Anything you want.
When you elope, you can embrace the traditions you love, ignore the ones you hate, and make new ones to reflect on you and your partner’s values.
While you can go the traditional route of white wedding dresses and tuxedos, you can also embrace color, your heritage, or your personal style.
Many of our couples blend the traditional with something unique—a 3-piece suit in Park Service Green with dog-patterned custom lining; a wedding gown embroidered with gold stars and dip-dyed blue; a cathedral train covering hiking boots.
Some couples draw from their backgrounds— Ao dais, lehengas, bringing their Vietnamese and Indian heritage to their elopement.
Other couples completely ditch tradition and celebrate in a way that feels the most like them. We’ve had couples wear everything from overalls, leather jackets, cowboy hats, and even flowsuits straight out of rave culture.
Important Considerations
Make sure you're:
1. Confident and absolutely love the way you look;
2. Prepared for the conditions you’ll be experiencing; and
3. Able to do the activities you want to do in your outfit.
If you are, then you’re perfectly dressed for your adventure wedding.
Dress for the Conditions!
While you want to look good on your wedding day, you'll also want to be comfortable.
Temperature:
Make sure you can regulate your body temperature! If you're eloping somewhere cold, you'll want outfits that can hide thermals underneath and look great layered with coats, sweaters, and hats. If you're eloping on a tropic beach, be prepared for a sticky 90 degree heat! It may be tempting to reach for a tux, but you'll thank me later if you take my advice and opt for a lightweight linen suit instead.
Dirt, Mud, and Water, oh my!:
Most elopements we do involve getting a bit (or very) wet and/or dirty. While this is a fun part of eloping, it can cause problems. If you're planning to get wet in your wedding dress, choose a dress that's not going to become a lead weight and drown you. If you'll be getting muddy but need to preserve your dress for a reception later, fabrics like polyester and tulle tend to be easier to clean.
Footwear will make or break your day.
We send a footwear recommendation guide for each part of your elopement because it's THAT important! Ever tried to wear stilettos in sand? White Vans in red mud? Non-waterproof hiking boots in snow? Yikes! Those are all terrible feelings! Talk with your elopement planner (me :P) and make sure you know what to put on your feet.
Embrace Tradition: White Gowns and Tuxes
There's a reason white gown and tuxedos are classic wedding attire: Classy, bold, and timeless. A white dress stands out against nearly all landscapes, creating a stunning "pop".
Showcase Your Culture and Heritage.
Ao dai, leis, lehengas, mehndi, and mom's wedding dress. Celebrate where you and your family came from and the blending of your family cultures in your new family through dress and wedding traditions.
Wedding Veils: Epic and Annoying AF.
As a photographer, when a couple shows up with a cathedral-length veil, I'm delighted. I also know two things: 1) My bride is going to have a few moments of hating her life every time we come across winds, sharp rocks, or the misstep of their partner's foot and 2) The couple is going to LOVE their photos.
I recommend having moments where you wear your veil. Don't expect to wear them all the time. Veils look amazing in the epic shots: the dip kiss on a cliff, the sunset shining through the veil. the wind billowing the veil in a slow-motion video shot. Veils are also very difficult to wear outside. The slightest breeze turns your head into a mast holding a giant sail. Rocks and branches constantly snag you. Pets and people step on them (yes--that horse below stepped on this cathedral-length dress and veil and the bride almost fell off!). And EVERYTHING pulls on your hair and makes the bobby pins scrape on your scalp.
Because you'll likely want to take your veil on and off, I HIGHLY recommend getting one that does not wrinkle. I'll often roll veils up, throw them in my backpack, and put them on our brides when we're at special scenic spots where we planned to do epic photos, the ceremony, or first dance. Having a material that comes out of the backpack looking good is everything!
Let us know if you're wanting the drama of a long veil. We're here for it and we'll help you decide when to wear it and when to wad it up in your backpack.
The Dark Side: Black Wedding Dresses and Black Suits
Wearing black is a great option for couples wanting a classic feel with an edgier, dramatic mood. This look is so versatile! A black outfit feels just as at-home at the opera, a gala, or a goth's dream Twilight-themed wedding. Black is slimming and lets colors (especially warm colors like reds and oranges) pop.
Embrace Color in your Wedding Attire
Wanting to show off the fact that you beat to a different drummer? Add a pop (or a boat load) of color. Salmon suits, dyed dresses, colorful ties, outrageous hats... it will all be epic!
Go casual-ish.
Just because you're getting married, doesn't mean you have to wear something fancy. It can be great to just prioritize personality, comfort, weather conditions, and vibes. A linen short-sleeve shirt gives off playful and tropical vibes, all while being perfect for the heat and humidity. You'll feel the breeze and dry off faster. A cozy sweater looks so cute while also making you forget you're in the snow.
Texture! Laces, Embroidery, and Unusual Fabrics
Details like textures are everything. Rich, silky chiffon covers you like a goddess. Sequins make you a glam Motown star. Lace can be soft and feminine or a bold statement--imagine rolling up like (The artist formally known as) Prince in a lace shirt! Breath taking!
