Elopement Dresses Guide | Our Top Picks for 2024

That’s where we come in! Since you have decided to elope, you’re going to need an epic wedding dress to wear at your elopement location. We’ll go over everything you should consider when searching for the perfect elopement dress to wear. We have even linked some of our photographers and couples’ favorite dresses for you to shop below!

Jump to shop our favorite elopement dresses:

• BHLDN Dresses
• Lulus Dresses
• Amazon Dresses
• Etsy Dresses

*This post contains affiliate links. You will not be charged extra, but we do earn a small commission if you use these links to make a purchase. 

What Defines an Elopement Dress?

Photo by Mountain Marta Photography Featuring Lulus Wedding Dress

We get this question a lot from brides who are trying to plan their elopement. Is a wedding dress the same thing as an elopement dress?

We’re here to tell you that all wedding dresses can be elopement dresses. Even a “normal dress” can be your elopement dress! It just depends on what you’re going to be doing during your elopement and what style you prefer.

For example, if you’re planning an adventurous elopement involving hiking, running, jumping, and more; then not all wedding dresses will make an ideal elopement dress. Would you prefer to explore Yosemite in a huge ball gown and a long train, or do you prefer to wear a fun, lightweight a-line gown you can easily hike up, perhaps considering co ord sets womens for a more practical yet stylish option?

A great elopement dress is one that you can easily move in and be ok with getting a little dirty from your elopement adventure.

What to Know When Shopping for Your Elopement Dress

Photo by Photo by Marissa Solini Featuring Lulu’s Wedding Dress

Here are 3 tips to consider when shopping:

1. Consider Mobility, Packability, and Weight of Your Dress

Are you going to be hiking through a forest or a gorgeous mountain? Are you planning on wearing your wedding dress during your elopement journey, or do you plan on packing your dress and changing once you reached your ceremony location?

Packing a wedding dress can be easy! We suggest folding it, with lots of love, in a garment bag, and strapping it to your backpack. You can also easily strap your bouquet to the outside of your backpack as well.

Whatever your answers are, you need to decide if you’re comfortable in the dress. If you’re loving a more traditional wedding dress, then that’s ok too! You just don’t want to feel restricted or tired from the heavy layers during your wedding day.

2. What Fabrics Are Best For Elopement Dresses?

When thinking about what type of dress you can wear on your elopement, consider what fabric is best for your specific adventure. Another thing to consider when choosing a fabric is what season and location you’re planning to elope.

We love light and airy fabrics for extra adventurous couples who are not afraid to do something different like snowboarding (don’t forget to wear layers underneath to stay warm) or hiking. Whether you’re shopping online or in-person for your elopement dress, consider chiffon, tulle, and organza as some traditional fabrics that will be lightweight. We personally love these fabrics because the wind will easily carry the layers, allowing light to filter through.

Heavier fabrics such as silk, polyester, and satin. These fabrics create a beautiful shine and texture! Since these fabrics are on the heavier side, they will also be less breathable, so we don’t recommend these for tropical elopements. However, these fabrics will keep you warmer during colder weather.

Lace is our favorite elopement dress fabric for adventurous and boho brides! Lace is flowy, easy to move in, and won’t wrinkle! You can easily pack a lace elopement dress in your hiking backpack and head out to your ceremony location.

3. Wedding Dress Styles to Consider for Your Elopement

If you’ve walked into a traditional bridal shop, then you already know how overwhelming wedding dress shopping can be. Add the fact that you’re having an elopement, and the decision becomes a little more complex. No worries adventure brides, we are here to tell you it’s not hard, at all!

Since you’re having an elopement, you want to make sure you can move! For this reason, mermaid and ballgown styles are not ideal for adventure elopements that require a lot of activity. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t pack your dress with you and wear it during your ceremony! We personally love A-lines, Fit-and-Flares, and Two-Pieces gowns for elopements. These styles give great natural movement and are fun to play with during wedding portraits.

Elopement Dresses Prices

Photo by Run Wild With Me Photography Featuring an Etsy dress

Just because you’re buying a wedding dress for your elopement, doesn’t mean that you need to break the bank! Wedding dresses are typically very pricey, and you also have to consider alterations and bridal accessories.

