How to Hike in Your Wedding Outfit

A question that Tapestry gets all the time is: Do I hike in my wedding outfit? We say, “Do you want to?” That’s the first question you have to answer for yourself. If you want to preserve your outfit, wear it at another function, or are worried you’re just going to be too darn hot in it, don’t bother with the logistics of wearing your outfit on the hike and bring a change of clothes and a garment bag. Many of our couples, though, have committed to wearing their outfit for the day, as they feel they have selected it for that purpose. Not interested in hiking? No problem! We check in early about your desire to hike or not hike, or how hard or how long. In either case, we are going to talk about tips and tricks to look your best on this momentous and adventurous day.

IF YOU WANT TO HIKE IN YOUR WEDDING OUTFIT…

…then make sure you know what the weather and terrain look like. If it’s a rainy or post-rain day, you will most likely get mud on any hems. Be prepared that there will be some wear and tear as formal clothes are not usually made for the outdoors. Once you’re committed to the gorgeous photos of you tromping through the forest in your beautiful pantsuit, follow some of the tips below to make sure you are as comfortable as possible.

Hot or cold, we recommend wearing leggings under any dresses or skirts.

For snowy days, fleece-lined leggings are going to keep you warm and secure while walking through the cold. In the forest, no matter the weather, leggings will help keep any nature that gets swept up by your skirt off of your skin. This is especially important for terrain like a field or desert where critters and brush can easily get tangled with your clothes and possibly scrape you. A pair of breathable leggings in the heat can keep away all the dust, dirt, and itchiness that might come your way.

Trade your dress shoes for some boots.

While we love a wedding dress worn up a mountain, we are the first to admit that the whole outfit is probably not going to make it. Attach your dress shoes in a bag with a carabiner outside your backpack (or stuff them in next to your extra water bottle if you have space inside your backpack) and wear the shoes made to deal with the tough terrain on your feet. Once you get to that perfect portrait spot, you can switch shoes and stun all your friends on Instagram.

Have a backup outfit for hiking.

Sometimes, we get on the trail and realize that out initial plan is not going to work, whether due to the largeness of the ball gown or the lack of moveability in the pants. Sometimes, after wearing the outfit for a long period of time, sequins chaffe or your button down shirt becomes too hot. This is your day, your style, so we want you to be comfortable! If you have sequins somewhere on your outfit, bring lotion that helps with chafing or a scarf that can go between you and the fabric. The worse thing is to break out in hives on the day you are getting married (Take it from us! We know!).

You can always carry your train in your arms.

If you’re wearing a skirt, and it gets in the way of your walking, know that you can always gather it up in your arms and drape it over your elbow. 

IF YOU DON’T WANT TO HIKE IN YOUR WEDDING OUTFIT…

…then don’t! But make sure you know how you are going to get into it once you are at the elopement location. Many couples put on their outfits while getting ready and do a first look at their cabin, house, or hotel room before getting changed into their hiking clothes to make the photos look seamless. Below are some tips on how to make sure transporting your clothes to your spot goes smoothly.

Get some garment bags!

Make sure you have something to protect your outfit from getting wrinkles during your hike and that it hooks/clips/fits into your backpack. Many gowns will drag on the ground even hooked on to the backpack of a very tall person. Make sure your garment bag has a loop at the bottom that can half the height, or prepare to carry the bag in your arms. Like this one!*

Bring along a pop-up changing tent.

Sometimes there isn’t a place to change with cover in the great outdoors. If you need a little shelter from your elopement posse’s eyes, we recommend bringing along a pop-up changing tent that can attach to your backpack while hiking. We always bring one along when our couples need to get fancy out in the wild. This is the tent you’ll see us with.

Worried about rain? Bring an extra waterproof bag.

If you are concerned about carrying wet clothes in your bag, make sure you bring a waterproof baggy of some kind to stuff any soaked articles of clothing into. That way, they won’t get the rest of your gear and supplies wet. Perhaps one of these reusable ones?

Remember an extra change of clothes.

So, if your clothes are soaking wet, and you don’t want to wear your dress back down the mountain, what are you going to slip into after your ceremony? Your other change of clothes. See what we did there?

Photos courtesy of Chelsea Abril Photography.

I had the unique experience of getting eloped in a ball gown, which led to some technical challenges. The day ended up being gorgeous, and the pictures we took in and out of our formal wear all represented how we felt that day: comfortable, beautiful, and totally in our element. I changed out of my dress on the way to our picnic site, but on the hike back, I stayed in it to take photos in the desert fields during sunset. I say this to point out that you have to figure out what is right for you and your day. There’s no set rule, and you can always change your mind as you go.

— Kelleen, Tapestry Blogger

*Tapestry Event Co. is an affiliate of many of these sites, including Amazon. Each commission we make from your purchases from Amazon is donated to various social justice organizations at the end of the year. Where available, we have provided another link so that you can purchase the product straight from its brand’s site. Buying directly from a brand allows for all of the proceeds to go to the creators of the product. Frequently with outdoor gear, buying direct also includes better warranties and customer service. Another store we feature is REI. We are more than happy to direct business their way as they give nearly 70% of their sales to the outdoor non-profits. Email us if you have any questions here.