Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy

Finding the perfect elopement dress can be like searching for a needle in a giant haystack! With so many styles and elopement wedding dress options to choose from, where do you even start? Well, here is a pretty good place, if you ask us. We created this elopement dress guide to help you narrow down your search. We’re sharing the top eight elopement wedding dress styles we see most often, as well as some tips to consider when shopping for your elopement dress.

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How to Find the Best Elopement Dress

• 3 Things to Keep in Mind When Shopping for Your Elopement Dress
• 8 Elopement Wedding Dress Styles to Choose From
• Between the Pine’s Favorite Elopement Dress Designers
• Need More Elopement Dress Inspiration? Keep Scrolling!

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3 Things to Keep in Mind When Shopping for Your Elopement Dress

First and foremost, your elopement wedding dress should feel like you! Above all else, you should feel confident, happy, beautiful and comfortable in whatever dress you wear! This blog simply serves as a guide. In NO way are we trying to tell you what dress you should or should not wear on your wedding day! Rather, we hope it helps get you inspired for what’s possible and excited about the process of finding YOUR perfect elopement dress!

That being said, in our years of photographing adventure elopements, there are a few things we have learned about which elopement dresses tend to hold up the best in outdoor elements and which dresses photograph beautifully!

Movement

When we say movement, we mean that the fabric of the dress moves in the wind or cascades behind you when you run or turn. Movement in an elopement wedding dress is not only a fun way to express your personality, but it can also help tell the story of what you were experiencing in that moment.

Allows Light Through

Think of a sunset, with the gorgeous golden tones and watercolor painted skies. Having a dress that has layers allows for light to shine through it creating a beautiful glow. 

Add Ons

If you choose an elopement wedding dress that doesn’t have movement or doesn’t allow light through the fabric, you can always add accessories like a veil to help achieve a similar look. Adding a veil also adds texture and depth to a photo (not to mention, it’s a fun way to personalize your elopement look).

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8 Elopement Wedding Dress Styles to Choose From

Let us start out by saying these eight elopement dress styles are by no means the ONLY elopement dresses (after all, there are thousands of dress styles and other elopement attire options available). However, they are some of the most common styles our couples love!

Boho Elopement Dress

In our opinion, a boho wedding dress is the most common style of elopement dress. That being said, boho elopement dresses come in a wide range of designs, so even though the style is really popular, there are so many options to choose from as a boho bride.

Commonly, boho style elopement wedding dresses have movement to the material and shape of the dress. Whether that’s lace bell sleeves, fringes, or a soft tulle skirt, movement in your dress is key to nailing a wild, effortless, bohemian style appearance.

And, if you want to take your boho look to the next level, consider throwing on a wide-brim hat, flower crown, vintage lace appliqué, or cape veil to elevate your boho wedding look.

Details to consider for your boho wedding dress

• Large lace patterns
• Tulle and silk organza
• Off-white and vintage appearance
• Splashes of color in the dress
• Jean jacket or leather jacket over your boho wedding dress

Our top recommendations for where to find your boho wedding dress

• BHLDN offers beautiful boho elopement dresses with amazing lace details, appliqués, sleeves and more. 
• Rue De Seine creates dramatic boho wedding dress moments. With bold lace patterns, fringe, bell sleeves and even bridal denim jackets, this company is a boho bride’s dream destination.
• Scout Bridal has some beautiful options for a boho elopement. With amazing movement in the skirts, stunning lace details and even a cape veil, you can’t go wrong with any options from this dress designer.  

Best locations for your boho elopement

Best Place to Elope in Washington

Olympic National Park Elopement Guide

Best Places to Elope in Oregon

Boho Elopement Dress Inspiration

Moody Pacific Northwest Elopement

Two-Day Hiking Wedding

Short Elopement Dress

You could hike to new heights in your short elopement dress! Truly, though, there are so many options when it comes to being creative with your elopement look. Short wedding dresses are fun, flirty, and unique. They can be really chic or semi-longer like a tea-length wedding dress. Plus, they’re a great option for showing off your favorite pair of shoes (or hiking boots!). Short elopement dresses can be more cost effective than long wedding dresses, so they are a great option if you’re searching for a more affordable look.

Details to consider for your short elopement wedding dress

• Consider a short dress with a longer lace overlay or a high-low skirt
• Crepe material gives you more structure for your short elopement dress
• Have fun with it! Accessories are key so find some shoes you’re proud to show off

Our top recommendations for where to find your short elopement dress

• The short wedding dresses at Rime Arodaky are so chic and fun! From fun lace overlays to cutouts in the silhouette, they have some great short elopement dress options.
• Before by Sarah Seven is a stunning collection of chic and beautiful short wedding dresses.
• Park & Fifth Co.’s white collection has some amazing options from knee-length to short wedding dresses that hit just above the ankle. They also offer a wide variety of materials and silhouettes. 
• Lulus is a great option for an inexpensive, short elopement dress.
• BHLDN’s short wedding dresses are perfect if you’re, “Headed to the courthouse, getting hitched at city hall, or planning to elope” (BHLDN).

