So you’re thinking about eloping?! How exciting! I can’t think of a more intimate way for two people to start their lives together. I’m sure you are feeling so excited right now just trying to picture your day from start to finish. This is where an elopement timeline comes in clutch.

So if you are looking to maximize time on the big day you then keep reading because I’m about to share some goodies with you.

First things first take a deep breath

Take a moment to break away from Pinterest and try to picture your day. Think about what you want your day to look like and feel like. Think about the things that you might want to include when you elope.

There is no right or wrong answers were just brainstorming. Now take that list or board you’ve created and do a little happy dance. Cause you just got one step closer to creating a timeline for your very own elopement.

Now think about how long you’ll need to do all the things and truly soak up this day. This could be based off a variety of different factors. Like how long you have your vendors for or when you wanna head off for the honeymoon. This piece is completely up to you! Your day can be as short or as long as you want.

Here comes the fun part! Go ahead and take that list you created and the amount of time you have and set them to the side. We are about to start piecing together your very own timeline. So keep reading because I’m about to give you a complete breakdown so you can plan it out for yourself!

A quick breakdown of what makes up an elopement timeline

When creating an elopement timeline it’s best to air on the side of caution. It’s better to have too much time rather than not enough, after all this isn’t really something we want to rush. Below I’ll be sharing my experience on what a typical elopement day looks like and how to budget your time to get the best bang for your buck.

Details

When I first arrive to an elopement this is the first thing I photograph. I have my couples set aside a box filled with their details. This reduces then time it takes to create a flat lay. Generally speaking I photograph a couples details for 30 minutes to an hour.

Getting Ready

A good amount of time to set aside for getting ready is at least 1-2 hours. You want to have plenty of time so you can enjoy this moment without feeling rushed. This is also a great moment to relax and hang out before your all day adventure.

Travel times

Keep in mind the distance and how long it takes to get to locations. If your ceremony site is an hour hike you’ll want to plan for that in your elopement timeline. Travel is often overlooked but it’s a big part of creating a successful timeline.

First look

Remember that this is the first time you both will see one another on this day. This is one of those moments you will really want to savor. For first looks I recommend 20-30 minutes. You can always add more time too!

Ceremony

Talking with your officiant is in your best interest for this one! Most elopements that I have been apart of have had a ceremony that was 30 minutes or less.

Sunset photos

For best results I recommend setting aside 30-45 minutes to go off and explore. After all these are going to be the photos that you hang up around the house. Leave your elopement photographer plenty of time to take your photos. I promise you won’t regret it!

The after party

Whether you are munching on pizza or just sipping on cold ones next to the pool. This is the let lose time of the day because you freaking did the thing. So lets celebrate together! I recommend setting 1-2.5 hours aside for the after party.

Example elopement timelines for you to use

One of the coolest things about eloping is you don’t have to rely on a venue to keep the party going. Brings a whole new meaning to you don’t gotta go home but you can’t stay here doesn’t it!

Below I’ll be sharing a few timeline examples that you can use or reference for when you build your very own.

6 hour elopement timeline