How to Find the Perfect Wedding Dress for Your Elopement
How to Find the Perfect Wedding Dress for Your Elopement
This guide will tell you everything you need to know to find the perfect wedding dress for your elopement - from what to look for to where to shop!
It’s no secret that eloping isn’t like a traditional wedding. That’s sort of the point! And this is still true when it comes to shopping for a wedding dress for an elopement - the gowns you see at bridal shops aren’t all meant to be elopement dresses!
While every elopement dress can also be a wedding dress, not every wedding dress will work for an adventure elopement. You’ll likely be outside, moving around a lot, and the day is completely different from what you’d expect at a traditional wedding, so there are some extra considerations when choosing the right dress!
This guide will tell you everything you need to know to find the perfect wedding dress for your elopement - from what to look for to where to shop!
How to Find the Perfect Wedding Dress for Your Elopement | Wedding Dress Styles for an Elopement
How to pick what Wedding Dress Styles are best for an Elopement:
I recommend reading this guide before you even start searching for elopement dresses, so that you know what to look for! Getting familiar with what kind of wedding dresses work for an elopement will help you narrow your search.
One of the main differences between all the wedding dress options you have will be the style. There are poofy skirts, tight skirts, long sleeves, no sleeves… the variety and the options for different styles are endless!
When you’re finding a wedding dress for an elopement, there are a few styles that I recommend staying away from. Skirts that are too tight can be really difficult to walk in - and even if you’re not planning on doing any intense hiking, it can get uncomfortable pretty fast to not be able to move freely or sit down. Mermaid style and trumpet dresses are notoriously difficult! On the flip side, huge, ballgown style skirts can be cumbersome too, because there’s so much fabric. They can get heavy, can be difficult to sit down in, and will get pretty uncomfortable, pretty fast.
The styles that I do recommend for an elopement dress are the ones with loose, flowy skirts! Keep in mind that a super long train will inevitably get caught on rocks or twigs, but dress styles that are fitted on top and looser on the bottom tend to be the most comfortable. A line and princess style wedding dresses are two great examples!
Comfort is huge on your elopement day, so make sure your dress allows you to walk, breathe, sit, and move freely!
How to Find the Perfect Wedding Dress for Your Elopement | Wedding Dress Fabrics for an Elopement
Whats the best Fabrics for an Elopement Wedding Dress?
Another thing to consider when choosing a wedding dress for an elopement is the fabric of your dress. There are two reasons that this matters - temperature, and wrinkling!
Summer Elopements and Hiking Wedding Dresses
For warm weather elopements, or if you plan to hike, I recommend fabrics that will help you stay cool! No one wants to be sweating bullets, so the fabric you choose can help a lot with this.
Tulle, chiffon, and lace are all lightweight dress fabrics that are great for warm weather, and are known for being breathable. Another perk of these lighter fabrics is that if you’re hiking with your wedding dress, they’ll be less bulky, and won’t be as difficult to carry with you or trek in.
Winter Elopement Dresses
If you’re eloping in the winter, or you’re anticipating cold weather, choosing wedding dress fabrics that will keep you warm can help! These fabrics tend to be heavier, creating an elegant, regal look.
Silk, satin, and velvet are some of the best winter dress fabrics, as they’re a little thicker and warmer. You can also add layers, like a jacket, cape, or shawl to help you stay warm on the big day!
Elopement Dress Fabrics That Don’t Wrinkle
You probably won’t be able to plug in a steamer at your ceremony spot - so choosing a wedding dress fabric that resists wrinkling can help ensure that you look your best throughout the day!
This is especially important if you plan to pack your dress - some people choose to do this if they’re hiking, so that they can wear some comfy clothes before getting to the ceremony spot. As an elopement photographer, I’ll help you pack your dress in the best way to prevent wrinkles, but some fabrics are better than others!
Lace is the number one option for wrinkle free wedding dresses for your elopement - it doesn’t wrinkle at all. Crepe, tulle, and organza aren’t 100% wrinkle proof, but they hold up pretty well, and because they have some texture to them, wrinkles won’t show as much.
How to Find the Perfect Wedding Dress for Your Elopement | Wedding Dress Colors for an Elopement
Wedding Dress Colors for an Elopement
Your elopement dress doesn’t have to be white! Though it totally can be, eloping is all about making your own rules - so don’t be afraid to get creative. Black is a popular choice for eloping couples who want to add a little edge to their wedding day, but you can also choose a fun pop of color!
It can also be fun to complement your landscape - once you’ve chosen an elopement location, you can match the color of your dress to the natural scenery. If your backdrop is warm toned (like a red rock desert or a forest in the fall), a cool color like blue or purple will really pop. If you’re eloping somewhere with cool tones (like blue mountains), warmer colors like yellow, maroon, and beige will look great!
If you need help with figuring out what colors work well with your location, don’t hesitate to consult your elopement photographer!
How to Find the Perfect Wedding Dress for Your Elopement | Where to Get a Wedding Dress for an Elopement
Where to Get a Wedding Dress for an Elopement?
Once you’re ready to find the perfect wedding dress for your elopement, here are some of the best places to look!
A Bridal Shop
Going to a traditional wedding dress shop is always a good option! This is great because you can try them on, get advice from the people who work there, and try out different styles to find what you like. Here in Washington, I love A and Bé for elopement dresses - and they have locations all over the country!
The Bridesmaid’s Section
Most wedding dress shops (whether in person or online) will have a section for bridesmaids’ dresses, with much more affordable options if you’re looking for a simpler style. You can find colorful dresses, or more neutral ones like beige and tan - and sometimes there are white ones too! BHLDN has one of the best selections, with tons of options.
Online Boutiques
Another option when you’re shopping for wedding dresses for an elopement is to look online! Many shops have more affordable options, and can save you a trip to the store. Lulus is one of the best ones, with a huge variety of styles, all under $500.
Your Favorite Store
If you’re going for a more casual look - for example if you’re having a beach elopement and want something simple, or if you want to find a sundress that you can wear again, try checking out your favorite store! You’d be surprised how often you can find the perfect dress in stores you already shop at.
Your Elopement Photographer + Videographer
that’s me, Rylee!
I’ve always lived my life a little on the wild side. after growing up playing around the Sierra Nevadas in Northern California, I adventured to the pnw, where I found my life’s greatest adventure: my family. tradition didn’t quite suit us, but tacos, tequila, and 8 of our closest friends and family felt just right. the big ordeal is the life we create together, not just the day we say ‘I do’, but there is nothing more exciting than stepping into your next adventure together and I want to help you capture your whole story - start to finish.
By choosing to elope, you’re choosing so much more than just having a wedding and you deserve to have someone with the same values document your day!
