How to Have a Hiking Elopement – A How to Guide in 2025
WHAT IS A HIKING ELOPEMENT AND WHY SHOULD WE DO IT?
If you and your partner prefer the great outdoors to traditional indoor venues for exchanging your vows, then a hiking elopement could be the ideal option for you! Adventure elopements cater perfectly to couples whose shared experiences revolve around conquering towering peaks and witnessing breathtaking sunrises.
For those whose most cherished memories are etched along rugged switchbacks and in the pursuit of sunrise vistas, a hiking elopement is a natural fit. The beauty of it all? You have the freedom to select the trail that resonates most with your unique love story—the possibilities are as boundless as the sky above!
This comprehensive hiking elopement guide serves as your go-to resource for planning the adventure of a lifetime. From choosing the perfect trail that mirrors your romance to practical advice on preparing for the journey ahead, we’ve got you covered. So, lace up those boots and prepare to illuminate your love story beneath the stars or in the glow of dawn’s first light—it’s your choice, your hiking wedding adventure awaits!
HOW TO PLAN YOUR HIKING ELOPEMENT
Your first step is to map out your hiking elopement! At this stage, you can put it all on the table and dream big. Once you have all of your ideas out, then you can work together to decide on the details before setting out on your big hike! The idea of a hiking elopement is pretty simple, but there are some things to really consider before setting out on the trails.
Some things to think of for your hiking elopement might include:
• PICK YOUR HIKING ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER
Even for seasoned hikers, embarking on a hiking elopement presents a unique experience. Having someone well-versed in local trails, knowledgeable about wedding day logistics, and enthusiastic about hiking is invaluable when planning such an adventure. It’s even better if that person shares a passion, connecting with people, and embracing the wonders of nature—I’m here for all of it!
As an experienced person, I’m pretty involved with helping my couples plan their hiking elopements. Every year, we witness numerous out-of-state couples choosing Colorado elopements, where they opt for self-solemnization. Among them are both repeat visitors and newcomers to the state.
If you’re from the area, you may have a little more “insider knowledge” than the average bear, but there are always things that people are surprised by when we dig down and begin to plan the hiking elopement and what they are looking for from their day.
Helping couples plan their hiking elopement accomplishes many things; it helps you gain a deeper understanding of what the day is going to look like, how many miles they really want to hike for their wedding, the different scenery options, how to be fully prepared, the times for the best lighting and so much else!
• CHOOSE YOUR DATE
Let’s be real. No one wants to have their hiking elopement during the post-hole season! Choosing the correct season for your hiking elopement will go a long way in making sure you’re happy! I suggest gravitating towards the warmer months for your hiking wedding where the trails are clear and the weather is more predictable.
Trust me: hiking through snowfields for hours on end in the winter isn’t the way you want to be spending your time! You should really consider hiking in the summer months. You can thank me later when you’re basking in the alpine air surrounded by wildflowers!
• CHOOSE YOUR HIKING LOCATION, HIKING DISTANCE & ELEVATION
Before choosing your spot, let’s talk a little bit about how hiking elopements are a bit different from an average day on the trails.
This is not the day for an all-day endurance trek like you’re in the Himalayan’s. As much as you might love to hike, you don’t want to be doing it all day on your wedding day! Your hiking elopement will be more than just hiking; it will also include things like changing clothes, saying your vows, and taking photos; sometimes in more than one location. Exploring the surrounding areas and drinking some beers! As a rule of thumb, a 3-5 miles round trip hiking elopement is perfect.
Even experienced hikers can get out of breath here! If you’re from a place that’s just above sea level, you can be unprepared for what the change in altitude means. Headaches, nausea, and lightheadedness can happen even at our lowest elevations if you’re not acclimated. Plan to arrive at least a few days (a week is even better!) Hang out, enjoy the beauty and drink a lot of water.
Scenery to think of when choosing your hiking elopement:
• CHOOSE YOUR HIKING ELOPEMENT ATTIRE
You’ve gone your own way with your wedding day plans, so you can be just as creative with your hiking wedding attire. Just remember that everything you need has to be packed in on the hike, so consider the weight of the fabric. Wedding dresses especially can be heavy!
Hiking in, you’ll be in your regular outdoor clothes, so wear whatever attire you are comfortable in and is right for the weather conditions. Weather is changeable, and it can be considerably colder in higher elevations, so make sure you pack accordingly with layers.
