Eloping in 2024: Traditional and Non-Traditional Wedding Ceremony Ideas
Updated December 16th, 2023
Updated for the 2024-2025 Wedding Season
Wondering What to Do During Your Elopement Ceremony?
I got you!
It’s no surprise that folks have a lot of misconceptions about eloping. Back in the day, “elopement” referred to a hasty wedding that was secretive and sometimes shameful. But in today’s world, eloping is an intimate experience where you and the love of your life commit yourselves to each other in a way that is uniquely y’all.
But just because you can break all the rules doesn’t mean you have to. Your perfect private wedding ceremony for two will likely include a mix of traditional and non-traditional activities.
If you’ve decided to elope, well, first of all, congratulations! I’m sure you’ve at least begun dreaming up what your big day looks like. (Are you getting soaked underneath the spray of a raging waterfall at the height of summer? Are you catching your breath after summiting a snow-capped 14er in a winter wonderland?!)
If you’ve landed on this blog, you are probably still nailing down your wedding ceremony outline. And you may be wondering exactly what to do during your elopement ceremony. I’ve compiled a mix of classic as well as unique elopement ceremony ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
Table of Contents
Traditional Wedding Ceremony Ideas to Include in Your Elopement
The beauty of an elopement is that you can do whatever feels authentic to you and your partner. Want to wear a white dress, walk down an aisle, and toss a bouquet to your bestie? Go for it! Some things become traditions because they are tried-and-true. You can still be a trailblazer while including your favorite wedding traditions.
First look – In my opinion, nothing beats the raw reactions I capture when you and your partner first see each other dressed to the nines in preparation for the ceremony that will join your lives together forever. It’s fair to say there is a lot of emotion in these moments: anticipation, the element of surprise, happy tears, and so much joy. There are also many different ways to get creative with your First Look!
Officiant – Depending on which state your elopement ceremony takes place, your elopement may require an officiant to be considered legal – and some couples simply prefer the structure that having an officiant can provide. This can usually be a close friend (who may need to get ordained easily online) or a hired professional. Colorado, however, allows for self-solemnization, meaning you can marry yourselves – more on that later!
Ring ceremony – After committing yourselves to each other, consider exchanging rings to symbolize your forever love. This tradition is as old as time. However, some couples decide to exchange other items of sentimental value, and the internet has many ring ceremony ideas to help make this tradition uniquely your own.
Vows – The exchanging of vows is a beautiful, intimate tradition that accompanies most wedding ceremonies. You can go with traditional or non-traditional vows. Personally, I love when couples write their own. After all, only you can speak from your heart and tell your partner what this commitment means to you.
First kiss – When asked to reflect on their ceremony, the first kiss is one of my couples’ favorite moments from their special day – and my favorite moment to photograph. Besides, I think it’d be nearly impossible to not want to kiss your new spouse! This is a tradition I’m voting to keep!
First dance – Bring some music or make your own, spin around in that first dance you have dreamt of for so long! You might even skip the music altogether and sway with each other to the sounds of nature for an intimate and profoundly personal first dance as partners for life.
Jumping the broom – Jumping over the broom is a time-honored tradition that has been revived in recent years. It’s a fun activity, especially if children will be involved. After officially pronounced married, you and your partner will literally jump over a broomstick. Sweep away singledom and jump into a new life together. To personalize it even more, have the kids in your lives adorn the broom with flowers, ribbons, and other decorations beforehand.
Popping bubbly – Opening a bottle of champagne always cues celebration. It’s hard not to feel the excitement when you hear that loud POP and a thousand tiny bubbles spew from the spout! (Depending on your elopement location, you may want to Leave No Trace and use a bottle of sparkling water instead for minimal environmental impact, but equally epic photos!) Pour a glass and toast to your union!
Wedding cake – Most folks associate celebration with some form of sugary baked goods. (Have you ever been to a birthday party without cake, cookies, or cupcakes?) Even if you’re eloping with an all-day hiking adventure, you can pack a small cake from your favorite local bakery and share something sweet with those in attendance.
Religious or cultural traditions – Often, you or your partner’s religion or culture may dictate what to do during your elopement ceremony. (BTW, it’s totally possible to have a secular ceremony in a non-traditional setting!) It’s easier than you think to incorporate sacred readings, prayers, a breaking of the glass, or an infinity-shaped lasso of rosary beads and flowers into your non-traditional wedding ceremony.
Use these age-old traditions to help craft your elopement ceremony ideas, and explore all the creative ways you can implement them.
Inspired Elopement Ceremony Ideas
Inspiration can be found in unity ceremonies hailing from all corners of the world. Some of my favorite activities to include in your wedding ceremony outline include:
Sand pouring – The focus of a sand pouring ceremony is similar to that of the unity candle ceremony, where two candles light one to symbolize a couple's life joining together. A sand ceremony is where you each pour different-colored sand into a vase one layer at a time to create a beautiful lasting memento to display in your home. Consider having your vase monogrammed beforehand with your names and elopement date for a personal touch. Sand pouring is one of many unique activities for your wedding and works so well for elopements.
Handfasting Ceremony – One of the most intimate elopement ideas, in my opinion, is performing a handfasting ceremony. A tradition that has progressed over the years, the handfasting ceremony is actually a 17th Century tradition associated with the Germanic people. A family member or officiant will wrap cords, ribbons, or cloth around you and your love's hands during the handfasting tradition. A knot then gets tied to symbolize the binding of your union. Handfasting may be an ancient tradition, but it has become more creative and more widely practiced in elopements today.
