A backcountry camping elopement is the perfect way for adventurous couples to get married. You can spend multiple days hiking through rugged and remote mountains or book a backcountry camping site with easy access so you can bring your best friends along! Whatever you chose, you will no doubt have a truly intimate and one of a kind elopement experience. Since you’re here, I can assume that you’re the type of people that like to spend your free time adventuring and exploring nature. You like to push yourselves and aren’t afraid of getting off the beaten track. So why would the day that you chose to commit to one another for the rest of your lives be any different?

In 2019, I planned my own backpacking elopement and couldn’t find a ton of resources to help me with the planning process. A few months after our incredible elopement, I wrote a blog for Gregory called “8 Considerations When Planning A Backpacking Elopement” to help future couples with the process. You can check that blog out here. We headed off to an alpine lake that I had been to previously (and fallen in love with!) with our dogs, some friends, and our photographer. We had the most amazing experience and it was just so freeing taking the leap and doing things our way.

These days, I find so much purpose in helping couples plan an experience that is true to them and capturing those memories for them to look back on. It’s so magical to get away from it all and just be out in nature together. Getting married this way allows you to be fully present with each other and focus on what truly matters. Hopefully this helps some couples as they embark on their journey to plan their backcountry camping elopement.

Table of Contents

• 1. Hire your camping elopement photographer
• 2. Chose your backcountry camping elopement location
  • What time of year do you want to elope?
  • What kind of backcountry camping do you want to do?
  • How long do you want to hike for?
  • Should you pick backup locations?
• 3. Select your camping elopement attire
  • Best wedding dresses for a backcountry camping elopement
  • Suit considerations for a backcountry camping elopement
  • Camping elopement gear
• 4. Book your backcountry camping elopement vendors
• 5. Backcountry camping elopement details
• 6. Have the best experience!

Six steps to start planning your backcountry camping elopement

1. Hire your camping elopement photographer

For a typical wedding, it’s normal to have a decent chunk of the planning done prior to hiring a photographer. I’ll explain why I think it’s important to hire a photographer as the first step of planning your backpacking wedding.

Find a photographer with the right skillset

It is important that the photographer that you select has experience in the backcountry. You want to make sure that they have camped in the backcountry before, have all of the necessary gear that they will need, and are comfortable on the types of trails that you think you might want to do for your elopement. You should ask them what safety gear they will have and bring (things like a Garmin InReach, first aid kits, etc). A photographer that has experience shooting a backcountry camping elopement before is also a benefit.

Your photographer should also be able to help you with selecting a location. They preferably have backpacking experience in the area and will be able to provide a list of potential locations for you to go over. They will work together with you to find a trail that fits your vision (length, scenery, privacy, etc). They should also be able to help you with packing lists, to ensure that you don’t forget any important gear and so that you have the best experience possible.

Your photographer should also be knowledgable in any potential permits you may need for specific locations and be aware of Leave No Trace principles.

Hire someone you vibe with!

You will be spending A LOT of time with the photographer that you choose.. up to multiple days! For this reason, it is important that you all vibe well together. Find someone that you can connect with and it will make your experience even better. Picking the right camping elopement photographer can help the rest of the planning process go easier, as they will have suggestions and tips to help out along the way! You really don’t need to plan this all on your own, trust their experience and utilize the fact that they have done this before.

Get in contact with me here to start chatting about your dream backpacking elopement!

2. Chose your backcountry camping elopement location

Here is where you and your partner can really dream! I recommend sitting down together and thinking about what your perfect day looks like. What time of the year is it? What does the scenery around you look like? Who else is there? What are you doing? From there, you can start planning.

What time of year do you want to elope?

You will want to know what the weather is doing at the specific times of year you are thinking about planning your backpacking elopement. For instance, here in Alberta, there can be snow up in the alpine year round so you’ll want to think about that. If you want wildflowers, you’ll have to find the window that they are usually blooming in your desired location. Once you have a general area and date range nailed down, you can start looking at specific places. For example, maybe your dream day looks like sitting next to an alpine lake when all the wildflowers are in bloom. Great! Now, let’s plan for a late July backcountry camping elopement in the Rocky Mountains!

What kind of backcountry camping do you want to do?

Here in Alberta, there is different kinds of backcountry camping that you can do. One option is going to a designated backcountry campsite in national or provincial parks. These require booking in advance and you might not be the only parties there (unless you book all of the sites). Places like this usually have amenities though, such as outhouses, bear proof food storage, and sometimes they supply wood for fires.

If you want to be a little more off the beaten path, you can look into random camping for your backpacking elopement. Here in Alberta, this is generally allowed in wildland provincial parks and public land use zones. There’s an abundance of amazing places to chose from! Make sure to look up the regulations for the specific place that you want to chose and acquire the necessary permits.

How long do you want to hike for?

Thinking about how long you want to hike for can really help narrow down the location list. You’ll want to consider that you’ll likely have heavier packs than normal and if you have guests coming that might not be experienced as you, you might pick a location that has easier access.

Should you pick backup locations?

I always suggest planning a couple of different backup locations in case of things like wildfire closures, weather, or if you need a more accessible location for any reason. I like to provide multiple backup locations for all of my elopements, just in case!

Best backpacking locations in the Canadian Rockies

I love to help my couples find the perfect location for their elopements. Here are some of my favourite spots to think about for your backpacking elopement! And of course, I know a ton of off the beaten track gems that I would love to share with you in the planning process.

