Looking for ways to make your elopement unique & personal to you and your boo? I get it, you don’t wanna look like every other couple on Pinterest. You’d rather make your day 100% your own - and that’s exactly what I want to help you do. Check out these 5 super fun + unique elopement ideas to help get you started!

Get ready together
Have family + friends write you letters
Rent a jeep or do a helicopter tour
Have your fur baby sign your marriage license
Do a private first dance

1. Get ready together

Let’s go against the grain a lil’: did you know you can get ready together on your elopement day??

It’s pretty typical (“traditional,” I guess you’d say) for a couple to get ready separately on their wedding day, whether they’re doing a first look or are seeing each other for the first time at the altar. But I wanna let you in on a little secret - you don’t have to do this! ;)

If you want to make the morning of your elopement even more special + intimate, spend the morning helping each other getting ready. Instead of being in separate rooms (or even houses) and only getting to spend time together once you’re finally ready, spend your time together helping each other with makeup, hair, outfits, etc.

It truly is a super intimate time to be together and just enjoy yourselves + have some alone time, especially if you’re having a private elopement without any guests - you probably value quality time with one another, and getting ready together is a perfect way to do that!

Betsy + Shawna (pictured below) got ready together in a little cabin before heading to their Breckenridge, Colorado elopement and it was such a special time of their big day. If you’ll be having any guests at your elopement, this is especially a great time to be present with each other & enjoy the day in private before celebrating with your loved ones!

2. Have family + friends write you letters

Looking for a way to involve family in your elopement (or friends, of course) without them actually being there on your elopement day? Have them write you letters beforehand, and read them on the big day!

Whether you want to read these letters during your ceremony before saying your vows, while you get ready for the big moment, or after your ceremony while you celebrate - this is an awesome way to involve them + feel their love without them actually being physically present.

I had a few couples do this during COVID-19, when they legitimately couldn’t invite their loved ones. And I think it should be something that’s continued for couples who want to elope in private, but still incorporate their loved ones into their big day!

3. Rent a jeep or do a helicopter tour

One of the most fun elopement ideas in my personal opinion? Rent a jeep to get you to remote spots, or spots that are otherwise inaccessible by foot. Orrrr if you wanna be a lil’ more adventurous, book a helicopter tour of your favorite mountains, glaciers, or lakes from above + to get you to spots high up!!

These are SUCH cool ways to get to spots at your elopement location that you might not be able to access by walking, hiking, or normal driving.

Whether you’re having a national park elopement, you’re dreaming of eloping in the middle of Alaskan glaciers, or you just want to have an awesome adventure with your boo on your big day, DO IT. Find a jeep or a 4-wheeler to rent, or book an incredible helicopter tour to fly ya high up in the sky, and I’ll third-wheel along with you to photograph it all!!

A couple other, more intense elopement ideas if you’re REALLY lookin’ for an adventure: say your vows up in a hot air balloon (yes, that’s a thing!!), or go skydiving together before you say your vows! The opportunities are truly ENDLESS. Nothing is impossible on your elopement day ;)

4. Have your fur baby (or babies) sign your marriage license

This one goes out to all my fellow animal lovers: if you want to involve your fur baby (or babies) in your elopement day, HAVE THEM SIGN YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE!! 🥺 You’ll forever have their paw print(s) on the license you both signed on your big day when you committed your love to one another. Idk about you, but you can’t leave your fur babies out of one of the biggest days of your lives!!

Check out Sydney + Randy’s photos below for some inspo - I was constantly obsessing over their baby pug, Moose, ALL day. He deserves the world, so I loved on him alllll day. These two made their elopement day 100% THEM, and I’m so honored they let me be a small part of it (& that I got to meet Moose!).

5. Do a private first dance

Last but not least, if you want to have a first dance on your elopement day but make it a little less “traditional”, do it in private!

Find a spot at your location (or at the Airbnb you’re staying at) where you can play your special song, away from your loved ones (if you’re inviting any), and make it about just the two of you. This is especially a great idea for any couple who doesn’t want people awkwardly staring at them while they share a special, intimate dance together (I feel that)!!