An Elopement Checklist | Top 6 Items & What to Pack for Your Elopement

Elopement Checklist

what to pack for your elopement

So you’ve decided to elope, congratulations on being pretty freakin’ badass! Now, the big day is arriving and you’re left thinking about what to pack for a hiking elopement, or any elopement at all, you just need a damn elopement checklist! *deep breaths, deep breaths* Don’t worry, as an adventure elopement photographer who’s been doing this full time for 4 years, I think I can help ya out!

I’ve made this blog of ‘Elopement Checklist | What to Pack for Your Elopement’ specifically for all my eloping couples that just want one more set of eyes or one more brain to make sure you’re not forgetting anything for your elopement day!

I’ve broken this blog up into chunks so you can skip through some of these categories if they don’t pertain to you: Top 6 Essential Items, Non Essential Items (But still good to have), Essential Items for Couples eloping with their dog(s), Winter Hiking Elopement Checklist, and finally a Backpacking Hiking Elopement checklist.

I’m also leaving gear links so I feel like I should mention i’m not at all affiliated with these brands. They’re simply just items or brand i’ve used in the past and feel good enough about them to suggest them to my couples! Alright, i’ll leave ya to it! Have fun checking off all your items on your Elopement Checklist!

Top 6 Essential Items to Pack For Your Elopement

These are the essentials. The better not f*cking forget, you’re driving back to the house (or flying, YIKES!) if you do forget Top 6 Essential Items for What to Pack for Your Elopement. I list them out here, and then below I’ll link to some of the gear items and recommendations that I love/have used/and feel good about recommending! WAIT! Did you know I offer a Gear Garage to all my booked couples?! That’s right, my couples get access to all my used gear FOR FREE. Check it out 👇

peek the gear garage

• shoes with good treaD (because no one’s breaking an ankle under my watch)
• water bottle (to stay hydrated, of course)
• marriage license (you’re getting married!!!!)
• rings (to seal the deal)
• wedding attire (to feel absolutely amazing in)
• snacks (because food is life)

1. Shoes with good tread

hiking boots

If you’ve never bought hiking boots before, it may seem really overwhelming which kind to buy, and really shocking how expensive they can be. I can 100% attest to the saying, “you get what you pay for” when it comes to hiking boots. You do not want to skimp on this item. Below I listed a few links to my favorite brand of hiking boots, but I highly suggest going to an actual store and trying a few pairs on and walking around, and deciding in person which ones to get. REI has a spectacular customer service program where they will help you decide in store which brand/style would be best for you. They also have a 1-year member satisfaction guarantee program, meaning if you’re an REI member, and those boots you bought end up giving you blisters, REI will happily take them back (within one year), and exchange them for another pair to try. ALSO, and this is really important, please please break in your hiking boots prior to your hiking elopement. You do not want your first time wearing your boots to be on your hiking elopement day. You have to break them in first! If not, you will experience chafing and blisters on your wedding day, and no one wants that! So how do you break in your hiking boots? Wear them while you’re home walking around in your house, wear them walking, wear them while hiking, wear them wherever and whenever possible, but always make sure your feet feel okay before increasing your distance. It is suggested to wear the same type of socks you plan on wearing while hiking (we’ll get into socks next), and to lace the hiking boot snuggly but not too tight.

The three brands i’m suggesting below are Keens, Vasque, and Danners. I have always worn Keens because I have a wider foot, and Keen’s are known to have a wide toe box. Keens are also very affordable for someone wanting to invest in a good-quality hiking boot that will last a few seasons. The second recommendation is Danners. Danners are the type of boot you want to invest in if you know hiking will be a lifelong love of yours. I know people who swear by them. I haven’t invested in a pair yet, they’re more on the pricier spectrum for hiking boots, but I know if you do invest in them, you won’t regret it. Vasque are another brand I am recommending. I know of a lot of people who wear this brand and love them!

brand recommendations

Keens

Vasque

Danners

Elopement Checklist | Non-Essential Items But Good To Have

Socks

This item can easily get overlooked for figuring out what to pack for a hiking elopement. But, trust me, it’s just as important as the type of boot you pick. The number one type of socks for hiking is wool socks! Kind of hard to believe, right? It’s suggested to wear wool socks while hiking because the material regulates temperature well to stop your feet from sweating and creating blisters. The temperature regulating properties are also great so in the wintertime, they keep your feet nice, warm, and cozy, and in the summertime they keep your feet feeling nice and fresh and not hot. So now that you know to wear wool socks, you’ll also want to bring an extra pair or two just in case you have to change pairs due to being extra sweaty (it happens!) or if you accidentally get your feet soaked by stepping in a puddle or falling into a river. Although, I did fall into a river once and proceeded to hike 6 miles without having any issues with the pair of wool socks I was wearing. The right sock paired with the right boot is the secret to a comfortable hike.

