Table of Contents:

• What is a Hiking Elopement?
• What to Wear for Your Hiking Elopement
• How to Pick a Trail for Your Hiking Elopement
• My Top 8 Hiking Elopement Planning Tips
• How to Leave No Trace with Your Hiking Elopement
• 5 Fun Hiking Elopement Ideas
• Comprehensive Hiking Elopement Packing List
• Simple AF Hiking Elopement Checklist
• PNW Hiking Elopement Packages
• More PNW Adventure Elopement Resources

By now you’ve probably heard me talk about hiking elopements as an epic way to celebrate your big day – they’ve become ALL the rage here in the PNW. And for a freaking good reason! If you and your partner are super adventurous and love being in the great outdoors together more than anything, a hiking elopement is one of the most meaningful, exciting, & unique ways you can tie the knot. Especially here in the Pacific Northwest, which is pretty much a hiker’s heaven thanks to all the incredible mountain ranges, rainforests, & coastlines we’ve got to explore!

Because hiking elopements do take place out in nature and can involve a little more unpredictability, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to planning your hiking elopement: weather, permits, crowds, trail details, logistics, and SO much more. That’s why I’ve put together this massive hiking elopement guide, which has literally everything you could ever need to know about how to have a hiking elopement!

I’ve photographed WAY more hiking elopements than I can count, so trust me when I say I’ve seen everything that can go wrong, everything that can go right, and everything that couples loved or regretted about their day. 

From how to pick a trail, to how to pack your dress + flowers, to how to download maps ahead of time, alllll the way to a comprehensive hiking elopement packing list + planning checklist to make things easy for you, I’ve included it ALL.

I hope this guide helps you know exactly how to plan your hiking elopement + prepare for every possible scenario that you could be hit with when the big day arrives – happy adventuring!

What is a Hiking Elopement?

First of all, what even is a hiking elopement? If you’re not an adventure elopement photographer, you may not have ever even heard of it or known it was an option 😉

A hiking elopement is simply an elopement that involves hiking to the spot where you’re going to hold your ceremony! You can really make it mean whatever you want it to mean: it can be a quick 0.5-mile hike, a full-day 10-mile hike, or even a multi-day backpacking elopement if you REALLY want to go hard with it. 

Typically, hiking elopements involve a couple & their guests (if they have any) taking a trail to a beautiful location where their ceremony or vow exchange is held, then taking some portraits at the spot before heading back down. Or before heading to another location nearby for some more photos, or even for a break to have dinner!

What to Wear for Your Hiking Elopement

Now when it comes to hiking elopements, there is a bit more planning required when you’re choosing what to wear, simply because you’re going to be outdoors & hiking through potentially muddy/dirty/non-ideal terrain, rather than spending the whole day in a clean, temperature-controlled wedding venue. Plus, how the hell do you pack your dress if you’re taking it on a multi-mile hike?!

Here are all my best tips for choosing your hiking elopement dress, as well as a few of my fave hiking elopement shoes that I’d recommend wearing! I’ve also included tips for keeping your hair & makeup looking fresh during your hiking elopement, since you’ll be hiking and probably getting sweaty to some degree.

Hiking elopement dress tips

When it comes to choosing your hiking elopement dress, you want to make sure you choose a dress that’s made up of a lightweight material that allows you to move freely & without difficulty! If you choose a dress that’s reallyyyy heavy and has a billion layers, it’s going to be harder to move around in it if you have to step over rocks or big tree roots, and you’re going to get sweatier, too. Choosing a more lightweight, breathable dress material such as organza or rayon will ensure your dress doesn’t weigh you down!

Make sure you also pick a dress that is super comfortable + good for movement – so maybe don’t choose a super tight, stiff dress that barely lets you move your arms or legs. Choose a dress that you love the fit of, but that also allows you to stretch, dance, twirl, spin, etc. – bonus points if it’s a stretchy material that you won’t worry about ripping!

