Fun Activities for Your Elopement Day
I adore elopements. It's all the fun of a wedding day—plus greater freedom to celebrate the day however you want. But once couples realize they are untethered from tradition, they often have trouble figuring out what to do exactly. And that’s A-OK.
Food Related Activities
Everybody’s favorite topic: food! Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean you can’t have all the delectable bites you want.
Wine tasting: If wine is your thing, consider visiting a nearby winery or tasting room in your wedding attire. Or keep things super simple by bringing your favorite bottles to your elopement.
Share a morning coffee: Enjoying a hot cup of coffee with your fiance is key for a sunrise elopement. It’s easy enough to grab a coffee on the way. Or brew a fresh cup with a jetboil and French press.
Hire a personal chef: Now we’re getting fancy. Hiring a chef for a few hours is a great way to enjoy delicious food that perfectly fits your tastes.
Head to your favorite bar or restaurant: Whether it’s a high-class dinner, a hipster burrito food truck, or In-and-Out, it’s always fun to wear your wedding attire to your favorite restaurant. It makes for great photos—and fellow diners sometimes pick up the tab or buy you a drink.
Have a picnic with your favorite foods & drinks: There’s nothing quite as cute as a DIY picnic in a national park.
Do a champagne pop: It’s a classic for a reason! Sip on some bubbly to celebrate the big day.
Cut your cake: Who doesn’t love dessert? Just because you chose a small wedding doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the cake.
Make a drink together: Love whiskey sours? Or maybe you have a favorite mocktail. Bring the supplies and make a drink in a beautiful location.
Have a reception or dinner with friends and family: Entertain your loved ones with dinner and some dancing.
Outdoor Activities
Outdoor weddings and elopements give you the perfect opportunity to explore all the beauty nature has to offer. Here are some fun ideas I’m sure you’ll appreciate.
Sunrise hike or first look: The first-look photo is when fiances see each other in their wedding attire for the first time. It’s a super cute moment filled with lots of emotions—and made all the better with beautiful scenery.
Go backpacking: This one is perfect for adventure couples. You can hike to your ceremony or hike off after the ceremony for a backpacking honeymoon. It’s all up to you and your hiking boots.
Visit a National Park: Whether it's a new location or a long-time favorite, National Parks offer plenty of opportunities to newlyweds hoping to explore. As a bonus, you can fill our your National Parks Permits.
Plant a tree together: This one is a little more involved, but it’s a lovely way to commemorate your wedding day.
Stay on a fire lookout: If you want to get away from it all and enjoy a spectacular view, then you might love staying in a fire lookout. Perfect for newlyweds.
Have a bonfire with s’mores: Nothing like a sweet treat.
Stargaze: There’s a reason why starlight inspires poetry and wonder. Not to mention it makes for great nighttime photography.
Go Camping: The perfect way to wake up for sunrise and get away from the crowds is to have a camping wedding!
Dirt bike: Your hobbies have a place at your wedding, even biking and dirt biking!
Horseback Riding: Take a ride, whether with your own horse or from a ranch.
Water Activities
Prefer nice cool water? Here are a few ideas for your outdoor elopement.
Paddleboard: Take to the lake with your paddleboard.
Go surfing: Hang ten with your special someone.
Swim in an alpine lake: How incredible would it be to swim and soak in a lake surrounded by trees?
Visit a hot spring: Relax after the festivities by taking a soak in a hot spring.
Scuba Dive: Take a plunge and explore some underwater wonder. How’s that for a unique wedding day?
Kayak or canoe: Hit the water in a two-person craft.
Take a Boat Ride: Rent a boat for an evening on the water with your closets friends and family.
Car Activities
Are you a couple with the need for speed? Here are some super cool ideas for couples who want to hit the road.
Grab an off-roading vehicle and visit a remote spot: Romance and rugged roads — what’s not to love?
Rent a classic car and drive up the California coast: Inhale the coastal air as your cruise California.
Rent a motorcycle and explore your favorite park: Motorcycles make it quick and easy to get on and off at all sorts of amazing locations inside your favorite state or national park.
Adventurous Ideas
Push yourselves to the limit with these totally wild elopement activities.
Rock climbing: Don your chalk bags and climbing shoes!
Helicopter ride: Take to the skies for some spectacular views.
Skydiving: Yikes! You gotta be brave to jump out of a plane. But if you’re game, it’ll make an amazing story for people who ask about your wedding day.
Visit a roadside attraction: Everyone loves the big landmarks, but it's just as fun to explore little landmarks across the country.
Hot air balloon ride: A little more relaxing than a helicopter ride, but still lets you enjoy an eagle-eye view of the world.
Get Hitched at a Festival: Yes, with a little planning, you can get married at a festival like Burning Man or Lightning in a Bottle.
Go skating: Love skateboarding, quad skating and more? Why not do so in your wedding attire!
Other Fun Ideas
Still thinking of the ideal activities for your and your soon-to-be spouse? Here’s a handful of other ideas.
Visit a farm or animal conservation center: Animal lovers will really enjoy this one. Depending on your area, you might get to visit wolves, owls, foxes, or any other number of beautiful animals.
Rent a unique rental on Airbnb or VRBO: Live it up in a spectacular rental, whether it's a rustic cabin, a beachside villa, or a big house all to yourself is up to you and your fiance.
Play music together: What’s a wedding day without your favorite playlist? You two can dance to your favorite songs or let your tunes play in the background while you watch the sunset together.
Hire a musician: Did you know you can hire musicians like harpists and guitar-players to perform during your wedding?
Write vows together: It’s a little untraditional, but some couples enjoy sitting side-by-side or across the room as they write about each other. It helps to have your inspiration close by, after all.
Do yoga: Strike a pose with your special someone—also a good way to loosen up after a big day.
A unique sport you two love: My favorite is jiu-jitsu and muy thai! If it’s you and your partner’s favorite thing to do, why not?
Jump over a broom: A tradition from the days of slavery.
Geodes & Rockhounding: Crack a geode you bought (not found, unless you’re on public land), just make sure to place a towel under for easy clean up.
Murals: Visit cool murals! Check out locations like Phoenix, Tucson, San Francisco, and more.
Pillow Fight: It makes for cute photos.
Sparklers: Light some sparklers and take cute photos. Just make sure to be safe! Do not light sparklers during fire bans and make sure to have an easy way to extinguish them.
Tattoo: I did this myself!
Bring a flag: Rep your love, your state, or anything else!
Breaking the glass: A timeless Jewish tradition.
Bring your pet: Don’t leave Fido at home! Bring cats and dogs alike along.
Make a sign: It’s a vibe, bring a cardboard sign and write your favorite message on it.
Your Outdoor Wedding is What You Make of It
As you can see, there are really no limits to what you can do as an adventurous couple on your wedding day. Elopements are all about celebrating your love however you want to.
If you are ready to make your big day happen and want some stellar photos, contact Love & Latitudes Outdoor Wedding and Elopement Photography.