Picking the Perfect Elopement Dress (Style Guide)

elopement planning
Written By Ashton Jack

PART 1 OF OUR ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT STYLE GUIDE:

The Dress!

What’s in store:

+ Style & Season Considerations
+ Our Favorite Looks
+ Where to Shop
+ Layers & Accessories
+ Shoes & Socks

Adventure elopements are often more casual and unconventional than traditional weddings, which opens the door for a lot of really unique fits. But not every dress is up to the ask! Here are a few things to keep in mind as you look for the perfect dress for your big adventure.

 

STYLE: fit, fabric, color, comfort, & mobility

First and foremost, you’ll want something that’s comfortable for you to wear all day, suitable for the weather and environment, and something you can move around in with ease, especially if you’ll be hiking or doing any other adventurous activities.

FIT: You’ll want to be able to move around freely, so we recommend opting for an A-line fit or similar, and make sure you have a little bit of room to wiggle. (And eat cake) Definitely avoid tight or limiting fits like mermaids, unless it’s one with particularly stretchy fabric, or ballgowns which can be difficult to pack or maneuver around in.

FABRIC: I recommend looking for fabrics that are lightweight, comfortable, and don’t easily wrinkle. Think chiffon, tulle, or organza, and dresses with lace or embroidery. Dresses with multiple layers of fabric also work great! In general, avoid fabrics that wrinkle easily or need constant steaming, especially if you’re gonna be packing your attire in a suitcase or a backpack.

COLOR: No matter what they say, your wedding doesn’t have to be white. Wear whatever you want! You do do! If you want to incorporate just a splash of color, consider a dress with an ombre, a colored embroidery, or a colorful underlayer with a sheer or lace layer above it.

COMFORT: Comfort is key. You’ll be in this dress the better part of the day, and you’ll also likely spend a lot of that time outside. Make sure your dress is comfortable to wear and appropriate for the weather and season!

MOBILITY: You’ll want a dress you can really move in. When trying on your dress, make sure to practice leaning over, walking, sitting, squatting, lunging, reaching, and so on. Try gathering it all up in your hands and walking around to get a feel for what it’ll be like to hike and walk around in, and make sure you aren’t stepping too much on the bottom of your dress. A seamstress can help alter your dress if it’s too long.

 

Fabric Choices

lightweight fabrics

For maximum movement, look for lightweight fabrics like chiffon, tulle, organza, and georgette, with sheer textures and layers that give you a lot of freedom to move about.

heavier fabrics

If you want something a little heavier or warmer, consider heavier fabrics like satin, silk, and polyester. Depending on the fit you’ll still be able to move around, but you’ll have a bit more weight and texture.

lace & embroidery

Lace and embroidery are also lovely options for the elopement, especially if you’re going for the “boho” look. Depending on the layering and fit, these can still allow for a lot of mobility and flexibility, but lace will be a bit more rigid than other fabrics.

 

Consider the SEASON: when are you eloping?

When picking your dress, remember that you’ll likely be outside for a substantial part of your elopement day, adventuring around and seeing the sights. Regardless of the season, always be prepared for inclement weather, especially if you’re eloping in the Pacific Northwest where it rains ~150 days a year. But don’t let the rain stop you—as they say, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear!

SUMMER: Consider lightweight, breathable fabrics like chiffon, tulle, organza, and lace. Two-pieces like a skirt and crop top set, a jumpsuit, or a blazer and pants are also great options for a warm weather elopement. I do recommend packing a light jacket or shawl for those cooler evenings, and bring your rain gear too.

SPRING & FALL: Prepare for warm OR cold weather, and a possibility of rain. Consider a dress with several layers of fabric, and/or heavier fabrics like silk, polyester, or satin. You could also consider a dress with sleeves, or a jumpsuit or blazer and pants combination. Bring an extra layer like a jacket or shawl, or even a blanket to wrap up in, especially if you’ll be in a higher elevation location. Prepare for rain, too! Especially in the Pacific Northwest, spring and fall are definitely the rainier seasons. (Have I mentioned it rains a lot here?)

WINTER: Consider a sleeved dress, and look for heavier fabrics like silk, polyester, or satin. A two-piece suit or jumpsuit would also do you well, especially since you can layer up underneath, though do avoid any two-pieces that leave a lot of skin uncovered, like a crop top. If you’ll be out and about in the cold or snow on your elopement day, don’t forget the layers, too: nude-colored fleece-lined or wool leggings, gloves or mittens, a winter coat, a scarf or warm shawl, maybe even a blanket to wrap up in. Don’t forget the handwarmers too! And the rain gear. If you’re eloping in the Pacific Northwest in a location that’s closer to sea-level, it might be more likely to rain than snow.

Consider the LOCATION: where are you eloping?

There’s no rule about what to wear where, but while you’re shopping and trying on dresses you could think about what might look best with your location and pair your attire choices accordingly.

