Make sure your vows are printed, legible, and packed in a safe spot. Phones work in a pinch, but paper won’t lose signal, shut off, or get ruined by a sweaty palm. A small vow book or card also looks much better in photos and is a nice keepsake.

☐ Marriage License and Pen

You can’t legally seal the deal without your marriage license. Make sure it’s signed, stored safely (like in a folder), and bring a working pen. If your ceremony includes witnesses or an officiant, they’ll need to sign, too. Don’t let a missing pen hold up the party.

☐ Rings and Ring Box

It sounds obvious, but yes, this does happen: couples forget their rings. Keep them in a sturdy, closable ring box that’s easy to locate in your bag. If they’re going into a pocket, double-check that the pocket has a zipper (or is deep).

☐ Elopement Timeline or Itinerary

Even if your elopement is low-key and relaxed, having a timeline helps keep things flowing. Note ceremony time, photo blocks, travel time between spots, and any reservations or vendor arrivals. Print one for your photographer and/or coordinator. Remember: the golden hour doesn’t usually last an hour.

☐ Permit or Reservation Info (if required)

Some public parks, beaches, or private properties require permits or proof of reservation. Don’t assume you’ll have cell service to pull it up, print it, or screenshot it, and keep a copy saved offline. If you’re looking for help securing a permit, our Elopement Specialists are here to help.

Wedding Attire

Pack for your ceremony, your comfort, and whatever comes after. You don’t want to be stuck in hiking boots and tulle all night unless that’s exactly the vibe you’re going for.

☐ Wedding Outfit (Dress / Suit / Other)

Make sure your attire is steamed or wrinkle-resistant, weather-appropriate, and doesn’t self-destruct when it touches the elements. You gotta feel great wearing it for both photos and real life. If it’s a hike-in location, consider how easily it travels.

☐ Jewelry

Even just one meaningful piece can feel grounding on the day. Make a small list of what you’re bringing so nothing gets left behind in a hotel drawer.

☐ Shoes and Backup Shoes

Your “photo shoes” might not be your “walking shoes,” and that’s okay. Bring both. Having a backup pair that’s comfortable and broken-in can make or break the experience, especially if you’re moving.

☐ Veil, Hairpieces, Accessories

If you’re bringing a veil, hat, cape, or anything that attaches to your head, test it out in advance. Wind, humidity, and sweat can all challenge your vision of “effortless.”

☐ Extra Outfit for After the Ceremony

Once you’ve said your vows and taken your photos, you may want something easier to move, eat, or lounge in. Consider something casual but elevated; it’s still your wedding day.

Beauty and Touch-Up Kit

You don’t need a glam squad trailing behind you, but the summer heat, surprise wind gusts, and unexpected tears don’t care how low-key your elopement is.

☐ Makeup and Mirror

Bring your essentials, nothing that requires an entire bathroom to apply. A small mirror is helpful if you’re reapplying in the car, the woods, or a mountain overlook. Choose products that hold up well in heat and natural light.

☐ Blister Band-Aids

Shoes can turn on you fast. A couple of high-quality blister bandages can save the day and let you focus on each other instead of your aching feet.

☐ Sunscreen

Don’t underestimate the sun, especially in the mountains, by water, or anywhere with a breeze (where you might not notice how long you’ve been out).

☐ Deodorant

Even if it’s just the two of you, nerves and heat don’t always mix well. A fresh layer of deodorant can make you feel more confident and comfortable and smell good all day long.

☐ Setting Spray or Oil Blotting Sheets

These take up almost no space but do a lot to keep your face from slipping or shining in every photo. Especially helpful in humid or high-heat locations.

Photography Props

Are they required? Definitely not. Are they a quiet kind of magic? Absolutely. These small additions don’t have to be elaborate to be impactful. They can help your photos feel more like a reflection of who you are, not just where you stood.

☐ Vow Books or Personal Cards

Besides being a lovely way to hold your vows, these photograph beautifully and become treasured keepsakes. Choose ones that reflect your style, whether minimalist, maximalist, or hand-painted.

☐ A Toast or Picnic Setup

A small bottle of bubbly, a blanket, and a few post-ceremony snacks can add intimacy and ease. Who couldn’t use a lil snack? Capture the celebration, even if it’s just you two (and your photographer).

☐ Sentimental Items or Letters

If you’re exchanging letters or meaningful keepsakes, pack them securely and remind yourself to actually use them in the moment. It’s easy to forget when the adrenaline kicks in.

☐ Florals

Even a small bouquet or boutonniere can elevate the mood. You don’t need a full floral design, just something that feels like you. Secure it well so it doesn’t wilt before the first photo.

☐ A Fun Detail or Personalized Sign

This could be a hand-lettered “just married” flag, a shared object from your travels, or even a banner with your wedding date. Think of it as a visual exclamation point.

Emergency Kit

This is the part of your elopement packing list you’ll hopefully never need to touch, buuuut if something does go sideways, you’ll be grateful you thought ahead. It’s the just-in-case kit that turns a potential disaster into a quick fix.

☐ Sewing Kit, Safety Pins, and Fashion Tape

Tiny tools with big impact. A ripped strap, a popped button, or an uncooperative hem can all be fixed with these..

☐ Band-Aids, Painkillers, and Allergy Meds

Bug bites, headaches, pollen allergies, poison ivy, none of them are romantic. A few basics can turn a mood around real fast.

☐ Tissues

Not just for tears. These are multipurpose tools for windblown eyes, sweaty brows, lipstick mishaps, or sudden achoooos.

☐ Printed Map or Written Directions

Nature is beautiful. Cell service is not guaranteed. If you’re heading off-grid or into unfamiliar territory, make sure you know how to get where you’re going, even without Google Maps.

☐ Portable Phone Charger or Battery Bank

Phones die at the worst moments. Don’t risk missing that post-vow selfie, coordinating with a vendor, or playing your ceremony playlist. A backup battery is an easy fix.

Sure, some of this might feel extra for an elopement packing list. But when your heel breaks, your lipstick smudges, or your photographer asks for the permit you swore you didn’t need, well, you’ll be the calmest person in the room. Or in the woods. Or on the beach. And that’s the whole point.