Dreamy Elopement Dress Ideas
I have learned a lot of elopement dress ideas from photographing hundreds of weddings and elopements. I have seen many different styles, bustles, colors, and designers. Based on my experience as an adventure elopement photographer, this blog on how to choose your dream elopement dress will cover types of dresses, things to consider, hiking in (or with) your attire, sustainable practices & budget-friendly options, and more!
Personally, I had a custom dress made when I got married in Thailand. You can even learn more about my experience with that option as well. Feel free to read through all of these ideas or simply scroll to see a wide variety of elopement dresses to get you feeling wildly inspired!
Choosing THE dress can seem like a daunting task. Remember that you know what you like – just look through your closet right now, and you can see what styles you are naturally drawn toward. A dress that genuinely reflects your personality and allows you to shine is out there. Be open-minded, and just remember that your dress does not have to be white! Whatever you decide, just be yourself because that’s probably why you’re eloping in the first place.
Tips For Choosing Your Elopement Dress
When it comes to tips for choosing your elopement dress, the best advice I can give you is make sure you can move around in your dress! When you try on a dress, make sure to sit, stand up quickly, take big steps, hop up and down, and raise your arms. Ballerina twirls are a good way to test how your skirt will perform in photos. So move those hips and see how your skirt plays and dances around you!
Anything that feels a little heavy, is difficult to move in, or requires you to constantly hold the train to move is going to get really old, really quickly. Anything that is too tight or that doesn’t fit you quite right is going to be a distraction and make you feel self conscious. Additionally, allow yourself plenty of time to find your dream elopement dress – some dress makers can take up 6 months to receive a gown. You may even need alterations from there so it’s not unreasonable to begin looking for your dress 9-12 months out (or more) from your elopement day.
Once you focus on how you feel in the dress, turn your attention to how the dress makes you feel. Does it represent you? Do you like the way you look around your shoulders, bust, and waist? How does the motion of your skirt compliment your movements?
Moreover, consider what the weather might be like when you elope. If you’re eloping in the winter, considering having long sleeves and warmer fabric. If it’s summertime and you’re going on a 3 mile hike, then look for lightweight material and perhaps something with holes in it like lace. Try to coordinate the aesthetic of your dress with the landscape you are exploring!
Additionally, make sure that you know where and how the bustle of your dress works. We recommend having someone take a video of how the bustle works so you can show anyone who might be helping you. This may save you valuable time during your elopement day.
Your Elopement Dress Shopping Experience
Choosing an elopement dress may take some brides a few days while others may be on the lookout for a whole lot longer than that. This decision can mean different things to different people so don’t feel like you should be anywhere in particular at any time. You will naturally know when you feel a pure connection with your dress similarly to how you knew your partner was the one. Follow your intuition and listen to yourself.
Your elopement dress shopping experience should be fun and an overall positive experience. It’s best to only go with those who you know, trust, and who truly support you. Going dress shopping is also a great way to include people in your elopement who may not be at your actual vow ceremony.
Customized Elopement Dresses
I knew that I wanted a customized elopement dress because I didn’t want anyone to get married in the same dress as me – especially for what wedding dresses cost. I wanted something that is truly one of a kind, and I LOVED being a part of the dress design process! The skirt even detaches in two parts and can be worn as just a romper – how cool!
Working with Daci Gowns was such a lovely experience! Seeing the dress come to life from a sketch and fabric samples to trying it on for the very first time made me fall even more in love with my dress. By continuously communicating and collaborating with my dress maker, my overall elopement dress shopping experience felt deeply personal. If you are creative and feel inspired, you can even craft your own threads to wear on your elopement day!
Non-Traditional Elopement Dress Ideas
We encourage you to feel empowered to choose something different if the traditional white wedding dress doesn’t spark the most joy. Consider a variety of colors, styles, and shapes if those resonate more deeply with you. Incorporate fun accessories like hats, pocket watches, and any other unique touch that enhances your overall look. If there is something that you are passionate about, express yourself in the way that you feel inspired!
