If you’re like most people, you have no idea how many hours or days you should book with your photographer for your elopement. One of the many ways I’m unique as an adventure elopement photographer is that I can help you with your timeline planning. At this point, you may only have a general location or date for your elopement – this is where I come in! I can help you start planning your elopement day (or days!), any activities you’ll want to do during that time, any locations you’ll want to visit, outfits, vendors, lodging, and any other little details that are important to you. 

Adventure elopements are the epitome of flexibility. There are no rules! How you spend your day(s) together, where you go, which wedding traditions you incorporate or don’t – it’s all up to you and how you want your day to look. But how many hours or days should you be planning?

Let’s start by going over some of the wedding elements you may want to include in your elopement.

The start of your day

Most of my couples agree that they should make the whole day special. Whether you’re just hanging out in your AirBnb and making breakfast and drinking mimosas or you want to go through the more traditional motions of “getting ready,” capturing these moments before you say, “I do,” will be special candids that you’ll hold close to your heart forever. 

First look

Whether it’s on top of a mountain or the backyard of your cabin, seeing each other in your wedding attire for the first time is such a cool feeling . Right up until this moment, it’s been a lot of texts, emails, planning, and researching, but this is when it all feels real. 

Ceremony + Vows

This is the big moment! Whether you’re simply exchanging vows and rings, incorporating other ceremony elements, or a combination of the two, it’s all up to you. It could just be the two of you and your officiant and photographer, or you could choose to have some of your closest friends and family. You could exchange vows privately and then meet up with others later in the day for a dance party. These are the intentional little details that really make the day all about you. 

Guest photos

If you’re hoping to have a few folks join you during your elopement, it’s a good idea to make sure you get a few photos of everyone there! I know it’s often rare for many families to get everyone together. In time, these photos will mean more to you than you may realize. 

Food + Drinks

Don’t forget to eat! Whether you have a chef cater a light lunch for just the two of you or you and the folks you reserve a space in an awesome restaurant, you’ll definitely want to make sure you include time for you and everyone involved in your elopement to grab a bite to eat.

Other elements and details

Do you want to start your day with a hike before you exchange vows? Maybe relax in a canoe and float along your favourite lake? Your ideal elopement may even include a second day where you go on a Jeep expedition to see some awesome waterfalls or spend some time exploring the city or cute town you’re staying in. Elopements can take all forms.

Elopement Day Timeline: 4 – 6 Hours

While some photographers will commit to shorter elopements, I have found that a minimum of four hours is ideal to have location flexibility, a first look, time to get ready for the ceremony, post-ceremony food and drinks, and of course plenty of time for epic portraits. This amount of time is perfect for the couple who isn’t into spending their entire day with me, doesn’t want to include a lot of hiking, and has 10 guests or less. 

Elopement Day Timeline: 8 – 10 Hours

Eight or more hours may sound like a lot of time to book a photographer and have your portrait taken, but a lot of people forget that a lot of our time is spent hiking, driving to locations, hanging out, and so on. I’m not clicking the shutter the entire time (although I’ll always have my camera on hand for awesome candid moments). This longer timeline is perfect for adventurous elopement days where longer time commitments are required (think helicopter tours, lots of driving, canyoneering, multiple locations, or multiple day-of wedding activities). I also recommend that if you have 20 or more guests, you book at least 8 hours. 

Elopement Timeline: Multiple Days

You may be thinking that this sounds outrageous, but stick with me here! While I only do a couple of these a year, they’re absolutely the best in my opinion because they allow you to get as much as possible out of your elopement experience! When you book a multi-day elopement, you’re opening the door to some really epic options. From backpacking into nature to having a day for you and your guests as well as a relaxing day for just the two of you. This package is ideal for couples who have traveled very far for their elopement and truly want to experience everything the location has to offer, or for the couple who wants to include their guests on some of the fun activities they have planned. 

I love eloping so much because the rules are made up! You have total control in crafting the ultimate day. However you choose to pledge your life to each other, bringing me along as your photographer (and new bff) will ensure you have plenty of incredible photos to look back on.