Elopement Ideas

Elopement Ideas can be a bit overwhelming. On one hand, you have so much freedom to do what you want and dream big. On the other hand, you do have to narrow it down so your day isn’t rushed and you are able to enjoy your time together. This guide will give you advice for how to best elevate your elopement experience and give you the best elopement ideas.

Planning an Elopement

If you are feeling overburdened planning an elopement, just know that you aren’t alone. A lot of couples play down elopements and think they shouldn’t be feeling this way because it’s “just” an elopement. This couldn’t be further from the truth. This is still your wedding day and even though it’s a smaller or non-existent guest count, a lot goes into it and you want it to be one of the most special and memorable days of your life.

As an elopement photographer, this is what matters to me most in capturing my couples’ day. I love coming alongside you and helping you figure out what is going to elevate your experience together and how to make sure you basically have the best date of your life. I think about what fits you as a couple and ways to slow down and make meaningful memories. Planning an elopement isn’t about making it epic. That might be a byproduct, but the main priority is your experience. What an amazing way to start a marriage!

Alrighty, let’s dig into some ideas for planning an elopement!

Elopement Ideas for Activities to do on Your Day

• Hiking to an incredible and private location
• Fancy picnic or Table setup in nature
• Jeep tour of mountain passes
• Read letters from family and friends
• Going to a brewery/tailgating
• Make a meal together
• Have a first dance
• Canoe/Stand up paddleboard
• Watch a sunrise with coffee
• Ski/Snowboard/Snowshoe/Dogsled

Why Elopement Activities Matter

Trust me, you do not want your elopement day to just be exchanging vows and then do nothing but photos. Please, if there is anything you learn from this blog, value your day more than this. For one, it’s just not a fun way to spend your day and your photos will reflect that. Your gallery is the one thing you have to be a visual reminder of this monumental day. Fill it with memories that are personal to your relationship. 

The best way to get photos where you see your joy and are connected, is to fill your day with experiences that you enjoy doing together. As a photographer, I want my couples to forget I’m there and be more immersed in their time together. Having elopement ideas planned allows you to just enjoy the moment and not worry about what to do next. It makes your day feel even more special and you walk away with incredible memories AND images that will bring you back to those moments.

Elopement Ideas for Telling Your Story

I place a heavy emphasis on storytelling in my work. Your photos should make you feel what you felt.  I love capturing your whole experience but what really helps build a gallery is the little things. It doesn’t have to be extravagant but even by thinking about how you’ve grown together and the things that matter to you, you can incorporate some really cool things that help to visually tell your story. Here are a few ideas that I love:

Bring your past love letters you’ve written each other and read them on your day – This idea is such a great way to reminisce and look back on how your love has grown. 

Vintage postcards of places you’ve been together – I just think this is so fun. It could be where you met or where you’re eloping. Basically, all the significant places you’ve been together. This would make for super fun detail shots.

Significant details – Have you given each other a meaningful gift? Or have something from family that means so much to you? Bring it.

Bring your style – This is so simple but I really feel like your personal style says so much. I love when couples bring that into their day. Whether it’s a hat, florals, bolo tie, hiking boots…etc. I especially love this for a styled picnic. It just makes your photos feel like you.

Include your favorite ways to connect – Each couple is different, but we all have ways we enjoy spending time together. This can look like playing cards, hiking, sipping a favorite beverage, cooking together, getting tattoos, journaling…the possibilities are endless.

Why Styling Your Elopement Matters

I get it. Part of the reason a lot of couples choose to elope is to not have to stress about this kind of thing. Don’t worry, you still don’t need to stress. Including some design to your day only enhances your experience. Eloping in wild places with incredible views, you really don’t need much. Adding florals, a fancy picnic, or even just some prettying things that make you happy – all add up to make your day feel so special. When you add design, it is simply meant to elevate your experience. 

How to Style Your Elopement

First off, this is coming from a place of elevating your elopement experience and making your day feel so special. We are visual beings and there is a science to create images that make you feel a certain way and are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. When giving advice about styling your elopement, you need to start with the end product. How do you want your images to make you feel? Emotional? Playful? Natural? Jot down some adjectives that fit your relationship. 

Next, I suggest deciding on a location or at least a specific type of terrain before doing anything else. Why? Because this will help you decide on colors. I suggest picking colors that will contrast your landscape so that it catches the eye. For example, I LOVE green but if you are getting married in a forest or have a forest backdrop you’re going to blend right in. But you know where green looks incredible? Against red rocks like Garden of the Gods or high alpine terrain in the Fall. Pick a color scheme that will help you stand out. 

