Elopement Timeline Examples to Help You Plan Your Day

You’ve ditched the big wedding idea, and now you’re not sure what to do on your elopement day. You want to do something fun and memorable. But you don’t want it to turn into an all day photoshoot. Don’t worry — I hear you, and I am here to help! I have made some timeline examples to help you plan your elopement. I hope this will get those creative juices flowing, and you truly see that you can do whatever the hell you want!

I’m going to go through what an elopement or micro wedding can look like with 4, 8, and 12 hours. I think that you will be surprised at how easy it is to fill your day! Shoot, you may decide you want to add on more time!

12 Hour Full Day Elopement Timeline

Let’s start with that big one — a whole 12 hour day. I know what you’re thinking… There’s NO WAY we could come up with enough to do for 12 hours! Well, let me show you one of many timeline examples for a 12 hour elopement day:

• 11:00-12:00: You have brunch with a few loved ones that have come along to be your officiant and witnesses. You’ll need to fuel up for your big day! I arrive and take a few photos of you all brunching.
• 12:00-2:00: You get ready. If you’ve hired a HMUA, they come in and help you get ready. During this time I’ll take photos of both of you getting ready. I can also take some detail shots at this time like of your rings and invitations, for instance.
• 2:00-2:30: Then we do a first look at your cabin. Now that you’re ready and done up and it’s time for your partner to see you for the first time in your wedding attire!
• 2:30-3:30: You’ve rented a couple of Jeeps that we take up into the mountains, stopping at a few places along the way since the scenery is so amazing.
• 3:30-4:00: We get to your ceremony location and look for the perfect spot to set up.
• 4:00-4:30: You have your ceremony and say your vows to each other. Then we have your officiant and witnesses sign your marriage license.
• 4:30-5:30: Afterwards, we set up a picnic and do a cake and beer celebration. You could also have a charcuterie board or pizza for everyone to snack on because food is always a good idea!
• 5:30-6:30: When we’re done eating, we all get into pack rafts and hang out on one of the nearby lakes.
• 6:30-7:30: Then I steal you away to take some epic sunset photos and your loved ones head back to the cabin to relax.
• 7:30-8:30: The sun goes down and we head back to the cabin, and stop along the way to get a few blue hour photos.
• 8:30-9:30: You have dinner that has been prepared by a private chef (highly recommend Adam Park)!
• 9:30-10:15: Everyone goes outside to enjoy some drinks around the fire and relax.
• 10:15-11:00: I steal you away for a nighttime session under the star. Coverage ends at 11:00.

8 Hour Half Day Sunrise Elopement Timeline

12 hours sounds like a lot and you want time to rest a little more during the day. That is okay! 8 hours might be a better fit for you then. Here is an example for an 8 hour elopement with a sunrise ceremony in Moab:

• 3:30-4:30: You get ready for the day. I take photos of you getting ready and grab some detail shots.
• 4:30-5:30: We drive out to meet up with our pilot.
• 5:30-7:00: Do a sunrise hot air balloon ride over Moab, seeing Arches, Canyonlands, and many more sights from above! You can say your private vows to each other at this time.
• 7:00-7:30: Celebrate with a champagne toast and donuts. Use the champagne for some mimosas!! We take some photos with the balloon.
• 7:30-8:00: Drive back into town and grab some coffee and/or breakfast
• 8:00-9:00: Meet up with your guests and drive to Arches National Park and out to your ceremony location within the park.
• 9:00-9:30: Ceremony
• 9:30-11:00: Photos around Arches with your guests and then just the two of you
• 11:00-11:30: Head back to Moab. Coverage ends.

Now you have the whole rest of your day to relax! Take a nap if you want since you had such an early start. And enjoy what Moab has to offer! I’d recommend having a nice dinner to celebrate that evening, at one Moab’s wonderful restaurants.

4 Hour Mini Sunset Elopement Timeline

4 hours is perfect for a short adventure and for your ceremony. Maybe you are trying to stay within a tighter budget and just want to get married in a beautiful location. This is a great option if that’s you! Here is another one of my timeline examples of a sunset elopement in Canyonlands National Park.

• 4:00-5:00: I come at the end of you getting ready and get some photos of those last minute getting ready moments and a couple of detail shots. Then we do a quick first look.
• 5:00-6:00: Afterwards, we drive to Canyonlands National Park.
• 6:00-6:30: Once we are in the park, you have your ceremony and say your vows.
• 6:30-7:00: Then we do photos at sunset of just the two of you.
• 7:00-8:00: After photos we head back into town. Coverage ends at 8:00 You two head to dinner.

Whether you are looking for an adventure of a lifetime for your wedding day or something more relaxed but with amazing views, there’s something for everyone. I will help you come up with a custom timeline for your day, based on what you want to do and what your budget allows.

Need more help on planning your elopement? Head over to some of my other blog posts for more helpful tips!