Are you dreaming of a wedding that’s a little more adventurous than the typical ballroom affair? If you’re an outdoorsy couple who loves nature and wants a wedding that reflects that, consider having a camping or glamping elopement. Here are some of the best places in the U.S. to tie the knot in the great outdoors.

Planning Tips for a Camping or Glamping Elopement

Planning a camping or glamping elopement requires a bit more preparation than a traditional wedding, but it’s well worth the effort. Let’s explore some tips to help make your adventure elopement a breeze and some great places to elope!

1. Be sure to obtain any necessary permits and make any required reservations well in advance of your elopement date.
2. It’s also a good idea to have a backup plan in case of inclement weather and to be prepared for any wildlife or safety concerns that may arise.
3. Consider working with a wedding planner who specializes in outdoor weddings to help make the planning process smoother.

Finding Vendors That Will Participate in Backcountry Camping/hiking Elopement is Crucial!

It’s so important to make sure your vendors are on the same page as you – while this goes for any wedding, it’s especially true for adventure, and backcountry elopements! You want vendors who not only match the vibe you want on your wedding day but are experienced in this type of elopement and can help guide you in the planning process. Here are some reasons that you want to hire the right vendor for your elopement:

• Make sure your photographer/videographer/other vendors are involved in the planning process – they have great ideas on where and can help in the planning process.
• Have the right skill set – are they able and willing to climb, slide, get messy, and dirty, help you dress, help you plan? You’ll want a vendor willing and able to do almost anything to make this day perfect, but you want someone who has done this type of elopement before.
• Have done a backcountry elopement – A vendor who has done a backcountry, adventure elopement will be prepared with hiking and camping gear and knowledge of things you might need.
• Help you set the location by providing you input and feedback – Your vendor may have worked in the particular location you want to elope to, they would likely have ideas and input on where to go, what to do, and how to do it. You want your vendor to be helpful, and assist you in creating a perfect elopement day!
• Help you with packing lists & coordination because they’ve had it happen to them, or a colleague. Your vendors will know what you might need, forget, or overlook because it probably happened to them or a colleague working on another wedding or elopement. You want to be prepared, and you want the vendor to be prepared. This can be a hairstylist encouraging a particular hairspray for your windy wedding, or the seamstress recommending the best wrinkle-release spray to use on your dress after hiking and camping with it.
• Familiar with Leave No Trace practices. Whether you’re choosing this elopement because you are an outdoor enthusiast or for another reason, most places you would camp and hike for your elopement will ask that you be familiar with Leave No Trace – you want to leave the environment as you found it after your ceremony, and it helps if your whole party is on board.
• It’s so important to hire people who not only deliver a quality product but are people you vibe with and connect with. If you don’t get along with one of your vendors, this has the potential to ruin your day, and no one wants that.

Because of how involved the vendors can be in planning your backcountry elopement, it’s so important that you find and hire your vendors early!

How to pick a camping spot for your camping elopement

Where is it Legal to Camp for Your Elopement?

In general, unless it says otherwise, you can camp almost anywhere. You can camp front-country (on an established campsite) or backcountry (in the wilderness). If you’re camping in a park, you will want to be aware of their rules about weddings. And, you’ll want to make sure you’re camping/hiking within the appropriate town limits of your marriage certificate/permits.

Who to Invite?

I love an intimate elopement! There is something so special about quietly getting married with only the love of your life. However, if you’re eloping without friends and family, I suggest hiring a videographer in addition to a photographer, to help capture the moment and share it with your loved ones.

If you’re planning to invite friends and family to your elopement, you’ll want to find a campsite that has space available for all of the tents and campers you may need. You will want to consider the accessibility of the trails and elopement spots for people of varying hiking capabilities. There are some campgrounds that you can rent out and have a summer camp theme wedding.

Hiking?

Knowing how long/far you want to hike will help you narrow your location options. Are you planning on dressing at your campsite? If so, I would recommend camping as close to your elopement site as possible. If you’re planning to hike more than a mile from the campsite then I suggest changing into your wedding attire trail-side (you can use a pop-up tent for privacy).

What Time of Year Is Best For Camping?

