When it comes to choosing the perfect attire for your elopement, comfort, practicality, and personal style are key. Choosing what to wear for your elopement depends on a few different factors. It’s important to consider what the weather will be like, how comfortable you are, what activities you plan on doing, and to choose attire that feels like you. It is also good to take into account what clothing will look good in the landscape where you will be eloping.

Weather + Season

The time of year and expected weather at your elopement location should be the first consideration when planning your wedding attire. Weather is one of the most unpredictable factors that you will be facing with your elopement, so it is good to be overprepared.

Tips:

• Always pack extra layers as the backcountry may be colder than you anticipate.
• For colder conditions, consider wearing fleece-lined leggings under your wedding dress or adding a warm shawl, cape, or jacket for extra comfort.
• Dresses that have flowing skirts and a lot of movement can look stunning in windy conditions.

Whatever the weather ends up like, it is important to embrace the beauty of your day and have fun!

Activities + Comfortability

Your adventure elopement will likely include more than just a ceremony, so be sure to choose attire that works for the activities you will be doing on your big day.  Whether you are hiking to an epic alpine lake, or planning a more adventurous day that might include rock climbing or kayaking, the key is to wear something that allows for movement and comfort.

• Movement: If you will be hiking into your location, choose a dress or suit that is easy to move in. Try to find something that is lighter and more flexible so that you can move around more easily.
• Pack It In: If you are planning a longer hike, you can always pack your attire in and get ready on location. 
• Durability: Choose fabrics that can handle the rugged terrain at your location. Fabrics like cotton, chiffon, or other lightweight but durable materials are a good idea. Heavier satin or taffeta fabrics might be difficult to manage if you’re walking through rough, uneven terrain.

Location + Colors

Your elopement location may be the last thing on your mind when choosing attire, but it is good to think about how your outfit will look against the background. Choosing wedding attire that compliments the natural backdrop will help create stunning photos that truly capture the beauty of your day.

• Neutral Tones & Earthy Hues: In general, earth tones and neutrals photograph very well. If you want to blend in and appear cohesive with the landscape, consider colors that will match your location. To look at our Moab example again, think tans, browns, or rusty colors.
• Complimentary Colors: If you want to stand out against the landscape, take a look at complimentary colors. For instance, if you were eloping in Moab surrounded by red rocks, you might choose attire that had blue tones (blue is opposite of oranges/reds on the color wheel).
• Textures: A simple background pairs well with textured clothing. Lace details or flowy fabrics that add a touch of depth and visual interest without overwhelming the beauty of the landscape.
• Movement & Flow: Dresses that offer a lot of movement are not only going to be more comfortable, but they are going to look amazing too. Flowy fabrics and movement add an element of drama to your wedding photos. Look for soft materials like tulle or chiffon that create ethereal movement.

Shoes

An elopement day is not like a classic wedding, and comfortability and practicality are key especially when it comes to footwear. The shoes that you chose will make a huge difference in the enjoyment of your day. Once again, you will need to consider the activities that you will be doing and what shoes work best for those scenarios. Whether you’re walking to your ceremony location or hiking rugged trails, the shoes you wear need to be both comfortable and suitable for the terrain.

• Hiking Boots: Hiking boots are always a great option and actually look super cute paired with a wedding dress. Be sure to wear them around beforehand to ensure that they are broken in and comfortable.
• Sturdy, Stylish Footwear: For a less rugged wedding, comfortable flats, sandals, or dress shoes with cushioned soles are ideal for flat paths or areas where you’ll be standing during the ceremony.

Tip: Pack a second pair of shoes for your post-ceremony adventures.

Accessories

Accessories can add fun elements and variety to your wedding photos.

• Veil: Veils aren’t for everyone, but they add such a gorgeous element to your photos – especially when being swept in the wind! I always recommend a longer, cathedral-length veil so that we can use it for more creative shots.
• Bouquets: Remember in Talladega Nights when Ricky Bobby didn’t know what to do with his hands?? Having a bouquet of flowers to hold not only adds a stunning visual element, but it gives you something to work with when you don’t know what to do with your hands! Be sure to check that your location allows florals.
• Capes: If veils aren’t your thing, consider a cape! It offers a similar ethereal vibe without being attached to your hair. 

Your Personal Style

While planning out what you will wear on your wedding day, the most important thing to remember is your personal style. You want to feel like YOU! If you are uncomfortable it will affect your wedding-day experience, and will likely come through in the photos as well.

Looking to plan the ultimate adventure elopement of your dreams?

I help all of my couples with location scouting, timeline creation and management, vendor recommendations, lodging ideas, and so much more. It all starts with a quick consultation call to see if we are a good fit for working together. Reach out today!