Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Hiking Elopement Dress

Picking your hiking elopement dress is one of the most exciting parts of planning your day. Nerve-wracking. A bit overwhelming. But mostly brilliant.

If you’re planning a hiking elopement in Scotland (or anywhere else in the great outdoors), you can’t shop for an adventure elopement dress the same way you’d shop for a traditional church wedding. You need something that works with the weather, the terrain and your plans for the day.

We’ve photographed hundreds of elopements across Scotland over the past decade. We’ve seen dresses that worked brilliantly, ones that didn’t and everything in between. So we’ve compiled everything we know into this guide.

The Dos of Shopping for Your Elopement Dress

Think about how you want to FEEL in your dress. This should be your starting point. Before you get caught up in fabrics and necklines, ask yourself: How do you want to feel on your elopement day? Like a total badass hiking through the Highlands? Full-on Disney princess fairytale vibes? Effortlessly cool main character energy? Start with the feeling, not the look. Once you know how you want to feel, everything else becomes easier.

Pick a dress with lightweight, breathable fabric. This is massive. You’re going to be outdoors, possibly hiking, definitely dealing with unpredictable Scottish weather. You want a dress that’s easy to pack, lightweight enough to move freely in, and breathable so you’re comfortable whether you’re lying in a grassy meadow or hiking up a steep hill.

Choose something you can easily move in. Even if you plan to hike in outdoor gear and change into your dress at your ceremony location, you’ll still be walking around on natural terrain. That could be rocky, slippery, bumpy or all of the above. Scottish terrain doesn’t mess about.

Get familiar with the hike or trail in advance. Look at recent reviews from other hikers. Check what the elevation gain is like. Read up on what the terrain is actually like. If it’s been muddy, prepare accordingly. If the trail is dusty, pack your dress in your backpack rather than wearing it so it doesn’t get covered before your ceremony. We can help with all of this, by the way – location planning is kind of our thing.

Consider the weather. Scottish weather is its own beast. If you’re eloping early in the morning at altitude, it might be freezing – bring a jacket or layers. A leather jacket looks incredible. A wool shawl works beautifully too. But remember: you’ll be hiking and exercising, so you might actually get sweaty if you wear too thick a dress, even if you’re cold when you start. Scottish weather can do all four seasons in one day, so plan for everything.

Think outside the traditional wedding dress box. You don’t have to wear a traditional white wedding dress. Jumpsuits and pantsuits look stunning. Coloured dresses – blush, burgundy, emerald, champagne – photograph beautifully. Patterned dresses work brilliantly. Short or casual dresses are absolutely valid. Two-piece dresses give you flexibility. You can even buy two dresses – one for your ceremony and one for adventures afterwards. There are no rules here.

Pack your dress carefully if you’re hiking in. If you’re changing into your dress once you arrive at your ceremony location, either fold it carefully into your backpack or pack it in a garment bag attached to the outside with a carabiner. Make absolutely sure you choose fabric that doesn’t wrinkle easily. Test this before your elopement day.

The Don’ts of Shopping for Your Elopement Dress

Don’t worry about getting your dress dirty. Your dress will get dirty. It’s inevitable. If you’re having a hiking elopement in Scotland, you’re going to pick up some mud. Maybe some grass stains. Embrace it – those muddy hems make for incredible photos that tell the real story of your day.

Don’t set your mind on one “style” right away. If you lock yourself into “boho” or “elegant” or “glam,” you’ll limit yourself when shopping and might miss out on dresses that could blow your mind. Stay open. Try on things you wouldn’t normally consider.

Don’t pick a dress you love the look of but don’t feel good in. If it’s uncomfortable in the changing room, it’ll be unbearable on a Scottish hillside. “Pain is beauty” isn’t a motto for adventure elopements. Both looks AND comfort matter equally.

Don’t pick a dress that’s too tight or restricting. You need to walk, dance, twirl, sit, lie down – all without feeling restricted. Don’t be afraid to properly move around when you try on dresses. Dance a bit. Sit down. Bend over. Make sure the dress moves with you.

