Elopement Timeline How to Plan

Ok, so you decided to elope, but how does an elopement day actually look like? Should you plan the timeline of the day, or just let the day unfold spontaneously? And what about the ever-changing weather of Scotland? Will that affect your plans? Let’s find out!

Elopement: planning or no planning?

Many couples elope exactly because they can’t be fussed over planning a big celebration and worrying about logistics. The beauty of elopements lies in their spontaneous nature.

You could decide to just give yourself a ceremony time and then let everything else naturally evolve around it.

But, I would still recommend making your day special somehow. Think of a nice dinner out, an adventurous hike, a sports activity, or a social gathering with locals in a pub. You don’t want to risk finishing your ceremony at 10 am, and then ask yourself: “Now what?”

However your elopement will look like, please do consider that you will need some minimal planning if you are involving a celebrant and a photographer. Give them at least a ceremony time and location.

It’s true: the beauty of elopements is their **spontaneous nature…**

If you come from abroad, I would suggest talking to your photographer or celebrant about location ideas for the ceremony, or even involve a planner who can design your day to your desires, talking to locals and finding solutions for you that might be hard to scout on the internet.

What about couples who absolutely dread planning?

For many, there is simply no time to travel all the way up to Scotland and drive to different locations, try to decide what would look best for their ceremony, guess the right time of day, how to avoid tourists, where to sleep, eat, who to rely on for the legal documents, the ceremony, and the photos!!!

I have been helping so many clients with logistics that I decided to create all-in-one, fuss-free elopement packages, complete with celebrant, photography coverage, music, location scouting and logistics planning.

If they sound like an interesting solution, go check them out :)

Planning Elopement Day timeline

You decided to go ahead and plan your elopement. There are different ways to do it, and they are all good and well. Personally, when I work for a couple, I start by defining the elopement location.

Once I get a booking, I grab my boots and walk about the area that the couple is thinking of eloping to. Pick a spot easy to reach, not too far from the car park (unless the couple is planning on hiking to a peak, which is rare), and pin the location on Google Maps or what.three.words.

This is important because, depending on your location, you will select the correct council to send your marriage application to.

Define Logistics

The next step is calculating travel and time logistics: how far is your accommodation? How will you get to your ceremony location? And do you need to involve other suppliers (hair and make-up artists, for example) for the morning preparations?

All these elements will influence your prep time and, therefore, determine at what time you will most likely be able to have your ceremony.

If you have picked a popular location, like Glencoe, to elope, you have to think the other way around: what time can I have a quiet ceremony before hordes of tourists block all the parking spots?

Morning prep notes: consider a couple of hours (at least) to get your make-up on, your hair done, and into your dress. Especially if you have guests, this time can even almost double!

If your photographer is taking photos from the morning, speak to them beforehand about start times and who is getting ready, and they will work around you.

Even for elopements, the morning prep can be a bit nerve-wracking: after all, you are about to be wedded! It’s SUUPER important to select a photographer who feels like a friend and can calm nerves.

Time for Portraits

Ok great, so you have the location, logistics, and ceremony time in place. What to do after the ceremony?

Schedule some time for “just married” portraits with your photographer. They are usually very emotional portraits, as everything has just happened, and emotions are heightened.

The Elopement Afternoon

Lunch can be a great next-on-the-list: I don’t know about you, but around 1 p.m., I’m starving! It’s good to schedule a break and restore your energy, especially after being outside and exposed to the elements.

What about the afternoon? Some couples decide to have only half-day photography coverage, leaving the afternoon free for explorations or a fun activity.

Some others prefer a bit of an adventure and to document what’s going to happen. And some others decide to organise their elopement only in the second half of the day, having a slow and relaxed start of the day!

Find an activity you’ve always postponed, and book it. Or reserve a table at a fancy restaurant, book a sauna, or an adventurous activity.

It’s your wedding day, and you eloped for a reason. Make it special!!

If you can’t be stressed with all this planning, and just want a relaxed, bespoke elopement in a fantastic location, I can take care of everything for you, including your photography, booking a celebrant, and a bagpiper. Have a peek at my Scotland elopement destinations here.

Elopement Timeline Example

7 am: breakfast, slowly waking up in your accommodation before getting ready in separate rooms

8 am: HMUA arrives. The bride gets her hair and make-up done, while the photographer snaps some pictures. Groom gets in kilt/wedding attire

9:30 am: first look outside your accommodation, before heading to the ceremony location in one car

10:30 am: ceremony by the ruins on an historical loch up North in Scotland. The bagpiper accompanies you to the ceremony location with the haunting notes of the pipe.
Personal vows exchanged, followed by the handfasting tradition and drinking from the Quaich.

11:15 am: You’ve signed the papers and are now husband and wife!! Whohoo! As the bagpipe notes resonate once again, some light mist starts drizzling, making your Scottish wedding truly magical.

Just married portraits sheltered by lovely, clear umbrellas, or perhaps while getting soaked in the fresh rain.

12:30 pm: a lovely lunch starts your afternoon. You planned for a short hike to arrive at a stunning viewpoint.

3 pm: take the views in, before beginning your descent. Your photographer hiked with you and took some stunning sunset photos.

6 pm: end the day with a quiet dinner, just the two of you, or head to a local pub still in your wedding attire and mingle with the locals!