2024 Elopement Dress Guide
What to wear for your Adventure Elopement
Updated January 7th, 2024
What’s in this Guide?
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How to Choose the Perfect Elopement Dress
What we love most about elopements is that there are no rules or expectations. You can choose whatever dress you want. Whether it’s white, black, or rainbow. Or it’s casual or formal. Or it’s short or has a long train. The most important thing is that you love your dress. But when you are planning an outdoor, adventure elopement, there are a few things to consider when searching for the one.
Try On a Variety of Different Dresses
You might already have a vision for your wedding dress. I sure did when I first started looking! But our recommendation is to keep an open mind and try on a variety of dresses.
Go into a bridal shop (even if you’re not planning on buying), and try different silhouettes and fabrics. Often, the stylist at the bridal shop can give you great recommendations and pleasantly surprise you with a style you never imagined loving!
It can be so helpful to see yourself in a variety of styles so you know without a doubt what you love the most! You can then use that knowledge to find your dream dress.
When I first started dress shopping, I knew two things: I wanted a lace dress with long sleeves. I absolutely did not want strapless, and I didn’t want a train. But sure enough, I ended up with a non-lace, strapless dress, with a ridiculously long train. And it was perfect. And we hear this sentiment echoed quite often!
Keep your options open and don’t worry if your vision ends up changing.
Think About Comfort
Trust us, it is so important that you choose a dress that you’ll be comfortable in all day. Even more than you would on a traditional wedding day, you are going to really wear your dress on your elopement day. The last thing you want is for you to be wishing you could change out of it all day.
When looking at dresses, make sure the fabric is comfortable and not itchy or too heavy. Make sure the bodice of the dress isn’t too tight, so you can take full and deep breaths while hiking and exploring.
When you go in for alterations, let your tailor know what your plans are for the wedding day. They will be able to help you get a great fit without sacrificing your comfort.
Think About Movement
When you have an adventure elopement, there’s a good chance that you’ll be hiking, climbing on rocks, crossing streams, running through the snow, or maybe riding up a dirt road in a Jeep. It’s important that your dress doesn’t hold you back!
When looking at shapes and styles of dresses, think about how they will be to move in. Depending on the material, dresses that hug your legs and hips (such as trumpet-style dresses) could limit movement in your legs. And some long-sleeved dresses might limit movement in your arms.
When trying on wedding dresses, think about how well you can move in them. Do you have full motion in your arms and legs? Can you lift and easily move your arms? Can you lift your legs to hike up a hill? Can you bend over or squat on the ground to pick up your backpack? Can you sit in it to ride to the top of a mountain in a Jeep? We recommend practicing these motions when trying on dresses!
Accept that it’s Going to Get Dirty
Your dress is going to get dirty and that’s okay. Go into your dress search and your elopement day with this in mind. By the end of your elopement day, you will likely have what we call “the dirt ombre” at the bottom of your dress. And who knows, throughout the day, you may find yourself evacuating bugs from your tulle and pulling pinecones or sticks out of your train.
We think a dirty dress is really cool and is a perfect representation of just how much you adventured. Plus, you only get to wear the dress once, why not really wear it?
How to Hike in Your Dress
Hiking is definitely not required when you have an adventure elopement, but many of our couples end up hiking at some point on their wedding day, even if it’s a short hike.
Shorter Hikes
Whether or not you hike in your wedding dress is completely up to you! But often, if it’s a shorter hike, it’s totally possible to hike in your wedding attire. For most dresses, it’s easy to drape the train or skirt over your arm to keep it from dragging or tripping you. Sometimes it’s helpful to have a little bit of help from your partner! Or if you have a bustle, you can pin your train up before starting the hike down.
Even if you plan to hike in your wedding clothes, most couples will bring a backpack with water, snacks, and anything else they might need (such as vow books, rings, jackets, and ceremony permits).
Longer Hikes and/or First Looks
For longer hikes, sunrise hikes (when it’s cold), or hikes to your first look, it usually makes the most sense to pack your dress and then change once you’ve reached your destination.
In this case, we recommend attaching a garment bag to a hiking backpack for the journey up. Once we reach the destination, we search for a large rock or tree to get dressed behind. If you’re extra worried about changing in the outdoors, you could pack a lightweight blanket to tuck yourself behind.
Often, the hike down is a little bit easier, so most couples will finish the hike in their wedding attire. But you could always change back into your hiking clothes before the trek down, if you’d like!