Finally, choose a dress that you don’t care about getting dirty. As much as you may not want to, it’s sorta inevitable that your dress will get some dirt on it if you’re out in nature! Find a dress that you’re okay getting a bit dirty, and that you’re able to send to a dry cleaner afterward if you want to get it thoroughly cleaned. I don’t recommend trying to wash your wedding dress yourself in your normal washer/dryer!

Best hiking elopement shoes

Because you’ll be hiking, you can do one of two things: either pick one pair of shoes that will be good for hiking & wear them the whole time, OR wear hiking shoes at first, then change into other shoes for your ceremony. I recommend just choosing some cute hiking boots that you’ll be comfortable wearing the whole time, so you don’t have to worry about changing or getting your “cuter” ceremony shoes super dirty!

Some of my favorite hiking boot brands:

• Blundstones
• Timberland
• MerrellMerrellMerrellMerrell

Hiking elopement hair & makeup tips

If you’ve been wondering how to keep your hair & makeup looking bomb during your hiking elopement, wonder no more – here are my top tips for hiking elopement hair & makeup!

Hair tips:

• Tell your hairstylist you’ll be hiking so they know to create an extra sturdy hairdo
• Bring plenty of extra hair clips + bobby pins with you on the hike
• Hairspray is your friend!
• Half-up, half-down hairdos are always badass – they keep your hair out of your face, but part of your hair can still be down if you want it to be!
• Braids are a great way to keep your hair up (or part of it up)
• Bring a cute hat with you to wear in case your hairdo gets too messed up along the way

Makeup tips:

• Tell your makeup artist you’ll be hiking so they know to keep the weather + sweat in mind
• Keep your face makeup light – you’ll be sweating anyway
• Bring extra makeup on your hike for pre-ceremony touch-ups
• Use makeup with SPF to avoid sunburn
• Setting spray is your BFF
• Use waterproof mascara if there’s potential for rain

How to Pick a Trail for Your Hiking Elopement

Next up in this hiking elopement guide: everything important you need to take into consideration when picking a trail! Other than the scenery, of course – that’s a given. Above all else, pick a trail that takes you to a spot for your ceremony with scenery you LOVE and that fills your soul, whether that’s views of bright blue alpine lakes, wildflower meadows, or wide-open views of stunning mountain ranges! 

Important things to consider:

The mobility + comfort levels of your guests

If you’ll be inviting any guests to hike with you & witness your ceremony, make sure you choose a trail that all of your guests are comfortably able to complete. 

For example, if any kids will be tagging along, choose a trail that isn’t too technically difficult, and is short enough that they’ll be able to handle without getting too tired. 

If you have any guests in wheelchairs or with mobility issues, be sure to choose a trail that is wheelchair-friendly! Pay attention to whether it’s FULLY or only partially wheelchair-friendly, and figure out what type of wheelchairs are able to complete the trail – will your guest(s) need all-terrain wheels, or an electric wheelchair?

For a full list of my favorite ADA-accessible elopement locations in the PNW, check out this blog post!

Crowds

If you choose a very popular hike (e.g. a common hike to a beautiful location in a national or state park), be aware of the crowds you may run into! 

To best avoid crowds, choose a trail that is a little more secluded + off the beaten path, and have your elopement on a weekday instead of weekend – better yet, have a sunrise elopement ceremony to really beat the crowds! 

Eloping in the off-season of your chosen location is also super helpful in getting away from other tourists; for example, eloping at Mount Rainier in the early fall rather than right in the middle of the summer. Just make sure the hike you choose is at a low-enough elevation that it’ll be open at that time, and won’t be blocked off by snow!

Permits + restrictions

Be sure to get any specific wedding permits you may need to hold your official ceremony at your desired locations! Most national parks & state parks require you to obtain a Special Use Permit of some kind, and to choose from a variety of designated ceremony locations. Read up on what’s allowed + not allowed, and what permits you need, via a site like Recreation.gov! 

And don’t forget to see what parking permit/pass you’ll need – you may need a certain permit to use a trail, a printed pass on your dashboard to park, etc.

