One of the most popular questions I get is “what does an elopement day even look like??”. And my answer is “literally anything you want!”. I’ll help you create the perfect timeline for YOU. That’s one of the great things about eloping - there really are no rules, it’s all about what you want! Of course it is always helpful to have a sample of what a timeline might look like, so here are a couple with varying times:

8 hour photography package:

4:30am Meet at the trailhead and do first look photos, hike along the Ocean Path in that pre-dawn light

5:30am Enjoy sunrise coffee and pastries on the cliffs overlooking the ocean, more exploring along the coast and trails

7:30am Morning stroll through downtown Bar Harbor (when there are waaaay fewer crowds)

8:30am-4:30pm NAP! Enjoy a slow and relaxing midday together. Maybe go for a swim!

4:30pm Meet at Airbnb for getting ready and writing vows photos

6pm Paddle and hike around Jordan Pond

7:15pm Sunset ceremony at Jordan Pond, luxury picnic with your wedding cake and champagne

8:30pm Wrap up photos for your elopement day!

*Note - if you really would love sunrise and sunset photos, but don’t love the super early wake up time consider planning your day outside of the summer! The sun rises very early here in the summer, but at much more reasonable times during the other seasons!

4 hour photography package:

4:30pm Meet at Eagle Lake to canoe

5:30pm Hike around Eagle Lake carriage roads

6:30pm Head over to Sand Beach

7:15pm Sunset ceremony on Sand Beach, go for a swim in the ocean to celebrate

8:30pm Wrap up photos for your elopement day!

And here’s what the timeline for our Acadia intimate wedding looked like:

6am Meet at trailhead, first look photos; hike Beehive

6:30am Get the first glimpe of the sun on the Beehive cliffs

7am Sunrise chai and snacks at the summit

8am Photos at Sand Beach before heading to Jordan Pond

8:30am Hike around Jordan Pond

9am-4:30pm Nap! Relax at the Airbnb. Enjoy a swim in the ocean cove nearby.

4:30pm Meet at the Airbnb for family photos

5:30pm Hike along Ocean Path towards ceremony location

7pm Sunset ceremony at Otter Cliffs with immediate family members

7:30pm Wrap up photos for our elopement day!

8pm Dinner by a local chef back at our Airbnb

We then chose to do a celebratory weekend a few days later with extended family and friends, which included a reception-like party at our Airbnb on Friday evening, weekend hikes, and wedding cake on Cadillac Mountain. You can read more about my own Acadia intimate wedding here (it’s what inspired me to become an Acadia elopement photographer!).

Your day (or days!) really can be organized however you want!