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!!