Your Guide to Picking the Perfect-For-You Elopement Dress

The most important part of your elopement day is how you and your partner feel–in my experience as an elopement photographer, your elopement dress is a big part of that.  

Think about it. Your wedding day should be authentic, wholly you, and blissfully happy, right?

It should be a day without space for stress or pressure because, ultimately, it’s a day dedicated to celebrating your love for each other.

The rest of the details are just that–details.  

I’ve worked with a lot of unique couples, and I’ve learned that sometimes, the best way to ensure a couple feels like their most authentic selves is to make sure they confidently look like themselves, too.

That’s why–in my opinion–picking a perfect-for-you elopement dress is such an important piece of planning a wedding day that’s meaningful and authentic.

Plus, picking out elopement attire is inherently an emotional connection to your day. 

And it makes sense because you’re not just choosing any old article of clothing–you’re choosing the dress you’ll trace your fingers over in the future, immediately transporting yourself back to the moment you read your vows.

You’re choosing the potential of an heirloom gown you could pass on to someone you care for. You’re choosing what you’ll look like in the photos you’ll treasure forever. 

And, of course, you’re choosing a wedding dress that needs to do more than walk you down an aisle–you need something that moves, breathes, and brings life to your elopement. 

That timelessness, the emotional impact, and the logistics of an elopement day can sometimes translate to exactly what you don’t want when it comes to picking your elopement dress–stress and pressure.

The solution? The best information and a touch of guidance from someone who’s been there. I’ve got you covered. 

This blog has all the helpful advice you need to start considering how to choose an elopement dress that’s meaningful, perfect for your elopement adventure, and, most importantly, makes you feel your absolute best–because you deserve that on your wedding day. 

Wedding Dress vs. Elopement Dress: Is There a Difference? 

Here’s kind of a hot take on the elopement dress vs. wedding dress debate–they’re not technically different. 

Follow my logic here. If an elopement day is just as meaningful as a wedding day (because they’re the same thing!), then an elopement dress is the same as a wedding dress. The only real difference between an elopement dress and a wedding dress? 

The comfort and movement of it. 

If you’re choosing an adventurous elopement day (and remember, adventure isn’t a cookie-cutter thing, but that’s a blog for a different time), you’re going to want an elopement dress that’s comfortable enough to move around outside, ideal for the weather (whatever it might be), and potentially pretty easy to pack. 

The Top Tips for Choosing Your Elopement Dress 

It’s no secret that there are endless elopement dresses out there you could choose from. 

They come in all kinds of cuts, fabrics, sizes, and styles–and truthfully, just thinking about all the options has the potential to get overwhelming. 

In my opinion, choosing your elopement dress for your wedding day shouldn’t be stressful. It should be fun and exciting–which is something that I think goes hand-in-hand with choosing to elope over a traditional wedding. 

The best way to eliminate the potential stress of picking the perfect wedding dress?

First, go ahead and make the bold choice to throw the idea of perfect out the window. Your wedding day should feel authentic, meaningful, and, most importantly, like you. Your elopement dress should follow suit.

Instead, start thinking about the elopement dress that’s perfect for you–the dress that’s authentic, meaningful, and feels like you. 

Trust me, just by making this distinction, some of the unnecessary pressure will vanish. 

Secondly, knowing what to look for can help you streamline your search. 

That’s where I come in.  

I’ve laid out a few must-consider tips for choosing your perfect-for-you elopement dress. 

Remember, the main qualification is that whatever you choose to wear–elopement dress, romper, tailored suit, or beyond–you feel 100% yourself and entirely amazing in it. 

Think About Your Elopement Location

By the time you start your search for the perfect elopement dress, you’ve probably already laid out some of your important wedding day details, like your elopement location. 

Dressing for your elopement landscape can help tie your whole day together and give your elopement the look, feel, or vibe you’re after.

I always tell my couples that their elopement photos aren’t just about snagging the most epic shots or finding the wildest location–it’s about how they’ll feel when they look back on the special images of their day.

A wedding dress that looks made for your elopement location is a big part of that.

Think about the fabric, the movement, the color–what would look best set against Utah desert red rocks, an epic Montana vista, or a coastal PNW beach? 

Consider the Season  

Where you’re eloping has a big impact on what the weather might look like on your day. Choosing a dress that works with whatever potential weather is something I highly recommend to couples. To start, think about the season you’re eloping in. 

If you’re opting for a winter elopement, consider how your dress will work with the snowy or chilly weather. Does it need long sleeves? How well will it work with additional layers underneath?

A snowy elopement will undoubtedly require some warmer fabric, the ability to layer underneath, and the perfect complementary, winter-approved coat. 

