Two-Day Elopements: What They Are & How to Plan Your Own
Have you heard of a two-day elopement and thought, “Why would anyone need that much time?” Or maybe you’re wondering if there’s anyone out there crazy enough to want to come with you as you backpack to a mountain peak to share vows. Either way, I’m so glad you’re here, because multi-day elopements are a passion of mine!
As an adventure elopement photographer, I love finding couples who are as adventurous as I am. And no, you’re not crazy for wanting an experience that lasts more than a few hours, or even a few days.
If you have questions about what a multi-day elopement is or what it looks like, you’re in the right place. This post is here to answer all of your questions and help you start planning your own two-day elopement.
Top Reasons to Have a Two-Day Elopement
An extra adventurous and personal wedding experience
If you feel most at home deep in the backcountry, then you should definitely make that part of your wedding! National Forests often have the fewest restrictions when it comes to weddings, and you can front-country camp, backpack in the mountains, or just include a scenic day hike into your experience.
Extra Special & Unique Elopement Photos
I’ve photographed plenty of incredible elopements, but some of the absolute best photos come out of early mornings and late evenings. And you can’t really get that with just a normal elopement day.
More time means we can dedicate more time to when the lighting is right for gorgeous portraits, romantic lantern photos, or epic photos under the Milky Way.
Plenty of Time to Enjoy Your Environment and Your Wedding Experience
One of the coolest parts of having two days for your elopement is that you have plenty of time to just hang out and take in the view. Spreading it out means you don’t have to rush because you aren’t trying to fit everything into one day.
You Can Celebrate with Family but Also by Yourselves
Just because you’ve decided to elope may not mean you want to get married alone. I totally get it! I’m a huge fan of elopements, but I can’t imagine getting married without my family by my side.
With a two-day elopement, it’s easier than ever to have the best of both worlds. You can spend one day with loved ones and dedicate a full day to your own private celebration. You don’t have to compromise your family values to have the wedding of your dreams!
Way Less Stress
When you’re not trying to cram a bunch of activities into a restricted timeline, you are automatically going to have a lot less stress.
Plus, having two days means you have plenty of time to shift things around if needed for weather or other reasons.
No Compromises
Between getting ready, the ceremony, portraits, exploring, dinner, watching wildlife, including an exciting activity like canoeing or a helicopter tour, you’re going to have a lot of fun choices when it comes to what you want to include in your elopement day.
With two days, you don’t have to compromise pretty lighting for portraits for getting-ready photos, because you’ll have time to do and photograph it all.
You’ll Have Time to Take Care of Yourself
Wedding days are long. Take it from someone who works them for a living. But spreading the celebration over two days means you have time to prioritize things like rest and eating so you feel better throughout your elopement.
Plus, more time means you can stop to soak in the view along the hike without feeling like you need to rush to stick to a tight timeline.
What Does a Multi-Day Elopement Look Like?
The most beautiful thing about elopements of any length is how unique they are. No two elopements I’ve helped plan and photograph looked the same.
And that’s especially true when it comes to two-day elopements.
For some, it means having a day to celebrate with family and have a more traditional ceremony, and having a separate day dedicated to the two of them with private vows, hiking to an epic viewpoint, and an intimate sunset picnic dinner.
For others, it looks like going on a bigger adventure, like backpacking or camping in the mountains.
For the adventurous couples who want the most incredible elopement photos, a multi-day elopement is the only way to get the best and most unique lighting.
Staying somewhere overnight provides you with sunrise, golden hour, sunset, blue hour, and even starry skies.
You just can’t get all of that, plus everything else, in a single day.
How to Plan a Two-Day Elopement
You plan a multi-day elopement much like you would plan any other elopement. The biggest difference is going to be your timeline and the activities you include.
I recommend finding an elopement photographer who specializes in adventurous, two-day elopements (like I do!) early in the planning process, because they can help with a lot of the planning and logistics.
Here’s how to plan your multi-day elopement:
- Narrow down a general location
- Find your elopement photographer
- Choose a specific location and date
- Decide what activities you want to include
- Book your other vendors
- Book lodging & transportation
- Build your elopement timeline
- Apply for permits
- Get your marriage license
- Have the coolest elopement experience ever!
Two-Day Elopement Timeline Examples
Now, this is something your elopement photographer should be doing for you, but here are some example two-day elopement timelines to help you get an idea of what your day could look like.
Multi-Day Camping Elopement Example Timeline
Day 1:
- 2:00pm Meet up at the hotel and caravan to the mountains together.
- 3:00pm Arrive at waterfall trailhead. Get out, hike, and explore the waterfalls.
- 4:00pm Return to the cars. Continue the drive up to the mountains.
- 5:30pm Arrive at the campground. Find a spot and set up camp. Grab a snack.
- 6:30pm Explore around the lakes and find the perfect location for the first look and ceremony.
- 7:30pm Return to camp. Make dinner and hang out.
- 10:30pm Take photos under the Milky Way.
- 11:00pm Coverage ends for day 1
Day 2:
- 3:30am Wake up and begin getting ready.
- 4:45am Finish getting dressed and move to the First Look location
- 4:50am Arrive at the lake at the First Look location.
- 5:00am First Look.
- 5:15am Hike to the vows location.
- 5:45am Arrive at the viewpoint and exchange vows.
- 6:15am Celebrate being married! Champagne pop and “just-married” portraits.
- 6:30am Continue hiking and exploring the lakes.
- 8:00am Return to camp and make breakfast together around the fire.
- 9:00am Photo coverage ends. Pack up and start the drive home.
Multi-Day Elopement with Family Example Timeline
Day 1:
- 8:00am Photographer arrives at the Airbnb. Coffee and breakfast with family.
- 9:00am Bride and Groom begin getting ready separately.
- 11:00am First Look between the Bride and her father, followed by the first look between the Bride and Groom.
- 11:30am Everyone loads up into the cars and drives to the ceremony location.
- 12:30pm Arrive at the ceremony location. Everyone unloads and gets ready.
- 1:00pm Vows and ring exchange.
- 1:30pm Celebrate being married!
- 2:00pm Family portraits.
- 2:30pm Bride and Groom explore and take “just-married” photos while family sets up picnic lunch.
- 3:30pm Everyone regroups for picnic lunch and cake.
- 4:30pm First dances.
- 5:00pm Coverage ends for day 1
Day 2:
- 3:00pm Bride, Groom, and Photographer arrive at the lake. Explore and find the perfect spot for vows.
- 3:30pm Private vows.
- 4:00pm Hike around and explore. Take in the views.
- 5:00pm Set up private picnic. Cake, champagne, and dancing.
- 7:00pm Golden Hour and Blue Hour portraits while watching the sunset.
- 8:30pm Start a campfire. Roast s’mores around the fire.
- 10:00pm Take photos under the Milky Way
- 11:00pm Photo coverage ends.
Multi-Day Elopement Packages
I offer multi-day elopement photography packages that also include full planning assistance. In addition to photographing your experience in incredible photos, I’ll also help you with location scouting, an elopement planning checklist, permit information, marriage license instructions, and more.
Plus, I’m ordained, so I can sign your marriage license, which means one less person you have to bring into the backcountry with you.
If you want to learn more, send me an email, and I’ll reach out with packages and next steps.
Happy eloping!
