Elopement Checklist | Non-Essential Items But Good To Have

Socks

Obviously you are going to be wearing socks with your shoes, but the type of sock often gets overlooked. Socks are just as important as the type of boot you pick. The number one type of socks for hiking is wool socks! Kind of hard to believe, right? It’s suggested to wear wool socks while hiking because the material regulates temperature well to stop your feet from sweating and creating blisters. The temperature regulating properties are also great so in the wintertime, they keep your feet nice, warm, and cozy, and in the summertime they keep your feet feeling nice and fresh and not hot. The right sock paired with the right boot is the secret to a comfortable hike.

Wool Sock Suggestions:

Smartwool

Darn Tough

Bear Spray

One of those things where it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it! I always keep the bear spray on my pack, within arm’s reach, and KNOWING where it is at all times is key. You want to be prepared so you can act quickly and calmly if you’re in a situation where you need to use bear spray. But don’t just buy it and pack it. Read the label. Read the instructions. Make sure you and each individual in your pack knows how to use that specific brand of bear spray. Some brands you point at the ground, and some you point at the eye of the bear, so it’s really important to read the directions. Also, do you know what to do if you encounter a bear? How to act? How fast to run? (just kidding about the running) If you do encounter a bear out in the woods, you’ll want to try and make yourself look bigger, so the bear is afraid of you. Link arms with the people you’re with, and turn to the side to show them your pack (this makes you appear bigger to the bear). Never ever run away from a bear.

Bear Spray

Hydration Supplements for Keeping Hydrated

Not only should you be downing water to keep hydrated, I recommend adding a hydration supplement to your water to get in front of altitude sickness. Naked Nutrition’s Nakedade or Liquid IV are two brands you can bring along with you. They’re a powder that you mix in with your water, and it’s super easy! 1-2 of these a day will keep you hydrated during your hiking elopement! My favorite is the white peach sugar-free packets from Liquid IV.

Snacks

Depending on how long you’ll be with your elopement photographer, you’ll either want to bring snacks you can quickly eat on the go, or you might even want to bring a whole meal. High-calorie foods are best and will keep your energy level high so you’re fueled all day long. Some suggestions for snacks are GORP (good ol’ raisins and peanuts), granola or energy bars, and my favorite go-to, PB&J Roll-ups (use tortillas instead of bread). There are tons of energy bars and hiking snacks to choose from, check out this article:

Best Energy Bars Article

Gum or Mouthwash

This is your wedding day after all! Freshen up before smooching your sweetie.

Headlamps

As an elopement photographer, i’m always going to encourage my couples to plan their elopement pictures around sunrise, or sunset. Sometimes that means spending time in the dark to get to where we’re going, whether that’s before sunrise, or staying a bit later after sunset. Having a light source is non-negotiable. I learned while Caving that three sources of light are always needed to be on your body, but the rules for hiking in the dark are probably a little less strict considering the sun will eventually rise again. I would recommend two headlamps for each person, and extra batteries. Another thing I learned during getting Scuba Open Water certified, is “two is one, one is none”. Just something to keep in the back of your head when preparing for any adventure!

Check out this article for tested headlamps:

Good headlamp article to nerd out on

Suggested brands:

Black Diamond

Day Packs

What else do you plan on carrying all these items in?! Head over to REI, and one of their dedicated staff will help you pick out the best pack for you. They will measure you, ask you questions on what the pack will be used for (tell them all about your hiking elopement!), and they will be able to set you up with a pack that you’ll be able to carry on your back all day long and you won’t even notice. A well fitted pack will be able to distribute the weight of the items you’re carrying throughout your shoulders, hips, and back, without sacrificing any of those areas.

Rain jacket and a Rain Cover for your Day Pack

Colorado is one of the sunniest states, providing over 300 days of sunshine per year, but sometimes we do get a rain storm (although it’s likely it won’t last all day). So don’t skimp, and bring a rain jacket, and a rain cover for your pack just in case. An easy solution for a rain cover for your daypack can be as simple as a trash bag.

Sunscreen

Protect your skin! Higher elevation levels bring you close to the sun, making it very easy to get sunburn!

Chapstick

Colorado is a dry state! If you’re anything like me, this one will actually be an essential item on your elopement checklist! It all goes back to being comfortable, when you need chapstick, you need chapstick! Am I right?

Eco-Friendly Hand Soap

If you’re planning to eat at any point during your elopement, you’ll want to washy our hands first. Sea to Summit and Dr. Bronners offer eco-friendly soap.

Bug Repellent Wipes

Notice how I didn’t say spray? I found these wipes years ago and they are my favorite! No more holding your breath and jumping through a cloud of chemicals to stop the bugs from bothering you all day. Good to point out though, if you’re planning to have your elopement in the summertime, this would 100% be an item on the “Essential Items“.

