If you’re looking for the perfect place to elope, look no further than Virginia—a state with a little bit of everything, from mountains to beaches to historical charm. But where do you even start in planning your Virginia elopement?
I get it. As a Virginia elopement photographer, I know that you’re not planning a traditional wedding, but that doesn’t mean the elopement planning process is necessarily easy for you either! This blog post will help you feel more confident about planning your elopement day because it showcases an example of an 8 hour Virginia elopement timeline from a REAL couple’s day.
Christina & PJ’s Secret and Intimate Virginia Elopement Day
Christina and PJ drove in from eastern Virginia to elope in Roanoke and they did so without telling anyone in their family (how much more elopement can you get?). Neither of them had visited Roanoke before (or even heard of it before coming across my website!). They were very excited about eloping in Roanoke because it was a city that still had a small town charm with easy access to nature (bonus points for the mountains!). You can get inspiration from their Virginia elopement for your Virginia wedding as we walk through their timeline! If you are interested in getting married in Virginia, you can learn more about that process here.
The Virginia Elopement Timeline
For a traditional wedding, it’s standard to have 8+ hours of photography. And while I know y’all aren’t planning a traditional wedding, your elopement day is still your wedding day. Just because you’ve decided to elope instead of hosting a large wedding doesn’t mean your special day automatically gets demoted.
Your elopement should be fun and genuinely reflect who you two are and what activities and things are most important to you. Your elopement is an opportunity to reconnect with yourselves and your surroundings, whether that’d be the natural environment, your select group of friends and family you chose to celebrate with, or both! You deserve an epic and carefree day!
If you’re looking for support with planning your customized elopement timeline and documenting your Virginia elopement, you can inquire here. Check out what your elopement day could look like with this timeline, then discover more Virginia elopement planning resources!
Getting Ready At Fire Station One Boutique Hotel: 4-5:30am
Christina and PJ’s wedding day began in the early morning hours, long before the sun made its appearance. At 3am, Christina and PJ were already up and getting ready for what would be one of the most special days of their lives. The atmosphere was filled with a ton of excitement.
When I walked into their hotel room at Fire Station One around 3:45am, I was delighted to find Christina already getting started on hair and makeup. I took PJ out of the room to snap some photos of him in the Bunkroom. When I was wrapping up with PJ, Christina left an envelope with his name on it on the bar counter.
PJ sat down to read the note and was brought to tears — happy ones, of course! I can tell he was so excited to marry her. PJ then went to the car to start packing up for their ceremony and picnic while I snapped photos of Christina on the iconic and antique stairwell at Fire Station One.
First Look and Sunrise Portraits at Mill Mountain Star: 6-7am
As the sky began to lighten, we made our way to Mill Mountain Park for Christina and PJ’s first look and ceremony. This moment was filled with anticipation and raw emotion. PJ stood with his back turned as Christina approached. When he finally turned around, his face lit up, and he did a full 360-degree walk around his stunning wife-to-be, taking in every detail of her look.
The two got very emotional and teary-eyed and PJ kept saying things like “wow”, “this is perfect”, “you look so beautiful” to Christina. They took in the moment together while overlooking the Roanoke city skyline and the Blue Ridge Mountains. This intimate moment set the tone for the rest of the day, filled with joy and love.
Intimate Ceremony at Mill Mountain Overlook: 7-7:30am
After their first look, it was time for their ceremony. The sky remained cloudy but you still saw some golden hues to the right from the almost complete sunrise. As the pair exchanged their rings, both Christina and PJ couldn’t hold back their tears of joy.
Their officiant guided them through their promises, and when it was time for their first kiss as husband and wife, there wasn’t a dry eye around. The overlook provided a breathtaking backdrop, making their union even more unforgettable. I instructed them to take in this moment however they liked while I stepped away with the officiant for a few moments.
Breakfast Picnic at Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden: 7:30-9:00am
Following the ceremony, the couple headed to Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden for a delightful breakfast picnic. The setting was perfect—surrounded by blooming flowers, the soft morning light, and a babbling man-made pond. They enjoyed a spread of their favorite breakfast foods, taking a moment to relax and savor the first few hours of their marriage. This picnic was not just a meal, but a celebration of their love for nature and each other, creating a serene and beautiful start to their day.
