Does your adventure elopement dream have anything to do with hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, etc? Chances are, you’ll need to prepare to be as comfortable as possible. This is a brief guide on how to begin the process!
Decide if you want to hike in your wedding attire or if you want to change at the ceremony site.
Change before the ceremony: I personally LOVE when couples choose to wear their garb to the site. When else can you say you have hiked in formal attire?
Change at the ceremony: Most of my couples are okay with changing in nature, especially if we are the first ones hitting the trail at sunrise. If you are wanting more privacy, ask your photographer if they have a changing tent. This is the one I have!
How to prep for an adventure elopement:
- Bring a day pack to stash your bouquet, a bottle of champagne, vow books, some decorated sugar cookies or whatever else you have in store to celebrate.
- Some people even bring a change of shoes, but most are okay with comfortable hiking boots or a chosen more stylish hiking boot such as this! It is also recommended to have worn in said boots! Otherwise, add bandaids to your pack 🙂
- WATER! I should have led with this for how important it is. Especially if it’s a warm location like the high desert of Sedona! Flagstaff normally has a more mild summer, but can feel hot even in the 70-80s due to the elevation. It’s also really important to drink water at high elevation even the week leading UP to your arrival so you don’t get altitude sickness. I am completely hooked on Nuun electrolytes and strawberry lemonade will always be my favorite flavor. I have to literally tell myself to not have more than the recommended 3 tabs per day.
- Sunscreen: Don’t get fried on your wedding day! Even though we tend to be outside near sunrise or sunset, there is usually a good chunk of the day under the sun. Don’t skip this step!
- Bring something special like the couple below who chose hot cocoa!
- Prepare for weather! I reserve the day before and after your elopement date, but most of my couples play along with mother nature. Cold? Bring a puffy and hand warmers such as my favorite rechargeable ones! Raining? Embrace it! Snowing? Even better – let’s ski or snowshoe!
Get creative and share ideas with your photographer. Chances are they will go to the ends of the earth to bring your vision to life within the Leave No Trace principles 🙂 Contact me if you need to brainstorm or have questions about an adventure elopement!
Clarice