You’ve planned your elopement and now it’s time to make your packing list for elopement! Don’t worry friend, we get it: even though you’re planning an elopement, we don’t want you to forget a thing! So this is why we’ve created this simple elopement packing list to help you make sure you’ve got all you need to have the most amazing day together because isn’t that what it’s all about?
Here your packing list for an elopement!
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Legal Documents & People
Marriage License
Before you even start making your packing list for your elopement make sure you know how to get your marriage license as soon as you decide on where you’re going to elope. Different countries, states, and counties have different laws. The best way to find this out is to find the county you’re getting married in and find their Marriage LIcense office website or the county and clerk’s office and read about their specific rules.
Eloping In Colorado Tip: In most counties in the state of Colorado you can pick up or have your license mailed to you and marry anywhere in the state even if outside the county you picked your license up from. Make sure to give at least 14 days’ notice to do this in case it has to be mailed to you. Some locations may offer in-person pickup if you need to receive it in a shorter time.
Location Permit (if needed)
If you’re not getting married on private property with the owner’s permission, you may need a ceremony or photography permit.
Many photographers, like us, can help you through this process!
Permits can range from $0 – $250+. Some permits may need anywhere from 5 – 7 days notice or be booked 6 – 12 months in advanced.
Officiant & Witnesses
Depending on where you get married, you may need a legal officiant and/or two witnesses in addition to your officiant.
Colorado Tip: You don’t need any witnesses or an officiant! Learn more about how to elope in Colorado!
Travel IDs & Documents for License
If you’re traveling, don’t forget your ID’s and passports as well as any other documents you may need if you’re picking up your marriage license in person. Many times, this can include your social security card or birth certificate. Again, do your research ahead of time for what you’ll specifically need.
Vows & Rings
Vows are of course a must have item on your packing list for your elopements. Handwritten vows are such a wonderful keepsake. Even if you’re reading traditional vows, it can be a sweet memento to have. (Want to follow these vows? Check out our self solemnization script to guide you!)
There are also adorable vow books on Etsy we love!
Rings
We love these handmade rings on Etsy too! We also love a good ring box to keep them safe until you wear them forever!
Wedding Day Letters or Wedding Day Gifts
If you’re planning on not seeing each other before your elopement, you can handwrite a letter or give each other a gift. Some couples will buy each other jewelry to wear on the day of or just write a letter sharing how excited they are to bring their lives together as a married couple.
Wedding Attire
Getting Ready attire
If you’d like to have a robe/shirt for the morning that says “Bride to Be” or “Groom to Be,” (or something along those lines), why not! It can be super cute to get dressed in.
Wedding Attire for You Both
Dress, suit, jumpsuits, skirts and tops, ties, suspenders, button-ups, under shirts, socks… you get the drift. 😉
Still looking for a dress? Check out our elopement wedding dress guide to help you figure out what dress is perfect for your elopement and adventuring!
Underlayers
Don’t forget to pack your underwear! Haha, well, unless you like that easy breeze feeling–you do you, friend.
Ok, jokes aside, it can be helpful to think about your environment. For example, in Colorado, even in the height of summer, at the gorgeous mountaintops, you’ll want a wool-based layer to keep nice and warm! (Trust us, wool is way better than cotton! If you don’t like wool, look for thermal base layers.)
We love these fleece nude leggings to keep you extra cozy. Don’t skip the layers! It’s always easier to strip layers than it is to get warm when you have none!
Socks and Shoes
If you’ll be adventuring, you won’t want to forget to add this to your elopement packing list: good pair of warm wool-based or thermal socks to keep your toesies warm. Or talk to your photographer or elopement guide about the best shoes for the environment you’ll be in.
Pro Tip: I personally love these wool-based handmade socks. They do ship internationally so make sure you have about a month before your wedding for them to come in. They don’t fit super snug but sure do keep my feet warm!
You can always change into those super cute heels for some photos vs trying to hike in the mountains or unsteady surfaces in them!
Hand or toe warmers are also a great idea if you’ll be in the mountains or any place it could be slightly cold.
Flowers, Accessories & Decor
Flowers
If you haven’t considered silk flowers yet, they are a wonderful option to not have to worry about bringing new plant life into sensitive environments or having real flowers wilt before you’re ready. We love working with Compass Rose Floral in Denver! Or these Etsy artists!
Ceremony and or Reception Decor
Make sure your environment is suitable for any arches or decor you’re going to add to your outdoor spaces. Some outdoor locations (such as certain national parks) do not allow you to bring anything but a bouquet.
Papers (Invites, announcements, postcards)
You may feel like this is an odd item to add to your packing list for elopement, but it can be a cool photo to have!
If you sent out invites or any announcements, it can be fun for your photographer to include these in some detail photos along with your wedding accessories or rings.
Garment bag for wedding attire
Super helpful if you’re traveling or need to put your wedding attire in a hiking backpack. Want to know how to pack yours? Check out our guide on how to pack your elopement wedding dress!
Speaker for music
Toiletries
All the other personal items: perfume, cologne, makeup, hair supplies, tissues, handkerchief, feminine hygiene products, medications, herbal supplements, etc.
Drinks & Food
Snacks
You’re adrenals will be pumping, so it won’t be a surprise if you find it hard to eat, but make sure to get some fuel in your body even if you have an early start to your elopement! Hangry never looked good on anyone. 😉
Champagne or sparkling water
Optional of course! Make sure to check your permit or consider if true champagne will be practicing Leave No Trace principles or if sparking water would be more fitting.
