What to Wear to Elope
Whether you rock a dress, don a suit, or get creative with your attire, there are a few things to consider when it comes to what you wear on your elopement day! Your experience is going to be different from a traditional wedding day, as you’ll likely have a little more adventure, spend more time outside, and be moving around more. To help you choose an outfit that makes you feel like a million bucks, but is also something you can wear all day, this guide is all about what to wear to elope!
What to Wear to Elope: Things to Consider
Before you start shopping, there are a few things that you should keep in mind about what to wear to elope.
Fit & Comfort
This is probably the most important thing! You definitely don’t want to be feeling any pinches or pokes on the day you get married, and anything that feels slightly uncomfortable when you try an outfit on will be amplified a bunch after an hour or two of wearing it on your wedding day. When you want to tie the knot, you want to be thinking about your partner and enjoying every moment – not worrying about your attire!
So, make sure that you stay away from anything too tight and restrictive, and choose elopement attire that allows you to move freely and easily. You should be able to walk, sit, raise your arms, take big steps… try out a bunch of different movements and make sure everything feels good!
Weather
Before you start thinking about what to wear to elope, you should have a date and a general location picked out, so that you can have an idea of what the weather will be like. You don’t want to be shivering in the cold or sweating in the heat, so your outfit should work with where you’re tying the knot.
If you’re eloping here in Maui, it’s pretty much guaranteed to be warm. So, the ideal elopement attire would be made of a lightweight, more breathable fabric that helps you stay cool during the day. For example, tulle and chiffon are great summer wedding dress fabrics, and linen and cotton are great warm-weather suit options.
But, Maui can also be rainy or windy depending on where and when you elope, so this can affect what you wear – you may decide to add some layers on top, or to accessorize with a cute umbrella.
Colors
White is traditional for wedding dresses, while black or navy blue are classic for suits – but when you elope, you can do anything you want! Don’t be afraid to experiment with some color in your attire, whether it’s a subtle accent or a bold statement.
You can also coordinate what to wear to elope with your backdrop – if you’re eloping by the ocean, warm colors (like orange-toned reds and pinks) will really pop! If you’re thinking of going colorful for your elopement attire, it can be a good idea to talk to your partner about color schemes to make sure the two of you don’t clash.
What You’re Doing on Your Elopement Day
Another consideration when it comes to what to wear to elope is what you’re planning to do. For example, if you’re hiking, you’ll definitely want to opt for some hiking boots (shoes are part of the outfit too!), and if you’re wearing a dress you’ll want to make sure it isn’t too heavy for a trek. Or, if you’re planning a helicopter elopement, it might be colder at your destination since you’re going up in elevation, and layers will be more important!
Elopement Dresses
If you’re wearing a dress for the elopement, one of the most important things to think about is the style! Though mermaid-style dresses are gorgeous, they aren’t known for being super comfortable – and a tight skirt can make sitting and walking pretty hard. Definitely not what you want on your elopement day!
Dresses with a loose skirt that flares out at the hips (like princess, empire, and A line styles) are usually the best option – they’re more comfortable and allow you to move freely. Don’t be afraid of dresses with trains, because they look gorgeous in photos, especially if there’s some wind! You’ll probably pick up some dirt, but it’s all part of the adventure!
Elopement Suits
Elopement suits tend to be a little simpler than dresses, since there’s less variety in style, but there are still a few things to think about! Color is one of them, and you can also go more formal with a tux or more casual with some dress pants and a nice button-up. Suits are also great because they make layering easy, since you can take that jacket off if it gets warm and put it on if it gets chilly.
No matter what, make sure that everything fits well and that you can move freely!
Elopement Accessories
When you decide what to wear to elope, don’t forget to accessorize!
Shoes are an important part of your outfit, and for an elopement, you’ll probably want to skip the heels and the dress shoes (or bring them along for photos but have a comfier pair to change into). You’ll likely be walking more than you would at a traditional wedding, so keep that in mind! flats, thick heels, or any comfortable shoes are your best bet. And if you get new shoes for the occasion, make sure to wear them around the house a few times to break them in and avoid blisters.
You can also accessorize with jewelry, hats, a tie or bowtie, fun socks… anything you can think of to personalize your outfit!
Need Help With What to Wear to Elope?
As an elopement planner, I’m here to help you with everything you need! So while I can’t do the shopping for you, I can give you all my expert tips and advice for what to wear to elope in Maui – what will look amazing in photos, what works for the season you’re tying the knot in, and what you’ll need to ensure an amazing experience.
If you’re ready to elope, contact me!
