Hello my little adventurers! I wanted to write a blog post that will get sent to all of my couples before their elopement day to make sure they’re getting a 100/10 experience with me, so I compiled this list of the best ways to slow down and really, really relish your time together so that it’s truly remarkable and totally unforgettable.

Put your phones on do not disturb

Aside from the boatload of texts you’re going to get congratulating you and asking for photos, you might get an annoying email from work that you didn’t want to see or feel overwhelmed by the amount of notifications you’re seeing. Outside of taking a few selfies (which is highly encouraged!), navigating to your elopement location, and playing your favorite music, everything else can wait!

Pick a pre- or Post-elopement activity to do together

Whether you want to wake up super early just to watch the sunrise from your cabin porch or make the most delicious, bougie lunch together, you deserve to do something slowly and intentionally together. Some other ideas:

Watch your favorite comfort movie without any distractions
Mix some cocktails to take the edge off AND feel refreshed
Go for a long walk along the beach with your shoes off, just talking about your favorite moments up until now
Draw a bath or sit in the hot tub together with candles and snacks
Get out on the water in your canoe, kayak, or on a paddleboard before starting to get ready

Get ready together or plan a first look?

Either choice can be the right answer!

If you want to spend your time zipping each other’s clothes, straightening accessories, tying shoes, and finishing last minute details, think about getting ready together. You can relish your time together (and drop aaaaaaall the compliments you can come up with)!!

If you want to build a little tension and drama plus have a big reveal moment to each other, coordinate a first look before starting the rest of your elopement day. You’ll be able to spend time together letting out all your excitement after the reveal, and then join forces to take on the rest of the day!

Both options allow you to slow down and take in the moment, whether it’s separately at first or together all morning, either can be a sweet part of your day that feels easy and cozy.

Plan a romantic activity to be photographed

Of course I’m biased, but this part is my favorite!! Even doing the most simple things together can be incredible sweet and romantic (especially when I’m the one photographing it 😎) and make for amazing photos in addition to photos from the rest of your day!

Picture this:

You find a cozy corner or couch to sit together and copy your (already written) vows into your vow books for 15 minutes
You write letters to each other with your biggest dreams and hopes, to be read after your ceremony
You make coffee together over a camp stove and recline while watching the sun go down
You pack the most perfect picnic and share it on a blanket with an awesome view in front of you

Sounds incredible, right? You’ll be thanking yourselves when you get some photos in your elopement gallery that reflect you just being yourselves, I promise.

Schedule time alone

This one is especially if you have guests! Getting caught up in the whirlwind of even 5 guests can make the day fly by, and before you know it the day is ending and you feel like it ended too quickly. Schedule time away from your guests and your photographer to just BE. You can decompress, refuel, talk about what you’ve loved so far, really take in each other’s outfits, or just exist together. You’ll thank yourselves for sticking to this part of the timeline, even if the rest of it falls behind or feels rushed!

Trust your photographer (me!)

If there’s one thing I can promise you more than ANYTHING else, it’s this:

I want this day to be everything you’ve ever dreamed of.

I’ll run around in the water with you to get the shot. I’ll fix your tie when it’s a little crooked. I’ll get you comfy in front of the camera in minutes. I’ll give you my last protein bar if your energy drops off. I’ll hold your dress when you have to pee behind a tree.

My only goal for your elopement day is to make it completely unforgettable, and to photograph it as it all unfolds. I’m happy to pivot on the spot, make changes to your timeline, photograph something extra, or give you time alone if it’s gonna make your day just a little bit more special.