Pro Tip: We love plain sparkling water more because it doesn’t leave behind any sweet smells in the outdoor environments that may attract animals to the trails or be harmful to plant life.
Champagne flutes
Picnic Meal or Reception Meal
Many of our couples enjoy a romantic picnic either pre-packed or catered for them!
We love these adorable picnic backpacks with insulated coolers, plates, cutlery, glasses and a blanket from Etsy!
Dessert
Adventure Gear
Bug spray
We love making our own with different blends of essential oils! Lemon, lavender, tea tree, lemon and eucalyptus are great oils diluted with water in a spray bottle!
Sunscreen
If you’ll be taking a dip on your adventure elopement day, consider using coral reef safe sunscreen!
Sunglasses
Even in winter, you may need these, especially here in Colorado. The snow can reflect the sun intensely and can give you a sunburn or the brightness can be a strain on your eyes.
Speaking of adventures if you’re looking for more ideas on how to make your elopement special check out our guide!
Water bottle and water
We love our camelbak reservoir, check out our review of it!
Don’t forget to empty your bottles before jumping on an airplane!
Backpack(s)
Rain jacket or poncho
Jacket (very warm and windproof)
Warm Layers
As we mentioned earlier, a good thermal base layer is a must-have for Colorado elopements. You can always slip something off if you get too warm!
Hand/Body/Toe Warmers
We’ve done some crazy research and found this brand to be the most eco-friendly hand/body/toe warmers around!
Traction (cramp-ons, micro spikes and/or snowshoes)
A must-have if there’s snow or mud on the ground. No one wants to slip on ice on their wedding day!
Gloves/Mittens
If you’ll be considering Colorado or any cold areas, make sure your gloves are waterproof and insulated well. As an REI expert told me once, the thicker the layers, the warmer you’ll be. So go ahead and skip those $5 cotton gloves you see at big box stores and get some nice warm gloves. Promise me, your toasty hands will thank you later!
Headlamps
Umbrellas
First Aid Kit
You’ll want to make sure to add this to your packing list for elopement if you plan on being outside, especially if you’re adventuring!
Blanket to sit on
Especially if you’re planning on a picnic! We’re still obsessed with these letter blankets! You can have your vows or another message of your choice written on them!
Bathroom Supplies
Ready to get to planning your day? Check out elopement timeline examples!
Let's Hang Out.
We’re here to be your elopement day BFF’s and share our expertise through the entire planning process.Schedule a call with us to get this party started!
We believe in intention over tradition and that your wedding day should feel like you!
Let’s craft a wedding day experience that lets you run wild.
Learn more about what we do as Colorado elopement photographers as available in Oregon and throughout the US!
Download Our Elopement Packing List as a PDF
Don't forget a think on your packing list for elopement
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Feeling like you want some extra support right now? We gotcha bb. Check out some of our fave elopement guides we’ve made just for you:
- 🧐Should I Elope Quiz
- Elopement VS Wedding deciding which is right for you
- How to Get Married Without a Wedding for couples that want a different kind of day
- ✨How To Make Your Elopement Special
- ⌚️Elopement Timeline
- 👗Elopement Wedding Dress For Your Outdoor Wedding
- ☑️Elopement Checklist
- 🏠Eloping with Family
- 🧳Elopement Packing List
- Elopement Ceremony Guide
- 💦Waterfall Wedding Venues
- Ethereal forest wedding inspo
- Adventurous Hiking Elopement
- 🏞Best Places to Elope
Washington Resources
- How to Elope in Washington State
- The Pros and Cons of a Mount Rainier Elopement
- Your guide to planning your Olympic National Park Wedding
- North Cascades Elopement Guide
- Ruby Beach Elopement Inspo + Planning Tips
- Get to know your Washington Elopement Photographers
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Not sure where to start? Join Lumalia (Emmy) as she uses the tools of yoga and meditation to help you along in your self love yoga, and self care journey.
Try out our Celebrate Again Yoga membership for free today!
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16 Responses
Wow this was such a great list of everything you need and makes me want to elope. Planning my wedding now!
Yes!! You should consider it! Elopements are a great idea! Hope this packing list helps you too!
Hand and toe warmers? A photography permit? All things that I would have never considered!
Yes so many small detailed need to have a good following the rules elopement!
So many details when eloping and you covered them all! This is a perfect planning list for anyone planning to elope.
Thank you we hope it’ll be helpful for couples making their elopement packing list!
My husband and I haven’t had our wedding ceremony/celebration/whatever you call it yet. After reading this article I just want to elope lol. Seems like a way better idea. No idea how this is gonna work for an already married couple though 😀 oooooor we would give us the yes again during a travel every 3 years 😀
Amazing information and photos! I love all of the bonus tips– like you don’t need a witness in Colorado! I didn’t know that.
Haha! Sounds so exciting and romantic. What a great list!
What a great list!! Really helpful for when my time hopefully comes to plan a wedding
Wow! That’s such a unique topic. I had never thought that someone could write one this one. But yeah, should be really helpful for those planning to elope 🙂
Let s face it: most wedding dresses are not made for cold weather. So what s the best way to stay warm for a winter elopement without adding bulky layers? Get a pair of nude-colored fleece leggings to wear underneath your dress! These are brilliant for invisibly adding warmth. You don t want dark leggings or tights under a white dress, as they ll show through the fabric. Look for a pair that matches your skin tone, and no one will ever know those aren t bare legs peeking out in your photos.