My guide to hiking weddings and adventure elopements
Ready to have an incredible hiking wedding or adventure elopement?
If you’re an avid hiker, climber, or backpacker, you may be having difficulty picturing getting married at the local country club. Or maybe you’ve just discovered your love for the outdoors, and the idea of saying I do on a mountain top just sounds like the most romantic thing ever. Well then, I have just the thing for you. By now, you’ve probably heard the terms adventure elopement or hiking wedding at least once before reading this page. Basically, they are the same thing: a small destination wedding somewhere epic where you focus on having a great time and creating incredible wedding photos.
Sound awesome? It is. These intimate wilderness weddings are my absolute favorite things to shoot. I can’t recommend them enough. But as with every adventure into the outdoors, you don’t want to go unprepared. This guide provides all the information you need to plan a memorable mountaintop wedding or forest elopement. Borrow from my years of experience as a backpacker and adventure elopement photographer specializing in the national parks. Below, my guide to hiking for your wedding or elopement will give you the best destinations, tips on attire, the legal stuff, and what to watch out for.
Tips for Hiking Wedding or Elopement Attire
Footwear
If you’re planning an adventurous elopement you probably already guessed that heels or wingtips probably aren’t the best choice of footwear for the hike. So then what should you wear? At the very least you’ll want comfortable walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet for the mileage chosen. If you’re eloping somewhere where the hiking will be a little more intense you might want to opt for a dedicated hiking shoe or boot. You can always throw your formal shoes in your backpack and change into them when we get to our destination.
Athletic shoes/ trail runners - are great for shorter hikes on your wedding day. You can hike longer distances in them, but you’ll want to condition your feet
Hiking shoes - something with heavier tread and more traction for loose and muddy terrain or for going up and over boulders. Has more cushion for grander elopement adventures.
Hiking boot - if you feel you need more ankle support or want more cushion for your wedding hike, or just like how they look. While I typically hike in trail runners, I use boots when carrying the extra weight when backpacking.
Dresses
When picking a wedding dress for your adventure, you’ll want to consider your plans for the day and what the weather will likely be like when taking your photos.
If you plan on hiking in the wedding dress for most of the day you’ll want to make sure you pick one that you can move in without too much hassle. To make hiking easier, wear shorts or leggings under the dress so you can hike it up on the trail as needed. A belt can be handy for keeping the dress bunched up so you don’t have to carry it for the entire hike. If you don’t want to hike in your dress, that opens your options a bit, but make sure you can still move around enough in the dress that you’ll be able to get the photos you want. If you can’t walk or sit in the dress, you’ll have a lot of standing around photos.
Light and breathable dresses are great for day hikes in the summer, but spring/ fall temps can get chilly at high altitudes, especially if you plan to take wedding photos at sunrise or sunset. You can still do the light and airy dress in the colder climes, but you’ll want to have thermals underneath to keep you warm. Chattering teeth and blue lips aren’t the ideal wedding day look.
Suits
When picking a suit for your wedding adventure, the weather is the biggest thing to consider. If eloping in warmer climates make sure to choose a material that is lighter and more breathable. For winter elopements you can get more creative with material choices. Make sure when trying on your suit you have a good range of motion and will be able to hike around comfortably. Even in cold weather you’ll likely want to remove the jacket of your suit when hiking, as the exertion can make the suit toasty quickly.
Accessories
In addition to any jewelry, watches, and hair accessories you may wear for your wedding, there are a few additional things you’ll want to consider on your wedding day. To start, it’s almost always a good idea to have layers when in the great outdoors. Look for jackets, shawls, or wraps that compliment your wedding attire and can make for a good photo prop, in addition to keeping you warm. If eloping where rain is a possibility, bring a clear umbrella to keep you dry, and you’ll get some incredible photos in the rain.
Need more help picking your elopement day outfits? Check out the
What exactly is a Hiking Wedding or adventure elopement?
