If you’re anything like me, there’s always that one thing you forget to pack when you leave for a trip. And no matter how many times you make that mistake, you always forget it. For me, it’s sunglasses. Every time I travel, I forget them and end up buying a cheap pair of sunglasses from a drug store because I know I’m just going to lose them again.

In other cases, something unexpected happens and you say to yourself “if I only I had thought to pack this, it wouldn’t be such a problem.” Like when I took a trip to Myrtle Beach and didn’t pack a steamer, so I used the hotel iron and burnt the front of my favorite dress.

These types of situations could have been avoided with a very thorough packing list. And chances are, you’ve never eloped before, so I made this elopement packing list with everything you’ll need.

Elopement Packing List

Documents

• Permit (if needed)
• All important travel ID’s & documents
• Marriage license & pens to sign it
• Elopement Day Timeline

The Essentials

• Water bottle & water
• Snacks/Picnic Supplies
• Sunscreen
• Deodorant
• Lint Roller
• Tide To-Go Stick
• Medications just in case (Tylenol, Advil, Pepto Bismol, etc)
• Sunglasses
• Bug spray
• Extra socks
• Boots/shoes with good tread
• A lighter (if you plan 0n having a campfire)
• Physical map of the trail (in case you lose service or get lost)
• Portable phone charger
• First Aid Kit

Wedding Attire & Ceremony Things

• Vows
• Rings
• Ring box
• Paper invites, announcements, or postcards
• Flowers
• Sentimental items
• Steamer for wedding attire
• Wedding attire (dress, suit, jumpsuit, skirt, undergarments, etc)
• Accessories (jewelry, veil, belt, suspenders, cufflinks, tie, pocket square, hair piece, etc)
• Perfume or cologne
• Makeup & hair supplies, pack a travel size bag to bring while hiking (lipstick, makeup wipes, brushes to touch up, extra bobby pins, comb, hair spray, etc)
• Garment bags for wedding attire during travel
• Portable changing tent (if you won’t have restrooms nearby/need to change)
• Champagne or sparkling water
• Plastic champagne flutes
• Tissues
• Speaker for music – I always have one if you don’t! 😉

Adventure Gear

• Backpack(s)
• Rain jacket or ponchos
• A Warm Windbreaker Jacket (the mountains can get veryyy windy!!)
• Warm layers (skin-toned fleece leggings to go under your dress)
• Hand Warmers + Toe Warmers
• Gloves/mittens
• Flashlights/Headlamps
• Umbrellas (you can count on me for the cute clear ones for photos!!)
• Blanket to sit on

Hey! I’m Erin!! If you’re new here, welcome!! I’m a North Carolina based elopement photographer, helping couples plan and document their dream elopement surrounded by the beauty of nature. Click here to read more about what I do!!