Natrapel Bug Repellent Wipes

Safety Pins

If you’re leaving no leaf unturned, bring some safety pins. These can help when a button gets popped, or part of your suit or dress isn’t fitting just right.

Small Mirror

If you plan on freshening up again at some point during your elopement, I suggest bringing a small mirror. I know your boo is going to say you’re looking hot no matter what, so if you bring one you can check for yourself!

Brush and or Comb, and Bobby Pins

If you’re planning to have a hairstylist do your hair for your elopement, this item might not be needed, but you never know.

Makeup Sealer Spray

If you plan to hire a professional makeup artist for your hiking elopement, you won’t have to worry about bringing this item along with you. But for all my DIY peeps, if you’re planning on doing your own makeup for your elopement, you’ll want to invest in a makeup sealer spray. This will prevent any sweat from ruining all your hard work!

Bathroom Supplies

Last but certainly not least for the Non Essential Items, toilette paper, a wag bag (what you use to pack out these items), and baby wipes. I don’t feel I need to go into great detail about this one, other than to check out the Leave No Trace organization at www.LNT.org for how to reduce your impact on the outdoors. The only reason this is not on the Essential Items is because some elopement locations actually have bathrooms at the trailhead, or nearby. Work with your elopement photographer to determine if wag bags are an essential item for your elopement.

Elopement Checklist | Essential Items for Couples who are Including Their Dog(s)

Dogs are members of the family too, and I love it when my couples bring their fluffy best friends with them on their elopement! Eloping with your dog is a great idea, but just like we humans have to be prepared, we also have to make sure we’re prepared and have all the essentials for our dogs!

A Dog First Aid Kit

Styptic powder, tweezers, and hydrogen peroxide are items you will not find in a human first aid kit but you’ll want to bring them for your dog. Styptic powder is used to stop bleeding in the event your pup breaks a nail or gets a cut. Tweezers are especially useful if your pup walks into a cactus. Trust me, pulling out cactus needles with your teeth is not fun. The 3% hydrogen peroxide would come in handy if your dog eats something that’s toxic and we need to get it out of the dog’s stomach right away.

Dog First Aid Kit from REI

Dog Leashes

If you’re planning on choosing a trail where dogs are supposed to be on a leash at all times, plan on bringing the leash.

Collapsible Dog Bowl

While it’s easier to have your pup drink from a water source like a river, you won’t always be near a water source when your dog is panting, so bringing a bowl they can drink out of is the polite thing to do for your pup.

Dog Backpack

If you’re planning on doing either a day or multi-day hiking elopement, consider buying a backpack for your dog so they can carry their own stuff!

My favorite brand to get all of our dog gear from is Ruffwear

Light

If you’re planning on hiking in the dark, bring either a light up collar or a light you can clip onto your dog’s collar or pack.

Treats or Food

Your dog is going to run out of energy just like you and me if they’re not getting enough calories. I love Zuke’s.

Elopement Checklist | Essential Items for your Winter Elopement

Hand Warmers

My tip when it comes to hand warmers, make sure they’re not expired! But in all seriousness, if you’re planning on doing a winter elopement, these are a MUST. You’ll be so glad for that little bit of warmth in your pocket when we are not moving. If you’re wanting to invest in hand warmers that won’t ever expire, check out Zippo’s.

Hand Warmers (careful, they expire!)

Zippo’s Refillable Hand Warmers

Nude Colored Leggings

For really cold weather, I recommend getting fleece lined nude colored leggings for under your elopement wedding dress. You’ll want them to be nude so in pictures, they blend in and look like skin.

Zazzle Skin Colored Leggings

Gloves

Don’t let the hand warmers do all the work! While taking pictures for your winter wedding or elopement, there’s a high chance you’ll be touching your sweetie, and you don’t want your fingers to be icicles, for their sake. Anything is better than nothing, but I do recommend getting a waterproof glove if snow is expected for your winter elopement.

EarMuffs

If you’re wanting to keep your ears warm and are worried about messing up your hair, earmuffs are a great alternative, and still look super cool in photos!

Base Layers

Putting on warm base layers underneath your wedding attire is crucial for staying warm. You’ll be so happy you chose a synthetic material like polyester, fleece, or wool to wear underneath your outfit. It’s truly a game changer!

Elopement Checklist | Essential Items to Pack for Your Backpacking Elopement

For choosing backpacking gear, you’ll want to keep in mind the weight of the item you’re purchasing. Having a pack that totals 20% of your body weight and under is the goal. So for a person weighing 150 lbs., you’ll want to try and keep your pack below 30 lbs. 

Backpacking Pack

You’ll want your pack for a backpacking hiking elopement to be bigger in liter size. This will ensure all your overnight items fit. Again, making sure that your pack fits properly is key.

I love my Osprey packs for multi-day backpacking. Check out this article that goes into depth on the Best Osprey Backpacking & Hiking Backpacks.