Short Elopement Dress Inspiration

Mountain top Sunset

Beach Elopement Dress

There is nothing more dreamy than an elopement on the beach at sunset! When you’re deciding on what dress to choose for your beach elopement, we recommend something that is made of a lightweight fabric and will move easily. Along the coast, gusts of wind are common, so wearing a beach wedding dress that can be caught by the wind will allow for some truly epic photos.

Typically, beach elopement wedding dresses are simple and comfortable and are made of material that can dry quickly and won’t collect a bunch of sand. (Insider tip: If you’re planning a destination elopement at the beach, you’ll need a fun new swimsuit. I love Kortni Jeane and Albion Fit’s honeymoon collection!

Details to consider for your beach wedding dress

• Thin fabric like cotton or silk
• Wedding dress that moves in the breeze

Our top recommendations for where to find your beach wedding dress

• If you’re wanting a casual beach wedding dress, a white cotton dress from Free People is a great option!
• A LA ROBE are simple, elegant options for a beach wedding dress.
• If you’re wanting a beach wedding dress with some sweet lace detailing, BHLDN has some beautiful options in their beach destination wedding dress collection.
• An option for an affordable, more casual beach wedding dress could be something like these white maxi dresses from Lulus.

Best locations for your beach elopement

Kauai

Maui

Olympic National Park

Oregon Coast

Long Sleeve Elopement Dress

So many of our Between the Pine brides wear long sleeve wedding dresses for their elopement. A long sleeve wedding dress is a great option for the shoulder seasons (fall and winter) and for destinations that are higher in elevation like the mountains where temperatures can be a bit more chilly. Some long sleeve elopement dresses even have removable sleeves, which can be a fun way to add some drama to your wedding outfit. Removable sleeves also give you to get two different looks between your elopement ceremony and portrait photos (FUN!).

When choosing your long sleeve wedding dress, consider the material of the dress. If you are eloping in a location with cooler temps, look for an elopement dress with sleeves made of a thicker material to help keep you warm.

Details to consider for your long sleeve wedding dress

• Raglan sleeves (a sleeve attached to the dress by means of an angled seam) are really elegant and have clean lines
• Lace appliqués over tule create unique detailing
• Crepe material provides great structure to the dress

Our top recommendations for where to find your long sleeve wedding dress

• Willoby has some stunning lace long sleeve wedding dresses that would be perfect for a bohemian style elopement. 
• Sarah Seven creates stunning, crisp long sleeve wedding dresses.
• If you want long sleeves that will add some volume and drama to your elopement look, check out the options from Alexandra Grecco.

Best elopement locations for a long sleeve wedding dress

Mountaintop

Deep Forest

Cabin Wedding Venue

Long sleeve elopement dress inspiration

Mount Rainier Elopement

Dreamy Columbia River Gorge Elopement

Leavenworth Elopement

Simple Elopement Dress

Your elopement day should fully reflect you and your love’s personalities! If the idea of dressing to the nines isn’t your thing, don’t feel like you have to. There are so many great options for informal wedding dresses for elopements. Whether you’re thinking of a flowy cotton dress on the beach or a fun jumpsuit in the mountains, informal wedding dresses are super versatile for whatever type of adventure you’re dreaming of for your elopement.

Details to consider for your simple elopement dress

• Cotton is a great material to consider
• Lace or cutout details can give it a more formal appearance without becoming too fancy

Our top recommendations for where to get your simple wedding dress

• Free People’s white dresses are great options for informal wedding dresses.
• Rime and Arodaky offers some really great jumpsuit options with incredible lace overlays and details.
• BHLDN has some amazing jumpsuit options for an informal wedding dress with different materials.
• There are some great wedding jumpsuit options at David’s Bridal.

Best locations for your informal elopement dress

Waterfall

Deep Forest

Mountain Top

Rock climbing

Beach

Mountain Elopement Dress

It’s no secret that mountain elopements have our hearts here at Between the Pine. If you’re eloping in the mountains, you’ll want a wedding dress that balances beauty, comfort, and functionality. Mountain trails can be a bit more unpredictable than other terrains (think rocky trails, steep inclines, and winding switchbacks). You’ll want to choose a mountain elopement dress that allows for movement and that you feel comfortable in.

*Insider Tip – when trying out mountain elopement dresses, try stepping up, bending down, and reaching your hands above your head. These are common movements that you will experience during your mountain elopement.

Details to consider for your mountain wedding dress

• Choose a dress that allows for easy movement (for comfort AND epic photos)
• Choose a dress that you feel comfortable in (chances are you’ll be wearing it for a few hours)
• Choose a lightweight, breathable fabric like tulle or chiffon as these materials are less likely to wrinkle and won’t weigh you down
• Pay attention to train length. Longer trains can catch on rocks or branches. If you love the drama of a train, but don’t want the stress, opt for a dress with a bustle, a short elopement dress, or a flowy a-line skirt

Accessories for your mountain elopement dress

• Boots or Hiking Shoes: Ditch the heels and opt for sturdy hiking boots or comfortable sneakers instead. We promise, this will make moving around SO much easier (bonus points if your hiking boots they match your elopement aesthetic).
• Layers: A cozy shawl, cape, or fitted jacket can help keep you warm without taking away from your bridal look.
• Veils & Hats: Veils can get caught in the wind (which we love). If that’s not your vibe though, consider a fingertip-length veil or a hat or hairpiece for a stylish (and practical) touch.

