favorite fruits, veggies, and sandwiches. DON’T FORGET EXTRA WATER! We can lay a blanket down and set up a cute little picnic with a gorgeous view to take a meal break. (Note: many national parks only allow alcohol at campgrounds and picnic areas, so keep this in mind before packing beer or champagne.)
After your elopement, we keep the party going and grab some takeout food to chill and eat. Pizza and wings anyone?
If you LOVE camping and have the equipment, you can set up a campsite and cook your own meal. If you have a portable butane stove like this one, you can cook your own first meal together in a beautiful location.
HOT SPRINGS / HOT TUB
Getting married during a colder time of year? Warm up at a local hot springs, or make it more private with a hot tub at your AirBNB. What a perfect way to relax after being out adventuring all day! This will be sure to warm you up this fall and winter!
CHECK OUT LOCAL SHOPS / FARMER’S MARKET
This may have been the absolute cutest activity I’ve ever been apart of for an elopement day. This couple stopped at a local farmer’s market in the town they were eloping in, found a flower booth, and crafted their own bouquet together for their wedding day! It was such a sweet and intentional start to their day
FIRST DANCE
I know, you might be thinking, “I literally am eloping to get AWAY from the traditional wedding events Emily”, and to that I’d say I GET YOU. But, the first dance can be a really sweet and intimate way to celebrate FINALLY being married. When you think of first dance, don’t think swaying awkwardly looking at your guests to a corny love song. Think about a chance to hold each other to your favorite song, enjoy listening to the music together, and reflecting on your elopement day.
You know how you dance in the kitchen when no one is watching, and you two are cooking dinner together? Imagine it more like that. Less awkward and more intimate and sweet!
BRING YOUR DOG ALONG
If you’re pet is like family to you, they can be a guest at your elopement too! Pups are always a fun idea to bring along on your elopement day.
Also, in the state of Colorado, it is legal for your dog to be your witness on your marriage license! Since Colorado doesn’t require an officiant or a witness to be legally married, most times those spots on the marriage license are left blank. You can choose to get a paw print of your furry friend there instead of leaving it blank, legally allowing your dog to be your witness or officiant!
READ LETTERS FROM YOUR FAMILY
For all of you wanting to incorporate your family into your elopement WITHOUT talking to them on the phone or inviting them along, ask your family members to write a letter to you. There are so many reasons that this is a great activity to include on your elopement day.
Your family will feel like they are a significant part of your elopement. When couples choose to elope just the two of them, sometimes families can feel left out. The biggest reason for hesitation when choosing to elope is this fact alone, and it can be heartbreaking to some couples when their families feel like a second thought. However, asking your families to write letters to the newlyweds to read after your ceremony is an amazing way to make sure they feel seen and appreciated.
You get to read the sweet and heartfelt letters that your family wrote to you. Think of it like a little speech from each of your loved ones, but you get to hold onto it forever.
This tends to be one of the tear-jerker moments on an elopement day. It’s a great way to feel connected to your family and friends from hundreds (even thousands) of miles away.
FACETIME YOUR FAMILY
Your family is DYING to hear from you. You got eloped in the mountains and they have been thinking about you all day. A phone call or FaceTime call from you would mean the absolute world to them. If you’re eloping just the two of you, sometimes family can feel left out of your big day. Setting up a time to chat with them shortly will be a great way to help them feel included.
Did you know…
As your elopement photographer, I’ll curate a perfect timeline for your elopement day, topped off with locations and activities to do for your elopement?
That way, you can focus on the moment and not what’s coming next. I’ve got you, boo!
Contact me below to start planning YOUR elopement!
