When it comes to your elopement day, you’re given the freedom to do anything that you want. From classic wedding traditions to something totally out of the box - this day can include a mix of it all. You may be asking yourself though… what is something unique we can include in our elopement day?
I’ve got you covered - in this blog post I list out 25 unique elopement day activities. This features ceremony activities, special things to include, and food to bring along.
Include just one or multiple or think of something totally new! No matter what you do on your day, as long as you’re celebrating with your love - that’s all that matters.
Unique Elopement Ideas
#1: Have a hand-fasting ceremony
We’ve all seen the candle lighting, layering of colored sand, even the boarding up a bottle of wine. When you’re hiking on a trail for your elopement and going out into the wilderness though - those are not viable (or realistic) options.
By having a hand-fasting, this adds virtually no weight to your pack, but is still an intimate ceremony to have performed and a keepsake to have from your day.
So you may be asking...
•Who performs it? Most typically your officiant, but if you have a friend or family member there that you would like to do it - they can! It might be a good idea to practice ahead of time before the ceremony.
•How long have they been around? Hand-fasting ceremonies are an ancient Celtic tradition that date back over 2000 years. Anyone can include one in their day though!
•How is it performed? There are a few different ways! You can bind just one hand each or do both your hands together. You’ll typically hold each other’s opposite hands, but there isn’t a set way of doing it - just whatever is most comfortable! The person performing the ceremony will wrap the ribbon around your hands - you can go for a simple knot, braiding of the ribbon (if you have multiple strands), or an infinity knot!
*I suggest looking up a video ahead of time to decide what type of knot would be best and how it should be laid!
•As the knot is tied, some couples choose to say their vows or words of commitment to one another - whatever feels right to you two!
Afterwards, you have a keepsake from your ceremony and reminder of your vows.
Benita and Alain included a hand-fasting in the middle of their ceremony. Instead of buying cords to use, they each picked out fabric and sewed their ribbon together. Adding an extra special touch that’s uniquely them. It was so much fun to watch them *literally* tie the knot.
#2: Include your dogs in the day
Julien and Sean included all 3 of their dogs (Hugo, Donovan, and Ellie) in their elopement day. They walked up with them to the ceremony location and stood with them throughout their vows and their first kiss!
Animals are such an important part of our lives - it’s not weird that you want to include them in such a monumental moment.
This is actually easier to do than it may seem - we just have to plan ahead.
Things to think about:
•Do you want them included in the whole day or just part of the day?
•Can you have someone join along for the adventure to watch them when they won’t be included?
•Is the area you want to elope dog-friendly?
•Is the trail we’re going on safe for your dogs and have they hiked with you before?
Whether you want to have your four-legged loved ones with you while you get ready at your Airbnb or have them by your side throughout your whole ceremony - there are lots of options to explore!
Drew and Jessie read their personal vows to each other beforehand and then had short, traditional vows that they said during their ceremony.
#3: Write personal vows that you say alone together before or after your ceremony
There’s no doubt that elopements are extremely intimate and personal. It’s typically just you and your partner and then you may include some of your closest friends and family.
Even if you’re keeping your circle small for your day - saying your vows between just the two of you gives you the freedom to feel comfortable saying whatever you want and honestly, being as emotional as you want!
It gives you both time to slow down and soak in this big moment in your lives.
Not sure how you want to include your vows in your day? You have a lot of options:
•Read personal vows together before the ceremony and then have different, shorter vows during your “real ceremony”
•Say your vows to each other beforehand, but then read them again during your ceremony to soak it in twice and include those there with you
•Have your ceremony with short/traditional vows and then sit down and read your personal vows to each other later in the day
•Read your vows during the ceremony, but write letters to each other that you read before or after
There’s so many different things you can do or include to make your elopement unique and memorable. It’s important to focus on what will make the two of you the happiest and most comfortable on your day.
#4: Post-ceremony letter writing
Once your elopement day is coming to a close, it’s always fun to take time to reflect on the amazing day you had celebrating your love and marriage.