When planning to elope, if you don’t have a specific date in mind, you’ll want to consider a few things:

• What do you want in your background? Do you want the deep and vibrant greens of spring or summer, the festive foliage of autumn, or the snow-covered mountains to be the backdrop for your elopement? Is there a specific feature that you want in your background, like the rock features of Monument Valley, or a meadow surrounded by mountains? Considering your background and the best time of year to access it will help you determine the time of year to elope.
• Where do you want to go? Are you itching to travel and elope somewhere far from your day-to-day? Again, considering where and the accessibility of getting there can help you plan when to elope. Some trails are closed or inaccessible in the wintertime, but if it’s a sentimental place for you and your partner you’ll want to elope there in the spring, summer, or fall.
• Camping throughout the various seasons obviously requires different equipment to be safe and comfortable. When planning your camping elopement, you’ll want to consider what to pack and the type of equipment you need. If you’re backcountry camping, you’ll also need to be prepared to carry the equipment with you on your hike, along with your wedding attire.

Here are Some of my Favorite Camping Elopement Spots

The Best National Parks for a Camping or Glamping Elopement

If you want an epic elopement experience, look no further than America’s national parks. From Yosemite to the Grand Canyon to Zion, these iconic locations offer breathtaking landscapes that make for incredible wedding photos. Camping and glamping options are available within many national parks, so you can wake up to stunning views every morning of your elopement trip. Insider tip: consider scheduling your elopement on a weekday or during the off-season to avoid crowds and have a more intimate experience.

Romantic Beach Camping for an Elopement

If you’re looking for a romantic beach elopement, consider camping or glamping on the coast. Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina and El Capitan Canyon in Santa Barbara are just two of the many beach camping and glamping destinations throughout the U.S. You can exchange vows with the sound of waves crashing in the background, and then spend your honeymoon exploring nearby beaches and attractions.

Secluded Camping Locations for an Intimate Elopement

If privacy and intimacy are what you’re after, consider a secluded camping location for your elopement. Redwood National Park in Northern California and the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia are just a couple of the many secluded camping destinations throughout the country. These locations offer stunning natural beauty, as well as a sense of seclusion and intimacy that’s perfect for couples who want to celebrate their love in a private setting.

What to Bring for Your Camping Elopement

How to Pack Your Dress & Suit For Camping

You can pack your dress or tux in a garment bag with tissue paper, then fold and attach the garment bag to your backpack. If you need to, you can roll the garment bags from bottom to top. Bring some wrinkle-release spray or a portable steamer if you’re concerned about wrinkles when getting ready!

If you have the room, you’ll want to hang or lay out the garment bag inside your tent, camper, or cabin the night before your elopement!

Packing List Ideas

This is by no means an extensive or complete list of what to bring on your camping elopement, but it’s a good starting point for you to work from. You may need more equipment depending on the location and the time of year.

Elopement Related Items to Pack

• Marriage Certificate
• Any necessary permits and passes
• Maps are a beautiful backdrop for detailed shots, and helpful in navigating the trails.
  • Virtual, downloaded maps are helpful for navigation. I also suggest downloading apps like AllTrails to help with navigating the trails.
• Rings & Ring Box
• Jewelry & Accessories
• Handwritten vows
• Flowers (optional)
  • Double-check the rules on bringing live or dried flowers – some places do not let you bring them in since they could be harmful to wildlife.
  • Look for a local florist – they’ll be able to help bring your vision to life and augment the natural surroundings.
  • Dried bouquets are a beautiful alternative to live flowers, and may travel better on long hikes.
  • Wooden bouquets are a hot thing right now – the wooden flowers can be dyed and arranged however you like and the display is rugged enough to keep while hiking and camping. And, you’ll have them as a keepsake for as long as you’d like.

