Why You Should Have a Sunrise Elopement
As someone who helps couples plan elopements in the beauty of nature, I often recommend a sunrise wedding ceremony. Which, in the Summer, usually means waking up at 3am to get to the right spot in time to watch the sunrise.
If you’re not an early morning person, don’t click out just yet! I want to explain to you everything there is to know about having a sunrise elopement, and maybe even convince you why it’s a great option.
Why you should consider having a sunrise elopement
Dreamy photos
Sunrise and sunset are the two best times of day for even, soft lighting. Early morning is a photographer’s dream lighting condition, and it’ll make you look amazing in your photos! Lighting is a huge part of getting gorgeous photos, so it’s always important to consider the time of day when planning your elopement to ensure you get the photos you’re dreaming of.
Magic Alpenglow over the mountains
Alpenglow is the pinkish-purple glow over the mountains you’ve probably seen in photos. It’s an incredible thing to witness, and it looks incredible in photos!
Zero crowds, even at popular locations
Getting up bright and early is the best way to avoid crowds, even at locations that are normally overcrowded during the day. This is my top tip when eloping in a popular spot, like a National Park, to get the best views all to yourself!
You have the rest of the day to celebrate
Holding your ceremony at sunrise means you have the whole rest of the day to celebrate together!
Still waters
If you’ll be eloping near a lake, the waters will be glassy smooth at sunrise.
Reasons not to have a sunrise elopement
While I’m obviously a big supporter of getting up literally before the sun comes up, I know it’s not the right choice for everyone. Here are a few reasons not to elope at sunrise.
Colder weather
It will be chilly until the sun comes out, even in the middle of Summer. Especially in the mountains, where temperatures drop to freezing temperatures at night.
You have to get up insanely early.
Take the time the sunrises, and subtract 2 to 4 hours, depending on how long it takes to get to your ceremony spot and how long it takes to get ready beforehand. That’s how early you’ll need to get up. Some couples get up as early as 2-3am for their sunrise elopement!
Travelling & Hiking in the Dark
You’ll need to get to your ceremony location in the dark. If you’ll be having an adventurous elopement that requires hiking, this means you’ll be hiking in the dark. Which can be a fun experience, but you’ll need to bring the right gear.
Sunrise Wedding Ideas
Planning a sunrise elopement follows the same steps as planning any other elopement. The only real difference is that you need to push your start time a lot earlier. The exact time will depend on your exact location and the time of year.
Here is what you need to plan for to have an incredible sunrise wedding:
Choose the right ceremony time
You’ll need to start by looking up the sunrise time for your date at your location. This site is my go-to for looking up sunrise times. After you know the time the sun rises, you want to work backwards from there.
For example, say sunrise is at 6:03am. You want to make sure you are at your location, ready, at 5:30am to catch the magic of “blue hour”. The 30-60 minutes before sunrise is when the sky begins to lighten, but the sun hasn’t risen yet. It’s gorgeous, moody, and the perfect time to be in your location to get the full sunrise experience.
Bring warm layers
You want to bring some warmer layers for before the sun comes up. Especially if you’re eloping in the mountains. It’s amazing how much of a temperature difference direct sunlight makes! Make sure you bring some warm layers you can easily shed as it begins to warm up.
For brides, my favorite is a white wrap or shawl. You can also get a fuzzy jacket that’s cute and warm. Grooms are typically fine if they wear a full suit. But an extra puffy jacket and some hand warmers are always a good idea to have nearby.
Allow plenty of time to get ready
I know you’ll be getting up early, but trust me, having that extra time is going to relieve so much stress from your day. Making sure you have a full two-hours minimum to get dressed and caffeinated is a must!
Pack the night before
Getting everything ready the night before will save you time on the morning of your elopement. You can pack extra layers, lanterns, water, etc., in the car so it’s ready to go in the morning, and you don’t have to think about it.
Don’t forget the snacks!
Always make sure you have a plan for food. Whether you’ll be eating out for breakfast soon after, having a picnic brunch, or just snacks, make sure to have a plan and bring plenty of food and water along.
Add cushion time
Whether your ceremony location is a spot you can drive up to or you’ll be hiking in, it’s always a good idea to add a little extra time. That way, if you get lost in the dark or decide you need to make an extra stop for coffee, you have the flexibility to not stress over the time.
Sunrise Elopement Photos
I’ve gathered a few photos from a sunrise elopement I photographed in Idaho that is a perfect example of why getting up at 4am is worth it!
FAQ’s about sunrise elopements
A sunrise wedding ceremony can begin 15 minutes before or after sunrise, depending on the exact location. If eloping in the mountains, you’ll need to take the mountain peaks and the sun’s path into consideration when deciding on the exact start time.
Sunrise elopement ceremonies are often 15 to 30 minutes, but couples commonly schedule a couple of hours afterwards to celebrate, explore, and take photos in the beautiful early morning light.
Yes! Morning light is soft, flattering, and colorful, which often makes sunrise elopement photos more dramatic and timeless than harsh midday sun.
Dress for changing temperatures. The morning before the sun rises will be chilly (especially if eloping in the mountains!), but it will likely warm up as soon as the sun is out. That’s why laters are the best plan for a sunrise elopement.
Pros: stunning light, privacy, cooler temps, gorgeous photos.
Cons: waking up insanely early, traveling in the dark, and cold.
I help couples plan sunrise elopements throughout the Western U.S. If you want to plan an early morning wedding in the mountains, I’d love to chat with you and help you plan the best day ever! Send me a message and let’s chat about your plans!
Happy eloping!
