Not too long ago, the word “elopement” brought to mind a hurried courthouse ceremony - a wedding day that the couple didn’t invest much time in, wanting to tie the knot quickly. So it can be hard to imagine an Alaska elopement lasting an entire day, or to imagine what you can do when you decide to elope in Alaska instead of throwing a traditional wedding! 

This guide is about full day elopements, what to do on your elopement day, and why your wedding deserves an entire day!

How Long is an Elopement?

One of the first things that couples often want to know once they decide to ditch the traditional wedding is “how long is an elopement?” While a lot of people still think of elopement as just a ceremony and a few photos, lasting no more than an hour or two, elopements today are much more than that! 

An elopement can last an entire day - anywhere from 8 to 12 hours! If you’re having trouble picturing how you’ll spend your time, especially if you’re eloping just the two of you, you aren’t alone -  since adventure elopements are still pretty new, a lot of couples wonder if their small wedding really needs a full day.

Why You Should Plan a Full Day Elopement

Here are some reasons that every couple should plan a full day elopement!

1. Your Elopement Deserves It!

The first reason is simply that you’re getting married - and doesn’t that deserve to be celebrated? If you have decided to elope in alaska it isn’t a less meaningful, or less important version of a traditional wedding! It’s an intentional decision to make sure that you get married in a way that actually feels right for you. It’s about letting go of traditions and expectations that don’t suit you, and deciding that when you tie the knot, it should be a reflection of you, your relationship, and the beginning of the rest of your lives together.

A rushed ceremony just can’t do your elopement justice! Big weddings last an entire day, and there’s no reason why yours shouldn’t too. You’re celebrating your love story, and you deserve to plan something incredible.

2. Your Elopement Should be an Adventure

The entire day of your Alaska elopement should be an adventure - an experience that truly celebrates the two of you! We’ll talk about what to do on your elopement day later in this guide, but the important thing to keep in mind is that you should plan a day that reflects who you are, allows you to get married the way you want to, and is personalized just for you.

3. Eloping Should be Stress Free

Another huge reason to plan a full day elopement is that it’ll be so much less stressful! Trying to fit everything into a couple of hours will have you rushing, and leaves no room for spontaneous decisions or changes of plan. Instead of trying to get everything done as quickly as possible, a full day elopement allows you to take things slow, immerse yourself in every moment, and truly enjoy the day.

What to Do on Your Elopement Day

One of the best things about eloping is that Alaska elopements are so unique and there is much more freedom to be intentional about how you want to celebrate! You really get to create and customize a day that’s just for you - incorporating the things you enjoy, having adventures that you’ll remember forever, and making sure you love the way you get married. Personally, I believe that the best elopement days are the ones where couples are sharing experiences that they already know they enjoy doing together as well as incorporating new things they have always wanted to do together

Here are some ideas for what to do on your elopement day - when it’s time to tie the knot, you’ll even be surprised that the full day went by so fast!

Start the Day Together

Your wedding in Alaska begins in the morning - so why not start the day spending time with your favorite person! This is a great time to take things slow, and to soak in the excitement before the big adventures you have planned begin. 

This can include sipping coffee on the porch of your cabin, cooking together, doing some morning yoga, taking a walk around your cabin, or anything that comes to mind when you imagine the perfect way to begin your wedding day!

Getting ready is a big part of your elopement day too - so once it’s time for hair and makeup or to put on your attire, you can split up to get ready separately, or maybe stay together if getting ready with your best friend by your side feels more like the two of you. This part of your elopement day may feel less “big” than the ceremony, or the adventures you’ll have, but the truth is that you’ll love getting these photos, seeing the excited smiles on your faces, and being able to have the story of your elopement day unfold from the very beginning.

Go Hiking

When it comes to what to do on your elopement day, hiking is a growing trend that we are thrilled to see lots of adventurous couples adopting! While it may seem very nontraditional or even a bit challenging, the fact is that a hike on your elopement day can be one of the most pure and romantic ways to exchange your love for one another. 

You can hike to your ceremony location and tie the knot somewhere beautiful, or have your ceremony somewhere easy to reach before taking off for an adventurous trail together.

Food for thought Hiking doesn’t necessarily mean waking up in the middle of the night to catch the sunrise and climbing the tallest peak. Enjoying a hike on your elopement day can range from a short easy hike to something more difficult, there are lots of options!

Fly in a Helicopter

A really unique way to experience your elopement day is to fly in a helicopter! You can see some of the most jaw dropping landscapes from above, have a one of a kind adventure, and land somewhere completely private where very few people have been before, and you can exchange vows surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Many couples enjoy doing a first dance on the glacier or wherever else the helicopter lands - without anyone else around!

When you come to us considering a helicopter elopement one of the first things we recommend is that you think about the types of views you would like to see see and explore. Perhaps you envision yourselves standing on top of a glacier, or maybe a secluded mountainside?

Have a Picnic

Adventure isn’t always about adrenaline or doing the most epic thing - you can also have a laid back elopement and plan a peaceful picnic! Choose a spot with amazing views and have a delicious meal to celebrate tying the knot. Perhaps your idea of an ideal elopement would be atop a mountain, at sunset, watching the sun go down while feasting on fresh cheese, delicious cake and sipping on champagne. Or you could choose a favorite spot that holds sentiment and meaning for both of you such as where you first met or where you got engaged.

Do you love charcuterie, cheeses and all the crackers, is your stomach growling yet….?

Imagine this: A table draped in champagne linen, chivari gold chairs nestled under a cloud of hanging florals, string lights wrapped around, just a few steps away from your favorite lake. Or this: Cozy pillows and blankets inside your family cabin, hot chocolate with baileys, a wood fire burning beside you…. Don’t they both sound wonderful?!

Celebrate With Family or Friends

Though your elopement can definitely be just the two of you, some couples want to invite their loved ones! You can plan an intimate reception at your cabin, have them join you for an adventure, or have your ceremony with your guests before taking some time to yourselves. This is another reason that a full day elopement is perfect - you can split up the day, spending some with your family and friends, while still getting an intimate, private experience with just your partner for part of the day!

End the Elopement With a Soak

There’s nothing like ending a day of adventures in a relaxing hot tub! When it comes to what to do on your elopement day, it’s not over once the knot is tied - you can enjoy every part of the day, taking the evening to just relax with your partner and celebrate the fact that you got married. Find a cabin or Airbnb with a hot tub for your elopement day, so you can have a cozy place to come back to!

Deciding What to Do on Your Elopement Day

When it comes to planning and figuring out what to do on your elopement day, hiring an elopement planner is the best way to ensure an incredible experience! Just as with any other style of wedding, planning a full day elopement comes with lots of difference factors to keep in mind. There are still many logistics and can easily become overwhelming, think - permits, marriage license, weather backup plans, accommodations, the list goes on.

My job is to get to know you so that I can create a day that’s personal, meaningful, and just right for the two of you. Whether that means organizing a helicopter tour, creating a gorgeous tablescape, finding the perfect Airbnb, or crafting a timeline of the day, I’ve got your back! I’ll work with you to ensure that your full day elopement is absolutely perfect, and reflects who you are and how you want to get married. Every couple is unique, and so is every wedding day.

Ready to plan your one of a kind elopement? I’m your girl!