How to Pack & Travel with your Elopement Dress
When it comes to packing your elopement dress, try rolling the fabric instead of folding it. This way, you can reduce wrinkles when traveling. We also recommend that you bring a steamer so that you can remove any wrinkles that might occur during your flight.
Some airlines will allow you to hang your elopement dress in the plane’s garment closet. This is a great way to keep your dress free from wrinkles. If this is not an option, consider bringing a hard case carry-on that is specifically just for your dress. This way, you can ensure it will have enough room to travel without being smushed in with other clothes. The hard case will protect it from other traveler’s bags.
How to Hike in an Elopement Dress
Wear on the Trail
If you don’t mind some dirt and twiggy souvenirs, then you can wear it for the journey! Of course, you will need comfortable hiking boots on any trail. Keep in mind that you can change your shoes for photos if you want a different look. If you have a really long train, then we recommend using the Bridal Buddy. The Bridal Buddy is a lightweight slip that picks your skirt off of the ground without the need to hold on to it with your hands. This is the perfect way to navigate the trail with much less risk of snagging your dress or getting it dirty.
It’s worth noting that we have found a little dirt can add character to a dress! The subtly visible wear and tear on your dress helps tell the story of the day you get married. The ombré look on a skirt is absolutely gorgeous!
Change at the Top
If you want to keep your dress completely clean, the best way to hike in your elopement dress is to carry it in a backpack and change when you reach your destination. Avoid fabric like tulle that seems to attract every kind of debris. Depending on how many layers and how free flowing they are, you may collect twigs, pebbles, and even bugs. It’s worth considering how much time it might take to change into your dress if you have intricate buttons or corsets that are more time-consuming to fasten. In this case, it’s usually more efficient to wear your dress for the hike.
Veils & Elopement Accessories
Consider your accessories as part of your dress! Veils and capes are fun and show motion extremely well. Jackets, shawls, or layers are always a must when eloping in the mountains no matter the time of year, which is a cute way to be creative and let your personality shine. Flower crowns and other hair pieces also provide timeless elegance and pops of color. We’ve also seen brides stitch symbols and words into the fabric that create meaning beyond the surface.
Budget Friendly Elopement Dresses & Rentals
If you want to save money on your elopement dress, consider renting a dress, purchasing a pre-owned dress, or buying a sample dress. Otherwise, many budget-friendly shops may help you save a little money, but the cost is actually much greater because they are often fast fashion business models like Forever 21 or Shein. These clothes are made from oil, are horrible for the environment, are of poor quality, and are often made by people working in unsafe and/or unfair conditions. If you’re curious to learn more about the true cost of discounted clothing, check out this podcast.
When renting a dress, make sure it’s ok if the dress gets dirty or that the cleaning procedures are understood. Alternatively, you might also find something in dress shops that aren’t just for bridal customers.
Start your Own Dress Tradition
Many sentimental brides have worn a dress that was previously worn by a family member. Having a dress passed down from generation to generation, and even within the same generation, is a wonderful way to connect with your loved ones. It’s also lovely to wear a dress that represents your heritage or culture. If you feel compelled to do something that no one has ever done before, we support you and encourage you to do so! There are no rules that you have to follow when it comes to wearing your very own elopement dress. If you are curious to learn more about the history and tradition behind wedding dresses, check out this podcast.
Best Elopement Dress Designers
Ultimately, you should feel confident, sexy, and radiant in your elopement dress! Regardless of your budget, there is something out there for you. If you’re renting, buying, creating, or anything else, look for a visceral connection you may have with any particular dress. Here a few dress shops that we recommend:
Meet Your Adventure Elopement Photographer Team
Hopefully, these tips for choosing your elopement dress have given you some help! We’re Meg & Kevin, and we are a husband and wife adventure elopement photographer team! We can help you with all things related to your elopement. Please let us know how we can help you along this once-in-a-lifetime journey. If you have any questions about shopping for an elopement dress or how to have the best elopement experience, just reach out.