Clothing Items to Pack

• Wedding Attire
• Hiking boots/shoes
• Hiking socks
• Hiking attire
• Rain jacket
• Sunglasses
• Extra clothes

Equipment to Pack

• Backpacking pack
• Water bottle
• Headlamps
• Trekking poles (optional)
• Knife/multitool
• Whistle
• Bear Spray
• Lighter / Stormproof matches
• Bug spray/wipes
• Sunscreen
• Tissues
• Rechargeable power pack
• Microcleats/spikes
• Hand/toe warmers
• Drybag
• Turkish towel
• Tent
• Bedding

Toiletries to Pack (in a Waterproof Bag)

• Setting spray
• Oil Blotting Sheets
• Fashion tape
• Concealer, lipstick, foundation, etc.
• Makeup wipes
• Deodorant
• Pocket mirror
• Bobby pins & hair ties
• Small sewing kit
• Safety pins
• Lint roller
• Feminine hygiene products (if necessary)

Bathroom Essentials

• Toilet paper
• Biffy Bags

Food & Drink

In addition to bringing water, and nourishment to enjoy on the hike, and camping – a picnic is a great, and relaxing way to celebrate your elopement! For this, you may want to bring:

• Champagne x 2 (one bottle to sip, and a cheap bottle to spray in those iconic photos)
• An old blanket
• A picnic basket
• Utensils & plates & glasses or cups
• Napkins
• The nosh
• Thermos, cooler, or camp stove as needed depending on the meal you bring

Note: you should set up your picnic in designated areas, and double-check the rules of the area you’re celebrating in.

Safe Camping Tips

1. Pick your campsite – be familiar with where you are setting up your tent. Make sure to set up at least 30 feet from your campfire, and clear the area of shart sticks and stones that may puncture your tent.
2. Don’t make the campfire bigger than you have to. Be sure to keep flammable liquids and valuables away from the fire, and that it is not under low-hanging branches.
3. Store your food safely. It should be kept in a sealed, waterproof container on the opposite end of your campsite from your tent, and/or hung in a tree.
4. Keep track of the weather, and have a plan for extreme/inclement weather.
5. Be aware of the wildlife and insects. Wear insect repellent, and give wild animals a wide berth.

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace (LNT) is the practice of minimizing your impact on the outdoors, leaving the environment as you found it while still enjoying all that it has to offer. The seven principles of LNT are:

1. Plan ahead & prepare
2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces
3. Dispose of waste properly
4. Leave what you find
5. Minimize campfire impact
6. Respect wildlife
7. Be considerate of others

To learn more about Leave No Trace, use this link here.

Maybe glamping is a better option for you…

For couples who want a more luxurious elopement experience, glamping (glamorous camping) is the way to go. Imagine saying “I do” under the stars while enjoying amenities like comfortable beds, hot tubs, and gourmet meals. Treebones Resort in Big Sur, California, and The Resort at Paws Up in Montana are just a few examples of unique glamping locations that offer an unforgettable elopement experience. Keep reading for more great examples of where to have your glamping elopement!

Some of my favorite glamping elopement locations:

Unique Glamping Destinations for an Elopement

Stargazing Bubbledomes like this one in Joshua Tree would be a dreamy space for your glamping elopement!

Under a canvas tent or in a unique spot like the Glamping Wagons at Zion Wildflower Resort offer intimate glamping options for you and your partner!

Renting an RV or Camper van is a fantastic option for your elopement. Not only is it a fun background and theme for your portraits, but you can take it on an adventure for your honeymoon!

Autocamp has adorable canvas tents, airstream campers, and cabins for you to choose from, with locations across the country! Each location also has a central building for meals and small events.

Some of My Favorite Glamping Locations

In addition to the glamping spots listed above, I’d also recommend checking out these:

Huttopia has locations all over the United States (and Canada) with options of canvas tents, or cabins. This is a beautiful venue for your glamping elopement! Plus, it offers amenities like swimming pools and food trucks.

Lumen is an NH glamping venue that offers different styles of tents and lakeside cabins that are perfect for your front-country elopement.

Some Final Thoughts for Your Glamping Elopement

In conclusion, camping or glamping elopement is a unique and adventurous way to celebrate your love. From national parks to secluded campsites to beachside glamping resorts, there are countless breathtaking locations throughout the U.S. to choose from. With careful planning and a sense of adventure, you can have the wedding of your dreams in the great outdoors.

Need help planning your adventure elopement? I’m your girl!

Contact me to learn more about how I, as your elopement photographer, can help you plan the perfect camping/glamping elopement!