Adventure Elopement Packing Guide

What To Pack For A Mountain Adventure Elopement

Adventurous elopements are rapidly growing in popularity not only because you get to have an intimate ceremony with the love of your life, but also capture jaw-dropping photos to cherish for the rest of your life. If your elopement location involves hiking and exploring, it is essential to pack all of the necessities. It wouldn’t be fun to hike up a mountain and realize you forgot your vow books!

It’s important to be prepared for the weather and climate of the area. Take it from me, 99% of the time the mountains will be cold, but as long as you have brought the right attire, it will be an awesome day! I am very used to the unpredictable weather of the Rockies, and that is what makes for the most unique and dramatic images! Hopefully this adventure elopement packing guide will ensure you have everything you need for a perfect day.

Here is a checklist to make sure you don’t forget any essentials:

1. Wedding attire

Most couples pack their wedding attire away in a backpack and change when we get to the ceremony spot. To pack your clothes with minimal wrinkles, roll them up and place in a waterproof bag. Make sure to leave room underneath for thermals or layers if you are eloping in a cooler season.

2. Hiking Boots

Hiking through the mountains, walking over rocks, trudging through snow is not going to be very easy if you’re in uncomfortable shoes! But maybe boots aren’t your jam? You can always hike up the trail in your boots and switch into some fancy shoes at your destination!

3. Down Jackets + Rain Gear

I highly recommend bringing a warm down jacket no matter what time of year you are eloping. It is always cold on top of a mountain, and these jackets will keep you warm and look cute in photos! A rain coat is also a must, because weather can change so rapidly and is always unpredictable. Luckily both of these items are fairly lightweight and don’t take up much space in your backpacks.

4. Head Lamps

Typically, we will either be hiking up in the dark to shoot during sunrise or we will hike down in the dark after shooting at sunset, so headlamps for each person are essential! The flashlight on your phone won’t be adequate enough to see the terrain and its nice to have your hands free.

5. A Blanket

Is there anything cuter than snuggling under a blanket when it’s cold, or when snow is gently falling around you? Blankets also come in handy for picnics, sitting down to read letters from family, or just a place to put things so they don’t get wet or dirty.

6. Drinks

Just because you’re not having a traditional wedding doesn’t mean you can’t break out the champagne or pop a couple of beers! Plus, popping the champagne on a mountaintop makes for stunning photos. Sometimes a champagne toast is not what you feel like at 9am on your elopement day, but some steaming cups of coffee with Bailey’s – yes please!

7. Extras

Anything else to make your day perfect: backpacks for all your stuff, rings, vow books, flowers, touch up bag of makeup/hair, sunscreen, bug spray, and sentimental items.

Hopefully this list is a good starting point and will help you think of all the odds and ends you’ll need to have the perfect hiking elopement. Let your mind rest knowing you are well prepared and enjoy one of the most special days of your life. If you are planning an adventurous mountaintop elopement, whether it’s here in the Rockies or somewhere else in the world, I would love to help capture your memories! Contact me here to chat details!