Midday Break
After their picnic, they returned to their hotel and I went home for our midday break. Christina and PJ elected to do a split 8 hour elopement day, which means they were able to have their day take over two chunks of time within a single day. In their case, their elopement day was split into 5 hours of morning coverage and 3 hours of evening coverage.
They wanted to maximize their time together during sunrise and sunset to take in “golden hour”. Golden hour is that special period of time just after sunrise or before sunset when the light is nice and warm, usually featuring red and gold tones, which typically results in the best photo moments. It also came in handy for naps after waking up so early to catch the sunrise for their ceremony!
However, you can also do a continuous 8 hour elopement day and, in fact, that’s more common for couples to do. This still allows you to experience a full day of adventure, with time to explore multiple locations, linger around at your favorite spots, and still capture all the key moments—from getting ready and exchanging vows to your first dance and cake cutting. A continuous 8 hour elopement day is ideal for couples who want a full day to explore and enjoy their surroundings, making it a popular choice for those seeking a memorable day without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
Dinner at Cedar’s Lebanese Restaurant: 5-6:30pm
After our midday break, the festivities continued in the evening with dinner at Cedar’s. Known for its amazing Mediterranean cuisine, Cedar’s was a fitting choice for Christina and PJ, who share a deep love for this type of food. Walking hand in hand through downtown Roanoke to reach the restaurant, the newlyweds were greeted with cheers and congratulations from nearby towns folk. This public acknowledgment of their private celebration added a fun and communal touch to their intimate day.
Wine Tasting + Cake Cutting at Well Hung Vineyard: 6:30-7:30pm
The evening continued with a wine tasting and cake cutting at Well Hung Vineyard. The cozy, yet upscale atmosphere of the vineyard was perfect for this intimate gathering. Christina and PJ enjoyed sampling a variety of wines, savoring each sip as they reminisced about their journey together.
Once they finished their wines, it was time for their cake cutting. They were very eager to eat their white chocolate lime cake. When they shared their first bite together, they both looked at each other wide eyed and PJ broke the silence and said “I’m so mad I haven’t had this cake sooner!” which made us all laugh. The cake cutting was a sweet highlight, symbolizing their new life together. Their favorite wines and the delectable cake made for a delightful end to their evening.
Pictures with Downtown Roanoke Mural: 7:30-8:00pm
To cap off their unforgettable day, Christina and PJ posed for a wedding announcement photo in front of a vibrant Roanoke mural, one of many in the city. This photo opp was a fun and creative way to announce their marriage to the world. The mural’s colorful backdrop highlighted the joy and excitement of their day. Holding their “Just Married” sign, they captured a moment that was both unique and deeply personal.
Rain Pivot
Originally, from 7:30-8:00pm, we were set to pop champagne and have their first dance at Peter Pan Park, a cute spot just up the street from Well Hung Vineyard that would’ve given them views of the surrounding Elmwood Park while lending them more privacy. However, when unexpected rain hit, we adjusted by staying longer at Well Hung Vineyard to keep the vibes going.
Even with a little pivot, Christina and PJ’s day was filled with so much fun and unforgettable memories. That’s the beauty of an 8 hour Virginia elopement day–flexibility and joy no matter what. Check out more photos from Christina and PJ’s Virginia elopement day here.
Are you excited to start planning your Virginia elopement?
If so, let’s get started with crafting a day that feels authentic to y’all! If we haven’t met yet, my name is Cameron (she/her) and I’m a Virginia elopement photographer and partial planner. I’d be absolutely honored to help you plan and document your elopement day!
Reach out to me today to schedule your free consultation call! Let’s turn your dream elopement into a reality. Curious about my packages and pricing options? Head over to my pricing page for more information. I can’t wait to hear from you and help you bring your vision to life!
More Resources for your Virginia elopement
Are y’all in need of more planning help? I’ve got ya covered! Check out some of my free elopement planning resources below:
