Elopement Timeline Tips: How Long Does it Take to Elope?

What if your elopement timeline felt less like a restriction and more like permission? You already chose to get married in a way that feels different and unique to you, so your day-of timeline shouldn’t be any different! When you think of a wedding timeline, you’re probably thinking along the same lines of: ‘don’t see each other before the ceremony’ ‘get ready’ ‘ceremony’ ‘group photos’ ‘reception’. Which is all fine and dandy because there’s obviously a beginning, middle, and end to the day, but you can get so much more creative with what fills in the time when you’re eloping!

There’s a common myth around elopements that they are “smaller” than weddings, in every sense of the word. Sure, elopements are often smaller celebrations in size and guest count, but I often hear that since elopements are “smaller,” they take less time than weddings – and that’s simply not true!

Your elopement timeline could look so incredibly different and unique based on what strikes your fancy, and with that in mind, it can also be as long or as short as you’d like it to be. The freedom of eloping is beautiful and you can throw tradition to the wind, but even so, it is important to have some gentle structure. Not a rigid schedule, but a rhythm and a way to move through the day without feeling busy or rushed.

So, let’s talk about what an elopement timeline really looks like, how long your day can be, and how to make sure it actually feels like you.

Want some more clarity on what exactly an “elopement” is? Head to my blog post, called “What is an Elopement?”!

In this blog post, I’m going over everything related to elopement timelines: what the difference is between different elopement coverages, why you deserve an all-day elopement, & sample elopement timelines.

What Is an Elopement Timeline, Really?

Your elopement timeline is a loose structure to keep the who, where and when and how of your day on track. It’s just as important to include big moments like ‘ceremony’ as it is to include buffer time to just relax in between events. It’s what helps keep the day running smoothly so we know what’s next, but we still have flexibility to roll with any changes.

Elopement timelines help:

• Reduce stress and decision fatigue
• Ensure you don’t forget the small important moments
• Allow buffer time so you don’t always have to feel ‘camera ready’ or ‘on’
• Create a flow that feels natural and present, not rushed

Plan Your Elopement Timeline like You’re Planning a Date

I always tell my couples to think about their elopement timeline in terms of the ‘best date day ever’, what would you do if you were planning an epic date together that trumped all dates? When you scrap the traditional ‘wedding timeline’ mindset and approach planning your elopement like a date, your elopement timeline will feel so much more relaxed and different. There’s still going to be the highlight moments of the ceremony and some kind of adventure or activity as well as your couples photos, but a whole new collections of opportunities opens when you think about everything in between.

You could spend your morning together hiking a nearby peak and come back to your airbnb to then get ready for your elopement and roll into something more chill, you could snuggle on the couch and have coffee together and play board games or soak in the hot tub and take in the views, and then roll into your elopement activities. Your elopement activities in the middle of the day could include hitting up your favorite brewery or going on a drive to a lookout or setting up hammocks and taking a nap. You could go to the lake and have a boat day and then in the evening get put together for your ceremony, some photos and a little private catered dinner.

Heck, you could wake up early and head out on a fishing trip, get photos of the whole experience, get back and prep the fish then get ready for an evening ceremony and shorter adventure and then that night have your fish cooked up for dinner. It isn’t just all about what happens at your ceremony, it’s what happens before and after that also adds to the day and tells your story more fully.

Here are some Fun Elopement Ideas to Make Your Day feel like a Date

Half-Day vs. Full-Day vs. Multi-Day Elopement Timeline: What’s the Difference?

The main difference between the kind of experience and package you choose is based around what you want to do and include in your elopement day, and it’s totally normal to not know how long you want or need to spend on things when you first start planning. As an elopement photographer and coordinator I help my couples hash out what they want to do and then how much buffer time we want between and for things. It truly boils down to how much relaxing or how much hustling you want to do as well, because we can definitely go-go-go all day for a full day, or we can have intentionally placed breaks and buffer time so you aren’t exhausted.

How Long Does an Elopement Actually Take?

Spoiler: there’s no universal answer, and that’s the magic of it. Your day can start as early or as late as you want, you can have your photographer there for however long you want. I do, however, recommend having more time than you initially think you need because buffer time allows you to truly relax into the day. When you’re not rushing from event to event or trying to cram everything into a 2-4 hour time period, you have time to just be together, without having to be photo ready or thinking about the next thing.

Here’s a rough breakdown of common elopement timeline formats:

• 2–4 Hours: Short & sweet, great for legal ceremonies, vow renewals, or portraits only
• 4–6 Hours: Ideal for a ceremony + a mini adventure with couple’s portraits
• 8–12 Hours: Full-day experience, from sunrise to sunset with plenty of buffer time in between
• 2–3 Days: Multi-day storytelling for couples that want to spread out the activities or include guests in one day and not the other. Your ceremony and honeymoon adventures all in one!

