You know you don’t want your elopement to feel like an all day photoshoot, and why would you? Finding activities to work into your elopement will make it feel like an experience rather than just a list of photos to get through.

I plan elopement days for couples who know they want their day to be full of fun activities to make their day one of a kind.

Here is my list of the best activities to do on your elopement day:

• Hiking Check out this list of the best hikes on the Oregon Coast
• Getting ready together in your AirBnb
• Making cocktails/mocktails
• Go out for pizza
• Having a small reception
• Getting tattoos
• Have a picnic
• Make a time capsule
• Write letters to open in 1 year
• Ceremony with family

Now, step two is seeing how activities fit into your day.

• Sample Timeline of a 12 hour elopement day:
  • 8:30am – Get ready together, split off to get dressed in your wedding attire
  • 11:00am – First look with each other before leaving for hike
  • 12:00pm – Arrive at Trailhead to being hike
  • 12:30pm – Set up lunch picnic at viewpoint 
  • 1:15pm – Private vow reading then hike back to the cars
  • 2:00pm – Drive to ceremony location
  • 3:00pm – Intimate ceremony with family
  • 3:30pm – Private chef arrives at home base to start preparing dinner
  • 4:00pm – Head into town to relax at a brewery for a bit before dinner
  • 6:00pm – Dinner at home base
  • 7:00pm – Touch up makeup and get cleaned up 
  • 7:30pm – Leave for sunset portraits location
  • 8:00pm – Arrive at sunset location
  • 8:30pm – Head back to home base for stargazing, smores and cocktails

As an Oregon Elopement Photographer, I know how important finding activities that fit you as a couple really is. Your day deserves so much more than signing your marriage license and being done. If you’re ready to start planning your epic Oregon Elopement, I would love to start dreaming up your day.