Eloping is such a popular choice these days with the skyrocketing costs of Weddings. What exactly is an Elopement? Elopements are typically a Marriage that takes place at a Courthouse in front of a Justice of the Peace or out in nature performed by a hired Officiant. Elopements can include just the two of you or include up to 10 friends and family members.
The beauty of Elopements is having the freedom to do whatever you want to celebrate. Either incorporating Wedding traditions or doing something completely different. There are so many fun ways to include Wedding traditions within an Elopement like a first look, first dance or enjoying a slice of wedding cake together. The fun doesn’t have to end after the Courthouse, you can make an entire day out of it. Create a list of fun things you’d like to incorporate into your Elopement day to celebrate each other and I can help you create the perfect timeline.
Because there are no rules, it can be really difficult to narrow down how you want to celebrate your Elopement, so here’s a list of fun things you can do on your Elopement day in Albany, New York (or anywhere)!
The Courthouse Elopement
Courthouse Elopements are probably the most common type of Elopement. Schedule your appointment at Courthouse of choice, invite your favorite people and have a some sort of celebration afterward. I encourage all Couples who chose a Courthouse Elopement to also incorporate fun adventures afterward to celebrate their marriage. Your Courthouse Elopement does not have to end after the I dos.
Destination Elopements:
Destination Elopements have gained popularity over the years which is so much fun. I love when Couples come from out of town to the Catskills, Finger Lakes, Adirondacks or the Green Mountains in Vermont to get married. We can come up with a really fun day of activities to celebrate you while you’re vacationing. Over the years I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to San Francisco, several mountain towns in Colorado, Seattle and all over Florida to document Destination Elopements.
Adventure Elopements:
For Couples who love adventure, the great outdoors or just want epic Elopement photos, an Adventure Elopement might be just what you’re looking for. Expect to wake before the sun rises and plan on a long hike. While I do not cater to the extreme Adventure Elopements (think helicopter to remote places or travel abroad), smaller hikes in Upstate New York and New England are preferred. Hot air balloon Elopement is on my bucket list still, so if you are considering that as part of your Elopement, sign me up!
Include your Pets (or ADOPT ONE!)
One of the best parts of choosing to elope is being able to include your fur babies. Weddings are often too chaotic to bring an anxious animal or it might be difficult with pet restrictions at your venue. Eloping allows you to have the flexibility of creating a timeline that can carve out some quality time with your cats, dogs, bunnies or alpacas.
Don’t have pets yet and ready to become pet parents? Consider adopting one on your Elopement Day! What a beautiful way to start your fur family.
Have a celebratory meal together
Whether you want to stop at your favorite fast food establishment or make a reservation at a Michelin starred restaurant, don’t forget to eat. If you don’t have a favorite spot, find something fun that matches the vibe of your Elopement Day!
Stop by a bakery for a Wedding treat
Are you even married if you don’t have cake? Spoiler alert: You don’t have to have cake! If you’re more of a donut fan or lover of ice cream cones, stop by your favorite place for sweet treats during your Elopement day.
Plan an mini adventure
Adventure does not have to mean mountains, strenuous hikes, helicopter rides or anything totally insane. Adventures can be whatever you want them to be. Just add your favorite locations and hobbies to your day and it will be an adventure!
Go for a boat ride
Whether it’s a yacht, a kayak or a water taxi, if you love boating it’s always fun to do in Wedding attire. Lucky for you, I grew up on boats so Elopements on the water are some of my favorite!
Incorporate your family or closest friends
Eloping does not mean your family or closest friends are not invited. Elopements are typically under 10 guests but that number can be flexible. Invite your best humans to celebrate you on your Elopement Day.
Check out some art together
Seeking out art or murals for your Elopement can really create some dynamic one-of-a-kind images for your gallery. In most major cities across America you can find an art district with tons of murals to have as your backdrop.
Here are a few art districts you can find in New York! You don’t have to be in NYC or Brooklyn to find interesting backdrops.