Time capsule – Another special elopement idea is to write letters to each other and seal the envelopes. Communicate exactly how you feel on the morning of your elopement and be as detailed as possible. Remember your partner's smile, what your love means to you, and your hopes and dreams for your future. During the ceremony, lock your love letters in a box along with your favorite bottle of wine and save it for a specified anniversary. Time capsules are beautiful keepsakes for a special occasion.
Plant a tree – While planting a tree has no specific cultural ties, this is a beautiful way to symbolize the beginning of the new journey you are undertaking. Plant a tree that doesn't require attention. Every year or five years, you can visit the place you said "I do" and look back on the happiest day you both shared. Planting a tree not only has a lovely sentimental value, but it's good for the environment too! These trees are the best to plant in Colorado. They are not only beautiful species, but can withstand any weather conditions.
Wine blending – Wine blending is a unique elopement ceremony idea that can be especially meaningful when both of your parents are present. Each set of parents will bring their favorite bottle of wine, preferably a white and a red. Of course, this can be modified to suit your family, for example, involving grandparents or step-parents. Firstly, have the fathers uncork the bottles. Then have the mothers pour a glass for the new member of their family. Share a toast to the blended families. If no family will be present, you and your partner can each bring a bottle, symbolizing joining your lives together.
The chord of three strands – Also known as God's Knots, this is a popular ritual to perform at elopement ceremonies. It is symbolic of putting God first in your marriage. The couple will braid the three strands representing the bond you two share with each other and your faith. Frame the braid and display it in your home for remembrance of your faith-filled union.
Non-Traditional Wedding Ceremony Ideas to Make Your Elopement Your Own
Smudging with sage – The smudging ceremony is a custom of Native American peoples. For hundreds of years many indigenous cultures across the globe have used smudging as a way to purify the body, auras, and ceremonial spaces with a serene smoke bath. Likewise, this act can infuse the beginning of your new life together with positive energy.
Photo by Kayla Maurais on Unsplash
Self-solemnization – States like Colorado, California, Wisconsin, Maine, and Nevada have self-solemnization laws. No officiant is needed to legally bind your marriage! Colorado is also the only state that doesn’t require a witness. In other words, as per the Colorado elopement laws, if you’re set on getting married in Colorado, all you need is yourself, your partner, and a marriage license! This gives you the ultimate freedom to say whatever you want during your ceremony!
Commitment ceremony – Some couples don’t believe in marriage – state-sanctioned, legally binding marriage, that is – and that’s totally okay! Maybe you two prefer to commit yourselves to each other and don’t need a piece of paper to prove your love! A commitment ceremony can include a lot of the same language and intimacy as a binding marriage ceremony, but eschews the signatures and filing of paperwork. Y’all do y’all!
Include loved ones – Often when couples elope, it’s just you or your closest friends. It’s important to involve loved ones who aren’t there in person. A great way to make them feel included is to ask family and friends to write letters to you both. Open the letters after the ceremony and share a special moment with your new life partner by reading the heartfelt notes from those closest to you. (And then share the emotional photos with those who wrote the letters!)
Share an activity you enjoy doing together – What better way to make an elopement 100% your own than by doing something that epitomizes your relationship? This can be fun and silly or completely serious! Did your first kiss happen after shotgunning beers or taking a few shots of tequila? Take a moment to do that at your wedding! I guarantee you’ll love the variety of photos you’ll get by mixing up the Big Day’s activities.
Wedding pizza! – Don’t have a sweet tooth? Forget the cake! Celebrate instead with the food that got you and your sweetie through grad school or that never-ending house painting project. Was your first date at a taqueria? Consider hiring a taco truck, and pay homage to the true way to your partner’s heart ;)
Crested Butte’s phenomenal Secret Stash Pizza – the perfect post-elopement indulgence!
Enjoy a multi-day adventure – Is one day just not enough time to celebrate the most important milestone in your relationship? I totally get that! With so many options for unique activities for your wedding, for many couples it makes sense to embark on a multi-day elopement adventure. This gives you breathing room to backpack along an epic trail one day, set up camp at sunset, and then shout your vows from the mountaintop at sunrise the next morning. Perhaps you're feeling extra adventurous, and want to book a hot air balloon ride for your small wedding reception. Or you want to ride off into the sunset on horseback. Don’t let the time constraint of one day limit your dreams of the perfect elopement. Expect to get exceptional photographs and memories that will last a lifetime!
Final Thoughts
These are just a few of the many private wedding ceremony ideas to consider for your elopement day. From jumping the broom to planting a tree that you can visit for years to come – make it original and unique to you both. Pick and choose your favorite wedding traditions and involve your closest friends and family.
Real intimacy is a sacred experience. It never exposes its secret trust and belonging to the voyeuristic eye of a neon culture. Real intimacy is of the soul, and the soul is reserved.
— John O’Donohue
Eloping is a magnificent experience you will share with your love for the rest of your lives. It is deeply personal and filled with love and intimacy. Make sure that everything you do at your elopement is a representation of you and your partner. Remember, that’s why you chose to elope in the first place – to make this adventure 100% your own.
Ready to Celebrate Your Day Your Way?
Elopement Photographer Andrea Enger (Portrait by Jennifer Garza Photography)
If you’re ready to get the ball rolling to secure your photographer (slash wedding planner!) that’s great!
You can do that by filling out the form below, emailing me directly at andrea@andreaengerphotography.com, or by calling or texting me at (720) 739-0784. I look forward to hearing from you!
If you’re still in the research phase, I hear ya! Here are some more resources that my couples have found helpful. I hope you do, too!
