While most people think that eloping means you can’t incorporate wedding traditions into your big day, the reality couldn’t be further from the truth. When you marry the person you love, your day is broken up into ‘mini events’, without them your day may not feel like a marriage at all – that’s why we’ve put together this guide on how to include symbolic traditions in elopements.

Just because you’ve chosen to elope, doesn’t mean you should forgo these ‘mini events’ and wedding traditions that have a personal significance to both of you. Here’s our short list to blend timeless wedding traditions for elopements that still honour family or cultural customs while keeping that adventurous spirit alive.

When you read through our list of wedding traditions to keep for your elopement, remember you’re completely free to add in any others that take your fancy! The more little moments you include, the more memorable and personal your day will be

1. Walking Down The Aisle

Classic wedding rituals for small ceremonies like this one are so easy to include and adapt to the style of your day. You may not be walking down the aisle of a church, but that doesn’t mean you can’t walk down a fully natural aisle – and who wouldn’t want that!?

Not only will you still get your moment to walk towards the one you love, but you’ll also have another way to show how nature has played a part in your big day – this is easily one of the most meaningful rituals for adventure elopements.

2. Cutting The Cake & Champagne Toasts

This is one of those elopement ideas with a traditional twist. Maybe you don’t have the big cake anymore, or maybe you do (we don’t blame you!) – either way, there’s something very special about cutting (and eating!) cake together in a forest. It’s a pretty surreal moment, and definitely one you’ll both look back on in years to come. And, our trusty 4×4 ‘Merlin’ will be able to bring your cake to wherever it needs to go, no matter how big it is! 

We’re also going to include a champagne toast in this one. We love champagne, if you feel the same, there’s no reason not to include it! Popping champagne at a wedding, big or small, represents the exciting beginning of a new chapter together — and with abundance as the champagne overflows! 

3. Guests (And A Party) Down the Track

If you’re looking to elope in South West Australia, this might be the one tradition people miss the most. However, we’re here to tell you that there’s nothing wrong with keeping your ceremony a private occasion between the two of you, but also arranging for a massive party down the road with your guests and loved ones waiting to celebrate with you. It’s the best of both worlds with zero stress at a fraction of the cost.

4. The First Everything

Just because you’re spending this time together absolutely does not mean that you need to skip those precious first moments – these can be some of the most timeless customs for intimate elopement ceremonies. 

Of course, you can still have your first look, that only takes the two of you anyway! Then there’s the first dance – is there anything more romantic than taking that first dance with your love surrounded by nothing but nature itself? 

This also goes for cultural wedding rituals in elopements. You could put your own unique spin on traditions such as the old German custom of sawing a log in half in your first task as a married couple, working together to overcome your first obstacle! Whether you’re tying the knot with a pagan hand-tying ceremony (which is where “tying the knot” comes from!) or doing a classic ring exchange (a simple, yet meaningful lifelong symbol), there’s no need to skip out on traditions. Some of our couples who don’t have rings often incorporate the hand-tying ceremony as it represents unity!

5. The Bridal Party

When we talk about how to incorporate traditions into modern elopements, having a bridal party might not be first on the list, but having some of your nearest and dearest join you on your special day is a wedding tradition we think is more than alright to include.

Keeping your numbers ultra low retains the adventurous undertone, but allows you to share it with a very small handful that matter the most.

6. Start Your Own Tradition!

This is easily our favourite of the bunch, start your own unique wedding tradition that you can repeat every year on your anniversary! The sky really is the limit here, and it’ll mean something different for every couple.

Running up the closest hill with each other’s walking boots? Cracking open that bottle of champagne with your ski helmets on? Ebony & Will decided to toast their love with the dregs of a bottle of a bottle of Bundaberg rum, which had been sitting in the back of the drinks cabinet since their first date, back when they were poor students!! (Nea and Victor brought their own special glasses to toast with, and they’re going to use them to toast every year on their anniversary)! Takara and Tom decided to go for a wild swim in Yeagarup Lake to finish their special day off — they’re planning a visit and swim there every anniversary! Whatever you choose, this is going to be the most timeless tradition of all, and certainly the most meaningful.

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Still unsure what to leave in and what to exclude from your day? Get in touch with us to start planning your adventure elopement, and we’ll help you out with every detail — from which traditions to include, and which don’t make the cut!