Planning your elopement or micro wedding timeline is hard, right? Fun and exciting, definitely! But hard, too. How will you want to spend your big day? How will you get from A to B to C? Do you need permits for your photo spots? Where will you park? It’s a lot to think about! *Cracks a beer* Thankfully, you are not alone in this struggle. I’m an elopement + micro wedding photographer, a born-and-raised British Columbian, and a Project Manager by trade—and I’m on your side and here to help!
Just note that this is a take on elopements + micro weddings from a photography lens! There’s SO much more a full-blown wedding planner would add.
Where Project Management Meets Elopement Planning
I spent many years working my “real job” as a Project Manager while growing my photography business on the side. I’m not a certified PM or anything like that (that’s next-level intense/impressive), but in the final years of my PM life, I was focusing mostly on events. So I don’t wanna toot my own horn or anything, but I know how to put together a pretty solid timeline, where no one is rushed and everything runs smoothly—even when things go sideways. (And they always go at least a little bit sideways!)
This is super relevant because your wedding day is, of course, an event! And to run smoothly, it really does need to be project managed. You’re going to want to think through all the little details like transportation, schedules, and timelines. Because when these details get overlooked, chaos (or at least stress) will ensue.
The tips I’ve outlined below will help you *think* like a verified, Type-A project manager as you plan this day, even if, in real life, you couldn’t be more Type B!
Wedding Day Timeline Planning Tips
This is such a fun topic for me because it’s where my old life and my current one meet and (hopefully) make one VERY helpful blog post! Here are a few tips from my project manager days that will help you plan your elopement timeline:
#1 Make Buffer Time Your BFF
Always always always give yourself buffer time. Add it to every single part of your day.
For travel, overestimate drive time. Just going a few blocks? I don’t care 😂 Give yourself 20 minutes. (True story: it once took me 45 minutes to drive 2 blocks downtown.) Leaving Vancouver? Give yourself even more buffer time. The Sea-to-Sky Highway can be really accident-prone during the rainy and snowy seasons.
With your vendors, take their words for arrival and appointment times...then, add your own buffer time. Because, yeah, they’ll probably be right on time. But if they’re not? It’s your day that’s thrown.
PRO TIP: Give your hair stylist and makeup artist an extra 30 minutes. Since they’re typically the first vendors you meet with, any delays there can cause a ripple effect, setting you back and stressing you out for the rest of the day!
If you’ve planned fun adventures, like a hike or a seaplane ride, DEFINITELY give yourself more buffer time than you think you need. Because A) you just never know what could go wrong—maybe you get lost or you’re late taking off—and B) you never know what could go right! Maybe you’re on the mountain top having the BEST time together, and you just want an extra 15 minutes to cuddle and take it all in. Make sure you bake that in!
#2 Schedule Photos Your Way
You’re choosing a non-traditional wedding day, which means you traded the “should-dos” for the “f*ck yeahs!” and you’re getting married your way. Who says your photos can’t happen exactly on your terms, too?
Want photos during golden hour, even though it’s typically time for drinks? Bring a flask and let's share a celebratory shot! I want to give you the absolute BEST memories of your amazing day. The light should be just perfect. The location should be perfect. And whatever you want is what you should get. No exceptions!
Related: Find hidden gem elopement locations in Vancouver
#3 Give Yourselves A (Literal) Break
Whether you're having a classic elopement, an intimate wedding, or even a big party, schedule a 15-minute break for yourselves at some point between the ceremony and reception. No friends, no family, no photographers. Just the two of you. This little break gives you a chance to catch your breath, connect, reflect on the day, and really let it sink in that you’re married!
I know that as you’re planning, you might be getting SO excited about the day’s events that you’re tempted to skip this break because you don’t want to miss anything. But I promise, these are fifteen minutes you’ll be so glad you took for yourself. (And I can help you work out when during the day is the best time for your break if you need it!)
How To Fill Your Elopement Day
Whether you're having a classic elopement or a micro wedding with your must-haves, schedule a 15-minute break for yourselves at some point between the exchanging vows and your reception/next event. No friends, no family, no photographers. Just the two of you. This little break gives you a chance to catch your breath, connect, reflect on the day, and really let it sink in that you’re married!
I know that as you’re planning, you might be getting SO excited about the day’s events that you’re tempted to skip this break because you don’t want to miss anything. But I promise, these are fifteen minutes you’ll be so glad you took for yourself. (And I can help you work out when during the day is the best time for your break if you need it!)
How To Fill Your Just-Us Elopement Day
If you’re liking the idea of a full-day elopement, you might also be hard-pressed to come up with enough ideas to fill the time you have together. Especially when the ceremony itself only takes, like, 20 minutes! I can help with this, too.
Some of my favourite just-us elopement day ideas are:
Going on a hike together (keep it as chill or epic as you want!)