Don’t feel pressure to spend a fortune. We’ve photographed brides in £100 charity shop dresses and brides in £3000+ designer gowns. Both looked incredible because they felt incredible. Spend your money on what matters most to you – if that’s your dress, splurge. If it’s your photographer or accommodation, lower the dress budget. No pressure, no expectations.

Best Fabrics for Hiking Elopement Dresses

Good fabrics (lightweight):

Chiffon – Light as air, moves beautifully in wind, photographs like a dream. One of our top recommendations.

Tulle – Lightweight, romantic, perfect for that fairytale vibe. Layers create gorgeous movement without weighing you down.

Organza – Similar to tulle but with a bit more structure. Still light and breathable.

Lightweight silk – Emphasis on lightweight. The right kind of silk is breathable, comfortable and looks incredibly luxurious.

Crepe – Sleek, elegant and surprisingly practical. Beautiful drape, doesn’t wrinkle easily, comfortable to move in.

Fabrics to avoid (heavy):

Satin – Too heavy, too hot, doesn’t breathe well. Not your friend on a hillside.

Heavier silk blends – If it feels heavy in the shop, it’ll feel even heavier after hiking for an hour. And imagine how it’ll feel after 3 hours of rain.

Jersey – Too clingy, doesn’t move well, tends to show sweat.

Mikado – Structured and heavy. Great for traditional weddings, not for outdoor adventures.

FAQs About Hiking Elopement Dresses

How much should you spend on an elopement dress?

However much you want. There’s genuinely no right answer. Some brides spend a couple hundred quid on a pre-loved dress from a charity shop or Still White. Some spend several thousand on designer gowns. Both approaches are completely valid. Think through what you value most out of your elopement experience and spend the most on those things.

Should I wear a veil for an elopement?

Only if you want to. Veils can look stunning in photographs, especially with wind involved. But they can also be annoying – they get caught on things, twist in strong wind, and can interfere with your hairstyle. Consider a flower crown, a hair comb, or nothing at all. All look beautiful. If you want our opinion: leave it off for the vows at the very least.

Do you have to wear white to elope?

Absolutely not. Pink, burgundy, emerald, champagne, blush, dusty blue – any colour you fancy. Coloured dresses photograph beautifully against the Scottish landscape. Wear whatever makes you feel like yourself.

Where to Buy Your Hiking Elopement Dress

UK Bridal Shops: Start with independent bridal boutiques near you. Look for shops that stock lightweight, movement-friendly dresses rather than traditional ballgowns.

Popular Bridal Designers: Rue de Seine (boho, romantic), Sarah Seven (modern, chic), Rime Arodaky (effortlessly glamorous), Watters (wide variety of stunning collections).

Online Retailers: ASOS has a surprisingly brilliant bridal section at affordable prices. Still White is a marketplace for pre-loved designer dresses at a fraction of the original price. Etsy has loads of independent designers who can create custom pieces.

Budget Options: Charity shops and bridal consignment shops have amazing finds. Facebook Marketplace has pre-loved dresses all the time. Lulu’s has affordable, trendy options that work brilliantly for elopements.

Alternative Styles: Wildfang for suits and jumpsuits. Bindle & Keep for custom tailoring for all bodies. You don’t have to wear a dress at all.

Final Thoughts

Shopping for your hiking elopement dress should be exciting. Fun. Maybe a bit emotional in the best way.

Above all else, pick a dress that makes you feel beautiful and authentically you. Pick something you can move in. Pick something that works with your plans for the day and the terrain you’ll be navigating.

Don’t get caught up in what you think you “should” wear or what looks good on Pinterest. Get caught up in how you want to feel on your elopement day.

And remember – we’re here to help with absolutely everything else. Location scouting, legal paperwork, celebrant recommendations, accommodation tips, timeline planning. We’ve done this hundreds of times and we know Scotland like the back of our hands.

Your elopement should feel like you. Not like a magazine spread. Not like someone else’s idea of what a wedding should be. Just you, your person and the stunning Scottish landscape.

Now go find that dress.

Ready to start planning? Get in touch and let’s make it happen. Or check out our portfolio to see real elopement dresses in action.