Bride and groom elopement ceremony with guests at a lodge in washington state

Elopement Activity Ideas that Enhance your Experience – and your Photos!

Elopement Activity Ideas

Does the do-whatever-you-want freedom of an elopement leave you with decision fatigue? Let us help with a list of our favorite elopement activity ideas.

Mount Rainier Elopement Wildflowers
Mount Rainier Elopement Wildflowers

What do you do at an elopement?

Undoubtedly, many couples plan to elope because they want to get married stress-free. But, what else should you do? We believe your elopement day can be so much more than just your ceremony and being photographed against an epic backdrop.

An elopement can be a celebration of your relationship, an epic vacation you’ve been wanting to go on, or a more meaningful event with just your closest family and friends.

Additionally, planning your elopement activities with intention makes the day unforgettable for you, and special for any guests you bring along.

How to choose elopement activities

Think about activities you normally do together, your favorite things, or bucket list activities. Elopements can be about celebrating your togetherness, showing your favorite spot to family and friends, or trying something new together. Our advice would be to choose a mix of both!

Rainy Olympic National Park Wedding
Rainy Olympic National Park Wedding

Wedding traditions for elopements

Just because you ditched the big wedding doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to all the wedding events. Firstly, you could get ready separately and share a first look for an emotional moment together. In addition, a heartfelt vow exchange in a scenic outdoor location can become the highlight of your day. Or, you could include a first dance under the open sky.

To sum it up, traditional wedding moments can still be honored – if they are important to you – with an elopement twist!

Traditional elopement activity ideas

  • First look
  • Vow exchange
  • Dinner
  • Toasts
  • Cake cutting
  • First dance

A limited guest list doesn’t mean limited activities, like this Mountain Lodge elopement proves.

Mount Rainier Elopement Wildflowers
Mount Rainier Elopement Wildflowers
Hiking elopement in the North Cascades
North Cascades Adventure Elopement

How can I include my guests in my elopement ceremony?

If you are having a few guests join you for your elopement, chances are those people are really special. Add meaning to your ceremony by involving those present to have a hand in the proceedings.

We often see a friend or family member perform the ceremony at an elopement. (FYI, being ordained in Washington State is super easy). In addition, you can ask select guests to act as your witnesses, share a poem or perform music during your ceremony.

Similarly, a ring warming ceremony – passing the wedding bands to each guest to hold for a moment while thinking of a wish or intention for the couple – works particularly well for an elopement sized crowd. You can even have people special to you participate in your elopement from afar by writing letters to read on your elopement day.

Check out this Olympic National Park elopement to see how guests can enhance your eloping experience.

Elopement ceremony ideas

  • Have a friend or family member perform your ceremony
  • Designate 2 special witnesses to sign your marriage license
  • Have a unity ceremony
  • Include a poem or reading
  • Pass your rings around in a ring warming ceremony
  • Invite a guest to perform music
  • Be walked down the “aisle” by someone special
  • Have absent guests write letters for you to read
Deer Park Elopement Olympic National Park Wedding Photographers
Deer Park Elopement Olympic National Park Wedding Photographers
(Blog) slide
(Blog) slide

Activities for an adventure elopement

If you’re planning an outdoorsy elopement (especially in the Pacific Northwest) take advantage of the breathtaking scenery with activities that reflect your adventurous spirit. Go for a hike to a stunning viewpoint, have a picnic by a mountain lake, or a bonfire on the beach.

Without a doubt these activities create unforgettable memories while also providing opportunities for candid photos.

This couple took a hike to elope on a mountain in the North Cascades.

Adventurous elopement activity ideas

  • Take a hike together
  • Go off-roading
  • Pack a picnic to enjoy
  • Near water? Canoe, kayak, or paddleboard
  • Explore the surrounding area
  • Have a campfire
  • Stargaze
  • Go swimming
  • Pop champagne

The Washington Trails Association is an excellent resource to research hikes for your adventure elopement!

Adventurous elopement activities to do with a group

  • Charter a boat tour (like fishing or whale watching)
  • Lead a group hike or nature walk
  • Watch sunset together
  • Share a meal
  • Walk on the beach
  • Have a fire with s’mores
  • Go horseback riding
  • Play lawn games
Bend Oregon State Park Wedding
Bend Oregon Elopement Smith Rock
Adventurous Wedding Photos Under the Stars Washington
Artist Point Adventure Wedding Mt Baker

Cozy elopement ideas

Although popular, adventure elopements are not the only way to have an amazing eloping experience. Combine cozy with adventure by booking a cabin or lodging somewhere in nature, and experience the best of both worlds.

You could have a quiet morning drinking coffee and writing your vows together. Or, go all out by treating yourselves to a spa experience, a private chef, or a special restaurant.

Low-key elopement activities

  • Book a stay in a cozy cabin
  • Spend the morning writing letters or vows to each other
  • Get ready together
  • Soak in a hot tub or hot springs
  • Book a spa treatment or hair and make-up
  • Hire a private chef for a delicious meal
  • Have coffee or tea together
  • Bring your dog
  • Curl up by the fire
  • Enjoy special dinner reservations

See how one of our couples combined cozy and adventurous activities for their Mount Rainier elopement.

bride and groom keeping warm by beach fire
bride and groom keeping warm by beach fire
Deer Park Elopement Olympic National Park Wedding Photographers
Deer Park Elopement Olympic National Park Wedding Photographers

How do I choose activities for my elopement?

Last but not least, when planning your elopement day activities, the most important thing is to choose ideas that reflect your relationship and values. Consider what feels meaningful to you as a couple, and don’t be afraid to mix traditional elements with new experiences.

Of course, being photographed can be an important elopement activity – and one that delivers tangible memories to cherish forever.

And like this rainy Lake Crescent elopement shows, short and sweet isn’t any less meaningful.

Above all our goal is to help our couples plan elopement activities with intention that enhance the experience of eloping – including the photos! Whether you’re planning an adventure for two or involving family and friends we would be honored to help make it memorable.

If you are ready to create and have us capture your dream elopement, reach out to us via our contact form.

Fun Winter Wedding Photo Seattle Wedding Photographer
Bend Oregon Elopement Smith Rock

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