How to Choose the Perfect Elopement Wedding Dress
Your elopement day should feel easy, intentional, and completely yours, from the views you choose to the outfit you wear.
Choosing an elopement wedding dress is a little different than picking one for a traditional wedding. You’ll want a dress that you can move, breathe, twirl, and be comfortable in while adventuring through the outdoors. Whether you’re hiking to your ceremony spot, exchanging vows in the snow, or sharing a quiet picnic by an alpine lake, your dress should make you feel amazing without holding you back from what you want to do!
This lil’ dress guide walks you through how to find a dress that’s beautiful, functional, and true to your style. So you can feel incredible and totally at ease on your elopement day.
Start With the Experience First
Before thinking about fabric or silhouette, take a step back and go big picture. Imagine your elopement day.
Are you hiking through the woods or snowshoeing into a ceremony spot?
Will you be walking through meadows or scrambling up boulders?
Is it hot, cold, windy? Or, in classic Colorado fashion, all three in one day?
Check out this incredible elopement video we crafted for a couple who chose to hit the slopes on their big day! Notice how she can do all things in her dress :-)
Your dress should support the experience, not work against it. If you’re eloping outdoors in Colorado, that might mean layering up in the winter or picking breathable fabrics for summer heat. It usually means too that the bottom of your dress will get dirty (in a cute, fun way!)! Your dress isn’t just a look for your day, it’s your adventure outfit, and there for the spontaneous moments you may find yourself in on your big day.
Comfort Is ~Everything~
Here’s the tea: you can have an elopement wedding dress that’s stunning and lets you move freely. We've seen countless brides ditch stiff corsets or huge ballgown skirts in favor of dresses they have better mobility in.
We recommend looking for:
Lightweight fabrics that billow in a mountainous breeze (and look great on camera!)
Stretchy or relaxed fits that don’t pinch or restrict
Breathable layers for hiking, climbing, sitting, and celebrating (we’ve seen beautiful wedding shaws!)
A silhouette that feels authentic to you, flattering and free!
Bonus tip: if you can’t sit or spin in your dress comfortably, it might not be the right dress for the day.
Think About Texture and Movement (It Shows in Photos)
Movement in still frames in pure magic (someone put that on my gravestone!). Not only of you as people, but a flowing skirt, gentle fabric, textured lace, or a long train can bring a sense of motion and emotion to your elopement gallery or film. If you’re curious how this manifests, peruse our portfolio here!
Here’s some elements to consider for maximizing movement:
Dresses with slits, flutter sleeves, or airy overlays
Tulle, chiffon, silk, or crepe that catches the wind are epic materials to consider!
Lace or texture that adds depth without being bulky or awkward
Capes, veils, or shawls that add drama and also functional warmth
You don’t need a huge train or beading to make a statement! A simple, stunning silhouette with a fabric that moves with you is often more impactful in wild spaces. We’re all about that drama, y’all.
Prioritize Packability and Durability
Being so real here, if you’re hiking or traveling for your elopement, your elopement wedding dress will probably get a little dirty. It’s possibly more fun the more you embrace it. The red dirt from Garden of the Gods on the bottom of your dress is SUCH a vibe! We love when dresses pick up some trail dust or snow, it’s part of the story!
Consider these factors for your day that your dress will endure:
How easily it packs (can you roll it into a backpack if you need or hang it in your car easily?)
How heavy it is (lightweight is less cumbersome to hike in)
If it wrinkles easily (some fabrics bounce back a bit better)
How it handles the elements (stiff or delicate fabrics may be at risk if you’ll be brushing past branches or rocks)
Choose a dress that’s as adventurous as you are, one that can handle a wild side!
Embrace Your Style!
One of the best parts of eloping? There are no rules and no right or wrong way of doing things. It’s the best.
You don’t have to wear white! You don’t have to wear an elopement wedding dress at all! You don’t have to match a theme or follow a trend! You get to wear what feels true to you, however that takes shape! We’ve seen some incredible dresses and what shines most about them is the bride feeling themselves in it :-)
Your outfit is another way to express what makes your love story truly yours. Don’t be afraid to have fun with it! Lean into the vastness of eloping and do what feels right for you.
Shopping for Your Elopement Wedding Dress
You don’t need a traditional bridal salon to find the perfect elopement dress, although some brides may love this experience, and if that’s you, then totally go for it! Many of our couples find their dresses online, secondhand, or through small designers.
We’ve seen dresses from :
Lulu’s – affordable, beautiful options
A&Be Bridal (Denver) – local shop with elopement-friendly designs
Still White – secondhand wedding dresses at every price point
Reclamation – boho-inspired lace dresses made for movement
Wherever you shop, ask yourself: can I walk, sit, laugh, dance, and hike in this?
Bring the Layers!
Colorado weather is notorious for changing it’s mind. Everyone here says if you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes! Even in summer, we recommend packing layers. Higher alpine locations can get a cool, mountain breeze that’ll make you wish you had a light layer to keep you warm!
Some bridal layers to consider:
Neutral shawls or wraps
Patterned scarves or wool blankets
Fitted base layers (leggings under dresses for winter!)
Cute jackets or cardigans that look great in photos
Don’t Forget Your Shoes
It’s totally possible we could write up another blog post all about shoes for your elopement, it’s a small but crucial element! You’ll be walking, standing, maybe climbing over rocks, possibly (hopefully!) dancing.
Your feet will want:
Comfortable, broken-in shoes with good traction (think hiking boots or trail shoes)
Weather-ready options (avoid anything slippery or fragile!)
Shoes that look perfect a little muddy or dusty
Optional to bring a second pair for ceremony or portraits
We love a good hiking boot and dress moment! When thinking about your outfit for the day, pick a shoe that works well for your feet and feels solid on the terrain you choose!
Final Thoughts: Let Your Elopement Wedding Dress Support Your Story
Your elopement wedding dress isn’t just an outfit, it’s a part of the way your story is told!
It’s the train that floats in the wind, the magical glow it holds at golden hour, and the way it feels when your partner sees you in it for the first time and is overwhelmed with beauty. It’s not about perfection per se, it’s about presence and representing who you are.
Choose something you can move in, something you feel beautiful in! Choose a dress that lets you be part of the moment, not worried about adjusting straps or sinking into the ground.
Need help picking something that fits your vision or location? We’re always happy to help. We’ve filmed in snow, wind, alpine lakes, and muddy trails- truly we’ve seen it all! We’re here to guide you every step of the way (including deciding layers!!).
Ready to start planning your Colorado elopement?
Let’s make it unforgettable together: from the dress to the vows to the final frame. Fill out the contact form below and we will reach out and get the ball rolling!