Adventure to Aisle: Tips for Getting Wedding-Ready Outdoors
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When you’re out on an adventure the goal is usually to pack as light as possible and only carry what you need. But when that adventure leads to a wedding, of course, you want to be able to feel less like a hot mess and more like a goddess as you’re exchanging your vows.
For my couples who choose more challenging hikes, I often recommend instead of wearing your wedding clothes from the start, that you change into them when we get closer to the spot where you’d like to have your first look and exchange your vows. This means that you won’t need to sweat and get your wedding outfits dirty before the “main event” when you get to exchange your vows.
Whether you’ve hiked, climbed or snowshoed to the perfect location to say your vows, you still want to look and feel like a million dollars when you stand up there with the person you love. So how can you transform from wanderer to wedding-ready when you’re in the middle of nowhere?
Top Tips for Changing “in the wild”
Practice Changing Between Outfits At Home
Whether you’re getting changed alone, or helping one another, have a dry-run before your elopement day. Practice changing from your hiking clothes to your wedding attire, so that you know which bits you might need help with.
If you are changing alone so that you can have a first look, remember that you can always ask me to help you with final touches like zipping you up.
Underwear Check
Think about what underwear you’ll be wearing and whether it can either be worn underneath your wedding outfits. If you are wearing a sports bra to hike and wearing a dress for your ceremony, make sure you check whether the bra fits under the dress, and if you’re going to remove it, that you won’t have any red, visible strap marks (for example if you’ve got an open-back or strapless dress).
How to Pack & Hike With Wedding Attire
Packing your wedding outfit for an outdoor elopement might feel a little daunting, but with a few smart tricks, you can keep everything looking sharp—even after a trek through the wild. The goal is simple: protect your clothes, minimize wrinkles, and make sure it all fits comfortably in your pack.
Choose the Right Bag
A lightweight garment bag is one of the best options for carrying formal wear on a hike. Many are designed to fold into thirds and come with straps or a hook, so you can attach it to your backpack and hike hands-free. If you’re trying to pack your outfits inside a hiking backpack then a weatherproof dry bag or even a large bin bag can work well. These help keep your clothes clean and dry. Make sure to practice rolling your outfits, packing them and unpacking them to see how they fit and whether they crease when packed.
Roll to Minimize Wrinkles
Before you pack, lay your outfit flat on a clean surface and use tissue paper or a soft scarf between the folds. This cushions the fabric and helps prevent creasing. If the fabric allows, rolling the clothing rather than folding it can reduce hard lines and help it spring back into shape when unrolled. Once it’s packed, make sure the bag is sealed or wrapped to protect against moisture or dust on the trail.
Organize Accessories
Accessories like jewelry, watches, belts, ties, or cufflinks should go in a small pouch or packing cube to keep them organized and easy to find. For more fragile items—like a special pin, boutonnière, or hairpiece—use a padded glasses case or small hard-shell container like a Tupperware to keep everything safe. If you’re bringing a second pair of shoes for the ceremony, tuck them into a shoe bag or wrap them separately to keep dirt away from your formalwear.
Other Considerations for your hiking elopement
Changing in the open
People are pretty comfortable with nudity in these areas. Go to most public swimming baths or a spa, and you’ll find shared changing rooms and nude saunas. So most people won’t be in the slightest bit offended if you’re getting changed on the side of a mountain and they happen to see you. If we are doing a hike where you’ll be changing out in the open, I’ll always try to find a spot that’s quiet and offers you a touch of privacy, such as some trees or a large rock. But sometimes that might not be possible. If you are worried about changing outside, one option is to bring a travel towel or sheet that someone (either me or your partner) can hold up in front of you to shield you from view, or a surf poncho that you can change underneath. However it does add more weight to your pack. That’s why I recommend practicing changing in the comfort of your home first, so that you’ll know how quickly and easily you can change, and whether there’s a possibility of accidentally flashing some random hikers!
Bring a Quick Freshen-Up Kit
After a hike, a little touch-up can go a long way. Pack a small kit with a travel-size wrinkle release spray, a lint roller or brush, and deodorant or wipes. Safety pins and fashion tape can also be lifesavers if anything needs a last-minute fix. These small items don’t take up much space but can make you feel refreshed and photo-ready when it’s time to change.
Finally, if you’re hiking with your partner or a small group, divide things up. Maybe one of you carries both outfits, or each of you carries your own. Sharing the load makes the hike more comfortable—and getting ready together at your ceremony spot can become a special part of the day.
