The content in this blog post first appeared in my monthly newsletter in February of 2025. Sign up here for first access to more content like this!
Hi Friend!
Happy February! How are we feeling this month? I know that January was definitely a little (okay, a lot) rough. Things I’m doing this month to take care of myself are continuing to get regular exercise, doubling down on some diet changes that were part of my new years resolution and slowly adding a couple of other lifestyle changes to my daily routines.
But I digress.
This month’s newsletter is all about wedding day entertainment. For a big wedding, this could look like hiring a band or DJ, setting up a dance floor, hiring an artist to paint a scene from the ceremony or do caricatures of your guests, having a photobooth … the list could go on, but you get the picture. But actually, today I am going to be giving you ten ideas for elopement entertainment. And I know you may be wondering, “Why do I need to book entertainment if it’s just for the two of us?” Ummm … 1) it’s your wedding day, and 2) why the hell not?!
So here we go, *in no particular order*:
Top 10 Elopement Day Activities!
1. Get Matching Tattoos
Honestly, this could work just as well for a big wedding as it could for an elopement. But today I am just talking about elopements. There is, of course, the classic ring tattoo, or you could choose another symbol of your relationship. And how cool would it be to have photos from your wedding day, in your wedding clothes, in a tattoo parlor? (The answer, very cool.)
2. Hire a Private Guide
Especially if you are exploring a new place on your elopement day, hiring a guide can be helpful for finding the best locations and being safe while doing new or different activities. A few examples of guides you could hire would be a hiking guide, rock climbing guide, back country guide, backpacking guide, glacier guide, or even a city guide if you are planning a downtown elopement and want to find the coolest spots that only a local would know about.
If you are needing help finding a guide service for your elopement location, check out my blog posts “How to Choose Elopement Vendors” and “Keywords to Search for Wedding Vendors“!
3. Book a Helicopter Ride
Helicopter rides are a great way to reach remote areas without any hiking required. And any good helicopter tour company is going to be able to take you to the most beautiful places that not very many people get to go to. Plus for most of us helicopters aren’t exactly an everyday mode of transportation, so the cool factor is definitely there! It’s your wedding day, go big or go home!
4. Go Canoeing, Kayaking, or Packrafting
Getting out on the water is a great way to connect with nature and with your partner on your elopement day. I would personally recommend doing this activity in a lake unless you really want a workout on your elopement day. This would be another activity that it would be a great idea to hire a guide for, unless you are extremely comfortable on the water.
5. Soak in a Hot Spring
What is a more relaxing activity for your elopement day than soaking in a hot spring? I love this option too because you could choose a hot spring that you have to hike to, one that is at a spa but still outdoors, or one that is indoors at a spa. There really are options for any preference!
6. Have a Dance Party
Just because you didn’t choose the big wedding doesn’t mean you have to give up the dance party. This could be as simple as playing your favorite song on your phone, or you could even book live music for your ceremony and follow it with your first dance, or you could head to a bar, club, or music venue and dance your booty off all night long!
7. Go on a Sunset Cruise
Chartering a private cruise is such a special way to get some amazing views and have a relaxing time on the water on your elopement day. Imagine eating charcuterie and drinking wine on a catamaran while watching the sunset on your elopement day. So dreamy!
8. Adopt a Rescue Dog
I love this for all the reasons. Shelters are so full of dogs, and being able to start your marriage by improving the life of another creature is incredible.
9. Go Skinny Dipping
Anyone who tries to tell you that skinny dipping is gross has obviously never been skinny dipping. Grab your partner, ditch your clothes, and go jump in the water together!
10. Rent Your Dream Car
Maybe you can’t afford to buy your dream car right now, but I bet you could afford to rent it for your elopement day or weekend. There’s nothing like a fancy car to make you feel fancy on your wedding day. Anything to elevate your experience is worth it in my opinion.
Final Thoughts …
This is by no means a comprehensive list of elopement day activities, but I hope it at least gives you a few new ideas to talk over with your partner as you plan your wedding day. As always, my goal is to get your creative juices flowing as you plan your best day ever. And if you need some more wedding planning tips, be sure to sign up for my newsletter to gain access to my freebies that are only available to my email list subscribers. Some of the available titles include “Non-Hiking Elopement Location Inspiration”, “Buffalo National River Elopement Guide”, “The Wedding Day Family Photo Shot List”, and so many more!
*All my blog posts contain a selection of images that I’ve taken. If you are interested in booking a wedding or session with me, I am more than happy to send you a full gallery upon request!
I’m a wife, a dog mom, a foodie, a wanderer, a registered nurse, and a couples/intimate wedding/elopement photographer … and this blog will cover it all! If you enjoyed this post, first of all thank you, and second of all please follow me on Instagram + Facebook and sign up for my monthly newsletter to get exclusive wedding planning advice and access to all of my new (and old) freebies! If you have any questions about elopement photography, my journey from nursing to photography, or my time spent as a full-time RVer, drop a comment and I just might write a blog post answering your question (but I definitely will)!
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