If you’re wanting to nerd out and read all about wool socks that were tested, check out this article by the manual.com

Wool Sock Suggestions:

Smartwool

Darn Tough

Mole Skin

Moleskin is great for blisters and I always make sure I have some in my first aid kit. It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it! Your feet are one of your main priorities while hiking. If your feet are not comfortable, you’re going to feel it in every step! It’s important to know how to use moleskin though, it’s not as easy as just sticking it on your blister. You’ll want to get a lesson on how to apply moleskin. Read all about how to use moleskin here: Article on everything you need to know about Moleskin

Suggested Moleskin to buy:

Moleskin

First Aid Kit

Always grab a first aid kit no matter what size of a hike you’re doing. Most first aid kits are equipped with medical supplies to treat minor injuries such as cuts, burns, or sprains. It never hurts to be First Aid Certified as well as to jump in and help when an emergency occurs.

First Aid Kit

Second option first aid kit

Fire Source

Something small like a pack of matches, or a lighter. It’s such a small, lightweight item, that you shouldn’t even second guess it, if an emergency occurs, you’ll need this item for multiple reasons.

Fire Source

GPS or A Map

Navigation is key. If you don’t know where you’re going, that is a major concern. Having some sort of navigation like a map and compass, or a GPS system, can save your life if you find yourself lost. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to check the GPS and get back on track out in the woods. Here is a great article for learning how to choose and how to use a GPS. 

Choosing a GPS

My suggested brand for hiking GPSs:

Garmin

Layers

Layers are key if you plan on coming to Colorado for your hiking elopement! You want to be comfortable, so bringing the right layers will ensure you’ll be comfortable all day no matter what time of day it is. In the mountains, as soon as that sun goes down, the temperature can drop drastically. So, what do I mean when I say “layers”? I mean you’ll want to bring multiple items that you can layer on top of one another, each one being for a different temperature. Short sleeve shirt, long sleeve shirt, light jacket, heavier jacket, heaviest jacket. You can pair up different items to get the optimal comfort for whatever temperature you’re in. Here is a great article by REI explaining all the basics for layering:

Layering Basics

Another thing to keep in mind when buying new layers is the material the item is made out of. In colder months, you’ll want to stay away from cotton and focus on synthetic materials. Some brands that I absolutely love and highly recommend are Patagonia, Smartwool, REI Co-Op, Backcountry, Icebreaker, Fjallraven, Athleta, L.L. Bean, and Arcteryx, just to name a few. 

I love shopping from websites like REI and Backcountry for all my layers.

Bear Spray

One of those things where it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it! I always keep the bear spray on my pack, within arm’s reach, and KNOWING where it is at all times is key. You want to be prepared so you can act quickly and calmly if you’re in a situation where you need to use bear spray. But don’t just buy it and pack it. Read the label. Read the instructions. Make sure you and each individual in your pack knows how to use that specific brand of bear spray. Some brands you point at the ground, and some you point at the eye of the bear, so it’s really important to read the directions. Also, do you know what to do if you encounter a bear? How to act? How fast to run? (just kidding about the running) If you do encounter a bear out in the woods, you’ll want to try and make yourself look bigger, so the bear is afraid of you. Link arms with the people you’re with, and turn to the side to show them your pack (this makes you appear bigger to the bear). Never ever run away from a bear.

Bear Spray

Hydration Supplements for Keeping Hydrated

Not only should you be downing water to keep hydrated, I recommend adding a hydration supplement to your water to get in front of altitude sickness. Naked Nutrition’s Nakedade or Liquid IV are two brands you can bring along with you. They’re a powder that you mix in with your water, and it’s super easy! 1-2 of these a day will keep you hydrated during your hiking elopement! My favorite is the white peach sugar-free packets from Liquid IV.