Your day doesn’t have to fit in a box. It just has to fit you.

Sample Elopement Timeline Ideas

Half Day Elopement Timeline: Fall Sunset (6 hours)

A simple ceremony and portraits, perfect for couples who want a minimalist, meaningful exchange without too much hiking or extra activities and don’t want to be out and about all day. Truly ideal for a courthouse moment or exploring one scenic spot, some portraits and a short picnic or mini adventure. There is a BIG difference between 2 and 6 hours so the amount that you can fit within the period of time will vary greatly depending on how long you choose. Basing this off sunset around early September in Alaska.

• 2:00 PM – Start getting ready, have lunch together, write vows, etc.
• 4:00 PM – Photo coverage start-Quick getting ready & detail photos
• 5:15/30 PM – First look + travel to ceremony site
• 6:00 PM – Ceremony
• 6:30 PM – Celebratory bev and picnic dinner
• 8:00 PM – Exploring for golden hour and sunset(8:59 sunset)
• 9:30 PM – Blue hour photos
• 10:00 PM – End coverage
• Relax back at your airbnb after

Full-Day Elopement Timeline: Heli Adventure (10–12 hours)

Your elopement as an experience. Think a slow morning getting ready, vows in a wild place, time to explore the area and be present, time to eat. No rushing. This might feel like a lot but it goes in the blink of an eye even when you have all day.

• 7:00 AM – Photo coverage start-Morning coffee, reading, board games, cooking breakfast together, vow writing, walk around the neighborhood, etc.
• 9:00 AM Getting ready together + Details
• 11:00 AM – Travel to helicopter location
• 11:30 AM – Check in
• 12:00 PM – Take off
• First Landing – Short Hike + Ceremony
• Second Landing – Celebratory Bev
• Third Landing – More portraits and exploring
• 3:00 PM – Land back at heli location + travel back to airbnb
• 3:30/45 PM – Break to rest after heli trip, appetizers, chill photos around airbnb
• 5:00 PM – Private catered dinner around the fire
• 6:00 PM – First dance, firelight moments
• 7:00 PM – End coverage
• Finish day off with dinner at a local restaurant

Multi-Day Elopement Timeline: Just the Two of you (12 hour day 1, 6 hour day 2)

This is perfect if you have too many activities to possibly fit in one day, OR if you just want to space things out so each day has more buffer time.. You can spread out your experience: a sunrise hike one day, cozy cabin vows the next. Ideal if you’re traveling in, including family in one day and another just for yourselves, or want to explore multiple locations.

Day One (12 hours)

• 9:00 AM – Photo coverage start-Chill morning activities
• 11:00 AM – Getting ready together + Details
• 12:30 PM – Begin travel to hike destination
• 1:30 PM – Hike up for ceremony (Can be longer than an hour)
• 2:30 PM – Get into wedding attire and last touches
• 3:00 PM – Ceremony
• 3:20 PM – Set up picnic and chill together at the peak for a bit
• 4:40 PM – Adventure photos around the area
• 5:30 PM – Pack up to head back down
• 7:30 PM – Back at Airbnb, get into comfy clothes and make dinner together
• 8:20 PM – First dance, firelight moments
• 9:00 PM – End coverage

Day Two (6 hours)

• 10:00 AM – Meet at helicopter location to check in (Wedding attire)
• 10:30 AM – Take off
• First Landing – Pretty alpine spot, fun couples photos adventuring around
• Second Landing – More adventuring
• Third Landing – Change outfits, then 4 hour paddle boarding tour
• 4:00 PM – Land back at Heli location and End coverage

Your elopement It’s not just a photoshoot

Fun fact – your elopement is NOT just a photoshoot! As much as you WILL get amazing photos from your elopement to help you remember the day forever, that’s not what the day revolves around. This is not about you getting the prettiest photos to put on Pinterest – it’s about taking in the moment, being present, and allowing your photographer to do their job + putting your trust in them. Celebrating for a full day helps you enjoy the whole entire experience, and not try to cram in all your important photos in one or two hours!

You want to make sure you hire the perfect elopement photographer, too – somebody who won’t turn your elopement into “just a photoshoot;” rather, will help you make it an incredible experience. For tips on how to do this, check out my blog on What to Look for When Hiring Your Elopement Photographer!

Why Couples Choose Full or Multi-Day Elopements

1. To Slow Down and Actually Feel the Day

• No rushing through vows or portraits.
• Time to breathe, cuddle, laugh, cry.
• Creates space for emotional presence.