Once you’ve got location and colors figured out, I think it’s helpful to name a theme. It doesn’t have to be campy. Just something that as you are figuring things out, you can see if it fits in your theme. It will help the overall design flow together. It can be as broad as romantic, adventurous, whimsical, bohemian… whatever speaks to you. It’s just something you can always go back to to help pick out design elements

Elopement Planner

In all of my elopement packages, I include a design consultation with an intimate wedding and elopement planner who specializes in elevating elopement experiences. She’s help you design, style, and visualize your day. You may even choose to hire her to fully plan and design your elopement or microwedding to completely take the load off your shoulders and allow you to be fully immersed in one of the most memorable days of your life…she’s pretty amazing! If you’re eloping with me, book that consult because I promise it’s going to add value to your day!

My Favorite Elopement Ideas

I’ve seen a lot of elopement activities over the years, and while all of them are perfect for the couple, there are definitely a few that stick out as things most couples enjoy. Don’t let this stop you from doing something a little more “out there”

Hiking Elopements

Obviously this is just one of my and many of my couples’ favorite things to do in general. I love this elopement idea because if you enjoy hiking together, this is just such a natural way to spend your time. I especially love when couples are hiking somewhere neither of them have been before. There is just something so amazing about going on an adventure on your first day of marriage. Not to mention the privacy that comes with places you have to hike to. We often get these breathtaking places all to ourselves and it’s so peaceful. 

Off Roading Jeep Elopements

If you don’t want to hike on your wedding day but still want to have an adventure and have “out of this world” views, this is your best option. Specificly, Jeep elopements in Ouray or Silverton. I love this idea because you still get quite the thrill, but don’t have to physically exert yourself. And the VIEWS! Oh my goodness, they are unbelievable, it’s an amazing way to spend your day. 

Styled Elopement Picnic or Tablescape

I love this. Sharing food and taking the time to sit and enjoy each other not only in a gorgeous setting but also a beautifully designed picnic just feels so special. This is the type of thing everyone should experience on their wedding day in my opinion. Just imagine already having an incredible time, you’ve already exchanged vows, and now you get to walk up to an already set up (and pretty) picnic with all your favorite snacks. Can you imagine a better way to celebrate?? OMG so dreamy!

Elopement Ideas That Help You Slow Down and be in The Moment

This is what I love most about elopements. That you don’t have a strict timeline and can take extra time to do what you want to do. I’ve had couples decide to change plans in the moment and I think that is amazing. Give yourself time and freedom to slow down with these elopement ideas:

Writing out your vows together

Gah! I love when couples do this. It’s so sweet to see them sitting back to back writing together. It’s just an incredible way to build anticipation. 

Watch a sunrise with coffee in hand

There is something so beautiful to me about seeing the sun rise on your elopement day. Sunrises in particular are so peaceful, so quiet. There is a reverence there that is hard to describe, but every time I shoot at sunrise it is simply magical. 

Having a first dance

SO romantic. Dancing with no one around, playing songs that are sentimental to you. It’s such a great way to slow down. I love the idea of surprising each other with a song for your first dances. Makes such a fun memory for you both. 

Pray together/ Read past love letters from each other/ Take time to share your favorite memories

Can you think of a better way to feel connected and in love on your wedding day? This is such a great way to slow down and take it all in. You can easily pair this with watching a sunrise or having a picnic.

Have your favorite snacks or celebratory beverage together

This is one of the easiest ways to slow down and enjoy each other. For one, wedding days are tiring no matter what you do. Use this opportunity to refuel and connect. Second, it’s just simply enjoyable.

Best Colorado Elopement Packages to Elevate Your Experience

This is what my elopement packages are all about. When hiring an elopement photographer, it’s important to consider more than just the photos. Sure, there are tons of photographers who will show up and shoot. But what makes me different is that I’m here to partner with you throughout the whole process. We dream and build your day together and I’m invested in your experience. I don’t want your elopement day to be vows and then being posed for hours. I want you to be connected, having the best day doing whatever you want. When you are focused on each other, I can do my best work to give you images that will make you FEEL that memory again. 

My elopement packages are thoughtfully created to make things SO easy to have everything you need to elevate your experience. Help with locations, activity ideas, vendor recommendations, timeline building, and a style consult all come standard.

Why Full Day Elopement Packages are the Best Value

Once you decide on the level of elopement design involvement, it’s important to consider the amount of time you want coverage for. For the most relaxed and flexible experience I recommend the Sunrise + Sunset package because we get to break up the time instead of having to fit it all into consecutive hours. The more time you book, the more you can slow down and enjoy your day. I love that couples have time to adventure and relax with full day elopements. With elopements, I think booking longer hours is especially important because your gallery will be able to include all the important memories of the day. Memories only you got to experience. I love being able to deliver a gallery that tells the whole story of your day. 

Meet your Colorado Elopement Photographer and Elopement Idea Specialist