How to Plan an Elopement with Guests: Preparing Guest for Your Adventure Wedding
Tali January 25th, 2025
Planning an elopement or outdoor adventure wedding with guests? Celebrating your love with your favorite people surrounding you can be incredibly special, but if you aren’t getting married at an established wedding venue it can also come with some unique challenges. It’s important to make sure your guests are prepared for your outdoor wedding adventure to help them be comfortable, informed and excited about the unique experience. Having guests that are well prepared for your adventure elopement also means that you can spend more time enjoying your day and less time answering questions and guiding your guests, so it’s a win-win!
This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to prepare for an elopement with guests so you and you’re closest people can enjoy a seamless, fun adventure together.
Table of Contents
- Informing Guests About Elopement Plans
- Elopement Guest Attire: What Should They Wear?
- How to Prepare Guests for a Mountain Elopement
- Managing Guest Expectations for Adventure Weddings
- Checklist for Preparing Guests for Your Adventure Wedding
Informing Guests About Elopement Plans
Clear and early communication is essential to help guests prepare for your adventure wedding. Here are some key details to share:
Location Information
Provide detailed directions, GPS coordinates, and parking details for the ceremony site. Let elopement guests know if there are any special passes or reservations that they need.
Location Amenities
Let your guests know what they can expect at your ceremony location. Where is the nearest bathroom? Will there be any seating? Is there drinking water available?
Maps
If your ceremony location includes hiking, consider providing a trail map or sharing the hike on AllTrails.
Weather Expectations
Share a forecast or general climate information for the area.
Schedule
Include the timeline of events, such as the ceremony, any activities, and the reception.
Transportation
Let guests know if they need to arrange their own transportation or if shuttles will be provided. If parking is limited, you might want to help guests make plans for carpooling.
If you’re planning an elopement with guests, consider creating a wedding website or sending a detailed email to consolidate all this information in one accessible place.
Elopement Guest Attire: What Should They Wear?
Choosing the right attire for an adventure wedding is crucial. Your elopement guests need to be prepared for the elements while still looking wedding-ready. Here are some key tips to guide them:
Style Guide
It’s not every day that someone attends an adventure wedding, which might leave some guests with a lot of questions about what sort of attire is appropriate. Think about the type of activities your guest will be doing, the weather, the terrain, and the look that you want to achieve. Putting together some recommendations for outfits for your guests to give them a starting point can be a huge help and goes a long way to make sure your vision is executed.
Pro Tip: Putting together an elopement guest style guide with photos can inspire your guests and help them feel confident about their attire choices. For our wedding, Dom and I wanted our guests to all feel cohesive for family photos (we were going for a wedding party type feel) so we put together a guide with inspiration and a color theme. It worked out great!
Footwear
Recommend sturdy, comfortable shoes like hiking boots or all-terrain sneakers, especially if your ceremony involves rugged terrain. We’ve had lots of guests that want a certain look for their outfit and might not be excited about hiking boots with their cute sundress. Encouraging guests to wear sturdy, comfortable shoes for any hiking and to pack along their cute shoes to change into is usually the way to go!
Layers
Encourage guests to dress in layers, such as breathable base layers, lightweight sweaters, and weather-appropriate outerwear. It can be helpful to give guests an idea of what weather conditions might be like, especially if you are getting married in a place where the weather might not be familiar to them.
Accessories
Suggest items like hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen for sunny locations or gloves, scarves, and hand warmers for chilly environments.
Clothing Fabric Choices
Opt for quick-drying, wrinkle-resistant fabrics to ensure guests stay comfortable.
Proactively providing guidance to elopement guests about what to wear can help them feel comfortable and prepared. Plus, it can save you tons of questions down the road!
How to Prepare Guests for a Mountain Elopement
Mountain elopements offer breathtaking views but come with unique challenges. Here’s how to help your guests prepare:
- Altitude Awareness: Share tips for acclimating to higher altitudes, such as staying hydrated, taking it slow, and avoiding alcohol.
- Weather Preparation: Mountains can have unpredictable weather; encourage guests to pack rain gear and warm layers. Remind them that the weather at the top of the mountain can be very different from their lodging at lower elevations.
- Safety First: Provide information on staying safe in the wilderness, such as sticking to trails and respecting wildlife.
- Leave No Trace: Mountain environments can have very different guidelines for Leave No Trace than other areas. Be sure to research the specific guidelines for your areas and educate guests ahead of time.
Managing Guest Expectations for Adventure Weddings
Setting realistic expectations is key to ensuring your guests enjoy the experience.
- Explain the Terrain: Clearly describe the level of physical effort required, whether it’s a short walk or a challenging hike. Having this information clearly shared well ahead of time will help guests prepare and train if they wish.
- Share What to Bring: Provide a list of essentials like water bottles, snacks, or portable seating if necessary.
- Highlight the Experience: Reassure your guests that the adventure and stunning scenery will make the effort worthwhile.
- Offer Support: Mention any accommodations you’re providing, such as guides or resting points.
By being transparent, guests at your elopement will feel more confident and excited about the journey.
Our Top Advice for Elopements with Guests
Prioritize clear communication with your guests from the beginning. Share every detail they’ll need to feel confident, prepared, and excited to join your adventure, from attire and itinerary to the unique experience awaiting them.
Checklist for Preparing Guests for Your Adventure Wedding
Not sure when to communicate what to your guests? Every wedding is different, but this checklist is a great starting point to help you stay on track for communication when planning an elopement with guests.
1 Year – 6 Months Out
- Announce your adventure wedding date and location
- Share travel and accommodation recommendations, including nearby hotels or vacation rentals
- Create a wedding website with details about the event, including attire, weather, and activities
3-4 Months Out
- Send formal invitations with all the key details (location, timeline, attire, and packing list)
- Provide information on transportation options (e.g., shuttles, carpooling, or parking instructions)
- Share a guide for guest attire and essentials, such as comfortable shoes, layers, and sun protection
- Confirm arrangements for any guest-specific services (e.g., rental gear, childcare, or mobility assistance)
1-2 Months Out
- Send reminder emails with updated weather forecasts, event schedules, and travel tips
- Offer a packing checklist to ensure guests are prepared for the terrain and activities
- Highlight important safety tips, such as altitude adjustment or trail navigation
1-2 Weeks Out
- Provide guests with a detailed itinerary, including ceremony start time, meeting points, and any group activities
- Assemble comfort kits, if applicable (e.g., snacks, sunscreen, hand warmers)
- Confirm transportation details and share final instructions for reaching the ceremony site
Wedding Day
- Set up signage or guides to help guests navigate to the ceremony location
- Ensure water stations, rest areas, or any other comfort items are available. Distribute comfort kits, if applicable
- Welcome guests and provide any last-minute updates or guidance for the adventure ahead
We hope this guide has helped you feel ready for your elopement with guests and given you the tools and information that you need to ensure your guests feel informed, prepared, and excited about your outdoor adventure wedding or elopement. The effort you put into their experience will make your special day even more meaningful for everyone involved. Trust us, happy, prepared guests are key to a successful adventure wedding!
Ready to start planning your dream adventure wedding? Contact us today for expert tips and photography services!