As an Elopement Photographer based in Shenandoah National Park, one of my specialties is creating 2 Hour Hiking Elopement Timelines. Not only do I enjoy helping couples make them, but I have also become a bit of a self-proclaimed pro!
If you are looking to build the perfect 2 Hour Hiking Timeline, then pull up a chair, and let’s get started.
the importance of having a timeline for your hiking elopement
As alternative weddings become more popular, there has been a bit of a misconception floating around. This myth is that elopements don’t need to have timelines created for them. I am here to tell you that just isn’t the case.
Although it isn’t a “traditional” wedding, knowing when and where things will be taking place is extremely important and necessary — ESPECIALLY WHEN HIKING IS INVOLVED.
Most hiking elopements begin at sunrise or sunset which means you need to act promptly to ensure you don’t miss your timeslot.
When you have an outline of when you need to start and stop, everything just runs so much more smoothly. Not only that, but you also are able to experience everything more deeply and fully.
HAVING A 2 HOUR HIKING ELOPEMENT TIMELINE ALLOWS YOU TO FOCUS ON THE LOVE YOU AND YOUR SOON-TO-BE SPOUSE SHARE WITHOUT THE STRESS OF EVERYTHING ELSE.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of a better way to experience my wedding day than that.
IDEAS FOR YOUR 2 HOUR HIKING
ELOPEMENT TIMELINE
2 HOUR SUNRISE HIKING ELOPEMENT
Before we began crafting your delicate timeline, there are a couple of things that I feel important to mention.
Choose a hike that is 3oish minutes there and back. In this timeframe, make sure to include stopping to take photos every now and again. I’d shoot for a 1-miler just to be safe!
Find out what time sunrise is and work from there. You will normally want to start hiking around 45 minutes BEFORE sunrise.
SAMPLE 7am Sunrise TIMELINE
6:15 AM | MEET AT TRAILHEAD (bring headlamps or lanterns for cool photos during the dark hike)
6:45 AM | ARRIVE AT SUMMIT + FINISH DETAILS
7:00 AM | INTIMATE CEREMONY
7:15 AM | ENJOY ELOPEMENT ACTIVITIES
7:45 AM | BEGIN DESCENT + TAKE FINAL PHOTOS
8:15 AM | END HIKE + PHOTO COVERAGE
2 HOUR SUNSET HIKING ELOPEMENT
Similar to sunrise, sunset hiking elopements have certain stipulations that you will probably want to abide by when creating your timeline.
Keep your hike to about 1 mile in length. This ensures that you have enough time to make it up (and back) in a decent amount of time while stopping to take photos along the way.
Determine what time sunset is and go from there. You normally want to start hiking 1 hour and 30 minutes BEFORE sunset.
SAMPLE 8pm Sunset TIMELINE
6:30 PM | MEET AT TRAILHEAD
7:00 PM | ARRIVE AT SUMMIT + FINISH DETAILS
7:15 PM | INTIMATE CEREMONY
7:30 PM | ENJOY ELOPEMENT ACTIVITIES
8:00 PM | SUN SETS + BEGIN DECENT (bring lanterns or headlamps for light, but also for cool after-sunset photos!)
8:30 PM | END HIKE + PHOTO COVERAGE
MEET YOUR SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK PHOTOGRAPHER AND TIMELINE EXTRAORDINAIRE
Hi, I am Gabrielle!
I am a storyteller.
Humor & stories are my love languages.
Rainy days are my sunny days.
The wind is always preferred.
Need help creating your 2 hour hiking elopement timeline for your Shenandoah National Park wedding?