Weather

Think through what weather you’d be comfortable hiking in, and research the potential extreme conditions you could run into while you hike. Maybe you’re eloping in the PNW in the fall – be prepared for things like early snowfall or late summer wildfires to potentially affect your route/timeline, or if you’re eloping in the desert, think through what you’ll do if there’s an extreme heat wave that’s impossible to hike in!

Extreme weather conditions can also impact the roads you drive on + trails you take – have multiple backup plans and routes in place in case of any road closures or non-ideal trail statuses.

Lighting + time of day

It’s SUPER important to think through what the lighting will be like during your hike, when you get to your ceremony location, on the hike back down, & once you’re back at the trailhead. For all my best tips for lighting + choosing what time of day to have your elopement ceremony, check out this blog post!

My Top 8 Hiking Elopement Planning Tips

Next up: a quick list of my top 8 hiking elopement planning tips that you won’t want to miss! 

1. Download offline maps + trail routes ahead of time

2. Inform your guests about the hike in advance so they know what to expect

3. If you’re hiking with your dog(s), bring treats, water, + doggy bags

4. Plan out how you’ll pack + change into your elopement attire

Pro Tip: Bring a pop-up changing tent if you want to hike in normal clothes, then change into your elopement gear at your ceremony location with some privacy! Or if it’s a short, easy hike, you can hike in your elopement gear if it’s comfortable for you.

5. Hire a florist who knows how to craft hiking elopement florals

Pro Tip: Read this Guide to Elopement Flowers nowww for a ton of amazing insider tips from a hella talentedPNW elopement florist! It’ll give you all the deets on how to have amazing elopement floras, and how to pack them to bring on your hike with you.

6. Incorporate plenty of extra time into your timeline for delays

Pro Tip: If you want the inside scoop on how to create your timeline in a way that allows for flexibility, breathing room, & plenty of time to explore, head over to my other blog post featuring My Top 3 Tips for a Smooth AF Elopement Timeline!

7. Have a specific meeting spot planned in advance for your guests + vendors

8. Have at least 1 backup plan in place

How to Leave No Trace with Your Hiking Elopement

One of the pieces of adventure elopements that I always talk to my couples about is Leaving No Trace. If you’re not familiar with what that means, or with the Leave No Trace Organization, it’s all about minimizing your impact on land as you explore the great outdoors. This is crucial to making sure your elopement is not only amazing for you, but respectful of the location you’re visiting, and that we leave it just as beautiful for all future visitors!

There’s wayyyy too much to talk about when it comes to Leaving No Trace to include in this blog post, so I put together a whole separate guide for y’all on How to Leave No Trace With Your Adventure Elopement. I highly recommend giving it a read before you embark on your outdoor adventure elopement!

5 Fun Hiking Elopement Ideas

I’m allll about making your elopement day SUPER unique + authentic to you and your love through fun + meaningful activities. Below are 5 fun hiking elopement ideas you could incorporate into your day in a personal, intentional way, and if you want even MORE, head to my blog post featuring 10 Unique Elopement Ideas to Make Your Big Day Feel Like YOU!

1. Have a romantic elopement picnic after your ceremony (charcuterie boards for the win!) 

2. Have your first look at the trailhead before you start your hike

3. Bring your pups along to be a part of your ceremony

4. Have a private vow exchange before/or after your ceremony with your guests

5. Take some magical couples portraits after dark

Comprehensive Hiking Elopement Packing List

Time to get your bags out and start packin’ away! As your elopement gets closer, use this hiking elopement packing list to keep track of all the items you need to bring, and feel free to add your own, too!

