Many couples wonder, “what can we actually do for 8 hours on our elopement day?!” or “how are we going to fill our time with our photographer?”. As a full-time intimate wedding and elopement photographer based out of Montana, my role on your elopement day reaches far beyond telling your love story and capturing your love. In case nobody has told you yet… your elopement (or wedding) day can be WHATEVER you want it to be. Which means… you can do whatever you want. Down below,  I’ve put together a list of 50 Activities to Do on Your Elopement Day. 

Before we jump in, truly let it sink in that your elopement day is only about you + your love. If you want to include a whole slew of activities, go for it! If you would rather sit along a lake and gaze into each other’s eyes, do it!! My best piece of advice is to do something meaningful to you as a couple. Do something that you love doing to help commemorate your marriage. While my list of 50 Activities to Do on Your Elopement Day varies from colder climates to the desert, you’ll be sure to find something to do. But please, let me know if I forgot any 😉 I’ve also included a little sample Elopement Day Timeline below!

50 Activity Ideas to Do on Your Elopement Day

1. Hiking 
2. Fly fishing
3. Kayaking
4. Rent a boat or take a boat out
5. Canoeing
6. Rock climbing
7. Snowshoeing
8. Paddle-boarding
9. packraft
10. Rollerblading
11. Skiing or snowboarding
12. Zip-lining
13. Sailing
14. Off roading with a jeep
15. Horseback riding
16. Canyoneering
17. Jump in a lake or ocean
18. Have a picnic in your wedding attire (charcuterie, sandwiches, desserts, the opportunities are endless!)
19. Pop champagne or sparkling water
20. Bake or cook together (camp stove included)
21. Eat your favorite dessert with a view
22. Hire a private chef
23. Have a bonfire
24. Get cozy by the fireplace
25. Go stargazing
26. Walk the beach with lanterns
27. Read letters from family and friends
28. Write and read letters to each other, separate from vows
29. Sing or make music together
30. Take a seaplane or helicopter ride
31. Rent a classic car
32. Share a first dance
33. Light sparklers or include another fun light source like fairy lights
34. Video chat or call your family to scream “WE ELOPED!”
35. Stop at a bar, brewery or restaurant to share a drink or ice cream
36. Simply take in the view
37. Take a dip in some hot springs
38. Play your favorite game (any avid card players here?)
39. Incorporate a unity ceremony like making a PB & J, planting a tree, or a traditional religious unity ceremony of your choosing
40. Enjoy morning coffee together before you get ready
41. Go on a morning walk or hike before getting ready
42. Hang out at your airbnb (mid-day nap?)
43. Go for a motorcycle ride
44. Hire a musician to serenade you
45. Change into “party attire” and include a second outfit
46. Surprise each other with gifts
47. Take a walk through a vineyard or your Airbnb property
48. Conclude the day with a hot tub soak
49. Hang out in a hammock
50. Set up your camp (if you are into tenting or set up your camper!)

Curious how these activities fit into an elopement day? Check out the sample timelines below! Keep in mind, these are examples- your own timeline can look and feel any way you want it to!

Elopement Day Timeline Sample:

10 Hour Elopement- (with family):

Activities- hiking, family lunch, read letters, and gifts

​​5:00 am –  Meet at Airbnb, getting ready photos, details

6:15 am – Leave Airbnb, head to trailhead

7:00 am – Meet at trailhead, sunrise first look & portraits

7:30 am – Sunrise

8:30 am – Meet family at __________ and get ready for ceremony

9:00 am – Ceremony at ___________

9:30 am – Ceremony wraps up, wedding party & family photos 

10:30 am – Formal Photos finished, head back to Airbnb

11:15 pm – Family Lunch at airbnb

1:00 pm – Photo coverage wraps up 

Break in coverage

5:00 pm – Meet at trailhead for sunset photos

5:30 pm- Read letters and give gifts

6:15pm – Sunset

7:00 pm – Photo coverage wraps up

12 Hour Elopement- (no family):

Activities- hiking, kayaking, letter reading, private chef

​​8:00 am –  Meet at Airbnb, getting ready photos, details

9:15 am – Leave Airbnb, head to trailhead

9:45 am – Meet at trailhead, portraits and hike, ceremony somewhere on hike

11:00 am- Picnic with a view, read letters from family

2:00 pm- Return to trailhead, head to river to kayak

4:00 pm – Drive back to airbnb

5:00 pm- Private chef arrives

7:00 pm- Sunset portraits

8:00 pm – Photo coverage wraps up

After seeing all of these ideas, are you able to imagine your own elopement day? No need to worry about filling time with your photographer; your elopement day will fly by. Soak up every second with your partner. Head over to @sydneybreannphoto on Instagram to be the first to know when other elopement planning tips drop! As always, read up on my latest blogs in the meantime. Are you ready to wander?