If you’ve been keeping up with my elopement blogs lately, you may have noticed something that a lot of them have in common and that is multi-day elopements! Many of my clients have decided to plan not just one, but oftentimes, two-day elopements or intimate weddings! There are so many reasons to plan a multi-day elopement, a few of which I’ll be sharing here in this blog! These are all examples from real clients; reasons they have told me that they decided a multi-day elopement was right for them!

9 Reasons to Consider Planning a Multi-day Elopement or Intimate Wedding:

1. Bring your vision to life with lots of flexibility

For many couples, it’s common for elopement plans to change part way through the process. For instance, I’ve worked with many couples who started planning an elopement with just the two of them, only to decide partway through that they needed to include family. Of course, there is nothing wrong with these changes in plans, but that is where the elopement vision starts to change.

What is an Elopement?

Intimate Weddings vs Elopements: What’s the Difference?

In these cases, planning a multi-day elopement can make sense. Having a two-day wedding allows you to include loved ones in your day while still being able to stick with your original vision.

2. Make the most of optimal lighting for amazing photos!

Your elopement or intimate wedding day is one of the most important days of your life and you want photos that can help you relive your beautiful day over and over again.

Since these memories are important, capturing them in optimal lighting is key. However, the ideal lighting (referred to as Golden Hour in the photography world) can be short-lived. Golden hour is the hour after sunrise and before sunset when the light from the sun is soft and flattering on your skin.

If you want to make the most of these hours, a multi-day elopement is the way to go! Consider doing a sunset ceremony followed by a sunrise adventure session the following day (or vice versa). Taking a break between both days will allow you to keep the celebration going and your energy high for a 2-day celebration. Not to mention, you’ll also get the perfect lighting for both days!!

For an example of a sunset/sunrise two-day elopement, check out this elopem e nt at Yosemite National Park!

3. Freedom to take your time during special moments

Elopements are filled with lots of meaningful moments, but sometimes these moments can feel like they are packed into one day. To get them all, you have to be on a very tight timeline and who wants to feel rushed like this on one of the most important days of their life?

A two-day elopement allows you to capture EVERYTHING you’re after - without the need to rush from one thing to the next. Consider making day one about the wedding day with friends and family and day two about your adventure together. Day one can be filled with the classic moments like details, getting ready, first looks, fun candid with family, and the ceremony while day two focuses solely on the two of you!

Rather than lose out on those special moments, a multi-day elopement or intimate wedding allows you to relax and spend your days focusing on the moments that are most important to you without worrying that something might get missed.

To go further into the importance of taking your time, a multi-day elopement and intimate wedding provide ample opportunities for creativity in capturing your special day. While certain days may feel rushed, the flexibility given by multi-day events allows us to invest the time needed for creative expression, producing artwork that can be cherished for many years to come.

4. Availability for longer excursions, traveling to multi-locations, or special activities

A fun way to add personality to your elopement is by including an adventure excursion or experience. Some ideas to consider are helicopter tours, vintage car or motorcycle rentals, or activities that can take place only at a specific time (ie - ice cave tour, glacier kayaks, sunset boat ride, or a longer hike to a remote location).

Adding an experience like this to your wedding day is what makes your elopement uniquely yours, but it can also take time away from the other events you have planned.

With a multi-day elopement though, you no longer have to worry about having time for it all. You can have the grand adventure and all the other meaningful wedding day moments. See what I mean by checking out Gabby and Nels’ two-day adventurous elopement in Alaska. The couple planned an intimate wedding ceremony and celebration with friends on day one followed by a helicopter tour of some Alaskan glaciers on day two.

If you are struggling to decide between multiple locations for your elopement or intimate wedding, who says you have to choose? A two-day wedding can give you the best of both worlds!

If your ideal locations are too far apart from each other to travel to in a single day, a multi-day elopement can help. You’ll be able to experience both locations, giving you even more variety in your photos.

Elopements & Couples Photo Sessions: What’s the Difference?

5. Enhanced intimacy and connection

Elopements are renowned for their intimacy, allowing couples to focus solely on each other without the distractions of a large guest list. By spreading your celebration over multiple days, you deepen this sense of intimacy even further. You have more time to explore stunning locations together, indulge in meaningful conversations, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you're hiking through rugged terrain, sharing a quiet sunrise, or enjoying a romantic candlelit dinner under the stars, each moment becomes a cherished part of your love story.