Having a picnic lunch on the beach
Hitting up a local brewery for a flight
Renting a canoe or kayak on a nearby lake
Read letters from your loved ones
Make s’mores and a backyard fire
...but there’s really no limit to what you can do together on your day.
Also, if we end up with some extra time at the end of your day, it’s no stress. No one ever wished they had less time to spend celebrating on their wedding day, right?! I have a ton of photo ideas and I can easily use up the extra time. Or, you can use this gift of time as a break, to have a bevvie, or connect with each other and/or your guests. Own it and make it yours!
Related: Elopement Activity Ideas
3 Full-Day Elopement Timeline Examples
Wondering what an elopement timeline might look like? Struggling to really see how you could fill an 8hour day when the ceremony itself only takes a few minutes?
These three full-day elopement timeline ideas will show you how to squeeze the most fun, adventure, and daylight out of your super-special, bad-ass day— and help you plan like a pro!
Option 1: Just The Two Of You
This hiking elopement timeline works backwards from sunset, putting you in the best place at the most romantic time. For the purposes of this example timeline, let’s say sunset is at 7 pm.
Morning: Start your wedding day together however you like. Sleep in, go out for breakfast, or sip coffee on the deck.
12:00 pm: We’ll meet at the trailhead.
12:30 pm: Meet the officiant to make it legal!
1:00 pm: Begin your hike early, giving yourselves tons of time to stop along the way to take photos, sip and snack, and enjoy the view. This will make up the largest “chunk” of your wedding day, so there’s no need to rush. (Note: this doesn’t mean the hike has to be intense or long, just that we can go at our own pace)
4:00 pm: Arrive at the peak
5:00 pm: Oggle at the views. Take it all in together.
5:30 pm: Exchange private vows + rings.
6:00 pm: Pop some bubbly, enjoy some bevvies, and have a few snacky snacks to celebrate.
7:00 pm: Take stunna sunset pics.
7:30 pm: Hike back down!
Option 2: With The Must-Have Crew
This day starts the same way as Option 1, but we keep the hike shorter and time it so that you’re back down and with your crew 2-3 hours before sunset.
Morning: Start your day together doing whatever puts you in your happiest place.
11:30 am: I’ll meet up with you, congratulate you, and we’ll set off!
12:00 pm: Begin your hike early, giving yourselves time to stop along the way to take photos, sip and snack, and enjoy the view. This elopement timeline is perfect for a lighter, shorter hike— think 1 hour (ish) each way.
1:00 pm: Arrive at the perfect spot.
1:30 pm: Oggle at the views. Take it all in together.
2:00 pm: Share private vows, exchange rings, etc.
2:30 pm: Pop some bubbly, enjoy some bevvies, and have a few snacky snacks to celebrate.
3:00 pm: Hike back down!
4:30 pm: Meet with officiant to make it legal.
5:00 pm: Have your must-have guests join you for a formal meal or keep things light with some snacky snacks and bevvies. Location ideas: a backyard, a restaurant patio, a park, or at the base of the hike tailgate-style!
7:00 pm: Steal away for some sunset photos
Option 3: Adding An Adventure To Your Elopement
Depending on the adventure you’re including as part of your day, be sure to give yourself extra time in case there are additional logistics needed (i.e., checking in 30 minutes beforehand), as well as soak in the moment, while still leaving the other half for you to make it legal and raise a glass on your own or with your VIPs.
Morning: Wake up, gear up, and get ready for the best day of your life so far!
10:00 am: I’ll come to meet up with you, and we’ll kick off the day (maybe with a mimosa?!
10:30 am: The adventure begins! We’ll spend a few hours doing whatever you guys have your sights set on for the day. As we adventure, we’ll take our time, stop for photos, sip and snack, and, of course, find the perfect time and place for you to make it official!
3:30 pm: Enjoy some bevvies, have a few snacky snacks, snap some more pics, and take a few moments to either change, get ready, or just breathe before the rest of the day.
5:00 pm: Make your way to your romantic dinner spot for two, or to the place you’ll meet up with your friends and family.
6:00 pm: Eat, drink, and be merry!
7:00 pm: Sneak away for those last few sunset photos.
Make Your Elopement Day A Hell Yes!
As you plan your elopement day, have fun and get creative. Let yourself say YES to all the things. Want to go out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? YES! Do it. Want to start the day in PJs and slowly get ready together? Yes! It’s on. Feel like ending the day in front of a campfire with s’mores and a bottle of wine? Hell yes. I’m there. And if you’re booking a full-day photography package, I’ll capture it all!
...And I’ll Take Care Of The Photos
Eloping in BC and need someone to help you plan, prepare for, and document the day? I’d love to help you out. Fill out the form below to book a free call with me, and together, we’ll go from there.