Spring elopements and Fall elopements bring some of the same challenges because layering will be a must due to the fluctuating temperatures.

If you’re opting for a Spring elopement, look for a dress that can handle a little moisture and sheds water easily. Fall elopements? Depending on where you elope, you’ll likely need to layer underneath for when the cool Autumn night rolls in. 

Come summer, you’ll probably want a lightweight, breezy dress that’s breathable and feels great against your skin (think silk, cotton, and other natural fabrics).  

Fabric Matters 

I sort of hinted at this above, but the fabric of your elopement dress will be key–and not just because of the weather.
When it comes to picking a fabric that’s right for you and your elopement, it’s helpful to ask important questions like these:

• How will this fabric hold up against dirt, water, and dust? 
• Is this fabric light enough to blow around in the breeze?
• How does this fabric feel against my skin? 
• Does this fabric offer natural movement? 
• Is this fabric too heavy or hot?
• How does this fabric work with my elopement location?
• Does this fabric keep me warm/cool? 
• Is the fabric too delicate for my elopement location–will it snag or tear? 
• How does this fabric show up in photos–is it lustrous, shiny, matte, etc.? 
• How does this fabric make me feel? 

If you prefer a breezy fabric with lots of natural movement, there are tons of lightweight fabric options out there (I’m looking at you, chiffon, tulle, and organza). If you’d rather go with an elegant-but-heavier fabric, there’s nothing like satin or silk for a sophisticated look.

Of course, there’s always the option to go with a more non-traditional fabric like lace or embroidery–especially if you’re a boho elopement dress kinda person. 

Long story short, there are about one million types of fabric you could go with. When you’re considering your elopement dress, try to take a moment and look past what the gown looks like. Feel the fabric between your fingers and try to picture what this particular fabric would be like on your elopement day in your unique location.

Comfortable Movement is Key 

Before I dive into comfort as a consideration, let’s talk about what your particular elopement day adventure will look like. Will you and your partner be hiking up a steep mountain in your wedding day attire? Do you plan to opt for a more laid-back adventure like renting Jeeps to take you and your love to an epic overlook? 

My best advice for choosing an elopement dress (no matter your adventure) is to make sure it’s comfortable to move around in. 

Sometimes, this means that the tight, fitted, mermaid-style dresses might not make the most comfortable choice. Remember, no matter what your elopement day adventure looks like, it’s inherently going to require a little more movement than a traditional wedding day–that means your dress needs to be able to go with the flow so you can be comfortable and feel amazing. 

Here’s a pro tip for you. When trying on potential elopement dresses, get a little wild and hike around in them.

Squat, skip, lunge, step over an imaginary boulder–don’t be afraid to get a little movement going during the try-on process. Then, ask yourself, is this dress beautiful and comfortable? 

Natural Flow is a Must

Natural movement and flow are about more than just how an elopement dress moves in the wind (although, let’s be honest, that’s pretty important). When considering the natural movement of your potential elopement dress, think about other factors like:

• How does it naturally lay? Will it need constant adjustment to lay the way you want it to? 
• Does it bustle? Does this matter to you? How is the movement of dress impacted by the bustle?
• Is it easy to gather up and hold in your arms?
• Does it have a long train? Does that change the way the dress moves? 
• Is it possible to pick it up out of the dirt if needed (or wanted)? 
• How does it look in photos–will it needs lots of fluffing for the desired look?

Be Particular About Packability 

Depending on your particular elopement adventure, your elopement location, and what your travel looks like leading up to your day, you might need to consider the packability of your elopement gown. 

Think about it this way, if you’ll be hiking to the top of a mountain and need to pack your wedding dress in your backpack, you’ll probably want something that’s wrinkle-resistant and doesn’t require an iron.

If you’re getting ready somewhere more traditional or your travel to your destination isn’t as restrictive, a dress that needs to be steamed and hung might not be a deal-breaker. 

Your Perfect-For-You Elopement Dress is Out There: So is Your Elopement Photographer 

I hope these tips can help guide you toward your perfect-for-you elopement dress. Remember, it’s less about how everything looks and more about how everything feels. 

The ultimate goal here is to pick the dress that makes you feel entirely yourself and wholly amazing–focus on chasing that feeling over everything else. 

One last tip (and kind of a plot twist)? Don’t be anxious if that means going in a totally different direction. If you feel best wearing a bright pop of color, go for it.

If you feel your best self in a bold print, then a bold print is what you should go with. Don’t want to wear a wedding dress at all? Don’t. Go with what makes you feel best–gown, suit, skirt, and beyond.

Are you ready to take your elopement planning to the next level? I can help.

Contact me anytime to chat about how we can create your perfect-for-you elopement day.