Elopement Planning Timeline
You’ve decided to elope—cue the happy dance!
No matter where you are eloping, one thing’s for sure: even non-traditional wedding days still need a little structure.
That’s where this elopement planning timeline comes in. Think of your elopement timeline as the behind-the-scenes magic—keeping things on track so you can soak up every wild, beautiful moment.
The best part? It’s not a stuffy, stress-filled schedule with 100 moving parts. It’s a flexible, feel-good guide designed to help you plan your day with intention, so you can focus on what matters: soaking up every moment together.
What in the heck is an elopement planning timeline?
Great question—because it’s definitely not the stiff, minute-by-minute schedule you might see at a traditional wedding. An timeline is a flexible, intentional guide that helps your day flow smoothly. While leaving plenty of room for those quiet, in-between moments to soak it all in.
Think of it as your personal roadmap: it keeps you on track for the big things (like when to start getting ready, when your ceremony will happen, or when vendors are showing up) without boxing you into a rigid structure. It’s not about controlling the day—it’s about supporting it, so you can feel grounded and present.
You might be thinking, “Rach, this is why I didn’t want a traditional wedding—this sounds stressful.” But I promise, it’s simpler than it seems. It actually takes pressure off, especially when considering things like travel time, lighting (hello sunrise or sunset magic), and the natural rhythm of your experience.
It’s a loosely laid out plan designed to help avoid the “wait, what do we do now?” feeling. Think of it as your permission slip to feel present and free to enjoy every moment, while still knowing what comes next.
This is where hiring an elopement photographer (yep, that’s me) can make all the difference. I help create custom elopement planning timelines for all my couples, and from our very first call, I’m already listening for the moments that matter most to you. The little details? They’re what shape the kind of day you’ll remember forever—and I’m here to help you plan and capture every single one.
Things to Know Before Building Your Elopement Timeline
I know it’s tempting to dive right into your elopement planning timeline and start mapping out every moment of your elopement day—but before you do, pause for a sec. Let’s zoom out. What do you really want this day to feel like? What matters most to you both? Is it slow and intentional? Adventurous and spontaneous? Full of cozy moments and golden light?
Once you’ve taken time to reflect on the emotional vibe and overall vision, then it’s time to start thinking about your location. With every couple I work with, we start by going through a personalized location questionnaire that helps narrow down meaningful, beautiful, and realistic options.
I always recommend choosing your location before creating your timeline, because it shapes everything from travel time to lighting to the types of activities you can include.
After you’ve nailed down your dream spot and started chatting with vendors or doing logistical research, you can begin drafting a loose outline of your timeline. And I do mean loose, because things will shift, evolve, and come together as the planning unfolds.
The goal isn’t to create a rigid schedule, but to give yourself a structure that supports the flow of your day. One that leaves space to breathe, explore, and be fully in the moment.
When crafting an elopement planning timeline that feels intentional, ask yourselves:
- How far will you be traveling from your lodging to your ceremony or portrait location?
- What time of day do you want your ceremony? If you’re planning on golden hour, double-check sunrise and sunset times here.
- Are you planning to include any extra activities like hiking, a private picnic, or stargazing?
- Have you thought through a Plan B in case the weather goes a bit wild?
- Are there any vendors or guests to coordinate with during your day?
- Will you be writing and exchanging personal vows, and do you want a private moment for it?
- Do you want to get ready together or separately, and how much time will that take?
- Are there any specific photo moments you’re dreaming of that we should build time around?
I know it can be tempting to plan your elopement day down to the second, but here’s the truth: rigid timelines often lead to stress and disconnect. And that’s the opposite of what your day should feel like.
Your elopement timeline isn’t meant to box you in—it’s simply there to gently guide you through the flow of the day, so you can be fully present for the moments that matter.
One of the most important things you can do is build in intentional breaks. Whether it’s a quiet moment to breathe together after your vows, a slow picnic lunch, or time to explore the area hand-in-hand, those pauses allow you to feel grounded and connected.
It’s also essential to factor in travel and transition time into your elopement planning timeline. Whether you’re driving from your Airbnb to your ceremony spot or hiking part of the way in, giving yourself a generous buffer means no rushing, no stress, and more time to enjoy the moment. Some ceremony spots can take longer to reach than expected, so allowing wiggle room in your timeline is key to keeping things calm and enjoyable.
These seemingly small details are what shape a timeline that flows with ease, breathes with your energy, and helps you fully take in your once-in-a-lifetime experience, from start to finish.
What to Avoid When Creating Your Timeline
These are tips I weave into every elopement timeline I create—because your day deserves to feel intentional, unrushed, and entirely true to you.
