Being an Elopement Photographer based in Shenandoah National Park, I am constantly being asked one question more than any others. This question is, “GABRIELLE, HOW CAN I MAKE MY ELOPEMENT SPECIAL?”
8 Meaningful Ceremony Ideas for your Adventure Elopement in Shenandoah National Park
When you're planning an elopement, the ceremony can be the most important part of the day, but it can be hard to decide what to do when you’re planning all on your own (and have every option out there!) You want to choose something that is meaningful and special to you as a couple, but have no idea where to start.
If you're looking for some ideas, I've got you covered! Here’s a list of some of my favorite elopement ceremonies I’ve seen!
Still trying to figure out where to elope? How about Shenandoah National Park! This Virginia Park offers stunning mountain views and peaceful forests that are easy to access from Skyline Drive, with less crowds than other National Parks. No matter where you decide to go, I hope these ideas help you create the perfect ceremony for your adventure elopement!
1.
Handfasting.
This is one of the most popular ceremonies I've seen and one of my personal favorites. You can even personalize this even more by having family members choose the color of the ribbons used, buying from a local artisan (or on Etsy), choosing colors that have deeper meaning, or getting ribbon with a quote on it.
2.
Write your own vows.
A huge plus is buying keepsake books so you can save your vows and look back on them.
3.
Blend wine to drink.
A fun and different way to include two-becoming-one.
4.
Ask a friend to officiate.
Even if they can’t officially or legally marry you, you might have a friend who has a lot of meaning to your relationship. Maybe they are also great at speaking or coming up with ceremony ideas.
5.
A combination of prayers and poems.
Create an entire ceremony together. Pick out prayers, poems, readings, vows, and write them all out on print outs that you can read through together with sections that you read to eachother.
6.
Write a song or play an instrument.
7.
Receive Communion with Eucharist and Wine.
8. Incorporate Your Heritage.
Anna and Daniel included a lot of small traditions from their individual backgrounds, one of which was a Ukrainian tradition of standing on a Rushynk (an embroidered cloth) that Anna’s grandmother gave them for their ceremony.
The embroidered rushynk symbolizes purity as well as hope that the newlywed couple will never face poverty or hard times. The saying goes “may the couple never stand on a bare dirt floor.”
Almost every Ukrainian wedding ceremony will see the couple step on the embroidered cloth before they take their vows. Traditionally the one who steps first will be the leader in couple. It seems that the groom almost always lets the bride step on the cloth first, a gesture that is both respectful and endearing.
