Elopement Activities - What to Do 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.
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.
CAMP
Speaking of camping, if you and your boo love to camp, set up camp for some late night star gazing 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!
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.
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.
RENT A FUN CAR
For those of you who want the adventure without the sweating (I get you boo), rent a fun car for the day! Rent a Jeep and go explore the backroads of the mountains, or a convertible to drive with the top off. This is a great way to make yourself feel fancy for the day, while also not having to clean out your car!
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!