1. Northover Ridge – This is one of my favourite loops in the area. It’s a challenging route that is not for the faint of heart as it has some narrow sections along the ridge. But the two alpine lakes where the campsites are located are stunning (I eloped at one of them!). This trail has everything though, lakes, wildflower meadows, and insane views. You’ll have to book this in advance through Alberta Parks which operates on a 90 day rolling reservation system.
2. Egypt Lake – This one is so beautiful! The trail goes up and over Healy Pass, which is known for it’s stunning wildflower displays in the summer and also for the golden larch forests in September. You’ll need to book this one through Parks Canada.
3. Floe Lake – Located in BC this is part of the Rockwall Trail (which we can for sure do the whole thing for your elopement!). The trail up to the lake is challenging but the fireweed in August is beautiful! And then the ridge above the lake would be an incredible place to exchange sunrise vows. This trail is also known for it’s golden larches above the lake in the fall. A definite must do. You’ll book this one through Parks Canada also.
4. Mount Assiniboine – Also located in BC, this is a bucket list destination. You can even go fancy here and fly in and out via helicopter if that’s more your style or if you wanted to bring some guests in as well. You really can’t beat these views.
5. Hermit Meadows – Located in Glacier National Park, this is the shortest backpacking trip on the list, it only takes a few hours to get up top to the campground. You’re in a rocky basin with wooden tent pads and some of the most beautiful sunrise and sunset views you’ll see. There is a really good effort to reward ratio here. Book through Parks Canada.

3. Select your camping elopement attire

You’ll need to be able to transport your wedding attire, so thinking about that while selecting it is helpful.

Best wedding dresses for a backcountry camping elopement

Chose a wedding dress that is lightweight and won’t wrinkle too much when packed inside of your backpack. Tulle is a great fabric for the skirt that is really light and won’t show wrinkles, but keep in mind that it will snag on everything! Mine definitely came away with holes, but I had no intention of reselling it after, so it was all good. I rolled my dress up and wrapped it in a garbage bag to go in the very top of my main compartment in my Osprey backpack for my elopement and that worked out perfect to transport it. Some lace dresses like the one above are also a really great option to avoid wrinkles when packed.

You can look on resale sites if you are wanting to find a good deal, or places like Etsy have great options for lower prices dresses. Of course, you can also go big and get the dress of your dreams and just wear the heck out of it! After all, that’s every dresses dream, isn’t it?

Suit considerations for a backcountry camping elopement

Again, you’ll have to carry this so chose wisely. Most grooms chose to attach their garment bag to their packs and then folded in half up so that things don’t get too wrinkly. You’ll want to have a waterproof bag to put it in also if there is a chance of rain.

Camping elopement gear

I recommend both parties bring sturdy shoes. Oftentimes, hiking boots will just be worn under the dress and there is no need for another pair of shoes. Some people bring dress shoes to go along with suits, so in this case I would advise finding ones with the best tread that you can. Dress shoes are notoriously slippery and the last thing you want to do is roll your ankle and then still have to hike out.

Warm attire is also a necessity. In my opinion, puffy jackets with wedding attire is so cute and a whole vibe! Your backpacking elopement photographer should be able to provide you with packing lists to ensure that in the excitement of planning your elopement, you don’t forget anything!

4. Book your backcountry camping elopement vendors

Marriage Commissioner

Depending on where you get married, you’ll need an officiant. Here in Alberta, you can hire a marriage commissioner or you can get one of your guests to become a temporary marriage commissioner. This is such a great new option if you have a guest coming along that is willing. There are also some commissioners here in Alberta that are willing to hike and camp with you.

If you you want it to just be you, your partner, and your photographer, you can chose to do the legal marriage paperwork before (or after) your backcountry camping elopement.

Other Vendors

There are some hair and makeup artists willing to hike for elopements, so there is the chance that you can find one to come with you. If that’s not an option and you want to go glam, I recommend looking into lash and hair extensions. It just makes the day so much easier when you’re waking up in a tent and are already half ready.

For florals, my favourite option for backpacking elopements are silk flower bouquets. You can either DIY this or find someone to make them for you. Silk flowers are so beautiful these days, you can’t even tell the difference in photographs. They also make for a great keepsake after. If you want to go the real flower route, ask for hardy flowers that will last the trek and potentially cold weather overnight – dried bouquets are a good option here. Something to be aware of though is to ensure you aren’t leaving any non native flowers or seeds in the area you’re going to.

5. Be intentional about your backcountry camping elopement details

This is another place that you can really dream and bring the things into your experience that mean the most to you. This could look like personalized vow booklets, “just married” signs, special food or drink items, personalized clothing pieces, unique rings, literally anything that you can think of.

You’ve already chosen to get married in the most you way that you could imagine, so I really encourage people to go all out here. Want to bring those fairy lights for your tent? Do it. Want to make floral collars for your dogs? Do it! The possibilities are endless, friends.

6. Get ready to have the best experience

Here is where you get to relax, let the day take its course, and soak it all in! This adventure is truly about you and celebrating your love and commitment in the most honest way that you can. It is bound to be the experience of a lifetime!

Check out this page for some backcountry camping elopement inspiration to see how these two spent two days out in the mountains to celebrate their love complete with their timeline!

Want me to help plan and capture your backcountry camping elopement? Click here to send me a message to get my full pricing guide and set up a phone call to chat about your plans!