Once we get on-site, you’ll change from your hiking gear into your wedding duds; it’s time to get married! Bonus Points: The getting ready photos for an adventure elopement are my absolute favorite!
HOW DO YOU STYLE YOUR HAIR FOR A HIKING ELOPEMENT?
If you’re hiring someone to do your hair for your hiking elopement, a trial run is a fantastic idea. Share your specific plans with them and have them style your hair so you can see how it holds up. Consider taking a practice hike to test its durability!
If a trial run isn’t feasible, opt for a simpler hairstyle. Braids can be a great choice! Many clients also love the “half up half down” style, which adds a touch of glamour while still allowing for movement in photos—a detail I adore. If you’re wearing a veil, ensure you have clips or bobby pins to secure it tightly, as it can get windy in the mountains. Veils can create stunning, dramatic photos!
I collaborate with several talented hiking elopement hair and makeup artists who excel at making hiking weddings truly special!
IS IT BETTER TO HAVE A SUNSET OR SUNRISE HIKING ELOPEMENT?
Sunrise and sunset are the two most popular times to do a hiking elopement because these photos’ results are epic. Let’s take a look at the difference it makes in your hiking photos.
SUNRISE HIKING ELOPEMENT
If you are willing, morning person or not, sunrise results can be spectacular. First, the trails are generally pretty quiet then, and so is the traffic getting to locations. It can be cold, but there is usually less wind at sunrise. Low fog may hang, and that can add dramatic effects to the hiking photos.
Sunrise light is soft, ethereal, and more pastel than sunset. The sun’s rays are shorter, producing those pretty blue and violet tones you see in the early morning. If you love the idea of watching the world come alive on the very first day you marry your person, well, sunrise hiking elopements are pretty amazing.
SUNSET HIKING ELOPEMENT
I love sunsets too. As the sun dips beneath the mountain peaks, it paints the sky with a dreamy array of colors over the western slopes. Choosing a sunset wedding not only provides this breathtaking backdrop but also offers the major advantage of allowing you to sleep in. If alarm clocks aren’t your thing, this might be the perfect choice for you!
However, keep in mind that afternoons can bring unpredictable weather, so it’s wise to stay flexible in case of sudden changes.
WHERE DO I GET READY? BEFORE WE START HIKING, OR AT THE DESTINATION?
There are no rules when it comes to your adventure elopement. But hiking any distance while decked out in wedding attire can be a challenge, which is why so many of my couples opt for carrying their wedding clothes, flowers, and other gear in a backpack until they reach their epic destination to exchange vows. Or you can say eff it and spend every moment of your wedding day in your gown or suit. It’s your day—do what you want!
HOW DO YOU PACK A WEDDING DRESS IN A BACKPACK?
This is probably the question I get asked the most when it comes to hiking weddings and the answers are as simple as you might think. There are two basic options that I suggest without having to get too creative.
HANG IT OFF THE BACKPACK
This is a great option for those who are doing a shorter hike as the wedding dress can swing from side to side while hiking. You can also hang it from the back and put straps around the backpack and dress to hold it in place while hiking. I personally love this option because you still have plenty of room in your backpack to pack snacks, blankets, makeup, and other goodies!
PACK IT IN YOUR BACKPACK
This is a great option for those who have bigger backpacks or even backpacking packs. A lot of grooms will carry the bigger packs that include not only the wedding dress but their suits as well. This leaves the other party to carry the accessories and help distribute the weight among both people. The downside to this option is you might have to unpack something at some point on the hike up, so your dress might get wrinkled with the packing and unpacking on the hike.
WEAR IT HIKING
Feeling spicy and want to wear your dress on the hike up? Do it! At the end of the day, it’s up to each bride and what their comfort level is in hiking in their wedding dress.
SHOULD YOU HIKE IN MY WEDDING DRESS?
Absolutely! This is your golden opportunity to trash the dress! Unless you plan on framing your wedding dress in your house, then you should absolutely hike in your wedding dress! Not only does it make for awesome photos, but it allows you to be free and roam the beautiful landscape as you’ve never done before. I would still suggest hiking up in regular clothes but use your time at the top to hike and explore, because this is your hiking elopement, and you might as well go all out!
CAN YOU BRING MY DOG TO YOUR HIKING ELOPEMENT?