There’s more than one way to have an adventure. You’ll need to decide who will join you and for what parts of your adventure. Here are a few different ways you can do things
Just the two of you
You, the love of your life, and an awesome elopement photographer hiking into the wilderness to find views you can’t get anywhere else. Since there’s no one else to consider we can push things to the limit. Hit the trail pre-dawn for a mountaintop vow exchange like no other. Backpack deep into the backcountry for starry photos in the wilderness. Whatever wild idea your hearts come up with, we can do it. For the legal portion of your marriage ceremony, you can either do it beforehand, after, or elope somewhere like Colorado where you can self- solemnize.
The select few
It could be just your siblings, and/or parents, maybe only best friends. This elite group of loved ones has decided to tough it out with you and be a part of the adventure. You might be a little more restricted on where you can go and how intense it might be, but you can still have an awesome time. One advantage of bringing a few guests along is you have someone to get ordained and officiate your wedding. Depending on the location, you might have enough cell service for a loved one to livestream the event to your friends and family back home.
Everyone along for the hike
If your goal is to hike into the wilderness, this is the hardest way to do it. Now, I have seen whole families, including moms, dads, siblings, grandpa and grandma, and even their boss, put on their formal attire and hike several miles at over 10,000 feet of elevation for a wedding in the Eastern Sierra. But I’d say that’s pretty exceptional. There will likely be folks that can’t or don’t want to do a big hike or backpack for your wedding ceremony but want to be a part of it. So you have two options: one, find a location and hike everyone can handle, or two…
Split it up!
Have everyone join you for a ceremony around where you want to hike, then afterward, lace up the hiking boots and head out into the backcountry. Or do it in reverse; have your awesome adventure elopement, and then have the ceremony the next morning with the family. Another option I’ve had more than a few eloping couples do is to have their own day of adventure and then plan a formal reception for the family when they return home.
My favorite destinations for adventurous weddings
So many places to go…
Yosemite National Park
While the Yosemite Valley may be the park’s most iconic destination, there is so much more to explore. Head to either the South Rim or the Tioga Pass to find a wide variety of killer hikes with views that make those in the valley seem quaint. Yosemite National Park allows weddings with fewer than twelve guests to take place anywhere, so you can make the Cathedral Lakes your wedding chapel in the wilderness. Of the two high country options, the Tioga Pass is definitely my favorite. Nearly every trailhead there can make for an incredible but accessible wedding site, so hike up the trail for your adventure together.
Eastern Sierra
Love the idea of the views of a Yosemite elopement but don’t like all the crowds? Visit the Eastern Sierra! There are so many incredible locations for an elopement or small wedding here that it’s hard to know where to begin. From the Alabama Hills and the Whitney Portal to the many trails around Devils Postpile and beyond. There are access points to the PCT and JMT all up and down this area.
WHEN TO HIKE - Snowpack once again will be your enemy here for much of the high country. If you’re trying to elope when there’s still snow, look at areas like the Alabama Hills and Mono Lake.
MY FAVORITE HIKES - Big Pine Lakes Trail, Little Lakes Valley, Rush Creek Trail
Bryce Canyon National Park
While I love Zion, it can get quite crowded in the park. Bryce gets its fair share of visitors but it is far more manageable. To make it even better, Bryce is best experienced from the hiking trails that scale down the cliffs and through the Hoodoos. Want to make it even more magical? Try snowshoeing the park in the winter months. The red rocks contrast with the white snow, a sight to behold.
WHEN TO HIKE - Spring through Fall is a great time for hiking in the park. Come winter, there is a variety of snowshoeing options to explore.
MY FAVORITE HIKES - Fairyland Loop, Peekaboo Loop, Hat Shop
Glacier National Park
No guide to hiking elopements could be complete without Glacier National Park. From hiking through forests and along the majestic lakes to climbing up the switchbacks into the backcountry, there are enough incredible hikes here for a lifetime. With its abundant wildlife, it is almost guaranteed you’ll have some incredible sightings. Just bring the bear spray.
WHEN TO HIKE - The park receives heavy snow in the winter, though there are snowshoeing opportunities around the lakes.