Planning Your Ceremony in the Middle of the Day
Why it’s a no: I usually recommend avoiding mid-day ceremonies, not only because of the harsh lighting (trust me, it’s not the most flattering for photos), but also because traffic and crowds tend to pick up around this time, especially in popular locations.
Better option: If you’re hoping for a more private and peaceful ceremony, opt for a sunrise or sunset time slot in your elopement planning timeline. You’ll get the best light and avoid the crowds.
Overflowing Your Day
Why it’s a no: I get it—elopement days are exciting, and it’s easy to want to squeeze in everything. But overpacking your day can leave you feeling rushed, exhausted, and disconnected from what matters most, being present with your partner and soaking in each moment.
Better option: If your dream day includes lots of activities, consider a multi-day elopement! I offer this option for couples who want more space to breathe. Think: an intimate dinner or celebration the night before, or an epic excursion the day after your vows. Your love deserves time to unfold without the rush.
Not Factoring in Drive Time
Why it’s a no: Forgetting to include drive time in your elopement planning timeline can cause unnecessary stress and throw off the whole flow of your day. It’s one of the easiest ways to feel rushed, and you deserve better than that.
Better option: Build in a generous buffer time between locations. Whether you’re heading to a ceremony spot, portrait location, or post-ceremony adventure, a flexible timeline with built-in transitions helps everything feel smooth and stress-free.
The “Let’s Just Do Photos After” Timeline
Why it’s a no: Your photos should feel woven into your day, not like a rushed, separate event.
Better option: Let’s build photography into the natural rhythm of your elopement, from quiet getting-ready moments to your vow exchange, golden hour portraits, and all the in-betweens. That way, your gallery reflects the real story of your day, and not losing out on any special moments.
Elopement timelines aren’t about perfection—they’re about protecting the flow of your day so you can be fully present. When built with intention, your elopement timeline becomes a soft structure that gives you space to breathe, move, and make memories without stress. And the best part? You don’t have to figure it all out alone. I’m here to help you every step of the way.
Think Eloping Only Takes an Hour? Here’s Why You Still Need a Timeline:
Ah, the classic misconception: “Eloping only takes an hour, right?”
Totally understandable—but here’s the truth: eloping isn’t “less than” a traditional wedding day. It’s not a quick ceremony and done experience. It’s an entire day built around you, your love, and what feels true to your relationship.
Just because you’re ditching the big guest list doesn’t mean you have to throw all tradition out the window. You can still have meaningful moments, like getting ready with your mom, sharing a first look, exchanging private vows, or hosting a cozy dinner with your favorite people. Your elopement can include everything that feels right to you.
That’s why I don’t offer one-hour elopement packages, because this day deserves so much more than just a ceremony. You deserve memories that span the entire experience, from quiet morning jitters to golden hour kisses and everything in between.
And no, this isn’t an all-day photoshoot. I’m there to support you and document the honest, emotional, in-between moments—the ones you’ll want to frame, remember, and relive for a lifetime. I’ll be your biggest hype girl and your calm presence, blending into the background when needed and stepping in when it counts.
Your love isn’t rushed, and your elopement day shouldn’t be either.
The Best Steps to Create a Timeline That Speaks to Your Heart
Your elopement day isn’t just a ceremony—it’s an experience. So let’s build a timeline that reflects the magic of it all, without the stress of being overly structured. Here’s how to create a timeline that feels intentional, flexible, and totally you.
1. Start With a Brain Dump
Write down everything you want to include in your day—vendors, activities, ceremony location, meals, special moments, travel time, anything that matters. No pressure to organize your timeline yet—just get it all out.
2. Circle the Non-negotiables
Go back through your list and highlight the things that are time-specific or essential, like sunrise/sunset ceremony times, vendor arrival windows, or booked activities. These will become the anchors of your timeline.
3. Create Your Timeline Structure
Using your non-negotiables as your base, start placing them into a loose time-based schedule (I recommend 30-minute blocks). You can use a premade template like this one to make it easier!
4. Add in Flexible Elements
Now add in the flexible elements to your elopement planning timeline: getting ready, meals, downtime, private vows, travel time, and spontaneous moments. Keep it light and adjustable—your timeline should support your day, not restrict it.
5. Expect Edits + Embrace Flexibility
Your first version won’t be the last! As your plans take shape, feel free to tweak things to fit your evolving vision. That’s the beauty of elopement planning—it grows with you. Timeline building is something I do with every couple I work with. From our first chat, I’m taking notes and helping you build a flow that captures everything that matters, while leaving plenty of space to breathe, explore, and soak it all in.
Example timelines for a one-day and multi-day elopement:
