Complete Hiking Elopement Guide
Meet Your PNW Hiking Elopement Photographer
Hey, I’m Sierra! I’m an adventure elopement photographer based out of the Pacific Northwest. I specialize in epic adventure elopements like hiking, backpacking, canoeing, climbing, and biking elopements! I’ve solo backpacked over 1,500 miles and hiked across the entire state of Oregon, so when I say hiking elopements are my jam, I mean it!
If you’re considering a hiking elopement, definitely reach out! Whether you’re wanting a short hike that can work for guests or a longer journey to an incredible peak, I’ve got you covered.
So How do Hiking Elopements Work?
As we all know, no two trails are the same and each trail has its pros and cons. I’m here to walk you through finding a trail that works for you! Through conversations on the phone, questionnaires, and plenty of research on my end, we’ll work to find a few options that meet your logistical needs and you dreams. I’ll even go out on foot to scout out a trail if I haven’t personally been to it before. I’ll also make sure to have a couple of backup options in case of weather or trail closures.
Some of the factors that contribute to finding a hiking elopement trail include:
Hike length:
This might seem like an obvious one, but it’s so important to get this part right! The last thing you want to be doing is hiking a lot further than you are prepared for on your elopement day. Things that influence how long your hike should be are things like, how in shape you are for hiking, activities that you want to do throughout the day (if you have a lot going on, it’s best to keep hikes as short as possible), how much of an “adventure” you want to have, and the guests that you may plan to bring. At the end of the day, it really depends on what you want to be doing on your day and how you want to feel. Is there specific hike that you’re super excited about and can’t imagine exchanging vows anywhere else? Then maybe you’ll be willing hike the extra couple miles to work. Or is it more important to you to have a super short hike in order to bring your parents who aren’t in the best of shape for hiking? Or maybe you or one of your guests need an ADA accessible trail? There are many stunning and short options for ADA hikes!
Hike distance from lodging:
This is definitely on a case by case basis, but it still applies to most hiking elopement couples! Some couples book their lodging first before picking their elopement trail. This can be a great option if you know the general area you want to elope, but don’t know of the trails yet (that’s where I come in!). I usually encourage couples to find lodging first, especially if they’re wanting a more charming and private option (like an A-frame cabin for example). The distance of your hike from your lodging comes into play when you have a specific list of events that you’re doing for your elopement! An example of this is if you plan to get ready at your Airbnb, drive to your hiking elopement, and then finish the night back at the airbnb for dinner or dessert. In this case, it’s important that your hiking elopement trail isn’t too far from your lodging. Every couple is different, but I know my husband and I didn’t want to spend a lot of time in the car on our elopement day. This is why I always calculate the estimated travel time between locations for my couple’s draft timelines.
Elevation gain:
I’m an elevation tracking nerd, so this one seems obvious to me, but I’m sure it’s not the first thing that most couples consider when they decide to have a hiking elopement. To keep it short and sweet, it’s important to consider elevation gain because it can totally change what seems like an easy 2 mile hike into grueling and steep hike. Elevation gain can affect what you decide to wear on your hiking elopement as well. For example, if your hike is mostly flat and easy terrain, you might decide to hike in your wedding clothing and shoes! But, if the trail is steep, it might make more sense to pack everything in and change at the top. Often the most epic hikes have steep and exhausting ascents. If you do end up picking one of these steeper hikes, I always suggest that we set aside extra time at the top to relax and cool off from the likely sweaty ascent.
Scenery and views (of course!):
Most of us hike for the views right?! I think it’s safe to assume that if you’re considering a hiking elopement adventure, then you probably are doing so for some epic views! Whether it be a waterfall, alpine lake, mountain peaks, or a remote beach the views along the way and at the destination are important! I’ll work with you to help find you a hike that meets your logistical needs, but also your dream views!
Land ownership & Permits:
Who owns the land that you’re hiking on? If it’s a public hike then it doesn’t really matter right? Unfortunately it’s not that simple! When you choose to have a hiking elopement you need to make sure you are allowed to get married there. Places like National Parks have rules around what can happen on their land. For example, most National Parks don’t allow dogs. If you’re planning to bring your furry pup on your elopement, then we’ll need to find a hike that isn’t in the National Park. The great thing is that it’s usually easy to find comparable hikes right outside most National Parks and they are often less crowded because of it! Another limitation is wedding permits. Many National Parks require you to have a wedding permit, which allows you to have your ceremony within the park. On a similar note, many lands (not just National Parks) require you to have a photography permit as well. Sound complicated? Don’t stress, I’ll do the research and contact the permit offices (including the wedding permits), in order to make sure we are official and legal for your elopement day!
Are you considering a hiking elopement? Or maybe a backpacking elopement? Check out my backpacking elopement planning guide!