Elopement outfits + accessories:

• Dress
• Tux
• Tie (bowtie, necktie, bolo tie, etc.)
• Elopement shoes
• Veil
• Hat
• Detachable dress sleeves/cape
• Jewelry – rings, necklaces, bracelets, hair pieces, earrings, etc.
• Cufflinks
• Boutonnieres

Elopement ceremony items:

• Vow books
• Rings/ring boxes
• Marriage certificate + pen to sign it with
• Any items you need for a unity ceremony (e.g. rope if you’re doing a handfasting ceremony)
• A change of shoes (if you don’t want to wear your hiking boots)

Hiking outfits:

• Hiking attire
• Warm socks + extra socks
• Hiking boots
• Hat/gloves/scarf if it’s chilly
• Under layers for warmth
• Outerwear – rain jacket, fleece, sweatshirt, windbreaker, etc.
• Clear umbrellas if it’s going to rain
• Extra hiking outfit
• Extra pair of shoes

Miscellaneous:

• Hiking backpack
• Map/compass/offline maps on your phone
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Sunglasses
• Headlamps/lanterns/flashlights
• Parking pass/permit
• Toilet paper if there’s no restroom along the way
• Doggy bags, treats, a leash, & a portable water bowl if you’re bringing your dog(s)

Emergency/safety items:

• First-Aid kit
• Safety whistle
• Wedding day emergency kit with items such as:
  • Tide To Go pen
  • Safety pins
  • Deodorant
  • Lipstick/lip balm
  • Extra hair ties/bobbi pins
  • Sewing kit
  • Boob tape/fashion tape
  • Tampons
  • Tweezers
  • Scissors
  • Mints
  • Superglue
  • Medicines (Advil, etc.)
  • Hairspray
  • Tissues
  • Lint roller
  • Nail file
  • Hairbrush/comb
  • Small mirror/compact

Food/water:

• Water bottle + extra water
• Snacks (trail mix, granola bars, dried fruit, etc.)
• Any meals you’re going to have (e.g. picnic items, charcuterie board)
• A bottle of champagne to pop (if you want)

Simple AF Hiking Elopement Checklist

Now that you hopefully feel confident about how to plan your hiking elopement, here’s a list to keep on hand (print it out, screenshot it, save it to your phone, etc.) to make sure you don’t forget any crucial items or tasks leading up to your elopement day!

• Purchase any necessary parking permits (and tell your guests to purchase their own)
• Apply for any necessary location-specific wedding permits
• Research your selected trail ahead of time – find out what the terrain is like, how long it typically takes, how challenging it is, & any specific spots that may be hard to navigate
• Research typical weather at the time of year you’re eloping
• Plan for potential worst-case weather scenarios
• Download any music you want to listen to on the drive/during your ceremony for offline use (just remember to keep it quiet & be respectful of other trail goers!)
• Download any offline Google Maps you may need (including maps of surrounding areas in case you get lost)
• Download any trail maps (via an app like AllTrails) you may need
• Have multiple backup trails + locations + general plans in place, in case of unpredictable circumstances
• Pack an elopement-day emergency kit
• Pack a hiking safety kit + First Aid kit
• Let family/friends know when you plan to be back from your hike, and where you’ll be, in case of an emergency
• Plan a meeting location for your guests & vendors at the trailhead (especially if you’re not sure you’ll have cell service to communicate)
• Read recent reviews of the trail by hikers
• Monitor current weather, trail conditions, & road statuses in the days leading up to your elopement (for national parks, you can do this through the NPS website)
• Print any passes/permits you may need to have physical copies of
• Double check with all of your guests & vendors that they know where and when to meet you

PNW Hiking Elopement Packages

You made it through!! I hope you found this hiking elopement guide super helpful, and that you feel extra prepared now to plan the most AMAZING hiking elopement of your dreams. When it comes time to find the perfect adventure elopement photographer to document the incredible elopement you’re planning, I’d be sooo stoked to be considered – consider me your in-house expert on all things PNW adventure elopements!

Take a look at my hiking elopement packages + investment here to get a feel for what I offer, and then I’d love to have you reach out to me here so we can start chatting all things elopements + start dreaming up what your day could look like. I can’t wait to hear from y’all!

More PNW Adventure Elopement Resources

Dying for even MORE helpful elopement content like this?! I’ve gotchu covered – head to my blog for tonssss more adventure elopement tips + inspo, or check out a few of my most popular blog posts below!

Ultimate List of the 25 Best Pacific Northwest Elopement Locations

25 Best Airbnbs in Washington & Oregon for an Airbnb Elopement

10 Ways to Slow Down + Be Present on Your Wedding Day