15 Ideas for What To Do on Your Elopement Day
Okay, you’re eloping. You’re all set for the full day together. Yay! But then it’s like wait… what are we actually gonna do all day together? If you’re stumped on where to begin, where to go, and what to do on your elopement day, I’ve got your back. Here are 15 different ideas you can borrow, modify, or steal to round-out your day!
Vancouver Adventure Elopement Ideas
If a life-long marriage doesn’t freak you out but a 12-hour elopement very much does, this will help! Do some, do all, do none. Just make it allllll about you.
#1 Get Ready Together
Sip mimosas or coffee and Bailey’s, get a little pampered, and just hang out together. Or, if you wanna surprise each other and build up that anticipation, start the day together with coffee and breakfast before getting ready in separate rooms.
#2 Make It Legal
Or don’t. Up to you.
#3 Exchange Vows
Even if you don’t make it legal, you can write or say something special. If you are making it legal, freestyle your vows, write something in advance, or stick with the tried-and-tried words that come from the officiant.
#4 Exchange Rings
...or come up with something to exchange that’s equally meaningful to you.
#5 Have a Traditional or Cultural Ritual
I love the idea of bringing your culture (whether it’s yours, your partner’s, or both of your cultures) into your elopement day. Think tea ceremony, breaking glass, or lighting candles. Option to include your fam or keep it quiet with just the two of you.
#6 Have a Special Meal Together
Your day will probably fly by. Even an elopement, when it’s just the two of you, can sometimes just kind of slip away. Like, all of a sudden it’s midnight and you’re married! So, it can be really nice to set aside time in your day for a quiet moment or meal alone, just the two of you. Something you can pause and take in together.
Keep it cozy by making your favourite meal at home, splurge on a fancy dinner out on the town, or make it a cheat day and order a smattering of alllll the foods you dream about.
#7 Share A Meal With Family
Did you know that it’s still considered an “intimate wedding” if you have up to 25 guests? Don’t feel bound by either a solo elopement or a full-blown wedding! There’s so much in between. If it feels right to you, bring your must-have people along for the whole day or share a meal with them.
#8 Go On A Super Short Hike
Do a lap around a small lake together. If you’re in the Vancouver area, Rice Lake would be *chef’s kiss* perfect!
#9 Go On A Long Hike
...orrr go all-out and take an epic, long hike together.
Pros: Wicked views and photos.
Cons: You’ll need to plan for it and maybe change.
#10 Watch The Sunrise Together
Name something more romantic than watching the sunrise together. I’ll wait!
Pro Tip: Depending on the time of year, you may not have to start ridiculously early to catch sunrise. Bonus for my fellow night owls!
#11 Watch The Sunset Together
After a long, super-special elopement day, pack a pic-nic and a bottle of wine and end the day enjoying the view. Bring your photographer with you for a few stunning sunset shots, or keep it to just the two of you.
#12 Take a Boat Tour Around The Harbour
Enjoy the beautiful Vancouver scenery from the water. A boat tour is a beautiful way to take in the day, and fresh sea air does wonders for the soul! If you are people who find the hustle and bustle of a big day overwhelming, ducking out for a just-us boat tour might be the perfect refresh.
#13 Splurge on a Helicopter Ride
Got a bucket list item? Why not go for it on your elopement day! What could be more special than sharing two once-in-a-lifetime moments in one day.
Related: A Vancouver Adventure Elopement Timeline
#14 Fly to Victoria for High Tea
...because why not take a 45-minute seaplane ride to this island just to have high tea together?!
#15 Camp at Porteau Cove
Camping somewhere beautiful means we can wake up and immediately capture the calm morning light. Porteau Cove offers stunning turquoise waters from the glaciers and it’s still SO close to the city that you could be back in time for a celebratory dinner with the fam.
Elopement-Photographer-Slash-Planner, At Your Service
If you’re thinking of eloping and you hire me as your photographer, expect me to go way above and beyond the call of duty.
What can I say? I just love elopements. Every couple I’ve ever worked with on an elopement has been very cool and super chill. You’re my people, and I want to give you the world.
I’ll help you to craft your entire day — the whole experience — into something that totally aligns with who you are and what you’d love.
I’ll ask you a few low-key questions (Do you want to make it legal? Any plans to invite the fam?), then turn all of your input and ideas into a custom location guide and timeline.
Let’s Grab A Bevvy!
If you’re thinking that we’d be a match. That I just may be your elopement photographer. Then we should grab a (virtual) beverage of either the caffeinated or alcoholic variety! Complete the form below to set up a time.