If you decided to elope, however, you probably decided to elope to not just have an epic adventure, but also to save some money. Elopement dresses don’t need to be overly expensive. Contrary to popular belief, you can wear whatever you want on your wedding day.

Our favorite elopement dresses are actually some of the more affordable options we know you’ll love. To our surprise, you can shop at a lot of places to find the perfect wedding dress for your elopement. All of the dresses we feature in this resource are $100 – $2,000. There are some options with higher price points, but you can 100% get a gorgeous dress and stay within your budget.

Shop Our Favorite Elopement Dresses

We compiled this list of some of our favorite cheap wedding dress options for the adventurous bride trying to stay within a budget. Are you planning a backyard wedding or small wedding at a “wandering” style wedding venue? Check out our wedding dress guide to get some more inspiration.

BHLDN/Anthropologie

Photo by Jamie LeMaire Photography

BHLDN wedding dresses are perfect for any elopement adventure. Their dresses are found on Anthropologie, their sister brand. We particularly love how flowy and light-weight these dresses are. They are perfect to pack up in your backpack to go hiking together or to add to your carry on for your destination wedding. On their website, you’ll find sections to explore from the boho and romantic bride to the beach and destination bride, where dresses for each category are populated to match the aesthetic you’re trying to achieve.

• Price Range: $200 – $3,000+
• Size Range: US 0 – 26
• Discounts Applicable: The occasional sale
• Return Policy: Returns within 30 days from purchase. Items are subject to a restocking fee.

Check out some of our favorite affordable BHLDN wedding dresses perfect for elopements:

Photo Sourced From Anthropologie

Price $950

Buy BHLDN’s Nassau Long-Sleeve Deep-V Embroidered Side-Slit Wedding Gown

Photo Sourced From Anthropologie

Price $750

Buy BHLDN Mira Embellished Wide-Leg Pant Bridal Set

Photo Sourced From Anthropologie

Price $1,495

Buy BHLDN Katarina Butterfly-Sleeve V-Neck Empire Embroidered Wedding Gown

Photo Sourced From Anthropologie

Price $1,995

Buy BHLDN Hadley Floral Appliqué Wedding Gown

Photo Sourced From Anthropologie

Price $315

Buy BHLDN Stevie Sleeveless V-Neck Floral Appliqué A-Line Midi Dress

Lulus

Photo by The Chaffins Photography

 

Lulus is a perfect option for brides who are looking for an affordable, yet beautiful elopement wedding dress option online! Lulus bridal also carries “Luxe Bridal”, which features more luxurious wedding dress options that are still super affordable compared to traditional bridal brands. Many of our photographers over at our Wandering Weddings Photographer page also love lulus, since this was the brand mentioned the most when we asked which cheap wedding dresses they have featured. 

• Price Range: $50 – $500
• Size Range: US XS-XL
• Discounts Applicable: The occasional sale
• Return Policy: Free returns within 10 days from delivery date (US State ONLY).

Photo Sourced From Lulus Weddings

Price $479
Featured Luxe Bridal Option:

Buy Lulu’s Everlasting Affection White Lace Backless Mermaid Dress

Photo Sourced From Lulus Weddings

Photo Sourced From Lulus Weddings

Photo Sourced From Lulus Weddings

Photo Sourced From Lulus Weddings

Don’t see anything you’re loving? Explore Lulu’s bridal dresses below.

Amazon

Photo by MAKE / Adventure Stories Photography

Amazon is slowly taking over the world! You can find anything on their site, including wedding dresses! We were so surprised by the number of photographers who shared these gorgeous dresses with us. There are so many possibilities. With a little research and patience, you can find your perfect dress. Another great things about Amazon is you can actually find any style in a color option (because we LOVE when we see a colored wedding dress out in the wilderness). From black elopement dress options to pink and blue. The rainbow is literally a click away. 