Visit your favorite thrift store
If you’re the type of Couple who enjoys thrifting, consider adding this to your Elopement timeline. How much fun would it be to have Wedding portraits in your local consignment store? If you’re brave enough you could pick out your Wedding attire for each other at your favorite second hand store a few hours before your ceremony.
Visit your local Animal Sanctuary or Aquarium
There are so many Animal Sanctuaries all over Upstate New York which offer tours or even volunteer opportunities. If you are vegan or just animal lovers, let’s get some portraits of you with some farm animals. Bonus points for supporting a sanctuary!
Volunteer together
Some good juju to start your marriage off right. Whatever kind of volunteering you are into, just do it in your Wedding attire before or after your ceremony. Building houses, feeding the hungry, working in your community garden, taking foster dogs out to lunch. The possibilities are endless.
Plant a tree together
Many Couples choose a ritual of sorts during their Wedding Ceremony such as taking a tequila shot, pouring sand together into a jar, jumping the broom or the Gaelic hand fasting. This Couple planted a tree together to plant in their yard. What a way to commemorate your Wedding Day!
Cook a meal or bake together
If you are planning an all Day adventure, consider starting with making breakfast and coffee together like this Couple. Doing things you love together to celebrate your Elopement will help relieve any anxieties or stress about being in front of the camera.
Have a picnic
Picnics are so picturesque and perfect to add into any Elopement timeline. Put together a delicious array of your favorite foods, sweets and bevys to celebrate your day in nature. Bring a basket and a blanket.
Pop a bottle for a toast
Instead of a traditional toast, end your Elopement night with a champagne spray, a perfect way to end your Elopement.
Run a race together or join a Crossfit competition
Couples who run together stay together. If you are the marathoning type of Couple this could be a really fun way to spend your Elopement Day. You could do the Courthouse celebration the day before and then run your Marathon or 10k the very next morning. These are the reasons I have multi day Elopement Collections.
Watch the sunrise or sunset
I can confirm that waking up for a sunrise Elopement ceremony is truly beautiful. If you are a lover of sunrise or sunsets definitely add this into your Elopement timeline.
Facetime your friends
If you choose to Elope sans friends and family or one of your people could not attend, hop on Facetime with them so they can still be included in your celebration.
Go camping or glamping
Make it a yearly tradition to go camping on your anniversary. I am so down to have a multi day Elopement at your campsite. Imagine having a kayaking adventure, hiking, hanging with your adventure dog, grilling tofu dogs and s’mores on the campfire. What a fun adventure your Elopement could be. The Catskills, Adirondacks or the Green Mountains would be amazing for this kind of adventure.
Play a board game, do a puzzle or a lego set together
If game night is a tradition you share together, make time to play your game together on Elopement Day. This Couple had a two day Elopement in Colorado and started day 2 with their favorite games.
Trash the Dress
If your Elopement Day is a hot summer day consider jumping into a pool or lake in your Wedding attire. Makes for such a fun chapter in your Elopement Gallery!
Visit a historic landmark
The Hudson Valley and New England boasts a lot of historic homes, architecture and landmarks that would make beautiful backdrops for your Elopement photos.
Celebrate with a beverage or a blunt
For Couples who partake in an adult beverage or adult smokes feel free to indulge. I will not partake but I am a 420 friendly Photographer!
Incorporate the Weather
Snowy elopements are on my professional bucket list. I’ve done the Tropical Storms and rainy days coming from South Florida. As a snow obsessed Photographer, please hire me for your Winter New England Elopements. Go with the flow and embrace the Weather you have on you day.
Create Art Together
Get dirty. Whether it’s painting, pottery or crafting, if it’s a hobby you enjoy doing together consider adding it into your Elopement timeline. Imagine having a painting you created together hanging in your home to honor your Wedding Day.
No matter how you choose to celebrate each other on your Elopement Day, it will be perfect. I hope that you found some inspiration and ideas to help you plan your Best Day Ever.
Tiny House Photo is an LGBTQ+ Wedding and Elopement Photographer based in Albany, New York and documenting Elopement Days all over Upstate New York and New England.
© Tiny House Photo 2012-2026
Albany and Upstate New York Elopement Photographer