What better way to remember all those feelings completely than to sit down together and write letters to each other about it all? You can express your emotions, recount the whole day, or just write about your favorite parts.
At the end, we’ll seal the letters in an envelope and you two can give them to each other on your 1 year anniversary to open.
#5: Go off-roading
If you’re wanting to take the road less traveled and add some extra adventure to your elopement day - consider renting a 4x4 vehicle and heading up into the mountains!
Not many people get to say they signed their marriage license sitting inside of a Jeep, on the side of a mountain.
If you and your partner are wanting to avoid crowds, not do a lot of hiking, but still have epic views - this is a perfect option.
If you don’t have experience driving on ruff terrain, there are various companies that offer private tours to different locations!
At the top, you have so many things you can include whether that’s saying your personal vows, having a picnic, reading letters from family, having an impromptu snowball fight (location and weather permitting*), or just taking time to enjoy the scenery together.
#6: Make it an all day (or multi-day) adventure
Your elopement day is no-less important than any other type of wedding day. You deserve to celebrate it all and just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean you need to shorten your wedding day experience.
Common things included in your day/coverage:
•Getting ready photos and details
•First look/reveal
•Ceremony
•Photos with family/friends (if present)
•Cake cutting, champagne/sparkling cider toast, or other celebrations
•Portraits of just the two of you
Some not as common things that make it extra special:
•Hiking photos
•Stops along the trail
•Star gazing
•Outdoor activities (off-roading, kayaking, etc.)
•Personal vow reading
•Letter writing
Take the time to think about “what is the most amazing, adventure filled day we could have?” Consider the small, intimate moments you want to include and the bigger, grand activities and let’s turn it into your dream elopement.
This is not a day that you have to fit into just an hour or two. We’re creating a day with love and intention for you two to look back on and know you started your marriage off exactly how you wanted.
#7: Have a first dance
When it comes to traditional weddings - this is such an obvious thing to include. When you’re having an elopement though, it can seem like you’re not supposed to include any of those traditional aspects.
You can include whatever you want in your day though!
For many, having a first dance during your elopement is extra special because it’s just the two of you (and maybe a few others), but you get to have this moment together and don’t have to worry if you get nervous in front of crowds.
You pick the song. I’ll bring the portable speaker. And you and your love get to dance in front of some amazing scenery.
Also - no worries if you think you’re bad at dancing. You’ll look cute in photos either way and you’ll both be able to laugh about it the whole time.
#8: Hike with a dessert and have a cake cutting
Alan and Brittany enjoyed a mini wedding cake from Summer Sweets Bakery during their adventure at Horseshoe Bend.
Having a cake cutting shouldn’t be reserved just for a traditional wedding. As I’ve (not so) famously said before… you can hike with your cake AND eat it too. When you’re getting married, it calls for celebrations.
A mini wedding cake is a great way to do so. It’s small enough that it can fit in a cooler backpack and can be transported in the car easily, but gives you plenty to eat and enjoy.
If cake isn’t your thing - you can bring along any dessert! Whether it’s packaged treats or even a pie. If the treat you want to pack isn’t realistic to bring on the trail, save it for when you get back to your hotel or Airbnb to finish out the night with a treat.
Pro-Tip: Bring along small plates, a couple forks, a cake cutter, and a few plastic bags to store your utensils and un-eaten cake afterwards.
Alain and Benita had their first look at their resort in Sedona, Arizona. It was just the two of them and then afterwards we headed to their ceremony site to meet up with their family.
#9: Have a first look/reveal
Lots of times on your elopement day, you and your partner will be traveling together to various locations. You may want to consider having a first look/reveal so that you can enjoy your time together as much as possible.
You may start the day by getting ready together and then have a “reveal” of the first time you see each other in your wedding attire. Or you may get ready separately so that your “first look” is the first time you’ll see each other .
It just depends on what will fit your day best and how you’re imagining starting the day off.