Shelter

Tent or a Hammock – Not necessarily an essential if you’re planning on cowboy camping, or if you know you’ll be sleeping in an established shelter, either a man-made or shelter cave, but if you do want some type of shelter while sleeping, you’ll want to invest in a lightweight tent or hammock. Below I listed the tent i’ve been using for years. I recommend going up in size if you have furry friends that will be joining you, or if you’re like me and like to keep your gear inside your tent with you at night.

Marmot Limelight 3 Person Tent

Sleeping Pads

Again, not necessarily an essential, but some people do prefer a sleeping pad.

Sleeping Bags

There’s nothing cozier than snuggling up at night in a sleeping bag next to your lover. Which type of bag you go with really depends on the season you’ll be camping in. Consider buying a sleeping bag liner to add extra warmth.

Stove

You’ll want some sort of fire source for cooking meals and boiling water while backpacking. If you’re choosing to have a Colorado Hiking Elopement, consider the fire bans. You might not be able to cook your meal over a campfire. In the case where there is a fire ban, most areas allow you to use a gas fueled stove, but always check the fire ban rules and regulations for the area in which you’re planning your hiking elopement. Below is the backpacking stove I use.

Primus Classic Trail Stove

Meals

You don’t have to settle on a meal you’re not going to enjoy while backpacking. There are some amazing recipes out there for dehydrated meals. Dehydrated meals are super popular for backpacking because they’re lightweight (no liquid), easy to cook, and delicious! All you have to do is boil some water, pour it over your dehydrated meal, wait a bit, and BAM you have yourself a delicious meal to end the night with.

Dehydrated Backpacking Meals

Mole Skin

Moleskin is great for blisters and I always make sure I have some in my first aid kit. It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it! Your feet are one of your main priorities while hiking. If your feet are not comfortable, you’re going to feel it in every step! It’s important to know how to use moleskin though, it’s not as easy as just sticking it on your blister. You’ll want to get a lesson on how to apply moleskin. Read all about how to use moleskin here: Article on everything you need to know about Moleskin

Bear Spray

One of those things where it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it! I always keep the bear spray on my pack, within arm’s reach, and KNOWING where it is at all times is key. You want to be prepared so you can act quickly and calmly if you’re in a situation where you need to use bear spray. But don’t just buy it and pack it. Read the label. Read the instructions. Make sure you and each individual in your pack knows how to use that specific brand of bear spray. Some brands you point at the ground, and some you point at the eye of the bear, so it’s really important to read the directions. Also, do you know what to do if you encounter a bear? How to act? How fast to run? (just kidding about the running) If you do encounter a bear out in the woods, you’ll want to try and make yourself look bigger, so the bear is afraid of you. Link arms with the people you’re with, and turn to the side to show them your pack (this makes you appear bigger to the bear). Never ever run away from a bear.

First Aid Kit

Always grab a first aid kit no matter what size of a hike you’re doing. Most first aid kits are equipped with medical supplies to treat minor injuries such as cuts, burns, or sprains. It never hurts to be First Aid Certified as well as to jump in and help when an emergency occurs.

Water Purifier

It’s rare to find potable water when you’re out backpacking. If you know you’ll be near a water source, and if you want to keep your pack light, bring a water purifier and just one 32 oz. water bottle. Most times you can get away with water purifier tablets if you know you’ll be near a flowing river that mostly doesn’t have a bunch of muck in it, but sometimes going for something like an actual water purifier pump system is a better option. It depends on the water source you’ll be getting your water from. This absolutely depends on personal preference, some might say they would use a water filtration system for every scenario.

Iodine Tablets for water that doesn’t contain much debris

Water filtration system for water containing mud and heavy debris

Fire Source

Something small like a pack of matches, or a lighter. It’s such a small, lightweight item, that you shouldn’t even second guess it, if an emergency occurs, you’ll need some type of fire source for multiple reasons.

GPS or A Map

Navigation is key. If you don’t know where you’re going, that is a major concern. Having some sort of navigation like a map and compass, or a GPS system, can save your life if you find yourself lost. Here is a great article for learning how to choose and how to use a GPS. 

Choosing a GPS

My suggested brand for hiking GPSs:

Garmin

Wrapping Up The Elopement Checklist

So now that you made it to the end, I’ll let you in on a little secret… Most of the items on this list, I actually bring to all of my couple’s elopements just in case you forget them! I have a little bag that I actually bring on the trail including a first aid kit, bobby pins, safety pins, hand sanitizer, hand soap, a small mirror, moleskin, bear spray, etc. etc. You might be wondering, but why? It’s because, at the end of the day, you are hiring me to deliver a gallery filled with photos that you love, and I pride myself on delivering the best of the best photos. Your photos are going to reflect how you’re feeling, and I go above and beyond to make sure my couples are comfortable, have what they need, are prepared, and have the best day ever. So if that means carrying a little extra weight, i’m doing it.

So, what items were you most surprised to see on the list? Leave a comment below letting me know. I would love to hear from you!

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