what your elopement could look like

The best parts about Eloping is that you get to decide on how your day looks like! If you want to fill you special day with activities, you can. If you want to have a more relaxed kind of day, you can. Whatever you both want to do is absolutely perfect!

One thing you may be struggling with is how to make your day line up to fit all of those activities; OR maybe you’re struggling to decide on how long to hire your photographer and/or your videographer for!

In this blog you’ll find information on why you should hire a photographer all day and how elopements last that long, how many hours to hire a photographer for, breakdowns of different elopement timelines and a few extra tips for planning your day. Now, let’s get to it 🎉

Why hire a photographer all day & how elopements last that long

To some, hiring a photographer for your all day elopement or even multi-day elopement may see excessive. Trust me, there are so many moments during your elopement that you will want to remember and cherish! Just like a traditional Wedding you’ll need to get ready, have your ceremony, do portraits, have your own version of a reception; you’ll also want to add in any activities you’re planning to do. Just like that, you’re entire day is filled up with memories that should be captured!

Hiring a photographer for your all day elopement or multi-day elopement tells the full story of your journey together! You’ll have the memories to share with others (if you chose to). You’ll be able to re-live your entire day for years to come!

how long to hire an elopement photographer for

Think about the events during the Elopement day that are most important to you and the ones you absolutely want captured. Now, how long will it all take? Take into consideration travel times if you’re moving from location to location.

Most couples I photograph opt for 8-10 hours. Why? Well, they typically want photographs of them getting ready, the ceremony, portraits, an activity or two then their version of a reception or later in the day plan. Say you’re planning to hike up a mountain and it takes 4 hours to get to the ceremony location, you’ll probably want to hire the photographer for 10 hours. It’ll be 4 hours each way of hiking, then 2 hours to fit in portraits and the ceremony!

If you need help with deciding on how long to hire a photographer for, ask them! They will be honest with you and suggest the amount of time they know will be best for your elopement plans.

Breakdown of elopement timelines

Below I will share 3 different timelines with different amounts of photography coverage. Each timeline has been tailored to what the couple wanted to do for their special day and to include the moments that are most important to them! Typically most photographers will create the timeline but these help us get a better idea of how long we may want to hire our professional for. I hope this helps put into perspective how long events can take.

4 Hour Elopement Timeline - Easy Jasper Hike

4:30 pm: start with a first look outside the cabin

5:00 pm: head to a nearby overlook with an easy hike

5:30 pm: hike a little ways to the area & say vows & ceremony

6:00 pm: take photos after the ceremony

7:15 pm: have a picnic dinner together

8:15 pm: take a few last photos at sunset

8:30 pm: end the day after photos at sunset

8 Hour Elopement Timeline - Banff Gondola Elopement

12:30 pm: getting ready photos at the airbnb

1:30 pm: first look close to the airbnb

1:50 pm: head to the gondola 

2:15 pm: take gondola up to overlooks above mountains

3:50 pm: say vows at the top of the mountains with a top of the world view

4:15 pm: do some light hiking around & explore some other areas, take photos

5:45 pm: take gondola back down into town

6:30 pm: dinner & drinks at a bar with friends & get photos with everyone

8:00 pm: a few sunset portraits around town

8:30 pm: end the day after photos at sunset

10 Hour Elopement Timeline - Iceland

8:00 am: wake up, coffee, lite breakfast & being together in dimly-lit common area & getting ready - separate rooms

9:00 am: emotional first-look & private moment

9:30 am: leave - travel in rover to the black beach church

10:00 am: arrive at the church & take a few outdoor photographs

10:15 am: vows, first kiss, ceremony

10:45 am: Head to black beach - friends/family portraits, a few couple photographs

11:30 am: picnic brunch, champagne bottle pop, mimosas, cake/cake pops/donuts, music, first dance, private moments

1:30 pm:(travel time included) head to the plane crash for a few fun photographs

2:30 pm: leave for the nearby waterfalls 

3:30 pm: arrive at waterfalls for couples portraits

4:00 pm: Drive to bistro-bar for dinner and family/friend celebrations

5:00 pm: Arrive at bistro bar where the meal is waiting for them

6:00 pm: Bride & groom return to Airbnb for honeymoon

Tips for your elopement

Here are a few extra tips to consider for you and your elopement!

Value your Elopement - This is a day you’ve been dreaming of! You are marrying your best friend, partner in crime and your lover. Your Elopement is worth valuing and creating a day that is magical to you two. People have a misconception that if they are eloping it is considered “lesser” and that couldn’t be further from the truth! Your elopement is as valuable as your relationship with your partner.

Activities - For example; Perhaps it’s important to you both to canoe at a specific lake because that’s where your partner proposed, make sure you leave space in your day to ensure that can happen! If there’s an activity you’re not 100% set on but may want to do the day of, create space for that in your day, you can always do something else in place of that if you decide not to.

Timing - When creating your elopement timeline or deciding on how long to hire a photographer for, consider the transitioning times. This means getting to and from each location. Perhaps you’re planning to do a helicopter elopement, there may be a bit of a briefing from the pilot that will happen. It is okay to add in a bit of wiggle room to your timeline!

Opinions (my favourite tip) - Don’t let others tell you what to do or how to have your Elopement. It is you and your partners day and it is important to enjoy it the way you both desire to! Need help on a response to those who give their opinions? Simply say “ I hear your suggestions however, we have planned(planning) our day according to how we envisioned it”. It is to the point and nice, no needing to beat around the bush!

Want more advice, tips and tricks about Elopements or Small Weddings? Check out my blog below for more

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