One of the best parts of choosing to have an elopement is that it opens up the freedom to do literally *whatever* you want for your day, and that including your official wedding ceremony! After photographing and planning over 200 elopements I’ve seen my far share of ceremonies and thought it was about time I compile a list of some of the most unique elopement ceremony ideas! Feel free to copy one of these ideas for your elopement day or make it your own! 

If you’ve had a unique elopement ceremony that you’d love to share to fellow elopers, comment it below! I’d love to hear it and pass it along!

Nighttime Candlelit Ceremony

We are starting off with the most rare elopement ceremony I’ve ever seen and that’s one that takes place in the dark! This couple wanted to share a very intimate ceremony once the trail was empty so we waited until it was almost completely black out! We brought battery powered candles of varying sizes, as well as fairy lights! These two got legally married back at home so there wasn’t an officiant. They exchanged vows, rings, and then a kiss to seal the ceremony. Believe it or not, the experience was even more MAGICAL in person! 

Butterfly Release Ceremony

This couple decided to include the release of butterflies in their elopement ceremony for their representation of new beginnings and their ability to bring wishes to heaven! Their officiant spoke kind words and wishes for the butterflies and the couple worked together to open the box to watch them fly! 

Time Capsule Ceremony

Have you ever thought of making a time capsule for your future selves to open? I loved this ceremony so much! The couple said their vows and exchanged their rings as normal but then decided to include letters to their future selves as well as their favorite whiskey for them to sip while they opened the letters in 10 years!

Wine/Alcohol Mixing Ceremony

Are you and your partner big fans of wine? This could be the ceremony for you! These two brides mixed their two favorite wines together to create a wine specifically for their wedding union! Feel free to get create and mix different types and unique flavors. You can also make this your own by making a unique mixed drink for you two to enjoy after the ceremony!

Sand Mixing Ceremony

Are you inspired by the desert or the beach? Grab two different colors of sand and take turns pouring some into a larger jar. The symbolism behind this is that once you mix the sands together you can no longer separate the two, making it a good representation of marriage! 

Want some more? Here is a bonus Unique Elopement Ceremony Idea:

Self Solemnization Ceremony

You may be wondering what the heck this means and what it can look like for your day! This kind of elopement ceremony should be reserved for couples eloping with just themselves and no guests (but feel free to have your furry friend be your officiant!). Some states like Colorado don’t require an officiant to sign your marriage license. If you are eloping in a state where they don’t allow that, don’t worry! There is a way to get around that! A lot of elopement photographers are legally ordained (including me!!) so we can say the legal stuff and sign your marriage license. 

A self-solemnization style elopement ceremony is led by the two partners. That means you two will exchange your vows, rings, and a kiss at your own leisure. This is very laid back so you can take your time and express your emotions fully! This is a really great option for couples who are more reserved and may not want to have anyone hear their vows 🙂 

Arizona Elopement Photo & Video Packages

• Offering 4 hour, 6 hour, 8 hour, 10 hour, and 2 day Packages
• Unlimited planning assistance including help with locations, timeline building, permit help, wedding licenses, & more.
• Exclusive list of location ideas for your elopement
• Custom day of timeline & itinerary 
• Online gallery with your epic photos with personal printing rights
• The option to have me sign off as your ordained officiant if you want to a completely private, just the two of you elopement.
• The option to add on my awesome, adventurous ordained officiant Ira to your package. 
• No travel fees since I’m a local!!

Photo Only Packages Beginning at $4500

Photo & Video Packages Beginning at $7000

Contact Us Now to Start Planning Your Arizona Elopement!

Meet Caitlyn and Chad, your dream Arizona Elopement Photographer & Videographer Team!

Hello!! We are the Wilder West Team! We are a husband and wife photo video team based in sunny Sedona, Arizona. Caitlyn is the lead photographer and your personal elopement guide aka elopement wizard, question-answerer, location scouter, and designated hype woman. Chad is the lead videographer who you can expect to supply all the dad jokes, carrier of the Mary Poppins backpack, and mountain goat to get all the rad shots! We’ve been lucky enough to call this place our home for the past 5 years, going on 100+ adventures with couples from all over the world. 

We’d love to show you around our home & help you plan your dream Arizona elopement experience.

We believe that all couples deserve to have an adventurous and meaningful wedding experience that reflects them and their love. Let’s work together to design your “best day” from start to finish. We can’t wait to hear all about what you are dreaming for your elopement experience so we can work together to make it happen seamlessly and care free.

Learn more about us!