Picture waking up together on your elopement morning, feeling the excitement of the day ahead. With no rush, you leisurely prepare for your ceremony, cherishing each moment over coffee or tea. Throughout the day, as you exchange vows in stunning settings and go on adventures together, you're making new memories with every shared experience. Whether hiking in a nearby scenic location or spending time by the fire, each makes your day even more special. As the day ends, instead of saying goodbye to your celebration, you can extend the magic into the next day. Whether exploring new places, creating even more memories, or simply enjoying being newlyweds, the extra time lets you fully immerse yourselves in that moment that will be cherished for years to come.

6. No guilt when it comes to time away from friends/family!

Some couples have expressed that they feel guilt in having to leave their family and friends to go off for adventure portraits. Especially, if your family has traveled from out of town to get to your wedding location, this can put pressure on you as a couple. You may feel like you have to “host” them or you may feel bad about not including them in all the day’s events. While these feelings are normal, there is a way to get around them.

By planning a multi-day elopement, you give yourself the freedom to enjoy all of your wedding moments. You can choose to spend time with family and friends on one day and take time for yourselves on the other, guilt-free. You no longer have to choose between priorities because you’ve given yourself enough time to experience everything important to you.

As I mentioned earlier, one of the best times of the day for warm, soft-lit photos is around sunset. Sometimes though, the ideal lighting time also lines up perfectly with when you are having dinner with guests. While it’s not possible to be in two locations at once, having a two-day elopement can easily fix that - day 1 will be spent with family, and day 2 can be an adventure for just the two of you!

7. Travel to multiple locations that otherwise might be difficult to reach in one day

If you are struggling to decide between multiple locations for your elopement or intimate wedding, who says you have to choose? A two-day wedding can give you the best of both worlds!

Having an extended adventure is one of the greatest perks of a multi-day elopement because it gives you the opportunity for extended adventure and exploration. Instead of rushing through your wedding day, you can take your time to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of your surroundings. Whether you're eloping in a remote wilderness, a quaint village, or a bustling city, having multiple days allows you to venture off the beaten path, discover hidden gems, and create unforgettable experiences together. From epic hikes to secluded beaches, the possibilities for adventure are endless, ensuring that your elopement is as unique and adventurous as your love story.

If your ideal locations are too far apart from each other to travel to in a single day, a multi-day elopement can help. You’ll be able to experience both locations, giving you even more variety in your photos.

How many photography hours do I need for my elopement or intimate wedding?

8. Unpredictable Weather on Your Elopement Day

Nature has a mind of its own, and despite meticulous planning, the weather can often be unpredictable. Imagine exchanging vows amidst breathtaking landscapes, only to have rain or unexpected storms dampen the moment. By planning a multi-day elopement, you're essentially providing yourself with an insurance policy against inclement weather. Having additional days allows for flexibility in your schedule, giving you the freedom to wait out undesirable weather conditions or rearrange your plans without feeling rushed. This ensures that, come rain or shine, you'll have the perfect backdrop for your love story.

9. Because…Why Not?

You don’t need a specific reason to celebrate your wedding day however you want! If you want to keep the celebration going longer than just one day, DO IT! This time in your life and your relationship is a very special one, so fully enjoy it, however, that looks for you!

By having a multi-day elopement or intimate wedding, you’re also guaranteeing your celebration. Your wedding day is meant to be one of the most memorable days of your life, and understandably, you want everything to go according to plan. However, unexpected challenges can arise, whether it's a vendor mishap, logistical issues, or simply needing more time to savor each moment. By extending your elopement into multiple days, you create a buffer zone that allows for any unforeseen circumstances. If something doesn't go as planned on the first day, you have the luxury of a second chance to make it right. This peace of mind ensures that you can fully immerse yourself in the joy of your celebration, knowing that you have another day to fall back on if needed.

Ready to start planning your dream multi-day elopement?

I know just the photographer 😉 to help you capture all the important moments and details. Learn more about what planning a multi-day elopement with me can look like or, if you’re ready to get started, head over to my contact page! I can’t wait to meet you!