If you’re eloping in the mountains, consider a dress with flowy fabric and a long flowing train to catch in the wind—gotta love that windswept look! As far as colors go, white or ivory really pops against a darker mountain or forest background, but you could also consider a color like a dusty rose or a dress with an ombre.

If you’re eloping at the beach, consider a lace “Boho” style dress, or a bold color that really pops against the sea and sky.

If you’re eloping in the desert, consider a Boho dress with lace and fringes. Maybe a dusty blue or ivory to complement the warm desert colors, or a dramatic black gown. Maybe you pair your dress with a dusty leather jacket, hat, and sunglasses.

A few other things to consider

A few other things to take into consideration when shopping for your dress:

Shoes: When shopping for your dress, bring your elopement shoes/boots to your fittings if possible!

Consider your partner’s attire! Consider going attire shopping together to pair your looks! If your partner doesn’t want you to see their attire until the big day, they may at least be able to help steer you in certain directions by sharing what style, color, and fabrics they’ll be dressing in.

 

Elopement dress inspiration: looks we love

 

Elopement dress shopping guide

Where to buy elopement dresses

Low to mid range dresses

Higher budget & Designer dresses

 

PRO TIP: When shopping online, instead of jumping straight for ‘wedding dress’, browse categories for maxi dresses in white to look at potentially cheaper options!

 

A few of our favorite looks

 

Layers & accessories

JACKETS, SHAWLS, & WRAPS: don’t forget the layers! Even for summer elopements, I recommend bringing a layer—even on a warm sunny day you’ll be surprised how quickly it can cool as soon as the sun goes down.

I really love the look of a leather jacket, shawl, or a fur capelet (preferably faux fur!). It doesn’t have to be white, either!

If you’re hiking, I recommend an insulated jacket. Pack a raincoat for your trip as well, even if you don’t end up using it on your elopement day.

 

Hair accessories

VEILS: I’m honestly a bit ambivalent when it comes to veils on elopement days: they can be a really nice elegant touch and look great in photos, but on a super windy day or on a long adventurous hike they can quickly become a hassle. If you’re thinking about a veil, you could consider bringing one for the ceremony and/or a few portraits, then take it off for the rest of the day to be able to move around more freely.

FLOWER CROWNS & HAIRPIECES: If you want an alternative to a veil, I love the look of hairpieces like this one on Etsy, or a dried floral crown like the ones on this Etsy shop.

 

Shoes & socks

DITCH THE HEELS: Please do yourself a favor, and even if you aren’t hiking or hiking far for your elopement, bring a sturdy pair of close-toed boots or shoes! If you really want to wear heels, you could just bring them along for the ceremony or for photos, then have a second pair for adventuring around in.

CLOSED-TOED SHOES: I generally recommend avoiding open-toed shoes like sandals or Tevas, unless you’re at the beach and/or plan on getting in the water. If you do bring a pair of sandals, I’d also suggest bringing a secondary pair of closed-toed shoes and socks to be able to swap in and out of.

ANKLE SUPPORT & GOOD TREAD: If you’re going on a longer or more difficult hike (think 3+ miles round trip), I recommend looking for a good hiking boot with ankle support and good tread. Preferably an actual hiking boot, designed for the trail.

BREAK THEM IN: There’s nothing like a blister to really piss you off and make your day just that much worse. Before the big day, please remember to break in your shoes. Ideally take them out on a couple hikes, or if you can’t get out on the trails in time, wear them around for a few days, even if that’s just around the house or running errands.

DON’T FORGET THE SOCKS: Especially if you’re hiking, you’re gonna want a good sturdy sock. I usually look for merino wool hiking socks like these Darn Tough socks—they’re all I wear on elopement days! I’d recommend packing a spare set too in case it rains or you do anything around the water.

GO BAREFOOT: Like the idea of a barefoot ceremony/photos? Totally an option! But even if you want to go barefoot, definitely bring a pair of sturdy shoes to get around in. The beaches in the Pacific Northwest are not very barefoot-friendly, mostly covered in pebbles and logs that aren’t particularly nice to bare feet, so definitely bring shoes.

 

Our favorite elopement shoes & boots

Places to shop

Obsessed with these Blundstones ($220) with this custom flower embroidery DIY’d by the bride!

Splurge option: Nordstrom Elaneva Hiker Boot – $1695

 
 

IF YOU MISSED IT… There’s more!

ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT STYLE GUIDE

Elopement Planning Resources, Tips & Inspiration | Wilderpines Elopements
Suiting Up: Picking the Perfect Elopement Suit (Style Guide)
Suiting Up: Picking the Perfect Elopement Suit (Style Guide)
Picking the Perfect Elopement Dress (Style Guide)
Picking the Perfect Elopement Dress (Style Guide)
 
 

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WILDERPINES ELOPEMENTS

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If you’re dreaming of an adventure elopement in the Evergreen state, get in touch and let’s make some magic!

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Ashton Jack https://ashtonjack.com
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Lesbian Elopement at Olympic National Park