You may have your first look/reveal at your hotel/Airbnb so that you can travel together to the first location or we can set it up so that you see each other for the first time near where your ceremony will be held!
Whether you’re including guests or not, a first look/reveal is such an intimate moment that allows the two of you to start your day off by really focusing on each other. It’s a time when it really clicks that you’re getting married on this day and now you get to enjoy the rest of the day being together and celebrating.
#10: Have a friend or family member get ordained to marry you
If you want your elopement day to only include those closest to you and you want to add a fun mix to your ceremony - consider having a friend or family member become ordained so that they can hold your ceremony!
It’s actually incredibly easy - places such as Universal Life Church International Headquarters make it simple for anyone to become ordained (just double check the laws in your state).
Learn more about eloping in Arizona by checking out my blog post: How to Elope in Arizona.
#11: Elope somewhere you’ve never been
There are so many amazing places all over Arizona, the U.S., and the entire world that would be unforgettable spots to elope.
Don’t be afraid to choose somewhere you’ve never been to before. You may be thinking that you feel the need to know the area already so that you know what to prepare for, but that’s what I’m here for!
Whether I’ve been to your elopement location or not - I do extensive research to know all about the area, the hikes, the weather, and everything in between. I am here to help you throughout the entire process.
Take this as an opportunity to explore somewhere completely new and a place that will become your new special place.
Considering eloping in Arizona, but don’t know where to start? Check out my blog post: Nine of the Best Places to Elope in Arizona.
#12: Get ready together
I think it’s pretty obvious by now that you’re allowed (and encouraged) to do whatever you want on your elopement day. This is such an important and special moment. You’re about to marry the love of your life - it only makes sense that you want to spend as much time with them as possible!
Spend the morning taking in the little moments - whether that’s cooking breakfast, drinking your coffee/tea with each other, or just sitting together as you prep for the day. You can enjoy doing your hair and makeup (or having it done by a hair and makeup artist), while you have conversations with your love - getting excited for what all the rest of the day entails.
You can help each other get into your wedding attire or this is when you can separate for a few and we can prep you both for either your first look/reveal or your ceremony.
Don’t sweat whatever anyone else may tell you about wedding superstitions or traditions they think you should still follow - this is a day about whatever you want and I will always advocate for that.
#13: Include a “Just Married” or “We Eloped” sign
A simple way to show-off and celebrate on the trails that you’re MARRIED!
Attach them to the back of your packs after your ceremony - it’s like tying cans to the back of your car, but way cooler because you just hiked a mountain.
You can customize the signs yourself or have it made by someone - check out Etsy for lots of options that are customizable and the perfect size to include on a hike.
It’s also an added keepsake at the end of the day for you two to have.
#14: Stargaze together
Close out the night underneath the stars. This is one of my favorite things that eloping couples can include in their day. When the sun sets and you’re not ready for the day to be over - don’t worry - it doesn’t have to be!
Places like Sedona, which is a part of the International Dark-Sky Association, is an amazing spot to view the stars. We’ll bring the headlamps along to lead the way. We can either split up your day by having your ceremony, going to dinner, then heading back out later on to catch the stars or we can spend the time out on the trail waiting for it to get dark. Typically is can take anywhere from 1-2 hours for the night sky to get fully dark after sunset so that you can really see the stars. It just depends on the time of year and type of weather!
#15: Ditch the traditional attire
Although this isn’t exactly an “activity” - it’s something unique that you can do if “traditional” wedding attire isn’t your thing.
Everyone should feel the freedom to do and wear whatever they want on their wedding day (whether you’re eloping or not). Often times this isn’t the case though and you may feel pressured by people in your life - or just the wedding industry as a whole - to wear white or wear a dress or wear heals or wear a veil.
You don’t have to though!! This is YOUR day and whatever you will feel the most comfortable, happy, and yourself in is what you should wear.
