7 Tips for Picking Your Dream Adventure Elopement Dress

Dreaming about what your dress is going to look like at your adventure elopement?! I get it—picking your dress has got to be one of the most fun parts of planning your special day, and it’s something a lot of people anticipate for years before they even get engaged. So I’m here to give you my best tips on how to choose your adventure elopement dress, because the process is going to be a little different than it would be for a traditional wedding dress! 

Without further ado, here are 7 things you’ll definitely want to consider when dress shopping for your adventure elopement.

7 Things to Consider When Picking Your Adventure Elopement Dress

1. Prioritize comfort above all else

First, and probably most importantly, you should always prioritize comfort over style when it comes to eloping outdoors. Whether your day involves a long hike in the mountains or a quick walk through a forest, it’s going to be super important that you’re able to move about freely, without any restrictions caused by your clothing, in order to keep you safe and, well, comfortable. The last thing we want is for you to be making your way up a steep incline, stepping over massive rocks that jut out from the earth below, only to find your dress caught on one because you couldn’t quite extend your leg enough to get around it.

To avoid running into any issues like this, try performing all of the following actions when trying on your elopement attire:

• Walk normally
• Sitt in different positions—criss cross, with your legs out, up on a chair, on the ground, etc.
• Climb over a pretend rock/log—you’ll have to play make believe with this one, haha
• Twirl around
• Reach your arms out in front of you, and above your head
• Pretend to trip on something, and make sure you can catch yourself with your arms
• Do some low knees (not quite high knees, but pretend you’re stepping over something)

I know that some of these might seem silly (and you will def look silly doing them in the middle of a bridal shop, but let’s be honest, nobody will care!), but I promise it’ll be worth it when you get to that moment where you have to climb over a log, or reach your arm high above your head to move a tree branch out of the way—and you’re able to do it without ripping anything, or feeling discomfort. 

2. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box

Who says you need a white elopement dress? I mean, maybe some ancient famous person made it up as a rule and told us we all need to follow it for the next few centuries. . . but who cares what they think? 😉 

When it comes to picking your dream dress, don’t be afraid to get creative with it and play around with different colors, patterns, lengths, and non-traditional materials. I’ve seen SO many gorgeous elopement gowns that offer a more unique and personalized look, from vibrant pink dresses with layers upon layers of fluffy tulle, to elegant gowns with an off-white base & pale blue floral patterns. 

Want to add a little extra touch to your attire? Consider adding a flowy cape, detachable sleeves, a cozy shawl, or maybe a leather/denim jacket for a more cool and casual look!

And if a dress just doesn’t feel like your vibe, definitely allow yourself to explore other options, too. There are all kinds of incredible skirts, jumpsuits, blazers, trousers, and more out there that would make for a gorgeous adventure elopement outfit! Skirts are also a great alternative if you find yourself preferring a two-piece look rather than one full dress; you can play around with different colors, patterns, materials, etc. to really show off your best self and your fashion sense.

3. Pay attention to materials

I know that the first things you’ll look at when picking a dress are probably the color, pattern, and design, but it’s super important to also pay attention to the material it’s made up of. First and foremost, we want to make sure you choose a material that won’t leave you feeling itchy or uncomfy in your own skin—but the material of your dress also has a big impact on your temperature throughout your elopement day.

If you’re eloping somewhere warm, you might consider a dress made up of more breathable, lightweight fabric; for example, chiffon, charmeuse, organza, or tulle. These fabrics will not only help keep you cooler in hot temperatures; they’ll also make it easier to move around and will look super smooth + beautiful when you do!

Need something a little warmer? Opt for a medium to heavy-weight dress with thicker materials such as satin or georgette. Keep in mind that if a dress is too heavy, it’s not going to be easy to move around in when you’re outside—so adding warm layers and accessories is another great way to keep warm while avoiding a dress that you feel restricted in.

4. Layers are your BFF

Continuing that last point, you’re definitely going to want to rely on layers when picking your adventure elopement dress. This will be especially important if you’re eloping somewhere with cooler temperatures OR a place where the temperatures can rise and fall rapidly, such as the desert or the mountains. Packing stylish, functional layers will be key to ensuring you stay warm and cozy even in chillier weather, or when that mountain breeze picks up unexpectedly as soon as the sun sets!

Here are a few layers and warming accessories that I recommend bringing with you:

• Fleece/wool leggings
• Gloves, mittens, hats
• Electric hand warmers
• Body warmers
• Body warmers
• Long thermal socks to wear under your hiking boots
• Rain shell
• Fleece jacket

5. Pick appropriate shoes for the terrain

So this isn’t technically about your dress. . . it’s about what you’ll be wearing underneath (not your underwear though, lol): your shoes! Picking the right footwear is just as important, if not more, than picking the right dress, as you’ll need shoes that can safely take you through whatever terrain you’ll be exploring on your elopement day. You can totally wear one pair of shoes for your hike/adventure and then change for your ceremony, if you want to, but overall, here are a few tips to help you choose appropriate footwear:

• Hiking boots will be your best friend, whether you’re hiking a mile or ten!
• Avoid dress shoes that have smooth bottoms; you’ll need grip
• Prioritize function over form (aka don’t wear your cute heels if they won’t carry you safely + comfortably to your destination)
• If you’ll be somewhere with snow or ice, bring traction spikes

6. Plan for your activities

When picking the style of dress you’re looking for, consider the activities you’ll be doing on your elopement day, and what physical activity you’ll need to be able to do comfortably. 

Will you be hiking? Make sure to pick a dress that you can walk and climb up a hill in.

Do you want to go on a bike ride in your dress? Pick one with a loose, flowy skirt that has plenty of space for you to move around in.

Want to kayak on a lake at sunset? Find one that you can sit in comfortably and that will allow you to paddle your oars with ease.

Be realistic about what you’ll be comfortable wearing while doing your elopement day activities, and find a dress that won’t limit you anywhere along the way.

7. Go in with an open mind

This is less of a practical tip and one that has more to do with your mindset: try to go into the dress shopping process with as OPEN of a mind as you can. I know it’s easy to have specific visuals already prepared in your head of exactly the dress you want to find; maybe you’ve had images of your dream dress saved on Pinterest since you were 10 years old. While that is all totally amazing and an important part of finding a dress you absolutely love, it’s also good to remember that you won’t know what’s out there until you look!

Don’t be afraid to try on a ton of different dresses, to say no over and over again, and to experiment with different styles, designs, lengths, colors, patterns, etc. You may fall in love with something completely unexpected that you never would have pictured yourself in before, all because you were willing to try and keep your options open. 

BONUS: Embrace the dirt (seriously)

One last thing before you go! You should know that your adventure elopement dress will probably get dirty somewhere along the way—and that is totally okay. If you go into your big day hoping to keep your shoes squeaky clean and your dress free from stains, I hate to disappoint you but the chances of that happening are very low! Part of the adventure in the phrase “adventure elopement” is doing what you need to do to explore to your heart’s content; that might mean dragging the bottom of your dress through a little bit of mud, or getting it wet when you cross a river. There are absolutely ways to minimize the dirt (picking your train up and carrying it, packing it in your bag and opting for normal hiking clothes, etc.), but I recommend embracing it and trusting that you’ll be able to get it cleaned after the fact.

I hope this guide helps you find your perfect adventure elopement dress, and as your photographer I’m more than happy to give you my own advice + reccs depending on the details of your specific day! Reach out now and let’s chat 🙂