In my opinion, having a dog along for every hiking elopement should be a requirement. Just kidding. On a serious note, consider bringing a family member to help with your dog if you’re bringing your dog to your hiking wedding! Personally, our family feels incomplete without our corgi, so we always appreciate the extra company on the trail. Remember, it’s important to keep dogs leashed in most areas. Allowing your dog off-leash can pose risks due to local wildlife, so ensure they’re leashed or keep a leash handy at all times! Adhering to the rules is the best way to continue enjoying the company of dogs on adventure elopements. But also remember that some elopements in National Parks like Yosemite don’t like allow dogs on trail, so make sure to check the rules!
TRAIL ETIQUETTE FOR YOUR HIKING ELOPEMENT
It’s totally understandable if you aren’t familiar with trail etiquette for your hiking wedding. Most people aren’t familiar and that’s ok! Learning and following proper trail etiquette will allow adventurers new and old to enjoy their time outdoors. Being mindful of other hikers and the fragile areas goes a long way in preserving the open space and respecting others!
Some unwritten rules to keep in mind for your hiking elopement:
HIKING ELOPEMENT ESSENTIALS
Hiking elopements are an amazing way to enjoy your wedding day, but there are still some essentials outside of your vow books and dress that you should bring along for the adventure elopement. These things might be considered boring but they’re essential in ensuring you have a fun and safe adventure elopement!
There are other items you can pack for your hiking elopement but these are definitely the essentials I recommend starting off with. They should also carry with them navigation tools, first aid, and other health and hygiene essentials!
HOW TO HAVE A LEAVE NO TRACE ELOPEMENT
Respecting the wild and keeping trails beautiful is super important. The original Rocky Mountain National Park conservation group once made declared: “Those who pull flowers up by their roots will be condemned by all worthy people.” But there are many things you can do beyond not picking wildflowers. Why? Because following the Leave No Trace ethics is the most important thing to remember when putting together your Colorado elopement package.
There are SEVEN ethics in LNT that everyone should follow. Below are some examples that are expected in each hiking elopement:
- Avoid geo-tagging your elopement spot. Tagged photos are leading to the overcrowding and destruction of fragile places for photos on the “gram”. Protecting places from being overrun and crowded is super important.
- Leave things how you found them.
- Staying on the marked trail and avoiding sensitive open tundra and wildflowers.
- Respect the wildlife. Don’t feed or approach the wildlife in the mountains.
- Plan ahead and be prepared. Much like weather can be unpredictable, nature can be unexpected as well.
- And one of the golden rules: If you pack it in, then you pack it out! This goes for your poop as well.
Nature is giving you this big connection in the mountains, so I ask all of my couples to be respectful and treat the earth right! LNT isn’t for shaming people. It’s for educating!
Do you still have questions about Leave No Trace? Reach out for the crash course!
LET’S GET STARTED ON YOUR HIKING ELOPEMENT
My name is Sean, and I help couples plan Colorado elopements and I am am free spirit who has dedicated my life to exploring this wild world and connecting to the people in it.
I know firsthand what an important and personal decision this is—my wife and I eloped to Northern Ireland. You’re trusting me to capture this amazing day, and I make it my responsibility to make sure you have an incredible experience from start to finish.
My passion has led me here, where I can follow my heart and share my love for the outdoors with others on their wedding day. It’s truly an awesome experience, and I’m stoked every time I get to document your day.
When I’m not hiking couples, I love to go hiking with my wife and our corgi.
Sound like the perfect match? Reach out if you’re ready to get started on your hiking elopement!
HIKING ELOPEMENT GALLERY INSPIRATION
Ready to embark on your hiking elopement adventure? Explore these breathtaking hiking elopement galleries for inspiration on crafting the perfect vision for your epic adventure wedding celebration!
Taylor & Eddie Hiking Wedding
In fall hiking elopements, we are faced with challenging climates. We anxiously kept an eye on the weather for the days leading up to their elopement.
Backpacking Hiking Elopement
I added backpacking elopements because it’s one of my favorite summer activities and I was stoked when Heather and Jerrod decided they wanted to do this for their big day.
Cody & Virginia Hiking Wedding
We hiked up to a lake near where they settled into some spots behind the trees and got ready for their first looks!
Matt & Brianna Hiking Elopement
We met up at the trailhead at 4 am and hiked under the stars to a secluded alpine lake. They got changed in the woods for their epic first look at sunrise.
