What Does an Elopement Day Look Like?
The most common questions we get are, "How much coverage do we need?” and “What does an elopement day even look like?" We always preface our answer by saying that every elopement is unique and your elopement day will be fully customized to your preferences. But most elopement days have at least some of the same basic pieces, the order and time of day might just change a little bit.
The Most Common Parts of an Elopement Day
You have a ton of freedom when planning your elopement, so your day may include all of these pieces or just a few.
Getting Ready
We love capturing the last bit of getting ready, whether you get ready at your accommodation or on the trail! Some of our couples choose to get ready together, which can make for very sweet photos, while other couples choose to get ready separately and build up anticipation.
First Look
Most of the couples we work with decide to have a first look with each other before their ceremony. During a first look, we step back and allow the moment to unfold naturally. This moment is for you, not us, so take your time and get some of the jitters out together.
Ceremony
Most elopement ceremonies take between 10 and 30 minutes and can be as formal or informal as you'd like! We work closely with our couples to help them craft their dream ceremony. If you have guests, your ceremony will undoubtedly end in a big group hug.
Group Photos
Okay, hear us out. We know group photos don’t sound like that much fun. But if you’re having guests at your elopement, we believe that they are so so important! We promise to get them done as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Adventure
Our favorite part of an elopement day is when the four of us head into nature for an adventure. This means different things to different people! Go for a hike, drive up a 4WD road to the top of a mountain, have a relaxing picnic, take a boat tour, or climb into a helicopter for a whole new perspective, the options are endless!
Private Vow Exchange
Many couples want the experience of a private ceremony in which they can really pour their hearts out to one another. But sometimes, you also want to include your guests. So do both! Exchange your vows surrounded by just the wilderness, and then return to a designated ceremony site for a slightly more traditional ceremony with guests.
Post-Elopement Meal
Whether you are planning to enjoy your wedding meal just the two of you, or your guests will be joining you, your post-elopement meal is another great way to customize your day! You can rent out space in a nearby restaurant, have a home-cooked meal, hire a private chef to cook a three-course meal at your Airbnb rental, set up a picnic in the forest, hire a food truck, or even order pizza!
“Reception”
This is most common for small weddings, but if you're eloping with no guests, there are still pieces of a traditional reception that you can pull from! Do you want to have a first dance? Do you want to dance with your parents? Would you like any of your guests to give speeches? Would you like to eat some cake (or donuts)? You could even end the evening with a dance party, if you'd like!
Star Photos
What better way to end your elopement than standing beneath the Milky Way?! If your elopement falls on a moonless night we can hang out past sunset! We’ll capture blue hour photos just after while we wait for the lights to fade and the stars to come out. In order to do star photos, it often requires 2-2.5 hours of coverage dedicated to staying out until they are visible.
Looking for some unique ideas for your Colorado elopement?
Check out our 41 ideas for your outdoor elopement
Sample Elopement Timelines
Our Elopement Packages
We offer packages starting 5, 8, and 12 hours of coverage. This takes the stress out of estimating the exact hours of coverage that you’ll need. We think of these base packages as a starting point and give our couples the freedom to add coverage once we’ve started the planning process!
We’ve put together some timelines for our previous elopements to help you visualize what your elopement day might look like! When looking at each timeline, remember that hike distance, activities, drive times, and guest count will all impact the amount of coverage required.
12-Hour Elopements
12+ hours of coverage is a good fit for you if:
You want to visit a wide range of locations.
You want to take your time on a longer hike or off-road trail.
You want to spend quality time with your guests without sacrificing a private elopement experience.
You want to stay out for star photos - Note that star photos typically require 2 about hours of your coverage.
You want to split your elopement experience into two consecutive days.
