How Many Hours of Photography do You Need for an Elopement or Destination Wedding?
Elopement Timeline Guide
How Long Should an Elopement Be?
One main consideration to your special day should be how much time you need to hire a photographer for. So much planning goes into one of my elopements and you’d be surprised how much time actually gets planned into a day. It’s not uncommon that a majority of elopements are 8+ hours.
Yes, that’s an all day elopement!
If you’re planning an epic, adventurous dream elopement in an amazing location it isn’t hard to need a full day, or even two or three days, for all of the awesome things you want to do together. It might seem odd, but trust me, it’s possible.
Traditional weddings take up full days, and I’ve photographed them from 8 hours to 16 hours. And think about it, there’s the getting ready, first look, portraits, the ceremony, a reception, the after-party and so much more. A wedding day is about the full story.
An elopement is no exception to that. It is still your love story.
This is your day to dream up. You should never short-change such an important life event. It’s the anniversary you will relive every year, and you deserve the same care, attention and amazing pictures that every Bride and Groom receives.
Think about the most amazing day that the two of you would want to have together. I mean really think about it. What are all of the details? From the moment you open your eyes, what are you doing? Where would you eat? What adventures would you do? What is your surrounding?
There is more to an elopement than just two hours of posed pictures.
It might be different from the traditional walk down an aisle in the church, stiff family formal session, and cake cutting. But there’s still a place for intimate vows to each other, a first dance under large open skies, and popping of champagne bottles!
I’m here to be the fly on the wall to the best day of your lives together. It’s not a full day ‘photoshoot’. I’m not there to keep you in one pose for 30+ minutes while your smile starts to get stiff and forced. This is your interaction, your expression of love, and I’m here to capture it for you so you can relive it every single day for the rest of your lives.
How Do You Plan an Elopement Timeline?
Let’s dissect what goes into planning an elopement, and also go through a few examples so you can see how long you should plan your perfect day to be.
Start by sitting down and discussing a vision.
What are you surrounded by? Mountains? Trees? City buildings? An Ocean?
What do you want to eat Coffee & donuts? Pastries? Oatmeal on the camp stove? Bacon & eggs?
What adventure do you want to take? Hiking up mountains? Stroll through cobblestone streets? Helicopter ride to remote areas?
All of these are the beginning of a long series of questions that I dive into with my clients to make sure you can truly design the wedding of your dreams.
Time can go by so fast, and you’d be surprised at how long some of these actions may take. There are a few items you should keep in the back of your mind when planning your wedding timeline:
Consider the time in between things.
The travel by jeep from the lodge to the trailhead. The amount of time it take to hike up said trailhead to the tippy top of a mountain. The helicopter ride to an untouched glacier. Walking to the Parisian cafe a couple of blocks away.
Or the time the adventure takes.
Maybe we’re snorkeling through the coral reef to see the fishies. Exploring old Mayan ruins in the jungle. Backpacking over mountains. Taking a food tour through Italy.
And don’t forget the times to slow down and stare at each other, or appreciate those surroundings.
So, Kat, give me some examples! I need some actionable timelines. Don’t worry, I got you friend. Keep scrolling!
Elopement Timeline Examples
Example 1 - All Day Tropical Island Getaway
9 am - gather at the AirBNB and get on snorkel gear after a breakfast of smoothie or acai bowls.
10 am - leave for the beach and snorkel through some awesome coral and check out the fishies
1 pm - Head to a local fruit stand for a lunch, shower and change and grab getting ready photos
2 pm - drive to a trailhead and hike up a local mountain/volcano
3 pm - say your vows at the top and explore
5 pm - watch the sunset, pop some bubbly, share a snack, and share a first dance
7 pm - hike back down to the trailhead and head out
Example 2 - Multi-Day Backpacking Trip
Day one:
8 am - wake up, gather the gear
10 am - after a long drive to the trailhead, finally start out on the hike
1 pm - after hiking a while, stop to get ready - changing into a gorgeous dress
2 pm - first look in the woods
3 pm - finish the hike up to the mountain top and explore the area
4 pm - say your vows under the open sky gazing at mountain peaks
5 pm - hike down to the campsite and set up camp, have a first dance next to a campfire
8 pm - head into the tents to relax and get ready for the next day
Day two:
7 am - wake up, cook a backpacking breakfast of cinnamon apple oatmeal or bacon and eggs
8 am - set out to hike the remaining miles back to the trailhead
11 am - arrive at the trailhead and head back out
Example 3 - Tour of Rome Destination Wedding
8:30 am - getting ready begins. Hair, makeup, photos in a cute Italian villa.
10 am - Walk down to a local cafe for some bomb cappuccinos
11 am - walk around cobblestone streets, start a food tour and explore the city, grab gelleato to enjoy together
2 pm - meet back at the villa to share some vows in front of a small collection of friends and/or family
3 pm - pop champagne, mingle and enjoy an intimate gathering around a large Italian meal (pasta on pasta!)
5 pm - take a moment to enjoy a first dance under a Tuscan sunset
What Makes The Greatest Elopement Ever?
Don’t let anyone tell you how you should spend your special day.
Collaborate together and come up with what makes the two of you truly excited for the day. You DESERVE a day that is crafted specifically for you and your personality. Whether that’s hiking up a mountain, strolling down a beach, zip lining through a jungle, drinking coffee at a Parisian cafe, etc.