Etsy

Photo by Oli and Steph Photography

Etsy is not only the perfect spot to shop for bridal accessories, but it’s also perfect to buy a unique, affordable, and gorgeous elopement dress. We also LOVE Etsy because it’s a great way to support small business owners AND get the dress of your dreams (seriously a win-win situation). Since Etsy is not your basic retailer, you can find a ton of options that you probably have not seen before, which makes this the perfect option for those who want a show-stopping dress. From short and jumpsuit options to long and elaborate dresses with trains, you’ll find it all here. Just be descriptive with your search to use specific keywords you want in your dress, OR check out our faves below.

Here are our favorite Etsy bridal dress shops to browse:

Mila Bridal

Price range: Below $1,000

Mila Bridal offers custom sizing and gorgeous, romantic dresses perfect for your elopement. With endless options, it’s easy to see why we would rave about this brand from Russia.

The best part about this small business is there is a dress for every bride. From short wedding dresses to satin and flowy wedding dresses. The best part about this shop? All their dresses are under $1,000 (that’s a win in our book).

Shop Mila Bridal on Etsy

We Are Reclamation

Photo by Oli and Steph Photography

Price Range: $500-$1,500

Reclamation dresses are easily one of our favorite elopement dress options. This shop has gained so much popularity among brides and social, that’s it’s easy to understand why it’s one of the first to come to our mind. You’ll find all the lace, boho, and trendy options here for your special day.

Shop We Are Reclamation on Etsy

Blush Fashion

Price range: Below $1,000

Blush’s dresses come from Israel and are made with breathable fabrics and comfort in mind, which is a MUST when picking out the perfect elopement dress. From long sleeve options to flowy dresses to wear on your mountain elopement together.

Shop Blush Fashion on Etsy

Flora & Lane 

Price Range: $500-$2,000

This one is for our boho brides looking for the best boho elopement dresses! If you’re a fan of all things lace, then this is the perfect shop for you. These gowns are literally perfect for ANY elopement, especially forests, beaches, and mountain elopements. If you live in Chicago, then you can try on the dresses in person at their boutique!

Shop Flora & Lane on Etsy

Wear Your Love XO 

Price Range: $700 – $1,500

Wear Your Love is perfect for brides who elope because the shop was created with non-traditional brides in mind. These dresses are far from stiff and uncomfortable wedding dresses that you often find at a traditional boutique. These gowns are flowy, light, and perfect for any bride.

Shop Wear Your Love XO on Etsy 

Elopement Dress Shopping FAQs

Photo by Brianna Parks Photo featuring Lulus Dress

What types of elopement wedding dresses are best for outdoor ceremonies?

If you’re planning to elope anywhere outdoors, then you need a dress you can MOVE in freely. Even if you’re only exploring a national park on an easy trail, you’ll need to be able to maneuver through the trail with ease. This is especially important if you pick a more difficult trail to explore together. Lightweight dress fabrics are going to be your best friend here, so you won’t be weighed down like you would be if you wear a traditional ballgown.

You’ll want to look for a shorter train, or one where you can easily pick up and pin to the upper part of your dress (or tie to your wrist) to be able to walk freely without it getting snagged on branches.

Another thing you want to consider is overall fit. If you opt for a super-fitted dress, then you may be too constricted during your adventure. Opt for something fitting, but flexible enough that it can be the leggings of elopement dresses!

Can I wear a traditional wedding gown for my elopement?

You can wear WHATEVER style of dress you want. If you’ve always dreamed of wearing a ballgown, but you still want to elope in the Redwoods, then go for it!

Can I choose a colorful dress for my elopement?

You bet! Elopements are personal and intimate, and your dress is the perfect way to show off your personality. We have seen everything from fun pastel colors like soft blue and pink to bold ones like black and red! Don’t let anyone tell you, “You have to wear white for it to look like your wedding day”.

How can I pack my dress for my elopement adventure?

If you aren’t wearing your elopement dress during your adventure, and you want to pack it instead, consider rolling your dress! By rolling your dress, you can keep your dress almost wrinkle-free when packing your wedding dress into your backpack for a hiking elopement.

Another tip is to pack your dress in a separate garment bag. You can buy a waterproof one you can swing up on your shoulders and take with you.

How much should you spend on an elopement dress?