2 Days - 12 Hours of Coverage
Colorado Elopement Photo + Video Package
Elopement with 13 Guests
Day 1 - What We Had Time For:
4 Locations
Off-Road Adventure
Private Vow Exchange
Day 2 - What We Had Time For:
3 Locations
Getting Ready
First Look
Off-Road Adventure
Ceremony
Speeches
First Dance
Sunset Adventure
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Day 1 Coverage Times: 6:30 AM - 12:30 PM
6:30 AM - Day 1 Coverage Begins, Off-Road Drive to Mountain Pass
7:50 AM - Arrive at Mountain Pass, Change into Wedding Attire
8:00 AM - First Look
8:20 AM - Off-Road Drive to Private Vows Location
8:50 AM - Arrive at Private Vows Location, Time to Set Up Cameras
9:00 AM - Private Vow Exchange
9:20 AM - Explore for Photos + Video
10:00 AM - Drive to Aspen Grove
10:45 AM - Arrive at Aspen Grove, Explore for Photos + Video
11:30 AM - Drive to Mountain Lake
11:45 AM - Arrive at Mountain Lake, Explore for Photos + Video
12:30 PM - Day 1 Coverage Ends -
Day 2 Coverage Times: 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
1:00 PM - Day 2 Coverage Begins
1:10 PM - Ty Finishing Touches of Getting Ready
1:25 PM - Clara Finishing Touches of Getting Ready
1:45 PM - First Look
2:10 PM - Off-Road Drive to Waterfall
2:50 PM - Arrive at Waterfall, Explore for Photos + Video
3:30 PM - Drive to Ceremony Venue
4:10 PM - Arrive at Ceremony Venue, Set Up Cameras, Photograph Decor
4:30 PM - Guests Arrive at Ceremony Venue
4:45 PM - Ceremony
5:10 PM - Champagne Toast, Time to Mingle
5:45 PM - Group Photos
6:15 PM - First Dances
6:30 PM - Guests Depart, Explore for Photos + Video
7:00 PM - Day 2 Coverage Ends
2 Days - 12 Hours of Coverage
Colorado Elopement Photo + Video Package
Elopement with 2 Guests
Day 1 - What We Had Time For:
7 Locations
Off-Road Adventure
First Look
Ceremony
First Dance
Picnic
Day 2 - What We Had Time For:
2 Locations
Off-Road Adventure
Sunset Adventure
Star Photos
-
Day 1 Coverage Times: 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
7:00 AM - Day 1 Coverage Begins, Change into Wedding Attire
7:20 AM - First Look
7:45 AM - Off-Road Drive to Mountain Pass #1
8:50 AM - Arrive at Mountain Pass #1, Explore for Photos + Video
9:05 AM - Off-Road Drive to Ceremony Site
9:15 AM - Arrive at Ceremony Site, Set Up Cameras
9:35 AM - Ceremony
10:50 AM - Group Photos
10:10 AM - Off-Road Drive to Mountain Pass #2
10:20 AM - Arrive at Mountain Pass #2, First Dance
10:45 AM - Off-Road Drive to Mountain Pass #3
11:30 PM - Arrive at Mountain Pass #3, Explore for Photos + Video
11:45 PM - Off-Road Drive to Mountain Pass #4
12:00 PM - Arrive at Mountain Pass #3, Explore for Photos + Video
12:20 PM - Drive to Ghost Town
1:05 PM - Arrive at Ghost Town, Explore for Photos + Video
1:25 PM - Drive to Picnic Location
2:05 PM - Picnic
3:00 PM - Day 1 Coverage Ends -
Day 2 Coverage Times: 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM
4:30 PM - Day 2 Coverage Begins, Explore Cabin for Photos + Video
5:15 PM - Off-Road Drive to Mountain Pass
5:30 PM - Explore for Photos + Video
6:00 PM - Off-Road Drive Back to Cabin
6:15 PM - Sunset Photos + Video
6:50 PM - Blue Hour Photos + Video
7:15 PM - Dinner
8:10 PM - Star Photos
8:30 PM - Day 2 Coverage Ends
12 Hours - Sunrise + Sunset Coverage
Colorado Elopement Photography Package
Elopement with 0 Guests
What We Had Time For:
9 Locations
Off-Road Adventure
1 Hike
First Look
Ceremony
First Dance
Picnic + Letters From Family
Sunset Adventure
Blue Hour Adventure
Star Photos
-
Morning Coverage Times: 4:45 AM - 8:45 AM
4:45 AM - Morning Coverage Begins, Off-Road Drive to Ceremony Site
6:00 AM - Arrive at Ceremony Site, Blue Hour Photos
6:15 AM - Change into Wedding Attire
6:35 AM - First Look
6:50 AM - Ceremony
7:05 AM - Explore for Photos
7:45 AM - Off-Road Drive Back to Town
8:45 AM - Morning Coverage EndsEvening Coverage Times: 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM
2:00 PM - Evening Coverage Begins, Drive to Waterfall Trailhead
2:40 PM - Arrive at Trailhead, Hike to Waterfall
3:00 PM - Arrive at Waterfall, Explore for Photos
3:25 PM - Hike Back to Trailhead
3:45 PM - Off-Road Drive to Picnic Area
4:15 PM - Picnic, Read Letters from Family
5:15 PM - First Dance
5:30 PM - Off-Road Drive to Mountain Pass #1
6:15 PM - Arrive at Mountain Pass #1, Explore for Photos
6:35 PM - Off-Road Drive to Mountain Pass #2
6:45 PM - Arrive at Mountain Pass #2, Explore for Photos
7:05 PM - Off-Road Drive to Mountain Pass #3
7:30 PM - Arrive at Mountain Pass #1, Sunset Photos
7:50 PM - Blue Hour Photos
8:20 PM - Off-Road Drive to Star Location
9:30 PM - Star Photos
10:00 PM - Evening Coverage Ends
Check Out More 12-Hour Elopements
8-Hour Elopements
8+ hours of coverage is a good fit for you if:
You want to visit a few different nearby locations.
