Elopement Ceremony Ideas: Make Your Day Uniquely Yours

One of the most freeing things about eloping is that there are zero rules for what your ceremony has to look like. You can make it feel as “traditional” or as unique as you want, whether that means exchanging vows at sunrise on a mountain pass, including your favorite people, or sealing it all with your favorite shots.

Whatever you envision, this guide is packed with ideas to help you create an elopement ceremony that feels 100% like you.

Traditional Elements You Can Include in Your Elopement Ceremony

Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean you have to skip the meaningful moments you’d find in a more traditional wedding. Some couples still want those classic elements, but they just want to experience them without the pressure, production, or giant guest list.

Here are a few traditional touches you can include:

• Ring exchange
  
• Private vow exchange (or public if guests are present!)
  
• First kiss as a married couple.
  
• A “walk down the aisle” (even if the aisle is a trail through the woods)
  
• An officiant-led ceremony or a loved one who steps in to guide the moment

These moments are made extra special by being in your hiking boots with wind in your hair.

Unique Elopement Ceremony Ideas to Make It Your Own

If you want to shake things up and make your ceremony completely unique, here are some more non-traditional ceremony ideas to consider:

Unity Ceremonies

• Handfasting: An ancient tradition of tying hands together with ribbon or cord to symbolize unity.
  
• Sand pouring: Each of you pours sand from separate jars into one vessel to represent joining your lives.
  
• Love letters or vows in a time capsule: Seal them up to open on a future anniversary.
  
• Tree planting (great for backyard ceremonies, as you can’t really do anything like that on public lands)

Colorado-Specific Ideas

Thanks to Colorado’s self-solemnization laws, you don’t need an officiant or witnesses to get legally married. That means your ceremony can be just the two of you—anywhere.

• Exchange vows while sitting on horseback.
  
• Pause mid-hike and marry at the summit.
  
• Self-solemnize while rock climbing.
  
• Say your vows on paddleboards at an alpine lake.
  
• Let your dog “sign” your marriage license with a paw print.

Seriously, if you can dream it, we can most likely make it happen!

What Your Elopement Ceremony Can Look Like With Guests

Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean you have to be totally alone. Lots of couples include a few close family or friends, and there are tons of ways to make your people feel involved without turning your elopement into a traditional wedding.

Here are a few ways to include loved ones:

• Have your parents walk you down the aisle.
  
• Invite a sibling or best friend to sign your license as a witness.
  
• Ask a loved one to officiate your ceremony.
  
• Let guests do personal readings or toasts.
  
• Celebrate together with a champagne pop, picnic, or post-ceremony cheers.

And if you’re wondering how to tell your family you’re eloping, check out this blog!

What to Do After Your Ceremony?

Once the ceremony is over, the celebration doesn’t have to end. In fact, this is where a lot of couples really lean into what makes their elopement theirs.

Here are just a few ideas for what you can do after the ceremony:

• Share your first dance somewhere epic (Bluetooth speaker + good vibes = magic)
  
• Cut a cake or enjoy dessert with a view.
  
• Pop champagne with your guests or just the two of you
  
• Go on a scenic hike and keep the adventure going.
  
• Have a quiet picnic at your ceremony spot.
  
• Head into town and celebrate at your favorite restaurant.
  
• Rent a cozy Airbnb and enjoy a private chef dinner.
  
• Do an activity you love together—kayaking, stargazing, biking, climbing

You can find a full list of ideas here: 50 Things to Do on Your Elopement Day in Colorado.

Ready to Plan Your Colorado Elopement Ceremony?

However you structure your elopement ceremony, the most important thing is that you make it yours. Whether you include traditional vows, have a hand fasting ritual, or exchange your vows on top of a mountain with your dog as your witness, we can make it happen!

As your Colorado elopement photographer, I’m here to help guide you through every step, from elopement planning to getting your permits to your timeline and backup plans, and capture it all in a way that feels raw, real, and unforgettable. You can check out my Colorado elopement packages here and reach out to me when you’re ready!

If you’re planning a Colorado elopement, you may also like:

• Local’s Guide to the Best Colorado Elopement Locations
• How to Elope in Colorado
• Great Sand Dunes National Park Elopement Guide
• Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement Guide