Water Purifier

It’s rare to find potable water when you’re out hiking. If you know you’ll be near a water source, and if you want to keep your pack light, bring a water purifier and just one 32 oz. water bottle. Most times you can get away with water purifier tablets if you know you’ll be near a flowing river that mostly doesn’t have a bunch of muck in it, but sometimes going for something like an actual water purifier pump system is a better option. It depends on the water source you’ll be getting your water from. This absolutely depends on personal preference, some might say they would use a water filtration system for every scenario.

Iodine Tablets for water that doesn’t contain much debris

Water filtration system for water containing mud and heavy debris

Snacks

Depending on the size of the hike, you might even want to bring a whole meal! I always suggest bringing a meal for a full day hiking elopement, but for half-day elopements, a snack is usually best. High-calorie foods are best and will keep your energy level high so you’re fueled all day long! Some suggestions for snacks are GORP (good ol’ raisins and peanuts), granola or energy bars, and my favorite go-to, PB&J Roll-ups (use tortillas instead of bread). There are tons of energy bars and hiking snacks to choose from, check out this article:

Best Energy Bars Article

Gum or Mouthwash

This is your wedding day after all! After all the hiking, you might need to freshen up a bit before kissing your sweetie.

Good Gum

Headlamps

Hiking elopements are known to start off before sunrise or last after sunset. Having a light source is non-negotiable when it comes to hiking in the dark. I learned while Caving that three sources of light are always needed to be on your body, but the rules for hiking in the dark are probably a little less strict considering the sun will eventually rise again. I would recommend two headlamps for each person, and extra batteries. Another thing I learned during getting Scuba Open Water certified, is “two is one, one is none”. Just something to keep in the back of your head when preparing for any adventure!

Check out this article for tested headlamps:

Good headlamp article to nerd out on

Suggested brands:

Black Diamond

Day Packs

What else do you plan on carrying all these items in?! A day pack is a must, and finding the right fit for your body structure is always a must. Like I mentioned with the hiking boots, you want to be as comfortable as possible during your hiking elopement. Head over to REI, and one of their dedicated staff will help you pick out the best pack for you! They will measure you, ask you questions on what the pack will be used for (tell them all about your hiking elopement!), and they will be able to set you up with a pack that you’ll be able to carry on your back all day long and you won’t even notice. A well fitted pack will be able to distribute the weight of the items you’re carrying throughout your shoulders, hips, and back, without sacrificing any of those areas. I suggest finding a pack that comes with a rain cover so you don’t need to buy one separately.

Day packs I own:

Men’s Gregory Stout 35L

Women’s REI Co-op Trail 40

Rain jacket and a Rain Cover for your Day Pack

This is probably an item you didn’t think of when thinking of what to pack for a hiking elopement. You never know what these Colorado Mountains will do though! So don’t skimp, and bring a rain jacket, and a rain cover for your pack! An easy solution for a rain cover for your daypack can be as simple as a trash bag.

Marmot Rain Jackets

Check out this article by REI, where their staff picked their favorite rain jackets for 2020:

Best Rain Jackets

Sunscreen

Protect your skin! If you’re coming to Colorado for your hiking elopement, sunscreen is a must! The elevation levels bring you close to the sun, making it very easy to get sunburn!

Bathroom Supplies

Last but certainly not least for the Non Essential Items, toilette paper, a wag bag (what you use to pack out these items), and baby wipes. I don’t feel I need to go into great detail about this one, other than to check out the Leave No Trace organization at www.LNT.org for how to reduce your impact on the outdoors. The only reason this is not on the Essential Items is because some locations actually have bathrooms at the trailhead, or nearby.

Want some location inspiration for your hiking elopement? Check out the best places to elope in Colorado 👉

Chapstick

Colorado is a dry state! If you’re anything like me, this one will actually be an essential item on your elopement checklist! It all goes back to being comfortable, when you need chapstick, you need chapstick! Am I right?

Eco-Friendly Hand Soap

If you’re planning to do an all-day hiking elopement, I really think you’ll want to wash your hands at some point during the day, probably before you eat! Some of my favorite hand soap or soaps in general for all of my camping/hiking activities are Sea to Summit and Dr. Bronners. Check out this article to learn more tips for clean camping.

Effervescent Tablets

These little buggers are great for hiking in high elevations! Some also say they’re great for hangovers, so it’s a double whammy for your elopement day!

