Dreaming up all of the potential activities to fill your wedding day with is one of the most fun parts of planning your elopement.  Starting with these activities will ultimately affect where you elope and how you plan the timeline.

While you’re brainstorming, the possibilities can feel overwhelming. Whether you prefer an adventurous and adrenaline-filled experience, or a relaxing day, there are tons of options that can make your elopement day unique. Continue reading below to see a list of various activities that you could include in your elopement to get your ideas flowing.

ELOPEMENT Ceremony ideas:

• Read personalized vows to each other. This is the most common and sacred part of traditional wedding ceremonies, as you commit your futures to each other and promise your love.
• Exchange rings. Wedding rings are a circular symbol that reflect infinity and spending forever together, but if rings aren’t your thing, maybe there is another token to symbolize your future.
• Handfasting originated as a Celtic ceremonial tradition that includes physically tying your hands to your partner to join you together, literally and figuratively.
• A Unity Ceremony can be done in a few ways. It typically includes bringing two parts or pieces together to symbolize your relationship with your partner. It can be done with types of sand, a unity candle, tying a rope, or any other thing that feels right to you.
• Read letters from each other, or from your friends and family. Sometimes, it is easier to express our deepest emotions and love through writing, and it can be a great way to include your loved ones who aren’t present.
• Washing your partner’s feet is traditionally a Christian ceremony as a symbol of both a selfless love and humility.
• Whether they be a surprise or expected, your ceremony can be a really beautiful moment to exchange gifts. I saw one bride who wrote a book to her partner that she started a few weeks into dating, when she knew he was “the one.” It was a beautiful and emotional surprise.
• It is common that a wedding ceremony ends with a first kiss, to symbolize the exciting first romantic moment of your new marriage.

When it comes to planning the activities of your wedding day, your options are endless. Start by thinking of your favorite things to do with your partner, and which of those feel most representative of your relationship. Intertwining these activities into your wedding day can make this special day more unique to you, and give you incredible memories to look back on in the future.

As you begin to plan, budget your time and leave extra room so that you aren’t rushed through the significant things you want to include. It is most important to enjoy the time you have and relax rather than feel stressed on your wedding day. You can view the How to Plan Your Elopement Timeline post for more tips on planning your day.