2. To Honor Travel + Adventure

• Especially important for out-of-state couples to see and experience more
• You’ve flown across time zones and planned for months—why squeeze it into 6 hours?

3. To Include More Without Compromise

• Can include a family moment, a sunrise hike and a post-ceremony soak or other activities without cramming them into one day.
• Allows time for intimacy and meaningful extras.

4. To Create a Full Narrative (Not Just Highlights)

• Think photojournalism: morning coffee → writing vows → windblown hike → candlelit dinner then the next day a train ride → beach walk → kayak adventure
• Photos will capture and tell a fuller love story

Having a multi-day elopement timeline gives a lot more room to breath, and also doesn’t just limit you to the ‘wedding attire moments’. You can wear your wedding clothes both days or choose one day to be casual if you want! If you wanted to include friends or family in your elopement experience but still want the feeling of eloping, a multi-day gives you the best of both worlds. You can choose one day to spend with them, whether that’s for your ceremony and ‘reception’ or whether you include them in an activity the next day like a train ride or backyard shindig or something. Then the other day is just the two of you doing whatever your heart desires. It makes sure your people are included and present, and also allows time for you two to have much needed 1:1 time amidst the adventures.

What to Include in Your Elopement Timeline:

Here’s what you might actually want time for:

• Getting ready moments (solo or together, not just classic putting makeup on photos but writing and re-reading vows, making breakfast together, sipping coffee, facetiming friends and family, etc.)
• First looks (if you’re not getting ready together)
• Travel to the ceremony location (can range from 30 mins to 45+ depending on distance)
• The ceremony itself (15-20 ish minutes depending on vows)
• Time for reading letters, prayer, or any other ceremonial activities
• Adventure session or activity (hiking, soaking, stargazing)
• Meals, breaks, cozy moments
• Just being together

Elopement Timeline Tips to Keep Your Day Feeling Present + Connected

• Build in buffer time—you’ll never regret having more time to to just be together
• Don’t skip meals—seriously. Snacks & meals = love.
• Leave room for the unexpected—that’s where the magic happens, maybe we re-route destinations due to weather, or include a last minute activity or something!
• Make space for silence—sitting and taking in the views, a few extra minutes in the car to gaze at each other before the ceremony
• Design for emotion, not just logistics—ask yourselves how you want to feel vs. what just do you want to do

For more tips on how to be present on your wedding day, check out this blog post!

Your Timeline Should Feel Like You

Choosing to elope probably has a personal meaning to you and I don’t want you to forget your ‘why’ behind making this choice. If every decision you make about your elopement timeline and day references back to that deeper purpose, you’re going to be all set!

Your elopement day isn’t a production or performance. It’s a piece of your love story and should reflect that in little and big ways vs. doing or including things because you ‘have to’ or should’. Planning your day and your elopement timeline like a date helps really hone that in.

Whether it’s two hours or two days, the time you spend eloping should reflect your desires and not someone else’s checklist. I’m here to help you build a timeline that feels soft, slow, connected, and true to you.

Need help figuring out what your day could look like?
I’ve gotchu.

Alaska Elopement Packages

Now that you have a good grasp on what all en elopement timeline entails, if you’re needing some support, I would LOVE to be a part of the adventure! Take a look here at the packages I offer!

And then when you’re ready, reach out here to start planning your dream elopement!

Elopement FAQ’S:

1. How long do you need a photographer for an elopement?

As mentioned above, the length of your timeline depends on the activities you chose to include. I’m a huge advocate for more rather than less time because the beauty is in the in-between moments. One of my favorite wedding memories after my wedding (sitting on a dock dangling our feet in the water) never got photographed because the photographer had already left and now it only lives in my brain and I so wish I had a photograph of it. So don’t just focus on the big stuff, think about the little moments too.

2. What are the cons of elopement?

If you’re a people person, then the few or no guests portion could be a con. Also, less gifts, fanfare and attention involved if you enjoy that.

3. What does an elopement photographer do?

Depending on the experience they provide, typically a lot above and beyond just photographer. Personally, I am a photographer and coordinator for my couples so outside of just offering my photography services and prep for that(location scouting, permits, etc) I help my couples plan and hone in their whole elopement day and offer done-with-you packages to take on the brunt of it all for them.

At the end of the day, your elopement timeline and day are all yours to do what you want with. But I will leave you with this: Your love story isn’t a rushed checklist, it’s a full, epic experience. You deserve an elopement day that feels spacious, intentional, and stress-free. A longer timeline means more time to soak in the quiet moments, explore beautiful places, have a private picnic, read your vows without pressure, and fully feel the magic of the day. This isn’t just about the ceremony or the big moments, it’s your beginning. Why not give it the time it deserves? If this sounds up your alley, I would love to hear from you.