Colorful Elopement Dress

A colorful elopement dress is an amazing way to make a statement and stand out among the amazing scenery around you. Whether you choose a white wedding dress with a colorful pattern or a bold dress color, the key is to choose a colorful dress that won’t compete with nature’s scenery. For example, if you’re eloping in the desert, an orange or yellow wedding dress would blend into the surroundings. But, if you took that same yellow elopement dress and you placed it in the deep forest: boom! Colorful wedding dress magic!

Details to consider for your colorful elopement dress

• Choose a color that complements your location
• Include fun patterns or overlays (like a colorful tulle skirt over a white dress or a floral elopement dress)

Our top recommendations for where to find your colorful wedding dress

• Leanne Marshall is the queen of colorful wedding dresses. Her dresses have the appearance of a watercolor effect, creating soft and colorful details in the wedding dress.
• This velvet, colorful wedding dress from BHLDN is an amazing option for a winter elopement. 
• If you’re hoping for just the slightest hint of color in your wedding dress, you might like these colorful wedding dresses from Willowby.

Best locations for you to showcase your colorful wedding dress

Deep Forest

Hawaiian Beach

Slot Canyon and Desert

Mountaintop

National Park

Affordable Elopement Dress

You don’t have to break the bank to create a show-stopping look. Affordable elopement dresses are far from cheap-looking, they are just cost effective! If spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on an elopement dress doesn’t feel like you, there are plenty of affordable options.

Details to consider for your affordable elopement dress

• Be willing to search online and in-store
• When you’re looking, be aware of what material it is made of. It may look amazing online, but it might be made from a lower-quality material and not look, fit or move as well as you thought it might

Best places to search for an affordable wedding dress that is stunning

• There have been multiple Between the Pine brides who have found their wedding dress on Etsy.
• You could also purchase your wedding dress second hand from companies like Still White. We know brides who have chosen to go this route and had a great experience finding designer wedding dresses for cheaper.
• Brides for a Cause is another secondhand bridal store (with locations in Seattle and Portland) that collects and resells wedding dresses for charity.
• BHLDN’s neutral and ivory bridesmaids dresses are a great option for a cheap wedding dress for your elopement.
• The bridesmaids dresses by Park & Fifth Co. are also a great option for an affordable wedding dress.

Best locations for an affordable elopement dress

anywhere!

Classic Elopement Dress

Truly, you cannot go wrong with choosing a timeless, classic elopement dress. A classic-style wedding dress is slightly fitted, not too busy, and not too simple. With a variety of necklines and strap widths to choose from, there have been so many real Between the Pine brides who have chosen a classic style wedding dress for their elopement.

Details to consider for your classic elopement dress

• Simple lace patterns, not too large in print
• There is nothing more classic than a white wedding dress

Our top recommendations for where to find your classic wedding dress

• Truvelle creates classic wedding dresses that are finished with simple, elegant details.
• For the gals who want to show off some curves and love the idea of an open back on their wedding dress, Made With Love Bridal has stunning classic elopement dress styles.
• The silhouettes that Alexandra Grecco creates in her wedding dresses are so classic and timeless.
• Speaking of timeless silhouettes, A LA ROBE’s simple and sleek gowns are a timeless elopement dress option.
• For a variety of necklines and materials, Park & Fifth Co. has a wide variety of classic style wedding dresses.  

Best location for your classic style wedding dress

Mountains

National Park

Desert

Airbnb

Deep Forest

Classic elopement dress inspiration

Kauai Wedding

Winter Mountain Wedding

Olympic National Park Wedding

Dreamy Mountain Elopement

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Between the Pine’s Favorite Elopement Dress Designers

Over the years we have photographed hundreds of gorgeous elopement wedding dresses and there are three designers that we have come to love! Not just because they create some seriously stunning dress designs, but also because their dresses hold up well while hiking and photograph beautifully in all the different landscapes.

Grace Loves Lace

The reason we love Grace Loves Lace so much is because most of these dresses have no zippers and the material feels like leggings (what more could you ask for in an elopement dress, right?!)! Past brides who have worn these dresses have raved about how comfortable and versatile they are! They are super easy to hike in, making them our top recommendation.

BHLDN

BHLDN is Anthropologie’s wedding line that we absolutely love because they have a wide variety of styles.

*Insider tip: if you are looking to be a little more cost conscious when purchasing your elopement dress, look at their bridesmaid dresses in white. Some of the past  brides we have photographed have worn their bridesmaid dresses as their wedding dress and looked so stunning!

Rue De Siene

Rue De Siene dresses are so beautiful! If you are looking for an elopement dress that is super dramatic and boho, then this is THE brand for you! These dresses have such great movement to them and they photograph so well in all the different landscapes!

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Need More Elopement Dress Inspiration? Keep Scrolling!