Here’s what I’ve learned after photographing 120+ elopements: the days people remember most aren’t the ones packed with “perfect” details. They’re the ones that feel honest. A slow morning. A private vow exchange. A song that makes you tear up. A snack you actually love. If you’re wondering how to make your elopement special, you’re already on the right track—because you care about how it feels. Let’s make it feel like you.
I’m Kelly, a Colorado elopement photographer who’s been photographing elopements full time for over 5 years. I’ve helped over 120 couples bring their dream elopement to life. Keep reading to see my ideas and advice for how to make your elopement special.
Write your own wedding vows
Writing your own wedding vows is a great way to make your elopement special. It’s the perfect opportunity to talk about your relationship and make it all about you. Elopements are perfect for saying everything you want to say in your vows because you’ll have zero audience!
Florals
How often do you get to hold and carry around fresh flowers all day?! Working with a florist to design the bouquet of your dreams can really make you feel special on your big day. You could even go a step further and get florals to decorate your backpack, have a floral crown, a boutonniere, or so much more! The first thing you’ll want to do is come up with a color scheme. Then go on Pinterest and pick out some inspiration. Your florist will be able to help you pick out flowers for the season and based on your color scheme.
Indulge in your favorite meal
This is your freaking wedding day! If there is any day to indulge and be a little gluttonous, this is it! Splurge on that filet mignon, eat a second helping of dessert. If you two are food lovers like me, you deserve to have the meal of your dreams on your wedding day. Do it up! 😜
Plan out your elopement ceremony ahead of time and make it special
Vows are beautiful—but they’re not the only way to make your elopement ceremony feel meaningful. If you want, add something extra that holds meaning to you two: hand fasting, sand pouring, a song, letters, a shared drink, or a short reading. Small doesn’t have to mean basic. It can still be deeply you.
Night hiking
Sounds crazy, right? I mean, there are bears, and coyotes out at night. But guess what else is out at night? NO ONE! Getting a head start on your elopement day and beating everyone else to the trailhead means you’ll have your destination all to yourself for a bit. Night hiking is also super fun! If you’ve never experienced it before, I would love to show you how fun it can be.
Hire a private chef
If you’re wanting to feel extra special, skip the restaurant or campfire meal and hire a private chef. Hiring a private chef can feel especially luxurious, and will have your elopement day feeling extra special.
Have a campfire
One of my favorite outdoor activities is having a campfire. It’s nostalgic. It smells fantastic. It’s warm. It’s cozy. It’s a great way to end the night of your elopement, and a memory you’ll be sure to remember forever.
Deciding what to wear
Your wedding clothes and how you look and feel will be one of the main elements to make your elopement day special. Picking out the right dress, and dressing up extra nice, and just feeling absolutely radiant is a way to make your elopement special.
Hire a professional hair and make up artist
Some people will skip this one, especially if you aren’t used to wearing makeup on the regular. But think about how special and fancy it would feel to sit back and relax while being pampered?! I’ve had my hair and make-up professionally done a few times and it’s so fun!
Have a first look
Seeing each other in your wedding clothes for the first time can be a really emotional moment. All the planning, and research, and trying on, and alterations, it’s all for this exact moment. It’s your wedding day and you’ll be looking super lovely, so make the most of it and plan out a first look. The raw emotions that develop when seeing your partner in their wedding clothes for the first time is a moment you’ll want to look back on time and time again.
Celebrate by popping something bubbly
This can be champagne or sparkling water or any favorite beverage! There is just something about shaking a carbonated bottle, popping off the cork (and finding it, of course, Leave No Trace), and spraying that bubbly all over the place that brings out the kid in everyone! It’s so fun! Pair that with jumping up and down in joy and clapping and you have yourself one hell of a fun celebration.
Incorporate personal touches into your day
What is something you could incorporate into the day that is completely you? Here are some ideas: Music. Dancing. Art. Your pets. A 4×4 vehicle. Hammocking. Stargazing. Canoeing. Hiking. Backpacking. Bird watching. The list goes on and on…. I’ve said it so many times, but I’ll say it once more. No two people are the same, no two relationships are the same, so no two elopement days should be the same. Make it your day and incorporate personal touches to make your elopement day special.
