How To Make Your Elopement Special And Why It Matters

How to make your elopement special isn’t just about what you do but why you do it. Eloping is already so special, but making it special to you is a way to make the day completely yours. Eloping gives you the freedom to celebrate exactly how you want! But why does it matter so much?

Well, quite simply, your wedding day only comes once and it should represent your love story and who you are as a couple. It’s a day to tell your story in your own way. Whatever that means to you!

This new found freedom can definitely feel overwhelming, but don’t fret. I’ve made a top 10 list of how you can make your elopement day special. Keep reading and I know you’ll feel inspired about having your own special elopement day full of personal touches!

Top 10 Ways to Make Your Elopement Special

Choose a Location that Speaks to Your Souls

As an elopement photographer, I believe there is no better way to make your elopement special than choosing a location that speaks to your souls!

Now of course, there are plenty of “epic” locations all over. An epic view can be breathtaking, but a spot with real meaning takes your elopement to a whole new level.

When you’re picking a spot for your elopement, think about places that carry meaning or stir up excitement. Start with places tied to your story—like the spot you hiked on your first date or that lake view you both love. Those places become part of the story, adding a depth that goes beyond an epic view. When a location holds memories, it brings an emotional layer to the day that no view alone can capture.

How do you go about choosing locations like this? Here are a few questions to start:

• When you think about the best adventures you have been on together, what comes to mind? What did you do and where were you?
• Is there a place that represents a turning point in our relationship?
• What landscapes or views have always made us feel at peace or inspired?
• Is there a setting that feels like “us”—somewhere tied to who we are or what we love?
• Are there places that remind us why we chose each other?

Answering these questions will definitely help kickstart some location ideas that are meaningful to you. And as your elopement photographer, I love to help you find the perfect location that matches your personalities and relationship. If you are wanting more location help though, take a look at my How to Elope Location Tips.

Get more location ideas here:
Best Georgia Elopement Locations
Top Scenic Places to Elope in Tennessee

Make it a Whole Day Reflective of Your Relationship

This is your wedding day and you deserve to celebrate the entire day! I know what you might be thinking, what would we even do for an entire day?

Well, first let me ask you this: Take a second and look at each other for me. I want you to now picture in your mind the best possible day with each other. From the time you got up to the time you went to bed. What would you want to do first? What kind of adventures would you want to have that day? Where would you want to explore?

That day sounds amazing and totally you right? Then let’s do that for your elopement day! Bringing your hobbies or favorite activities into your elopement can make the day feel even more personal. If you’re hikers, think about exchanging vows at the end of a trail with a view that feels like home. Love kayaking? Find a peaceful lake where you can paddle out, say your vows on the water, and soak up the moment. Even something simple, like building a campfire afterward, lets you unwind and just be together. These personal touches bring meaning and memories that make the day uniquely yours.

Take a look at this elopement timeline for a couple I photographed that embrace this idea of incorporating things they love into their elopement day. Your timeline may look different because you probably have a different vision for your elopement day!

So look at this timeline as an inspiration for your own elopement and how you could make it special to you.

8 Hour Elopement Day Example Timeline

11:00 am – Spend time getting ready, doing makeup, and hair at cozy Airbnb

12:00 pm – First Look Photos at the Airbnb

12:30 pm – Drive to the lake to start canoeing

1:00 pm – Arrive at the Lake, Get Ready for Canoeing

1:30 pm – Canoeing Adventure and Private Vows on the Canoe

2:30 pm – Pack up Canoeing things

2:45 pm – Drive to Overlook for a few pictures

3:00 pm – Pictures at Chestatee Overlook

3:15 pm – Drive to Ceremony Location Trailhead, freshen up if needed

3:30 pm – Begin hiking, pictures along the way

4:15 pm – Get to the top and soak in the moment together

4:30 pm – Ceremony with an epic view in the background

4:50 pm – Portraits with Family and Friends that have come to celebrate

5:00 pm – Champagne Toast with family and friends

5:20 pm – Golden Hour/Sunset Portraits on Top of the Mountain

6:30 pm – Hike back down the trail

7:00 pm – Married life begins!

See more from this Intimate Appalachian Trail Elopement.

