How to Prepare Guests for Your Mountain Elopement

Mountain elopements can be unforgettable experiences for both you and your guests. However, when inviting guests, it’s important to make sure everyone is well-prepared for your unique day. Chances are, your guests have only ever attended a traditional wedding, so it’s up to you to communicate the differences so that they know what to expect. Luckily, I’ve helped many couples prepare their guests for their mountain wedding, and with the information in this blog post, you’ll be able to easily communicate with your guests so that everyone is fully prepared for your day!

10 Ways to Prepare Guests for Your Mountain Wedding

1. Send Detailed Invitations

Make sure your invitation or wedding website includes all the details about the hike and what the day will entail. Let guests know the wedding location, meeting points, and estimated hike duration. One of my couples, Morgan & Drew, planned some activities for their guests to enjoy while they were in town for the wedding. This allowed their guests to get the most out of their trip and experience the culture of the area will minimal planning. They included a weekend itinerary in their invitations, pictured above!

2. Indicate the Dress Code

Clearly explain the dress code for the ceremony. Encourage guests to wear layers in cooler months, sturdy hiking shoes, and weather-appropriate attire. You may also want to let them know if they should bring formal shoes or clothes to change into for photos or the reception.

3. Let Guests Know What to Bring

Recommend a small backpack to carry essentials like water, snacks, and extra clothing. You may want to provide guests with a list of must-bring items like sunscreen, bug spray, and rain gear. If the ceremony site doesn’t have seating, encourage guests to bring portable chairs or comfortable shoes to stand in.

4. Send Driving Directions

Send multiple forms of directions for guests that use different forms of GPS (Specific Coordinates, Apple Maps, Google Maps, etc.). Trailheads can be tricky since there isn’t an exact address, so make sure the directions are accurate. Many trailheads don’t have restrooms, so it may also be a good idea to provide options for spots nearby that have public restrooms for your guest to use before arriving.

5. Send Parking Instructions

Let guests know where they can park, especially if parking near the trailhead is limited. Encourage guests to carpool to ensure that there is enough parking for everyone, or you could arrange a transportation service if family is staying in the same place.

6. Communicate Expected Arrival Time

Provide guidance on how much time to allow for the drive and hike. It’s always better for guests to arrive early to the trailhead or ceremony site rather than late.

7. Set Photo Expectations

Let guests know whether or not you want them to be taking photos during the ceremony. As an elopement photographer, I always encourage couples to communicate with guests about the flow of their ceremony and when family photos will take place.

8. Leave No Trace & Permits

Remind guests to respect the natural environment by not littering and leaving the trail and ceremony site as they found it. Let your guests know if the ceremony will take place in a national or state park where permits and specific rules apply.

9. Have a Backup Plan

If extreme weather conditions make the hike unsafe, make sure you communicate any backup ceremony locations or changes in plans ahead of time.

10. Send Travel Recommendations

If guests will be traveling in from out of town, one way to really go the extra mile is to provide local recommendations for guests to book accommodations and plan their trip. You could include links to places to stay – you can get a discounted group rate with most hotel chains, places to eat and visit while they’re in town, nearby hikes, etc.

Guest Preparation Check-List

• Send invitations
• Send multiple forms of driving directions
• Indicate the dress code and optimal attire for the hike
• Send guests a list of things to bring: Footwear with good tread, change of clothes, rain gear, etc.
• Encourage guests to carpool
• Communicate the expected arrival time and ceremony start time
• Let guests know to expect for the hike including terrain, distance, elevation gain, etc.
• Let guests know if there will be restrooms or if they should stop beforehand
• Send travel recommendations. Optional: Call a nearby hotel to ask about group rates.
• Communicate the importance of leave no trace and any park rules
• Have a backup plan
• Set photography expectations by asking guests to refrain from taking photos during the ceremony and communicating the designated family photo time.

By ensuring that your guests are well-prepared for the adventure and the wedding, you’ll create a stress-free and memorable experience for everyone involved!! I’m Erin, an intimate wedding photographer based in Asheville, North Carolina! As I entered into the elopement world, I noticed a big desire from couples for a wedding day in the mountains with guests. As someone who had this exact kind of wedding day, I made it my mission to help other couples do the same. Now, I specialize in small weddings in the mountains, helping couples plan a personal day with quality-time together and memorable moments with their loved ones.