The beauty of eloping is you have all the freedom to wear whatever you want, so you also have the freedom to spend how much you want on a dress. We have seen brides spend as little as $80 on a dress to brides who spent over $3,000. It all depends on you and what you feel comfortable to allocate towards your elopement budget.

Would these elopement dresses work for city elopements?

Yes! Whether you’re exploring Zion National Park OR exploring Las Vegas, your “elopement dress” works for all elopements. Even city hall ones! As long as you feel beautiful and you’re comfortable, then wear it! We have even seen ceremonies in cities and then the couple goes to a nearby national park after for adventure portraits.

Wedding Dress Designers Perfect for Your Elopement

For some brides, their whole wedding day revolves around the dress. If you’re a bride who wants a gorgeous wedding dress, despite the higher cost, then this section is for you to get some inspiration. It’s also important to note that not all of these designers will carry dresses in a higher range. If you’re a bride on a budget, you may find a dress you love with one of these designers since most of them have lower-range options as well!

Do you need more designer inspiration? Check out these 8 Wedding Dress Designers for Elopements.

Allure Bridals

Photo by Sam Starns

Allure Bridals is all about the detail. You can find a dress that caters to every adventurous bride. From ballgowns to fit and flares, and from dramatic backs to simple drapings. This bridal designer has 7 categories of bridal gowns to explore, and we are sure you’ll find something you love.

Price Range: $800-$4,000

Online Shopping: No, only store locations

Delivery Time: 12-20 weeks

Essense of Australia

Photo by Nick Plus Danée

This wedding dress designer has a little bit of everything for every bride. Essense of Australia has 13 dress styles to explore including ballgowns, lace, and boho. Essense also carries different designer labels, including Martina Liana, Stella York, Sorella Vira, and All Who Wander. All these dresses are light, airy, romantic, and perfect for your elopement adventure.

We listed 5 Reasons Why Essense of Australia Wedding Dresses are Perfect for Elopements.

If you love wanderlust and boho vibes, then check out Introducing: All Who Wander Boho Wedding Dresses.

Price Range: $1,000 – $3,000

Online Shopping: No, only store locations

Delivery Time: 12-14 weeks

Maggie Sottero

Photo by Wild Connections Photography

Maggie Sottero wedding dresses are perfect for budget-friendly brides, and also for brides looking for a showstopper dress. Their website has an awesome style quiz and style search to help you navigate the beautiful gowns they have to offer.

Price Range: $1,200 – $4,000

Online Shopping: No, only store locations

Delivery Time: 12-16 weeks

Hayley Paige

Photo by Katie Dawn Photo

If you are a bride who has dreamed of a gorgeous ballgown to wear on your adventurous elopement, then Hayley Paige should be your dress designer of choice. These dresses embody the “fashionable bride with an eclectic yet romantic twist.” These dresses are absolutely gorgeous, and there a variety of styles and even colors, including her famous blush dresses, available.

Price Range: $2,500 – $8,000

Online Shopping: No, only store locations

Delivery Time: 4-6 months

Affordable Elopement Dresses

Photo by Unleashed Elopements

Are you balling on a budget, or are you looking to trash your dress during your elopement adventure? Whether you’re looking for a simple wedding dress or if you have a budget to stick to, remember there are a ton of affordable dress options out there that won’t break the bank!

Here is a list of places where you can check out some gorgeous elopement dresses starting at $200:

• Lulus Bridal
• AW Bridal
• Jenny Yoo
• Reformation
• ASOS
• Azazie
• Needle & Thread
• Etsy
• David’s Bridal

For a full list and more details on each brand, check out our cheap wedding dress guide.

5 Tips When Looking for Your Elopement Dress

Photo by Jamie LeMaire Photography Featuring a BHLDN Dress

1. Do your research. This tip is SUPER important when shopping for affordable dresses. This is still your wedding day, and you deserve to look amazing! We love reading website reviews and watching YouTube reviews.
2. Online Shopping and try multiple ones at home! Retail shops are realizing how important online shopping is for brides. If you don’t love it, then easily return it!
3. Sales and discount codes are your best friends. We got you covered with some awesome discounts below!
4. You don’t need to wear white if you don’t want to.
5. Pick something that you will feel comfortable and love!