Try these from Nuun

Ginger Candies

If you’re coming to Colorado for your hiking elopement, and plan to do a high altitude hike, having these on hand can save the day if one of you is prone to altitude sickness. Hikers swear by sucking on ginger candy to fight the dry cough that can sometimes come when hiking at high altitudes.

Try these Chimes Ginger Chews

Bug Repellent Wipes

Notice how I didn’t say spray? I found these wipes years ago and they are my favorite! No more holding your breath and jumping through a cloud of chemicals to stop the bugs from bothering you all day. Good to point out though, if you’re planning to have your elopement in the summertime, this would 100% be an item on the “Essential Items“.

Natrapel Bug Repellent Wipes

Dry Shampoo

This one really comes in handy for those with bangs, or shorter haircuts for when you sweat, your hair sticks to your forehead or neck area. A little spray of some dry shampoo, and you’re back to feeling fresh again! I (Kelly) don’t personally use enough dry shampoo to be able to recommend a brand from experience, but these are some brands I’ve seen my friends and past couples use. 

Dry Shampoo #1 Not Your Mothers Dry Shampoo

Dry Shampoo #2 Amika (vegan)

And if you’re feeling like you want to do more reserch for the best dry shampoo, for some reason Forbes wrote a whole article on it! Find it here: Forbes Best Dry Shampoo 2022

Safety Pins

If you’re leaving no leaf unturned, bring some safety pins. These can help when a button gets popped, or part of your suit or dress isn’t fitting just right.

Small Mirror

If you plan on freshening up again at some point during your hiking elopement, I suggest bringing a small mirror. I know your boo is going to say you’re looking hot no matter what, so if you bring one you can check for yourself!

Brush and or Comb, and Bobby Pins

If you’re planning to have a hairstylist do your hair for your hiking elopement, this item might not be needed, but you never know.

Makeup Sealer Spray

If you plan to hire a professional makeup artist for your hiking elopement, you won’t have to worry about bringing this item along with you. But for all my DIY peeps, if you’re planning on doing your own makeup for your hiking elopement, you’ll want to invest in a makeup sealer spray. This will prevent any sweat from ruining all your hard work!

Check out this article by Brides.com for the top rated sealer sprays!

Elopement Checklist | Essential Items for Couples who are Including Their Dog(s)

Dogs are members of the family too, and I love it when my couples bring their fluffy best friends with them on their elopement! Eloping with your dog is a great idea, but just like we humans have to be prepared, we also have to make sure we’re prepared and have all the essentials for our dogs!

A Dog First Aid Kit

Styptic powder, tweezers, and hydrogen peroxide are items you will not find in a human first aid kit but you’ll want to bring them for your dog! Styptic powder is used to stop bleeding in the event your pup breaks a nail or gets a cut. Tweezers are especially useful when coming to Colorado for your hiking elopement if your pup walks into a cactus. Trust me, pulling out cactus needles with your teeth is not fun. The 3% hydrogen peroxide would come in handy if your dog eats something that’s toxic and we need to get it out of the dog’s stomach right away!

Dog First Aid Kit from REI

Dog Leashes

If you’re planning on choosing a trail where dogs are supposed to be on a leash at all times, plan on bringing the leash.

Collapsible Dog Bowl

While it’s easier to have your pup drink from a water source like a river, you won’t always be near a water source when your dog is panting, so bringing a bowl they can drink out of is the polite thing to do for your pup.

Dog Backpack

If you’re planning on doing either a day or multi-day hiking elopement, consider buying a backpack for your dog so they can carry their own stuff!

My favorite brand to get all of our dog gear from is Ruffwear

Light

If you’re planning on hiking in the dark, these are great to have! Either put them on the dog’s leash, or on their pack, and you won’t ever lose them!

Dog Light that attaches to their collar

Treats or Food

Your dog is going to run out of energy just like you and me if they’re not getting enough calories. I love Zuke’s.

Elopement Checklist | Essential Items for your Winter Elopement

Hand Warmers

My tip when it comes to hand warmers, make sure they’re not expired! But in all seriousness, if you’re planning on doing a winter hiking elopement, these are a MUST. You’ll be so glad for that little bit of warmth in your pocket when we are not moving. If you’re wanting to invest in hand warmers that won’t ever expire, check out Zippo’s.

Hand Warmers (careful, they expire!)

Zippo’s Refillable Hand Warmers

Nude Colored Leggings

For really cold weather, I recommend getting fleece lined nude colored leggings for under a wedding dress. You’ll want them to be nude so in pictures, they blend in and look like skin.

