How to Practice Being Present and Fully Experience Your Elopement Day

LOVE, LORRAINE ADVENTURE WEDDING and ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHERS

Before we jump into this blog post, we just want to say that we are not experts in mindfulness. We do, however, practice mindfulness and being present each and every day. Having lived on the road full time for a couple of years, we had to learn how to slow down and relish our experiences rather than rush around and try to cram everything we possibly could into each day. This practice has naturally found its way into our business values, and we work hard with our couples to provide them with opportunities to be present on their elopement day. As elopement planners, we help our couples create celebrations that are stress free and tailored to their wants, while considering the things that they absolutely don’t want.

What does it mean to be present?

Being present is also often referred to as being mindful, these can be used interchangeably. Being present (or mindful) is the act of living in the moment while being focused and engaged in what’s happening right now. Rather than being distracted or mentally absent, you are present. You might think to yourself “I am focused and engaged on this blog post!”. You’re off to a great start!

What does this have to do with my Elopement?

Your elopement is your celebration of love. You deserve to enjoy every moment that this day presents you with. When talking about being present on your elopement day, we are trying to keep you from saying things like “That day went by so fast, I barely got to enjoy it!”.

A few things to consider when planning your elopement and booking your photographer:

Consider booking a full day with your photographer (or multiple days!) This is your elopement day, and your entire elopement day story should be told! You are planning all of these exciting experiences and creating unforgettable memories, why would you want only part of your day documented?

Don’t think of your elopement day as an all-day photoshoot. If you have this mindset, you won’t enjoy your day at all. As adventure wedding and elopement photographers, we aren’t just photographers we are storytellers. We are there to document moments as they unfold, telling your story so you have memories to look back on.
Slow down, enjoy! Take in the moments happening around you. Soak in the scenery. Really listen to the words that your partner is sharing with you as you commit your lives to each other. This is your greatest adventure yet. Enjoy it!

Mindful Planning Tips

Leave the things you can’t control at the door.
When planning your elopement, there are going to be things that happen that are outside of your control. If you struggle to ignore things that you wish you could control, or tend to like to have full control, practice planning your elopement with flexibility in timing and logistics. This will allow you a more enjoyable experience overall! Cramming too much in a short period of time is going to lead to a more stressful experience. Your elopement is a celebration, and it doesn’t have to happen all in a single day!

Don’t worry about the weather.
The weather is one of those things you can’t control. As much as we wish we could control the weather as your photographers (trust me when I say that we do, imagine instant snow and some warm sun afterwards), we have learned that the best outcome is to go with the flow and plan ahead! You can be prepared for inclement weather, and even create a backup plan should the weather decide to completely change your original plans. As professional elopement photographers, we have experienced the weather completely taking control of the situation and causing Plan B to become a reality. The best thing you can do is plan ahead and accept that Plan B is a realistic possibility, even though most of the time, the weather won’t completely ruin Plan A. Remember, weather (rain, snow, and wind) can be the absolute best flair for your photos.

Mindful Practices To Help You Stay Present On Your Elopement Day

Start Your Day with Intention
The beginning of any day is the most important. Ensure that you are setting yourself up for success, especially in the morning before your wedding. If you are choosing to get married at sunrise, wonderful! This step is still important. Don’t oversleep, and allow yourself time (even if it’s at 2am) to get your best practices in. Maybe you like to do yoga in the morning or meditate when you first wake up. Should you have a specific routine that you like to follow, don’t underestimate the power of that routine helping you to create balance.

Seek Your Senses Throughout The Day
One of the best ways you can practice being present every day, but also on your elopement day is to seek your senses. Smell, taste, sound, touch, and sight all play a huge role in being present. Maybe it’s the smell of your morning coffee along with the bitter, chocolate, and cherry taste. The sound of the wind passing over the mountain pass, along with the nearby birds nesting in the trees. The touch of your partner's hand, or of the earth as you scramble up a small rock wall to get a better view of the beautiful place you have chosen to be in on this beautiful day. Using your senses, and becoming more aware of your surroundings is the perfect practice to be more present on your elopement day.

End Your Day with Relaxation
Imagine the best day of your life. What do you picture? Is it winding down after a day full of adventure with a nice warm bath? Maybe it’s watching your favorite movie cuddled up in bed with your partner and your pup. Recreate these cravable experiences as a part of your elopement day. Remember, there are no rules to how to plan your day, and it should be filled with the experiences you absolutely love. From cooking s’mores over a handmade campfire to hosting a movie night with family and friends, there is no wrong way to put a nightcap on your epic celebration.

How can I practice being present?

In preparation for your wedding day, there are many ways you can explore the practice of being present in your everyday life. These practices won’t only benefit your elopement experience, but they will also benefit your daily life the day you begin, and each and every day thereafter.

Use Your 5 Senses
Being present takes a lot of practice. This practice involves becoming more aware of your surroundings. Using your 5 senses is the best way to become more aware of everyday life. Things as simple as enjoying the smell and taste of your morning coffee is a great starting point. When you shower or take a bath, enjoy the warmth of the water. Maybe you have a favorite set of pajamas or a robe, feel how soft and comfortable they are. Noticing distant sounds, like the birds outside your bedroom window or the neighbors talking. All of these are great practices for using your senses to their advantage, and becoming more present in the process!

Practice Gratitude
Being grateful for the things that life offers you is a great way to practice being present, and again, you guessed it, it’s incredibly simple. Think about the things you don’t typically think about. The sun rises every morning, on time even, and allows us to live on Earth. Your friends and loved ones are close by, and even if they’re not you have access to the internet to connect with them. Where are you living currently? The roof over your head can easily be taken for granted, but shelter and a place to call “home” bring comfort to us every day. There are so many things to be grateful for. Give it a try!

Focus on Your Breath
Breathing exercises are a great way to close the door on a lot of the noise we see and hear in our current world and take some time for ourselves. Being able to breathe through difficult or stressful situations will help to keep you sane, providing you with confidence and a calmness that will help you succeed in even the worst scenarios.

If you like the sound of breathing exercises, give Meditation a try! It is a great practice to control not only your breathing but also to gain some control over your mind as it tries to wander to places you’d rather not.

Practice With Your Partner
While practicing being present by yourself is important, it is also great to include your partner in this practice!

First, think about how you spend your time together. If you enjoy working out, create a partner workout you can enjoy together. Try yoga together, prepare a meal together and make it a date night in. Rather than scrolling on your phones all evening long, play a board game or a card game! Maybe you buy a few plants to take care of or plant a garden in the yard. Whatever feels good for you and your partner, start today!

Next, consider becoming a better active listener. Allow time for conversations and give your partner your full attention. Use eye contact, ask them questions, and be empathetic when you can while validating their experience. Sometimes our partners just need us to become better listeners to deal with the toughest situations life presents us with.

Most importantly, have fun. Find joy in your time together, and find ways to laugh more together. It will not only raise anyone’s mood, but laughter is a great mental exercise and brings out the absolute best in people.

Practice, Practice, Practice

As human beings, it isn’t in our nature to be present at all times. Especially these days, as we are constantly connected to the internet with lots of distractions! It does take a lot of work to master being present, but even a little bit of practice can go a long way in creating better experiences. Keep this post in mind the next time you make plans to do something fun, and practice taking the time necessary to experience being present in the moment. As you plan your elopement, make sure to leave extra time for the things you are planning for your day. Especially around the things you are looking forward to the most! This will create less pressure, alleviating any worry of the time you have. This is your wedding day, and it deserves to be celebrated with serenity!