I’m going to hit you with another disclaimer here before we dive right in. If it hasn’t sunk in yet, your elopement day is all about doing exactly what you want to do—so your attire is no different.

Ultimately, you should feel 100% comfortable, happy, beautiful, and wonderful in whatever you wear, so please don’t feel any pressure to wear something that doesn’t speak to you. 

My best advice in the beginning stages of picking out your wedding attire is to keep an open mind. Many couples have told me that they started shopping for one particular style in mind and ended up with choosing something completely different. It happens often!

It’s helpful if you can find a local shop or boutique to try on a few styles in person. Even if you’re planning to eventually make your purchase online, it’s nice to see how different styles look and feel on you in person so you are confident that you have a good idea what you’re looking for before making an online purchase.

When picking out attire, remember that you're likely going to be wearing it all day—so consider how heavy it is, how comfortable it is how easily you can move in it. Think about what activities you plan to do in your attire, and what kind of attire would work best without holding you back from having tons of fun.

Your perfect wedding attire is the one that best “fits” you—if you’re happy and comfortable and feel amazing, you’re doing it right. There are no rules—pick what you love the most! 

What do you want to wear on your wedding day?

What to wear & purchasing your attire

Your dress doesn’t have to be white—it can be any color you want! Black, blue, yellow, patterned, multi-colored—whatever you want, go for it! 

If you’re having an outdoor elopement, it’s likely there will be a natural breeze. See how the dress flows and reacts to movement. Pick up the bottom fabric and mimic wind, twirl and spin to see how flowy it is. A simple skirt can look epic if it’s moved the right way, so sometimes the best “windblown” looks come from a dress that might seem a little boring on the hanger. 

If you plan to do a longer hiking elopement, it’s a great idea to pack your dress in a backpack and then change when you get to your ceremony spot—consider avoiding heavier materials like corsets, boning, tulle, and super puffy skirts. Go for something lightweight!

Tips for Picking the Best Dress or Skirt

Even if you’re not hiking, you’ll likely want to be able to move around freely. Are you able to take a big upward step in the dress? Will you be able to climb up on a rock or tree stump for an epic photo? Raise both arms up, dance, skip, run, swish it! Make sure it has the movement you love. 

Is the dress lightweight enough for all day wear? Leave it on for an extended period of time and make sure it remains comfortable.

Can you sit down in a chair comfortably in the dress? Can you sit comfortably on the ground?
Do some jumping jacks and dance around! How does it feel? Does the dress bounce back into place or does it need a lot of adjusting after movement?
Are you interested in any accessories? Veils, capes, and shoulder shawls can add extra movement and add tons of drama to your photos.

Not looking for a dress but still want something sort of flowy? Try looking for skirts and sweaters. Maybe even a jumpsuit! 

Think through who will be joining you while shopping and doing fittings (if anyone). I recommend only inviting people who are supportive of your vision, are totally on your team, and who can give you kind and honest feedback when asked.

Keep in mind that some dress shops can take up to 6 months to actually get a gown in, then you’ll also want to leave yourself with additional time for any necessary alterations.

Never feel rushed or pressured into making a decision. It’s ok to leave a shop having not found the perfect dress. You will find the one!

Where you purchase your attire is totally up to you, but if you’re feeling stuck and could use a little extra inspo, I’ve got a few must-check-out options to explore!

Brand Recommendations: Wedding Dress, Skirts, & Separates

Daci Gowns
A & Be Bridal Shop
Grace Loves Lace
Christina Sfez
Daisy Brides
BHLDN
Lulu's
The Reformation
Wild Bride
Mr. Pretty Skirt 

For something a little different this website has really cute dresses, but also amazing skirts if you want to do a bodysuit/crop top paired with a gorgeous train/skirt. Pretty dreamy

Your suit doesn’t have to be black and the top doesn’t have to match the bottom! Mixing and matching colors and materials for jackets and pants can be a fun way to add personality to your attire. Don’t be afraid to think outside the traditional box.

Consider fun patterns and materials in your ensemble. It’s okay to go for corduroy pants, a leather jacket, a shirt with penguins on it, or a knitted cardigan. Not everything has to be black tie formal or traditional linen.

Don’t forget about accessories! Adding unique details like suspenders, vests, bolo ties, bow ties, neckerchiefs, scarves, hats, belts, belt-buckles, pocket watches, cufflinks, and pocket squares can be another way to add more interest, detail, and personality into your attire. 

Tips for Picking the Best Suit or Tux

Make sure your choices are easy to move around in and don’t fall off too easily. Try taking big strides, squatting down, sitting in a chair, sitting on the ground, stretching, and jumping around. See how easy it is to move in the attire, and make sure it’d be comfortable enough to adventure in! Do this when trying outfits on, and during alterations, and if you encounter issues with your attire staying in place, suspenders or a belt could help.

Consider bringing along a few trusted people to help you make your selection and give you kind feedback on what works best for you.

Consider adding suspenders, or make sure you really dig your shirt because with the heat/humidity here you will likely remove your jacket after photos/ceremony!

Again, the most important thing about your wedding attire is how it makes you feel. Be authentic to that.

The right type of footwear matters for most occasions—but especially on your wedding day.

It can also be a really fun part of the day! I've had couples get custom vans or custom tevas…and fun, funky shoes where you can let your personality shine through! A lot of times if we are doing beach ceremonies barefoot is the way to go! And if you feel you want to be taller to match your partner's height, we can find ways to incorporate heels!

If you want to wear heels, just consider that you will likely need a second pair of shoes that are your main shoes for getting from point A to point B. And then you will change into your heels for the ceremony.

Tips for Picking the Best Footwear

Going barefoot works great here in Hawaii...and I’m also always a fan of desert boots, vans, etc. but stick to what feels most like you! If your session is at the beach, we almost always go barefoot!

You can bring along a pair of sneakers/flip flops for walking and then take them off each time we get to a new area for photos.

For hiking elopements, I recommend a good pair of hiking boots you can find. You can choose to either keep them on for your ceremony and photos or change out of them, it’s totally up to you! If you purchase a new pair of hiking boots or shoes for your day, make sure you break them in ahead of time to avoid blisters or finding out day-of that they aren’t comfortable for all-day wear. For most of the hikes in Hawaii, however, seakers with good tread are usually great! If you are doing a 2+ hour hike, or one that is really muddy (you can ask me), then I would suggest hiking boots. 

Weather can in Hawaii while relatively warm, can be very unpredictable and quick to change! So if you’re eloping somewhere that could be rainy, cold, or windy—layers are going to be your best friend!
In high elevations in mountainous areas such as Waimea Canyon in Kauai, or if you are going up Haleakala on Maui, it can get very cold very quickly! 

Even if it’s just a chilly morning, cloudy, or a bit windier than expected on your day, having an extra layer to put on, can make all the difference in the world to how much fun you’re having. 

Most important though, not only for your elopement day, but for your trip in general, would be to bring your rain jacket or ponchos! I will typically bring umbrellas for you and your partner for the ceremony just in case. 

To ensure your elopement experience is comfortable and full of excitement—there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear! (OK, sometimes there’s bad weather, but gear is going to make all the difference).

Don’t Forget to Layer Up