#16: Pop some champagne, sparkling cider, or sparkling water
Make a toast and celebrate at the end of the day by popping some champagne, sparkling cider, or sparkling water (whatever your preference is). Not only does it make for epic photos, but how often do you get to celebrate like this?
Bring cups or (plastic) champagne glasses to sip what’s left afterwards.
Some locations we may have to skip spraying the champagne/sparkling cider to avoid leaving traces that could attract animals - we’ll asses this ahead of time! A great alternative is bringing a bottle of (non-flavored) sparkling water to spray and then you still have your champagne/cider to drink afterwards! My favorite is Topo Chico Mineral Water (you can find it at Target) because it still has a great fizz that shows up in photos!
Pro-Tip: If you can spray champagne, consider bringing 2 bottles - the one you’re going to drink and then an inexpensive one for you to shake up.
#17: Include your closest family and friends
Although many believe that an elopement is just you and your partner - it’s not true! You can include anyone you want in your day.
Most typically, elopements are anywhere from 2-20 people with intimate weddings being in the 20-40 range (it’s not exactly a set number though).
Whether you want to include just your best friends, a parent, sibling, or anything of the like - if you’ve always pictured your special day including your loved ones, but you want to elope - you can still include them! Even if it’s just for part of the day - we’ll figure out a plan that works best for you all.
Check out other myths and misconceptions about elopements here.
Julien and Sean had professional flutist, Anthony Flesch, play Native American music during their ceremony in Sedona, AZ.
#18: Hire a musician or include music
Including music in your elopement day is such a unique option to really set the mood for your ceremony.
Whether you’re musically inclined yourselves and want to make time to sit down to play - either together or for one another OR if you want to hire a professional - there are multiple ways you can incorporate it into your day!
From guitar, violin, to the flute - depending on where you’re having your elopement - there are lots of options.
This can also be an alternative to playing a song off of your phone for your first dance, instead have your hired musician play a live, instrumental version!
Other Ideas:
#19: Have your loved ones write letters for you to open on the day of your ceremony
•If you’re not having anyone at your elopement - this is a great way to still have your family and friends involved in the day. Ask them to write letters to you and your partner to open on your wedding day.
#20: Hire a private chef
•If you’ve ever wanted a reason to hire a private chef - THIS IS IT. At the end of the night, you’ll get to enjoy an amazing meal that was specially prepared for you.
#21: Bring along your favorite drink
•Whether it’s a certain brand of beer, Mountain Dew, Capri Suns, or a special wine - bring it along to celebrate at the end of your hike, watch the sunset, or toast to being married!
#22: Buy a new perfume or cologne to wear
•Pick a new scent to wear for the first time on your elopement day. Every time you wear it afterwards, you’ll be transported back to the day you got married. :)
#23: Pack a picnic
•Bring along a charcuterie board style picnic or some classic PB&Js to sit and enjoy along your hike and take in the epic scenery.
#24: Wake up for the sunrise
•It’s pretty common to hear about sunset ceremonies and planning your elopement for later in the day (depending on what all you’re including). Waking up to have a sunrise ceremony will give you a lot more privacy and then it gives you the ENTIRE rest of the day to fill with other adventures and celebrations.
#25: Sit and relax!
This may seem obvious, but be sure you make time to truly just sit down, relax, and take in the entire day!
Elopements are such an intentional day. One of the main reasons I am so passionate about them is because it gives you the freedom to do whatever you want. It’s a day that you should able to soak in every moment. Many of the activities that I suggest including are all things that give you time to slow down and enjoy each part.
With that being said, just sitting down together and taking in the scenery, talking with each other while I take a step back and just let you two soak it all in - that’s what I mean when I say sit and relax.
Now it’s time to start planning your dream elopement day!
I’m Samantha Rose Photography…
An adventure elopement photographer based in sunny Phoenix, Arizona. I’m passionate about helping couples have authentic and meaningful elopements that feel like home in the outdoors. I’ll guide you through the whole process of planning your dream day - wherever that may be.