MY FAVORITE HIKES - Iceberg Lake, Avalanche Lake, Hidden Lake Trail
Olympic National Park
If you’re struggling to choose what type of landscape you want to hike through on your wedding day, Olympic may be your best option. You can hike along the stunning coastline complete with sea stacks, old growth forests and stone arches. You can instead traverse the mountain trails for stunning vistas or opt to explore the rainforests and winding rivers in the valleys. No matter which you chose you’re going to love it.
WHEN TO HIKE - There are hiking options year round, however you will likely be dealing with rain in the winter and early spring. For the mountains shoot fore the summer months.
MY FAVORITE HIKES - Mt Storm King, Lake Ozette Loop, Hole in the Wall Trail
Lost Coast
Dreaming of hiking down the beach with your loved one? This is the one for you. The Lost Coast is a remote and rugged stretch of coastline largely untouched by human development and offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding mountains. The area offers several backpacking trails that can take you through some of the area’s most scenic and wild parts. The Lost Coast Trail is a popular option that takes you along the beach and the rugged coastline, while the King Range Trail offers stunning views of the mountains and the surrounding forests. Both trails provide opportunities to camp in the wilderness and experience the raw and untouched beauty of the Lost Coast. The area is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including sea lions, whales, and a variety of birds, which can add to the unique and adventurous experience.
WHEN TO HIKE - Spring can be a great time to visit the Lost Coast, with milder temperatures, fewer crowds, and occasional rain showers that can create a dramatic and moody atmosphere for photos.
Grand Teton
For adventurous couples who love the great outdoors, a hiking wedding in Grand Teton National Park can be an unforgettable and unique way to celebrate your love and commitment to each other. With breathtaking views of the Teton Range, sparkling lakes, and scenic trails the are has a lot of options for day hikes.
For the more adventurous, the Teton Crest Trail, which offers stunning views of the Teton Range, alpine meadows, and crystal-clear lakes. The trail can take several days to complete, but it offers opportunities to camp in the wilderness and experience the raw and untouched beauty of Grand Teton National Park.
WHEN TO HIKE - Summer to early fall is the best time to get into high country
MY FAVORITE HIKES - Cascade Canyon Trail, Taggart Lake and Bradly Lake Loop, Surprise Lake
mt baker snoqualmie national forest
An adventure elopement in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest can be an unforgettable experience. While there are multiple trailheads where you can start your adventure, my favorite would have to be Artist Point. At the end of a winding mountain road, Artist Point allows you to park amid the mountain peaks, and you can quickly get to the incredible views. Several fire lookouts in the area make for great hikes with stunning views.
WHEN TO HIKE - As with many mountain destinations, snowpack will be the greatest obstacle, so summer to early fall are the best times for a mountaintop wedding.
MY FAVORITE HIKES - Chain Lakes loop, Hidden Lake Lookout
Rules and The Legal Stuff
Pets
If you dream of eloping but can’t imagine your special day taking place without your furry friends, a hiking wedding can be a great option. While the national parks don’t allow pets on trails, national forests do and there is usually at least one that borders the national park you may have been considering. Another option would be Bureau of Land Management land. It is usually best to have a friend or family member along to handle your pet throughout the day.
Permits
Most National Parks, National Forests, BLM Lands, and State parks will require a special use permit for ceremonies that take places in their borders. There is usually a limitation on the number of guests that can be a part of the wedding. The permit process is pretty straightforward and usually involves a one page questionnaire to determine the time and place of your event, as well how many people and cars will be involved. There is usually a fee that typically costs $100 - $200. Not bad for an outdoor wedding venue.
Park Rules
Wedding permits don’t give you special rights to your selected site, so you’ll have to work around the other visitors in the park. Try to have your ceremony early in the morning or late in the afternoon when there are less crowds. You’ll also have the benefit of the best lighting for photos!
When exploring the park on your wedding, take all your waste with you to dispose of properly. Recognizing that your actions can impact the environment, wildlife, and other visitors is crucial. Thoroughly check your ceremony and reception sites for any trash, decorations, flowers, or leftover food, and pack them out to help reduce your ecological footprint.
