Best Non-Traditional Wedding Dresses and Attire

If you have decided to elope instead of opting for a traditional wedding ceremony, you might be wondering what to wear for your big day. With many elopements taking place in unique locations, such as National Parks, there are some factors to consider when choosing your wedding outfit. Today I’m going to share with you some of the top clothing items to wear for an elopement, as well as my favorite brands.

What to wear for your elopement?

Deciding what to wear on your big day can be one of the toughest decisions you have to make. For an elopement, you can choose to dress as casual or as formal as you’d like. Here are some of the most popular options for elopement attire:

Wedding Dresses

Of course, many brides still enjoy wearing a traditional wedding dress. If your elopement results from a canceled wedding, you may already have your dress picked out. There’s no reason not to have a typical wedding dress – after all, it’s your special day! However, many brides opt to mix things up a little by changing the length or color of their wedding dress. Consider the scenery for your wedding photos, and you may want to match the location you are eloping in. For example, many beach weddings opt for a boho style dress, with fabric that flows just like the waves behind them.

As far as where to shop for your elopement dress, Anthropologie’s wedding brand, BHLDN, is ideal for anyone looking for a modern or romantic wedding dress. You’ll find they offer a huge selection of bridal gowns and accessories, with contemporary designs that are perfect for an elopement. If you would prefer to stick with a sophisticated wedding dress, Angel Rivera is a great choice. They offer traditional and modern dresses and are stocked in wedding dress boutiques throughout the US. 

Finally, another one of my favorite brands is Rue De Seine. Their dresses are designed with elopements and intimate ceremonies in mind, and they offer bohemian and romantic wedding dresses. With a vast collection of classic and new designs, you’ll be bound to find something to match your elopement location here.

Wedding Jumpsuits

If you don’t fancy hiking to your wedding spot in a dress, a jumpsuit is a much more comfortable and practical option. You can find jumpsuits that use a similar material to a classic wedding dress, with beautiful lacing and designs on the top.

Non-Traditional Wedding Attire: Capes

Bridal capes have become incredibly popular over the last few years and make a great finishing touch to any dress. You’ll usually want to get this at the same time as your dress to ensure it matches perfectly.

Wedding Veils

For a more traditional wedding option, opt for a veil instead of a cape. Remember, you can get veils in all lengths, so you don’t have to have one with a huge train behind you! Try to pick one that’s reasonably short and practical, especially if you will be hiking through fields or dirty trails to get to your elopement location.

Attachable Skirts

If you want to create two dramatic looks in one day, an attachable skirt can help achieve this. These are usually attached to wedding dresses and can add more volume and create an entirely different style and appearance for the ceremony. Afterward, you can choose to remove the skirt, to make it easier for you to walk around and take photos. The great thing about this item is that you can simply carry it to your wedding spot and then pop it on before the ceremony starts.

Wedding Attire for 2SLGBTQ+

For 2SLGBTQ+ couples, there are so many different options for elopements. Many couples opt to both wear suits, which can be more practical in National Parks or on the beach. Alternatively, one or both of you may opt to wear a classic wedding dress. 

Any of the items listed here would be ideal for your special day, but I would highly recommend you take a look at Kirrin Finch. Specializing in androgynous wedding attire, Kirrin Finch offers a vast collection of blazers, chinos, accessories, and shirts for your wedding day. For a casual or beach wedding, they offer fun, patterned shirts that would be ideal for an informal ceremony. 

Another company I really like is Duchess Clothier, who create custom suits for women, men, non-binary, and queer people. They offer made to measure clothing to fit anyone, with a modern fit and endless possibilities to suit your needs.

Wedding Suits

Most men still gravitate towards suits for their wedding day, but more women, and non-binary folx are also opting for suits too. The great thing about suits is that you can choose a formal option, such as a tux, or dress down with a more comfortable and colorful suit. If you are eloping in a hot location, ensure it’s not made of very thick material and that you can easily remove the jacket.

If you are looking for a handmade suit for your big day, Bindle & Keep create all of their garments to fit your size and style. They will refine your suit with you to ensure it’s perfect for your elopement, so make sure you book your fitting with time to spare before your elopement for the best experience. 

If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind wedding day outfit, consider Sharpe Suiting. Based in Los Angeles, Sharpe Suiting offers a bespoke experience to design your custom-fitted suit, and you can customize everything down to your buttons.

Wedding Vests

If a suit isn’t appropriate for your wedding day, opt for a vest instead. This can be worn over a shirt and still looks smart enough for your wedding photos. Vests come in a wide variety of materials and colors so that you can coordinate with your partner with ease.

Wedding Suspenders

For a beach wedding or a casual setting, you may choose to simply accessorize your shirt with suspenders. You can get a custom made pair of suspenders for your special day, or just opt for any color of your choice.

Hiking Boots

Hiking boots are the ideal footwear choice for your wedding day. Even if you decide to change out of them for the ceremony, they will help to protect you on your way through National Parks or muddy trails. Many couples opt for a more casual look for their ceremony, and with a suit or jumpsuit, hiking boots can be styled to look great with any outfit.

For a high-quality pair of hiking boots, opt for a pair of Blundstone boots. They are best known for their laceless ankle-length boots, which you can easily slip on and off with their elastic sides. These are an ideal easy-to-wear option on your wedding day, especially if you are considering changing footwear for your ceremony or photos.

Your options for wedding attire for an elopement are limitless, and you can go for as relaxed or as formal an outfit as you like. By choosing one of these brands listed above, you’ll have a unique and beautiful dress or suit for your ceremony, which will fit perfectly with your elopement setting.

Still thinking about where to elope? Check out this article about West Coast elopements.