So you’re planning an elopement, already obsessed with that for you! You’ve carved out a day that’s all about the two of you, and now you’re wondering how to fill it with moments that actually feel meaningful? Spoiler: you don’t need a 6-mile hike or a packed timeline to make it special! You just need you two, a handful of intentional choices, and maybe one or two surprises that make you stop and say, “Wait… this is the best day ever.” Here are 7 dreamy elopement activities to add to your day, full of connection, fun, and memories that go way beyond the ceremony. (And not a single one involves hiking boots.)

Dreamy Elopement Activities

#1 Ride a Gondola for the Views And the Moment

If you want that “on top of the world” feeling without sweating your way up a mountain, gondola rides are such a dreamy option. Picture this: you and your partner floating above treetops, the wind gently tugging at your hair, mountains stretching out in every direction. You can bring a little picnic up there, read vows at the summit, or just sit in the quiet together, soaking it all in. Places like Estes Park and Keystone have these gorgeous scenic lifts that make the moment feel effortless and cinematic. No hiking gear necessary, just each other!

#2 Make a Midday Stop for Coffee or Pie (Or Both)

There’s something so grounding about grabbing a table for two at a cozy café or local diner in the middle of your elopement day. Maybe it’s your favorite go-to spot, or maybe you stumble into somewhere beautiful and unexpected. You slide into a booth in your wedding clothes, order pie, and laugh about how surreal and perfect everything feels. This is the kind of pause that makes your day feel real, like you’re not just posing for photos, but living your love story in the most everyday-beautiful way!

#3 Get a Wedding Day Tattoo

Tiny, meaningful, spontaneous, or pre-planned, wedding day tattoos are such a cool way to mark the moment. Whether you go for matching designs, personal symbols, or a little word that holds a lot of meaning, the process itself becomes part of the day! You walk into a Denver studio in your wedding attire, hands clasped, nervous and giddy, and walk out with a forever reminder. It’s less about the ink and more about how it makes you feel like you’ve left your mark on the day, and each other!

#4 Rent a Vintage Car and Just… Drive

Want to romanticize the heck out of your elopement day? Get behind the wheel of a vintage convertible or a classic pickup, crank your favorite playlist, and hit the road. Take a drive through the mountains, roll the windows down, and let the freedom of the moment wash over you. Pull off at scenic overlooks for kisses and photos, or just park somewhere quiet and be together. There’s something about moving through the day literally, that gives you time to reflect, laugh, cry, and just be. It’s not a photoshoot. It’s a memory in motion.

#5 Pop Into a Local Bookstore or Record Shop

There’s something extra special about building in a little unscripted moment, especially when it means ducking into a place that feels like home. Whether you’re sifting through vintage vinyl or flipping open old hardcovers, these little in-between stops bring so much character to your day. Maybe you find your wedding song on a dusty record, or a book with a title that makes you laugh. Maybe you write a love note and tuck it between the pages for someone else to find. These kinds of moments make your elopement feel less like a timeline and more like a treasure hunt.

#6 Paddle Out on a Mountain Lake

No hiking needed for this one, just a sense of calm and maybe a little sunblock. If your elopement is near a lake (hello, Lake Estes or Grand Lake), rent a canoe or paddleboard and head out together. It’s quiet, it’s peaceful, and it’s stunning. You can bring a speaker for music, pack a little snack or two, or just float in silence, watching the light shift over the water. It’s one of those moments that slows everything down. Just you, your person, the still water, and this big, beautiful love!

#7 Soak Under the Stars

There’s no better way to end the night than slipping into a hot tub or private soaking tub under the stars, with champagne in hand and that post-elopement glow still lingering on your skin. Whether you’re tucked away at a cabin with a view or heading to a nearby hot spring, this is your time to unwind, reconnect, and just let it all land. You said your vows, you laughed your faces off, maybe you cried a little, now it’s just the two of you, wrapped in warmth, under a sky full of stars. Honestly? That’s the dream!

Ready To Incorporate Any Of These Activities To Your Dream Elopement Day? 

Kiella Lawrence | Denver Elopement Photographer

Your elopement can be anything. A little weird. A little wild. Thoughtful, untraditional, quiet, joyful, or all of the above! Whether you’re popping into a record store or floating across a lake, these dreamy elopement activities are just little ways to stretch the joy out, to make space for the magic to unfold naturally. You don’t need a rigid timeline or a Pinterest-perfect plan. You just need the two of you, and a few intentional choices that feel right in your bones. If you’re dreaming of a day like that, I’m here for it. Let’s make it real! If you want to learn more about me and what I do, click here. Can’t wait to hear from you!