Zazzle Skin Colored Leggings

Gloves

Don’t let the hand warmers do all the work! While taking pictures for your hiking elopement, there’s a high chance you’ll be touching your sweetie, and you don’t want your fingers to be icicles, for their sake. Anything is better than nothing, but I do recommend getting a waterproof glove if snow is expected for your winter hiking elopement.

Here is a great article that lists the best winter hiking gloves of 2020:

Best Hiking Gloves of 2020

EarMuffs

If you’re wanting to keep your ears warm and are worried about messing up your hair, earmuffs are a great alternative, and still look super cool in photos! If you’re worried about what you’ll look like in a photo, check out Bill below! He’s rocking earmuffs and looks like he’s living his best life! (cause he’s warm, yeah!)

Check out these white earmuffs from the Loft

Elopement Checklist | Essential Items to Pack for Your Backpacking Elopement

For choosing backpacking gear, you’ll want to keep in mind the weight of the item you’re purchasing. Having a pack that totals 20% of your body weight and under is the goal. So for a person weighing 150 lbs., you’ll want to try and keep your pack below 30 lbs. 

Backpacking Pack

You’ll want your pack for a backpacking hiking elopement to be bigger in liter size. This will ensure all your overnight items fit. Again, making sure that your pack fits properly is key.

I love my Osprey packs for multi-day backpacking. Check out this article that goes into depth on the Best Osprey Backpacking & Hiking Backpacks. The two backpacks that i’ve used are:

Men’s Osprey Aether 65L

Women’s Osprey Ariel 65L

Shelter

Tent or a Hammock – Not necessarily an essential if you’re planning on cowboy camping, or if you know you’ll be sleeping in an established shelter, either a man-made or shelter cave, but if you do want some type of shelter while sleeping, you’ll want to invest in a lightweight tent or hammock. Below I listed the tent i’ve been using for years. I recommend going up in size if you have furry friends that will be joining you, or if you’re like me and like to keep your gear inside your tent with you at night.

Marmot Limelight 3 Person Tent

Sleeping Pads

Again, not necessarily an essential, but some people do prefer a sleeping pad. Check out this blog post of rated sleeping pads for 2022:

Best sleeping pad of 2022

Sleeping Bags

There’s nothing cozier than snuggling up at night in a sleeping bag next to your lover. Below I listed the one I use, but which one you go with really depends on the season you’re planning on using the sleeping bag. If you’re wanting to do a winter hiking elopement, I recommend a sleeping bag that is equipped to keep you warm below freezing temperatures.

Kelly’s Marmot Sleeping bag

Stove

You’ll want some sort of fire source for cooking meals and boiling water while backpacking. If you’re choosing to have a Colorado Hiking Elopement, consider the fire bans. You might not be able to cook your meal over a campfire. In the case where there is a fire ban, most areas allow you to use a gas fueled stove, but always check the fire ban rules and regulations for the area in which you’re planning your hiking elopement. Below is the backpacking stove I use.

Primus Classic Trail Stove

Meals

You don’t have to settle on a meal you’re not going to enjoy while backpacking. There are some amazing recipes out there for dehydrated meals. Dehydrated meals are super popular for backpacking because they’re lightweight (no liquid), easy to cook, and delicious! All you have to do is boil some water, pour it over your dehydrated meal, wait a bit, and BAM you have yourself a delicious meal to end the night with.

Dehydrated Backpacking Meals

Wrapping Up The Elopement Checklist

You did it! You read through the entire Elopement Checklist! High five, friend! So now that you made it to the end, I’ll let you in on a little secret… Most of the items on this list, I actually bring to all of my couple’s elopements just in case you forget them! hehe! I have a little bag that I actually bring on the trail including most of the items on the Essential Items to Pack for your Hiking Elopement list. You might be wondering, but why? It’s because, at the end of the day, you are hiring me to deliver a gallery filled with photos that you love, and I pride myself on delivering the best of the best photos. Your photos are going to reflect how you’re feeling, and I go above and beyond to make sure my couples are comfortable, have what they need, are prepared, and have the best day ever. So if that means carrying a little extra weight of all the essential items to have during your hiking elopement, we’re doing it.

So, what items were you most surprised to see on the list? Leave a comment below letting me know! I would love to hear from you!

See you on the trail, friends! Happy hiking!

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