How to Save Money and Still Get Your Dream Elopement Dress
When we eloped, we were on a budget. It was important for us to spend our money on our travel to Isle of Skye, Scotland (where we got married) as well as the documentation for our wedding day. My goal was for all of my attire (dress + shoes + accessories) to be under $1,000. And many of our couples are in the same boat!
Here are some ways you can save some money but still look incredible on your wedding day.
Hayley Paige Gown
View Selina + Zach’s Sedona Elopement
Buy a Pre-Owned Wedding Dress
I wish I had known this was an option when I got married! Websites like StillWhite allow you to buy a pre-owned wedding dress for a huge discount. You can search their catalog by size and designer or you can just browse based on your size.
Other online sites such as Once Wed, Nearly Newlywed, Pre-Owned Wedding Dresses, and Poshmark can also be great places to check! Just make sure you look closely at the photos and description before purchasing!
Then after your wedding, you can even re-list your dress!
One of our brides, Selina, had her eye on a stunning long-sleeved Hayley Paige gown. Fortunately, she was able to find it on StillWhite and saved a ton of money! The dress only needed a few minor alterations and a small amount of beadwork touchup.
Leanne Marshall Gown
View Lauren + Mike’s Colorado Elopement
Attend a Sample Sale
Bridal shops and designers hold sample sales a couple of times a year to clear out older designs and make room for new dresses. During these sales, they offer huge discounts of up to 70% off on their sample dresses. A sample dress is one that the bridal shop keeps on the racks to try on, so be sure to examine the dress for any damage.
It is recommended that you go into a sample sale knowing what you’re looking for. Sample sales are often busy and full of other people hoping to get a great deal on their own wedding dress. So try on wedding dresses in advance so you know what styles and brands you like the most.
Follow your favorite dress shops and dress brands on social media so you’re the first to know when a sample sale is coming!
One of our brides, Lauren, found her dream Leanne Marshall dress for less than $1,000 at a sample sale.
Rue de Seine Gown
View Madisyn + Grady’s Colorado Elopement
Attend a Trunk Show
Often, bridal shops will host a trunk show. A trunk show is when a designer (or a representative from the designer’s team) visits a bridal shop with their full collection of wedding dresses. This is a great way for you to try on a variety of dresses by your favorite brand. They do require some planning though as most trunk shows are open by appointment only.
While a trunk show isn’t necessarily a sale, sometimes they offer a percentage off or other incentives if you order your dress during your appointment.
One of our brides, Madisyn, went to a Rue de Seine trunk show and met Michele Corty, the founder and designer of Rue de Seine. During the trunk show, she was able to get a free custom jean jacket because she bought her dress that day.
Fame and Partners Gown
Our Elopement by Frankee Victoria Photography
Choose a Non-Traditional Dress
If you’re looking for a wedding dress that’s doesn’t look like a traditional wedding dress, a dress with some color (or maybe even a black dress), or a dress with a unique shape (such as short or a more casual sundress), take your search beyond the bridal shops.
Shops like ASOS, Revolve, Jen’s Pirate Booty, Needle & Thread, and Lulus are a great place to start. Etsy is also a great place if you have an idea of what you’re looking for and want something vintage, handmade, or custom.
Browsing for ideas and designers on Pinterest or Rent The Runway can help inspire you if you’re unsure of where to start. It is important to note that we don’t recommend renting your dress for your adventure elopement, since there is a big chance that it’ll get dirty, wet, or damaged.
I bought my floral gown from Fame and Partners for less than $500. Their custom sizes also allowed me to save money by not needing any alterations.
How to Travel with Your Elopement Dress
One of the most common dress-related questions we get from our couples is, “How the heck do we travel with a wedding dress?”
Travel by Plane
If you are traveling by plane to your elopement, we can’t stress enough how important it is to pack your wedding dress in your carry-on! Please please please do not pack your wedding dress in your checked luggage. We recommend that your partner does this, too. If you couldn’t live without it on your wedding day, don’t put it in your checked luggage!
On the way to Brittany + Justin’s elopement, their luggage was lost by the airline and they didn’t have any of their checked luggage for their entire wedding trip. But luckily, they at least had their wedding attire.
Our favorite way to pack your wedding dress is to keep it in the garment bag and loosely and gently fold or roll it up to fit in your carry-on sized suitcase. This should help avoid too many creases or wrinkles in the fabric of your dress. If you plan to pack anything else in that suitcase, put it in first so nothing is squishing your dress.