Write Your Own Vows

This is a tip that I know firsthand how much it can impact the feeling of your wedding day. My wife and I wrote our own vows and it was honestly one of the best decisions that we made for our wedding!

Writing your own vows gives your elopement a tangible personal touch because it allows you to express your unique love story in your own words. It transforms a standard ceremony from a boring script into a heartfelt moment that reflects your true feelings. It creates an intimate connection, making your promises feel that much more genuine. Adding this personal touch can turn a simple ceremony into a powerful celebration of your love.

Tips for Writing Your Own Vows: 

• Start by reflecting on your journey together, what are the moments that stand out to you?
• Think about what you love most about your partner and what promises you are making to them on your elopement day.
• Infuse your personality into your vows. If you are humorous, mix in some humor. If you are a romantic, make your vows romantic.
• Try to keep them to one to two minutes long when read aloud
• Actually write them down. You’ll thank me for the experience of putting these promises on paper and it turns out way better in photographs. Trust me!
• If you’re looking for a vow book, this is my favorite.
• LGBTQ+ friendly vow book.

Incorporate a Symbolic Element or Ritual

Incorporating a symbolic element or ritual into your elopement can add a meaningful layer to your ceremony. Consider options like handfasting, where you literally tie the knot, or a sand ceremony, where you blend different colors of sand to symbolize your union. Planting a tree together can represent your growing love, while a unity fire can symbolize passion and transformation. These rituals not only create beautiful visuals, but can also deepen your connection to the moment.

When choosing a ritual, think about what resonates with your love story. Reflect on your shared interests and values—are you nature lovers? Consider tree planting. The goal is to select something that feels authentic to you both, making your elopement not just a day to remember, but a celebration of your unique bond.

Include Traditional Wedding Ideas That You Love

I know you chose to leave the traditional wedding behind and elope instead, but you can still include some of your favorite wedding traditions! Just like every other part of your elopement day, incorporating some of these traditions can help make your elopement special. You can add as many of these traditions as you would like, but two of the favorites among the couples I photograph are a first look and first dance.

First Look

As an elopement photographer, I might be a bit biased, but first looks are absolutely amazing! Having a separate first look before your ceremony allows you to see your partner earlier in the day so you can spend as much time as possible together. It’s a moment that you can be fully present with no distractions. Often couples feel less nervous having a private first look moment rather than during the ceremony (if you are inviting family to the ceremony).

Many couples choose to do their first look at their getting ready location. This could be your favorite room in your lodging, or a scenic portion of the property you are staying at. The benefit of doing a first look at the getting ready location is that you maximize the rest of your day together and get rid of those nerves right away. 

If you are doing a hiking elopement, some couples choose to hike up the mountain in hiking attire and then change into their wedding attire when they get to their destination or summit. Then they have their first look. This is a great option if you are doing a sunrise elopement and it has been dark out until this point.

First Dance

This is a wedding tradition that goes from great to incredible through the power of elopements. Just imagine, you and your partner dancing under the stars atop your favorite mountain after your wedding ceremony. It’s as special as it sounds!

Adding this wedding tradition right after your ceremony or when you get back to your Airbnb can create such a special moment that can bring the whole day together. All you need to do is bring a Bluetooth speaker and you can dance to your favorite song anywhere in the world! Bonus points if you do hire musician!

Plan a Private Or Larger Celebration Afterwards

Adding a private celebration to your elopement can make the day even more special. Imagine a secluded picnic with all your favorite foods, where you can relax together surrounded by nature. You can also add a sunset champagne toast for a simple yet beautiful way to end the day together. For something unforgettable, try stargazing after dark, laying back with blankets as you look up at a sky filled with stars.

It is becoming more common to have an elopement reception day of, the next day, or next week. This is a good way to get family and friends involved while still keeping a more intimate feel on your wedding day. An elopement reception can be a small backyard BBQ, renting out an Airbnb near where you got married, or going to a restaurant or brewery. If you decide to have a reception, it is a good decision to make early in the process because it might change your elopement location or who you invite to your actual wedding day.

Include a Special Travel Experience

Incorporating a special travel experience into your elopement can add a sense of adventure that makes the day an unforgettable experience. As someone who loves traveling and exploring new places with my wife, this is what I would do if I could go back and get married again!

