One of *THE* most common questions I get from my couples is “how do I hike in my wedding dress?”. It’s totally valid - most people haven’t ever hiked in dress clothes, let alone a dress on their actual wedding day! And that’s where I come in. I’ve helped dozens of people plan the logistics of hiking in their wedding dress, and that’s what this blog post is all about!

Whether you’re thinking about eloping, aren’t sure whats feasible on an elopement day, or you’re ready to elope and are considering last minute logistics, this info is going to help you have the best, most comfortable day (with amazing photos to document it all!).

Before we start…

Common misconceptions about elopements:

You DON’T have to hike at all to consider it an elopement (I promise!) - whether you walk 15 feet from the car or spend all weekend in the backcountry, either way is the right way
You can hike in your favorite hiking clothes OR get dressed at the ceremony spot
You can get ready together with your partner OR I will coordinate a first look for you
Getting married outdoors is only for the extreme outdoors people (hell no, getting married outdoors is for anyone and everyone)

GOT IT?! Around here, we focus on exactly what you want, whether that’s a long hike or an easy day with a little walking. And wearing a wedding dress in all situations!

How to Choose an Elopement Dress:

The #1 thing I want you to focus on when choosing your dress is how you FEEL in it. Both how it makes you feel mentally (if you’re not thinking “I LOOK AMAZING HOLY SHIT”, then it ain’t the dress), but also how you physically feel while wearing it all day! Prioritizing your comfort is going to go a long way.

Factors to keep top of mind when shopping for a dress:

Movability: On your elopement day, not only are you going to be outdoors, you’re going to be moving a lot! That could include getting in and out of the car, sitting on a picnic blanket, walking up some rocks for an epic landscape photo, dancing with your boo, running across a field into the sunset, and so much more. When you try on dresses, move around in it! Make sure it moves with you and isn’t stiff, too heavy, or going to keep you from having fun.

Weight: If you’re aiming for a summer or fall elopement, go for something more lightweight and breathable! Chiffon and organza are great fabrics to keep you cool. If you’re hoping for a wintery elopement, thicker fabrics will keep the warmth in and keep you toasty. The heavier the dress, the more you’re lugging around all day, so keep that in mind when choosing wedding dress fabric.

Packability: If you’re not going to be hiking in your dress, make sure it’s a thin enough fabric to be packable! This could mean either rolling it up nicely and putting it at the top of your backpack (to avoid most wrinkles) or hanging it in a garment bag and attaching it to your backpack. Stay away from fabrics that are prone to wrinkling like satin or polyseter.

Where to Buy An Elopement Dress

Have no fear, you can shop just about anywhere wedding dresses are sold to find an elopement dress! Here are some of my favorite spots:

Bonus! Some fun accessories to spice up your dress:

Belle Botanical Creations (floral veils)

Lamnhi Bridals (custom veils)

Should I get dressed before the hike or after we arrive at our destination?

Such a good question to consider! There are pros and cons to both approaches, which might help you decide which one is right for your elopement day.

Getting dressed before the hike:

Pros - You’re already ready to go when you get to the trailhead and can get photos in your dress during the hike up, you can have some privacy while putting on your dress, you don’t have to carry the dress in/on your backpack during the hike.

Cons - Most people get at least a little sweaty on their hike, so be prepared for moisture from sweat! Dresses can be uncomfortable to hike in, especially with a long train or over uneven gound.

Getting Dressed at Your Destination:

Pros - You get to wear comfy, athletic clothes on the entire hike and cool off before putting your elopement dress on, you can keep the dress pristine and clean until you put it on before the ceremony, and you don’t have to wear your dress in the car between your accommodations and the trailhead!

Cons - There isn’t a ton of privacy at most locations to change into your dress, you might not have the help you need to button/lace up your dress, packing your dress in a back could cause wrinkles.

How to Hike in your Wedding Dress:

At some point, you’ll be (bare minimum) moving around with the dress on, and it can be tedious to haul around a garment like a dress! Some suggestions for keeping things easy (and keeping your sanity!):

Practice bunching up the bottom of your dress so you can hold it in one hand. Or better yet, teach your partner how to scoop the entire dress so they can carry it while you walk!
Tuck part of your dress into your leggings/base layers. Even just tucking the train into the back of your leggings makes it easier to move around with.
Draping your train over your arm is an awesome way to still have both hands (mostly) free and to look super cute the entire time.

How to Change into Your Wedding Dress Outdoors:

If you’ve decided you want to wear comfy hiking clothes on the way to your ceremony location, this is for you! Some couples are comfortable changing outdoors after spending time outside camping or backpacking, but some couples want a little bit of privacy to get into their dress. My best advice:

Choose a location that has dense trees, large rocks, or is out of view of popular areas.
Choose a location that’s off the beaten path and isn’t going to be overrun by visitors (or elope at sunrise or sunset when most people aren’t on the trails!).
Have your partner, guests, or officiant hold up a towel or blanket for you to offer some privacy. This could be a lightweight hiking towel or a blanket that doubles as a picnic blanket later on!
If you’re really concerned about privacy, you can buy a pop-up changing tent and attach it to the outside of your backpack for ultimate privacy. They’re fairly lightweight and usually at least 6 feet tall! Make sure someone holds down the tent if it’s windy.

Final thoughts about hiking in a wedding dress:

Bring your hiking boots to your fitting! Wear those while being measured so it fits perfectly on the big day.
Be prepared for your dress to get DIRTY. You don’t have to sit in a mud puddle, but the outdoors can throw just about anything at us (and at your dress!): mud, rain, tears from tree branches, sap, and sand are all common things to find in your dress at the end of the day. It’s your one day to really use this dress, so get used to the idea of it being WORN!
If you want to wear nicer/dressier shoes with your dress for some photos, make sure to bring along sturdy hiking boots that feel good to be in all day. I can’t stress enough how hard it is to get around in flat, slick, or heeled shoes!
Be aware of how your backpack is going to feel on your shoulders in your dress. Dresses with embroidery or bows on the shoulders/chest are going to be uncomfortable with backpack straps resting on them, and sleeveless dresses are going to be prone to some backpack chafing.
Your phone on the selfie setting is going to be a great pseudo-mirror on the trail! No need to pack additional weight when your phone already will let you peek at how your dress looks when you have it on.
Wear long bike shorts, full-length leggings, or apply anti-chafing cream to the insides of your thighs if you’re not used to having bare skin touching on a hike!
Be prepared for the elements - pack sunscreen (and actually wear it!), bug spray, hand/feet warmers if it’s going to be chilly, extra socks, gloves, and base layers, or even something like a handheld fan to keep you cool and looking great on a warmer day.