If you’re planning an elopement, you may be wondering how to hike with your wedding dress. It’s not as difficult as it may seem! In this blog post, we’ll give you tips on how to store your dress in your backpack, the best types of dresses to use that don’t wrinkle easily, and other essentials needed to have your adventure elopement. Let’s get started!

Do brides hike in their wedding dress when they elope in the mountains or have an adventure elopement?

You’ve probably seen some of those breathtaking photos of brides and grooms on mountain tops exchanging vows and tying the knot. Have you ever wondereed how the heck they made it up there? While it may be no surprise to you, most brides do not hike in their wedding gown – at least not the whole way up, especially on a 14er. As you can imaging it’s not super convenient to hike in a wedding dress and it will likely slow you down. Not to mention, also would be very sweaty as it is no small feat.

So, how do they make it to the top for those iconic photos? The answer is two-fold: either the bride changes into her wedding dress at the top or they have a first look before their ceremony and hike up in their hiking clothes. We have found that it is most easy for couples to hike to their elopement site in comfortable, hiking clothes and then change once they are at the top.

As elopement photographers, we have a pop up tent as an option for our couples to get dressed in. It provides a great way to have privacy anywhere in the woods for a quick change.

How do you pack a wedding dress and suit in a backpacking pack for a wedding or elopement in the mountains?

One of the first things you’ll need to do is choose the right dress. A lightweight dress that doesn’t wrinkle easily is ideal for an elopement. You may also want to consider a dress with a train that can be easily removed. Once you’ve found the perfect dress, it’s time to start packing!

Packing your dress and suit for an elopement is actually pretty similar to packing for a backpacking trip. You’ll want to start by rolling your dress up tightly. If you have a dress with a train, you can remove it and pack it separately. Once your dress is rolled up, you’ll want to put it in a waterproof bag. This will protect your dress from any moisture that may be in your backpack. You can then put your dress in your backpack and secure it with the straps. If your dress comes in a dress bag, you can also keep it in there and use that to store and roll it up.

As for your suit, you’ll want to fold it up as tightly as possible and put it in a separate waterproof bag. You can then put it in your backpack and secure it with the straps.

Once you have your dress and suit packed, you’ll want to add in any other essentials you may need for your elopement. This could include a veil, shoes, jewelry, and a few other items. You’ll also want to make sure you have all of your hiking gear, including a backpack, map, water, and snacks.

Additionally, we recommend bringing an extra pair of clothes to change into when you’re done. Chances are, the clothes you wore on the way up might get sweaty from the initial hike.

How do you get ready on a mountain top for your elopement?

When you choose to hike up to the top in regular hiking clothes, this means you’ll be getting ready up in the mountains. So, how exactly does that work?

Here are few tips we have for getting ready for your wedding on top of a mountain:

1. Have time to cool off and relax before getting ready. Hiking can make people tired and sweaty. It is helpful to bring some wipes and dry shampoo to freshen up and take a breather before starting the getting ready process.
2. Some brides will do their hair beforehand, others will do something more simple at the top. Whatever you decide on that, we often recommend waiting to do makeup until reaching your destination. This way you can avoid any meltdowns from the heat!
3. Ask your photographer if they have a pop-up tent for you to change one. We have one that we bring for our couples so they can have privacy when getting ready in the woods. If you’re fine with someone seeing your full-moon, then you can skip this part. But, we’re always happy to bring it along!

Other tips for adventurous mountain and hiking elopements

When you’ve decided that a mountain top elopement is for you, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure your day is everything you’ve dreamed of.

First, pick the right mountain! This may seem like an obvious task, but there are so many beautiful mountains out there, it can be tough to choose just one. Do some research on which peaks will offer the best views and accessibility for your elopement.

Once you’ve chosen your mountain, it’s time to start planning the details. Since you’ll be trekking up into the wilderness, it’s important to pack light but also be prepared for anything. Make sure you have plenty of water and snacks, appropriate clothing for the weather, and a first aid kit.

Make sure you’re physically prepared for the hike. This may seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. If you’re not used to hiking, make sure you start training a few months in advance. The last thing you want is to be too exhausted from the hike to enjoy your wedding day!

Check the weather forecast ahead of time and come prepared with the right gear. You don’t want to be caught in a storm without proper rain gear!

It’s also a good idea to let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to be back. This way, if anything does happen, there will be someone who knows to start looking for you.

Make sure you have someone there to help you carry all of your gear. Unless you’re planning on an ultra-light elopement, you’ll probably need some help carrying everything up the mountain.

Finally, don’t forget to enjoy the day! An elopement is supposed to be a stress-free and intimate experience, so savor every moment. Take in the stunning views and relish in the fact that you get to spend this special day exactly as you please.

About Us

We’re a husband and wife photography and videography team specializing in weddings and elopements. We’re here for the adventurous, light-hearted, fun-loving couples who are down to earth and up for anything. We love being able to work with our couples to help them bring their wedding vision to life. Capturing weddings and elopements are truly an honor and not something we take lightly. If you’re looking for someone to help capture your adventurous elopement – let’s connect!