Imagine exploring somewhere new together—a place that’s on your bucket list or just feels exciting to you both! Or, find a unique spot to stay overnight, like a cozy cabin, glass yurt, or even a treehouse. You could also turn your elopement location into your honeymoon spot so that you could really explore the area and not have to rush off the day after you get married. Take a look at this couple that eloped in Hawaii and did just that.

Go Beyond Traditional Wedding Attire

You’re already getting married in an “untraditional” way, why stop at the wedding attire? If you have a unique style that you want to show off, this is a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding day!

When picking your outfits, consider pieces that reflect who you are and fit the vibe of your location. If you’re on a beach, a flowing dress or rolled-up pants might feel just right; in the mountains, consider bringing a stylish jacket to stay warm. Think about colors, textures, and accessories that capture your personalities and fit the setting. And yes, this means non-white dresses are an option! You could even start the next wedding trend! When you choose your outfits like this, not only will they look amazing in photos but it will enhance the experience by letting you feel like yourselves.

What are some Non-Traditional options to consider, you ask?

• Flowy dresses can sometimes look a little more boring on the hanger, but they have the potential to look amazing when they are “windblown”.
• Cute or customized hiking boots under your dress
• A personalized leather jacket – Perfect for an edgy, adventurous look.
• Jumpsuit – A stylish and comfortable alternative to a dress.
• Boho hats or Cowboy hats for a unique flair.
• Non-white dresses and vibrant suits in your favorite color

Embrace The “Thin Place” Feeling

Being in a “thin place” means finding a place where the physical world and the spiritual seem to connect, allowing for deeper feelings of love and presence. When you stay present during your elopement, you can truly soak in every moment—whether it’s the sound of the wind, the warmth of the sun, or the look in your partner’s eyes. This mindfulness can enhance your experience, making it feel sacred and unforgettable. Focus on the beauty around you and the love between you, and let that connection guide your day.

Remember why you chose to elope in the first place. You wanted a day that felt like you and represented your relationship. So fall into that. Want a few practical tips to make your day feel this way? Take a look:

1. Create Moments of Silence: Allow time for quiet reflection together, soaking in the surroundings and the significance of your commitment.
2. Practice Mindfulness: Take a few moments before the ceremony to breathe deeply, connect with each other, and focus on the present.
3. Consider lighting a candle or creating a small altar with meaningful items that symbolize your love.
4. Share Personal Vows: Write and read vows that come from the heart, emphasizing your unique bond.

Invest In A Specialized Elopement Photographer

Investing in a specialized elopement photographer is one of the best decisions that you can make for your elopement. Why? Think about it, your elopement photographer is one of the few people that will be with you for your elopement. Possibly the only one!

So when it comes to choosing a photographer, finding someone you can get along with all day, be comfortable around, and vibe with is absolutely crucial! When you are more comfortable, the photos your photographer gets will be better no matter what their camera gear and experience are.

I would be honored to help you craft and capture your dream elopement day, but if that’s not me for you, that’s okay. You have the power to make your elopement day great by choosing a photographer you get along with. Don’t focus too much on their style or photo composition. Focus on how they make you feel and I guarantee you’ll get better photos!

Elopement photography is all about trust and giving an experience. It’s why I’m not just here to take pictures; I’m here to truly see you. I take the time to get to know who you are as a couple, so the moments I capture are real, raw, and meaningful. With me, you won’t feel like you’re performing for the camera—you’ll just be living your best day, and I’ll be there to capture the magic as it happens. You’re not just clients to me; you’re friends with a story worth telling, and I’m here to tell it right.

Read more about how I operate and what makes me different from other photographers.

Making Your Elopement Uniquely Yours

Your elopement is the best opportunity to make your wedding day entirely yours—free from expectations and traditions that don’t resonate with you and full of what really matters to both of you. It’s about creating a celebration that reflects your love, personalities, and dreams. This day is all about the two of you, so fill it with the things that bring you joy and make you feel connected.

If you’re ready to start planning an elopement that feels uniquely “you,” I’d love to help bring your vision to life. Reach out for a consultation, and let’s make your elopement day uniquely yours!