Letters from family
If you’re wanting to include those closest to you, have them write letters to you and your partner. Take time out of your day to sit down and read each letter. The support from family and/or friends can be a great feeling. If you’re wanting to include your friends and/or family, don’t pass up the chance. They will feel honored you’re asking them to be included after deciding to have such an intimate day.
Include your furry best friend
If your anything like me, your dogs are your family. Eloping with your dog can make your elopement special for so many reasons, I couldn’t possibly list them all here.
Plan to watch the sunrise, sunset, or both
Life can get so busy that we sometimes forget to find time to soak in the beautiful display of the day beginning or the day ending. If watching the sunrise or sunset is something you don’t get to do often, planning to be there for either or both will create a really special memory to look back on.
Plan for time to relax and be still
There is something you always hear from couples who have traditional weddings, and it’s “the time flew by, I don’t remember a lot of it”. Well, the same thing can be true for elopement days. The feeling of time “flying by” stems from nonstop doing and going. If you plan to have time to sit, relax, take in the views, be fully present, and just be still, you’ll notice that time is going by much slower. If you’re wanting to remember your day, be intentional about your plans.
Surprise your partner with a gift
I love it when I get a surprise email from one of my couples telling us they are surprising their partner with something unique and special on their elopement day. Who doesn’t like feeling spoiled and loved? But better yet, who doesn’t like spoiling their partner? The gift of giving, especially on your elopement day can make your day feel extra special. You’re already embarking on this adventure together, and then add a gift onto it. Super romantic.
Plan to have all day elopement photography coverage
It’s not uncommon for traditional weddings to have all-day coverage, so why shouldn’t you?! From getting ready at your Airbnb, to the first look, your elopement ceremony, to all the views you’re going to see, to the celebration, and to all the wedding day elements in between. Don’t invest your time, and energy into this really special day without getting it fully documented. You will never regret having every moment captured. I promise! An All Day Elopement Package will make your elopement feel extra special, especially when you get to look back on those photos for the rest of your lives.
Make a time capsule
I’ve had a few couples make a time capsule on their elopement day! You can put whatever you want in it! Here are a few ideas: Nail a wooden box shut with your handwritten vows and a really good bottle of wine. On your 20 year wedding anniversary open the time capsule and relive your day! This is a great idea for how to make your elopement special!
Plan for a picnic
At some point during your elopement day, you’re going to get hungry. Why not throw down a picnic blanket, take in the views, relax, and have a delicious picnic? It’s a great way to slow down, and soak in the moment while also filling up your bellies.
Make an entire stay out of your elopement
Don’t plan to get into town the day before your elopement, and then leave town the day following. Plan for a full stay of a week or longer. This will take a lot of stress off of the trip. You want to make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep and rest the days leading up to your big day, so if you’re going to splurge on anything, splurge on the amount of time you’re investing in this once-in a lifetime experience.
Plan to do something you’ve never done before
Ever been stargazing? Have you ever slept in a tent in the middle of a National Forest and listened to coyotes howl? What about renting Jeeps and exploring 4×4 roads? Always wanted to go snowshoeing? Experiencing something new for the first time on your elopement day is a great way to make an additional memory to look back on.
Stay somewhere you’ve always wanted to stay
Splurging on an Airbnb that is aesthetically appealing makes a world of difference for your mood. Being able to experience someone else’s luxury even for a few days can make your trip extra special. Airbnb’s and Vrbo’s have taken off over the past few years and you can find just about anything you’re looking for at really affordable costs.
Paddle around an alpine lake
Colorado is known for its pristine, crystal blue alpine lakes, and what better way to experience the scenery than being in it! If you’ve always wanted to do this, you can borrow my pack rafts from me for free from my Gear Garage. Just ask me about it!
Dessert
A wedding cake, or any other type of desert is an absolute must for making your elopement feel special.
Personalized items
Mugs, champagne flutes, matching hiking t-shirts. Make your elopement day special by bringing a fun personalized item. Etsy is a great website for items like these. You can buy from small businesses, and know someone created it with love.
Hire an elopement photographer
Hire an elopement photographer who knows the area, will help you plan your elopement, and who will deliver the elopement pictures you’re dreaming of having. I, Kelly, help couples just like you every day have the elopement of their dreams. If you’re planning on having a Colorado elopement, or a Moab elopement, i’d love for you to reach out to me today.