You want to take your time on a hike or off-road trail.
You want to spend some time with your guests in addition to having a shorter private elopement experience.
You want to stay out for star photos - Note that star photos typically require 2 about hours of your coverage.
8 Hours of Coverage
Colorado Elopement Photography Package
Elopement with 0 Guests
What We Had Time For:
5 Locations
1 Short Hike
First Look
Picnic
Ceremony
First Dance
Sunset Adventure
Blue Hour Adventure
-
Coverage Times: 12:45 PM - 8:45 PM
12:45 PM - Coverage Begins, Off-Road Drive to First Look Location
1:35 PM - Arrive at First Look Location, Change into Wedding Attire
2:00 PM - First Look
2:20 PM - Hike to Picnic Location
2:35 PM - Picnic
3:10 PM - Explore for Photos
3:30 PM - Off-Road Drive to High Alpine Lake
3:50 PM - Arrive at High Alpine Lake, Explore for Photos
4:20 PM - Off-Road Drive to Waterfall
5:00 PM - Arrive at Waterfall, Explore for Photos
5:20 PM - Off-Road Drive to Ceremony Site
6:00 PM - Arrive at Ceremony Site Trailhead, Begin Hike
6:20 PM - Ceremony
6:45 PM - Champagne Toast
6:55 PM - Hike Back to Trailhead
7:15 PM - Sign Marriage License
7:20 PM - Drive to Wildflower Meadow
7:30 PM - Arrive at Wildflower Meadow, Explore for Photos
7:45 PM - Sunset First Dance
7:55 PM - Blue Hour Photos
8:10 PM - Off-Road Drive Back to Town
8:45 PM - Coverage Ends
8 Hours of Coverage
Colorado Elopement Photography Package
Elopement with 10 Guests
What We Had Time For:
3 Locations
Getting Ready
First Look
Ceremony
Group Photos
1 Hike
Private Vow Exchange
Champagne Toast
-
Coverage Times: 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM
10:30 AM - Coverage Begins
10:35 AM - Tristan Finishing Touches of Getting Ready
10:50 AM - Megan Finishing Touches of Getting Ready
11:05 AM - First Look
11:20 AM - Pack Up Cars
11:25 AM - Drive to Ceremony Site
12:00 PM - Arrive at Ceremony Site, Begin Short Hike
12:20 PM - Ceremony
12:40 PM - Group Photos
1:10 PM - Explore for Photos
1:35 PM - Drive to Adventure Location #1
1:50 PM Arrive at Adventure Location #2, Explore for Photos
2:20 PM - Drive to Adventure Location #2
3:10 PM - Arrive at Adventure Location #2, Begin Hike
3:40 PM - Private Vow Exchange
4:00 PM - Private First Dance
4:10 PM - Explore for Photos
4:30 PM - Hike Back to Trailhead
5:00 PM - Drive to Rental Home
5:45 PM - Arrive at Rental Home
6:55 PM - Speeches
6:15 PM - Dinner Begins
6:30 PM - Coverage Ends
Check Out More 8-Hour Elopements
Check Out Some 10-Hour Elopements
5-Hour Elopements
5+ hours of coverage is a good fit for you if:
You want to visit just 1 or 2 nearby locations.
You want to take a short hike, or no hike at all.
You want to spend a short amount of time with your guests in addition to having a short private elopement experience.
You have a guest count of 10 people or less.
You are looking to elope in the next 5 months - Our 5-hour photo-only package must be booked less than 5 months in advance.
5 Hours of Coverage
Colorado Elopement Photo + Video Package
Elopement with 0 Guests
What We Had Time For:
1 Location
1 Hike
First Look
Ceremony
First Dance + Guitar
Champagne Toast
-
Coverage Times: 4:00 AM - 9:00 AM
4:00 AM - Coverage Begins
4:05 AM - Begin Hike
5:20 AM - Change into Wedding Attire
5:40 AM - First Look
5:55 AM - Ceremony
6:10 AM - First Dance
6:20 AM - Guitar Serenade
6:30 AM - Explore for Photos
7:30 AM - Hike Back to Trailhead
9:00 AM - Coverage Ends
Check Out More 5-Hour Elopements
Check Out Some 6 to 7-Hour Elopements
Hi there!
We're Lisa + Alex, the goofballs behind Vow of the Wild. We live in Colorado, but we’re passionate about exploring new places. Being elopement photographers + videographers is a dream for us and we can’t imagine doing anything else (other than being professional dog petters).