Your elopement is the one day of your life that you don’t want to forget anything. Especially if you’re traveling for your elopement, it can be easy to overlook the small things when packing! As someone who documents these events for a living and helps couples prep as much as possible, I’ve learned a thing or two. I’ve put together the ultimate checklist that you can refer back to when packing for your elopement!

Elopement Attire

Of course, you can’t forget your elopement attire! Whether you’re packing a suit, a dress, a jumpsuit, multiple outfits, etc, make sure there’s plenty of room for these items in your backpack. If you can, bringing a garment bag along with you will be the easiest option! If you’re worried about wrinkles, you can purchase a handheld steamer if you have room for one. If not, it might be worth it to go the extra mile and ensure your attire fabrics are wrinkle-proof! My suggestion is to pick up a bottle of wrinkle-release fabric spray, just in case. If you want to avoid putting your attire in a bag/backpack altogether, opting to carry your items is the simple + easy route.

Vow Books

Many modern-day couples are choosing to write their own vows, which I LOVE! If you’re personalizing your elopement, why not personalize your vows, too? Be sure to write them beforehand in a cute little vow book, and pack it for your elopement. If you haven’t picked some up yet, these Boho Beige Letterpress Vow Booklets on Etsy would be so perfect!

rings, watch, & jewelry

It’s SO easy to forget the little things, like jewelry. Your rings are (obviously) one of the most important pieces not to forget, so make sure you have them nicely tucked away in a safe place. This Double Slot Engraved Wooden Ring Box is such a unique item to store yours in, plus, it can be personalized! In addition to the rings, be sure to pack your watch (if you’re wearing one), family heirlooms, and any other additional accessories. Think: earrings, necklaces, additional rings, anklets, and any hair accessories. Keep all of these items together so that a) you can find them easily and b) your photographer can use them for detail shots! This Jewelry Organizer Case will help all everything stay separated and tangle-free.

Florals

Although elopements are usually pretty simple, I always encourage you to have some florals. The right arrangements can totally elevate the vibe of your elopement, especially if you’re eloping outdoors! It’s important to let your florist know that you’ll be packing your florals and possibly hiking with them, depending on the location. If you’re looking for some great Colorado florists, I have a few recs for you!:

Marriage License

It would be a real shame if you travelled all the way to your elopement location… without your marriage license. In Colorado, you’ve gotta apply for your license in person at any Colorado County Clerk and Recorder office. To help you out, here’s a map of them all over the state! When you apply at the office, here is what you’ll need to bring:

Proof of ID with date of birth
- Acceptable ID:
  - Birth Certificate, State issued Driver's License or ID, Military ID, Alien Registration Card, Passport, VISA, Certificate of Naturalization, Department of Corrections ID and Inmate ID.
  - All these forms of ID must be current/valid and include a date of birth to verify that the applicant is of legal age to enter into a marriage.
$30.00 fee for the license (check with the Clerk and Recorder’s office for acceptable payment types)

Once you get your license, it has to be solemnized within 35 days. That really shouldn’t be an issue since most couples get their license just a few days before their elopement! Nonetheless, make sure it’s packed away and not forgotten.

comfortable shoes

Especially if we’re hiking in the oh-so-beautiful Colorado mountains, you’re gonna need some comfy shoes. Don’t worry, though, you can still pack some cute shoes to change into once we get there! If you already have some durable hiking shoes, those will be the best to bring since they’re already broken in. If you have to buy some new ones, be sure to wear them for a few days before your elopement day to avoid any discomfort! My recommendations are all dependent on the length of hike/adventure you're dreaming up. For a short hike, I'd recommend Blundstones, Thursday Boot, or Doc Martens (they have the CUTEST white boot for the boho bride). For a long hike, check out Danner, Merrell, or Keen (I have these and LOVE them!).

letters from family members

If your friends and family aren’t joining us for your elopement, there are still ways to include them in your big day. Having your loved ones write letters to you and your newlywed to read before or after your ceremony is a great way to do that! I’ll document both of you reading your letters, so that your families can see your genuine and authentic reactions. If you want to give a few letter-writing prompts to your peeps, here are some ideas:

“How do you feel about my partner and I getting married?”
“Why do you think my partner and I are perfect for each other?”
“What marriage advice would you give my partner and I?”
“What unique traits have you observed in our relationship?”
“How did you play a part in my journey here today?”
“What special memories do we have together that you think fondly of?”

champagne, favorite beers, or any drink of choice

You’re gonna wanna pop somethin’ once you say “I do”! Don’t forget to pack a bottle of champagne, beer, or any other fizzy drink to kick off the celebration. If your drink of choice is canned, these “Just Got Married” Can Coolies are a super cute way to add a unique touch!

favorite dessert of choice

Cake, cupcakes, cookies, candy, whatever dessert of choice that calls your sweet tooth, be sure to pack it! You can pick up a dessert from a local grocery store, or hire a baker to create custom treats for you.

A full picnic or just a few snacks

I’m a total advocate for a cute little elopement picnic! If you don't plan on going to a restaurant after your ceremony, you’re definitely going to need some sustenance. Especially if we’re hiking at any point in the day! For a hiking elopement, charcuterie is easy to pack and then assemble, plus the ensemble makes for great photos. If your elopement location doesn’t require a hike, here are a few incredible picnic companies local to Colorado:

If you don’t want to pack an entire picnic, then packing a few, hearty snacks that will fill you up is the perfect alternative. Nobody wants to be hangry on their elopement day. Nobody. Here are some snack recommendations:

Beef jerky
Granola bars
Trail mix
Fruit leather
Nut butter (trail butter!)

downloaded elopement playlist

Think: ceremony playlist, celebration playlist, first dance song, etc. Make sure it’s downloaded since we typically won't have service in the backcountry! To create these playlists, make it a fun date night with your love and think of songs that have played a role in your relationship. Or you can see where the vibes take you and create this playlist on your road trip out to Colorado!

your Colorado elopement photographer

Hey, that’s me! If you haven’t already booked your Colorado elopement with me, you can fill out my contact form to inquire. I would LOVE to hear all about the vision for your big day! In the meantime, check out my Pinterest profile for tons of adventure elopement inspiration.

What to Pack For Your Elopement - The Ultimate Checklist