So, you’ve decided to elope. Great choice! My husband and I eloped in September 2022 to enjoy a private ceremony with the support of a few key vendors, and it was the perfect way to spend our special day together without the stress of a traditional wedding.
When it comes to an elopement, you get to condense your day-of wedding timeline, too. No need to be up at 7 am when your bridesmaids start makeup. No need to hide away in a bridal suite all day.
With the help of my incredible photographer, @alleyroseco, I crafted a day of timeline that allowed the day to be relaxed yet efficient.
One thing to note: This timeline is based on us getting ready and holding the ceremony at the same location. You will need to account for travel time if you plan to get ready and then get married in different locations. But this will give you a good start!
Sample Day-of Elopement Timeline
- Morning: Wake up whenever you want. Relax. Have coffee.
- 12:00 pm: Eat Lunch
- 2:45 pm: Hair & Makeup Arrives
- 3:00 pm: Hair & Makeup Starts
- 4:00 pm: Florist & Event Design Arrives
- 4:30 pm: Photographer Arrives
- 5:15 pm: Officiant Arrives
- 5:15 pm: “Getting Ready” photos
- 5:30 pm: First Look
- 6:00 pm: Ceremony
- 6:15 pm: Make Cocktails to Celebrate & Have a Light Snack
- 6:30 pm: Photos
- 7:15 pm: Florist & Event Design Returns to Breakdown Backdrop
- 7:45 pm: Photographer Leaves
- 8:15 pm: Dinner Reservation
Communicating Your Timeline With Vendors
It’ll be important to communicate your planned timeline with your vendors a couple weeks before your elopement to make sure you have their arrival time accounted for as well as when they need to return (if at all) to gather items.
When you send the timeline email, it’s a great chance to confirm day-of contact information, share Instagram handles of the other vendors, be clear on parking information and any other expectations you may have. Below is the email I sent to my vendors, which I hope you will find helpful.
Good morning, everyone!
With just ## days until our ceremony, I wanted to send an email to our amazing vendor team (you all!) to make sure you have the address, schedule and any info you need (including everyone’s Instagram handles, of course). There are few notes with action items in red.
LOCATION & PARKING
First of all, address for DATE HERE is ADDRESS HERE.
Parking is only allowed in the PARKING AREA HERE. Also be sure to add any info on if a parking permit will be required or how many cars there will be space for.
Action Item: Action items are a helpful way to call out WHAT you need a vendor to do on a related item–whether you need them to confirm information or let you know if there’s an issue.
SCHEDULE
Here’s our day of schedule:
2:45 pm: Hair & Makeup Arrives
3:00 pm: Hair & Makeup Starts
4:00 pm: Florist & Event Design Arrives
4:30 pm: Photographer Arrives
5:15 pm: Officiant Arrives
5:15 pm: “Getting Ready” photos
5:30 pm: First Look
6:00 pm: Ceremony
6:15 pm: Make Cocktails to Celebrate & Have a Light Snack
6:30 pm: Photos
7:15 pm: Florist & Event Design Returns to Breakdown Backdrop
7:45 pm: Photographer Leaves
8:15 pm: Dinner Reservation
Action Item: Action items are a helpful way to call out WHAT you need a vendor to do on a related item–whether it confirms information or let you know if there’s an issue.
SOCIAL ACCOUNTS
Photographer: [INSTAGRAM HANDLE HERE]
Florist: [INSTAGRAM HANDLE HERE]
Officiant: [INSTAGRAM HANDLE HERE]
Hair: [INSTAGRAM HANDLE HERE]
Makeup: [INSTAGRAM HANDLE HERE]
Bride: [INSTAGRAM HANDLE HERE]
Groom: [INSTAGRAM HANDLE HERE]
Action Item: Please wait to post anything from our elopement until DATE HERE. Thanks for understanding!
Okay, I think that’s all the big stuff for right now. I will likely send one more email 24-48 hours before. If you have any additional questions, please let me know! We are so glad to have you as part of our special day.
– [BRIDE & GROOM NAME]