If you’re worried about wrinkles, pack a portable steamer in your checked luggage (if your dress fabric can be steamed). Then hang your dress up as soon as you arrive at your destination.
Travel by Car
Traveling with your wedding dress by car is a bit simpler than traveling by plane! If you have the space in your car, keep your wedding dress in the garment bag and either lay it or hang it in the trunk or backseat. Make sure it’s on top so nothing can squish it.
If you don’t have the space to lay your dress out, we recommend packing it like we described above for plane travel. Keeping it in the garment bag, gently roll or fold it so that it will fit in your suitcase. Make sure you don’t put anything else in the suitcase that could squish your dress.
When you arrive at your destination, take your dress out of the suitcase and hang it up. You can also pack a portable steamer to get out any stubborn wrinkles (if your dress fabric can be steamed).
Follow these same directions for suits as well!
Our Favorite Elopement Dress Brands
We put together a list of our favorite elopement dress brands! These are brands that our past clients have worn and loved or brands that we have a not-so-secret crush on.
Example brand photos in this section were not taken by us. To help you get to know each brand’s dresses, we have included photos from the brand’s website.
Brands with options under $1,000 are labeled with ** after their name.
Rue de Seine
Size Range: UK 6 - UK 20
Price Range: $3,000 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Anthropologie **
Size Range: US 00 - US 26
Price Range: $500 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
David’s Bridal **
Size Range: US 0P - US 30W
Price Range: $100 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Sarah Seven
Size Range: US 00 - US 18
Price Range: $3,000 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Dreamers and Lovers
Size Range: US 2 - US 16 + custom
Price Range: $1,600 and up
Rentals also available
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Grace Loves Lace
Size Range: XXS - XXXL + custom
Price Range: $1,600 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Stella York
Size Range: US 2 - US 34
Price Range: $1,000 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
We Are Reclamation **
Size Range: Custom
Price Range: $800 and up
Rentals also available
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Stella York
Size Range: US 2 - US 34
Price Range: $1,000 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Alexandra Grecco
Size Range: US 00 - US 20 +
Price Range: $2,500 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
She Wore Flowers **
Size Range: US 2 - US 22 + custom
Price Range: $900 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Wear Your Love
Size Range: Custom
Price Range: $1,600 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Kite and Butterfly **
Size Range: XS - XXL + custom
Price Range: $950 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Natalie Wynn
Size Range: US 2 - US 24 + custom
Price Range: $1,800 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Sweet Caroline Styles **
Size Range: US 00 - US 32
Price Range: $900 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Teuta Matoshi **
Size Range: US 0 - US 18
Price Range: $500 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
All Who Wander
Size Range: US 2 - US 24
Price Range: $1,700 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Chantel Lauren
Size Range: US 0 - US 16
Price Range: $2,000 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Chotronette **
Size Range: Custom
Price Range: $400 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Flutter Dresses **
Size Range: US 2 - US 16
Price Range: $500 and up
Rentals also available
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Daci Gowns
Size Range: US 2 - US 20
Price Range: $4,500 and up
Rentals also available
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Carol Hannah **
Size Range: US 0 - US 32
Price Range: $2,000 and up
(Little White Dresses $800+)
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Wardrobe by Dulcinea **
Size Range: Custom
Price Range: $500 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Baltic Born **
Size Range: US XS - US 3XL
Price Range: $50 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
ASOS **
Size Range: US 0 - US 26
Price Range: $50 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Lulus **
Size Range: US XXS - US 3XL
Price Range: $50 and up
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their Instagram
Our Favorite Colorado Dress Shops
Anthropologie Weddings
303.394.1443
3000 E. 1st Avenue, #1134
Denver, CO 80206
They also have locations in Arizona, California, Connecticut, DC, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington
a&bé
720.627.5760
1955 W. 35th Avenue
Denver, CO 80211
They also have locations in California, Minnesota, Oregon, Texas, and Washington
anna bé
720.855.1111
2050 W. 30th Avenue
Denver, CO 80211
They also have locations in Texas and Minnesota
Little White Dress Bridal Shop
303.814.8972
1130 31st Street
Denver, CO 80205
Emma & Grace Bridal Studio
720.383.8091
3353 Larimer Street
Denver, CO 80205
Lovely Bride
720.452.1192
2636 Walnut Street, Unit 100
Denver, CO 80205
They also have locations in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and even London