2021's Best Adventure Elopement Dresses
All you need to know about choosing an adventure elopement dress!
One of the biggest things that I tell clients about eloping is that the only thing that matters is that they’re happy! Nothing is more true than when you pick out what to wear. If you want to go all-out and wear a ballgown, I absolutely love it! If you’d rather roll with a sleek sheath dress, I think it’ll be perfect! There are so many directions to go in with clothing for your big day, so make sure to explore all your options and ask yourself the following questions before saying “yes!” to the perfect dress! There’s something on this list for everyone!
HOW EASILY CAN THIS DRESS MOVE?
Let me tell you a personal story: Back when I was dress shopping in 2017 for my own wedding, I went to just three bridal stores before I found a dress I loved, but it wasn’t the dress I had in mind. There was a designer that I loved whose dresses were known for being big tulle ball gowns with lots of layers and I was determined to try one (or three) on in the salon. When I actually got the dang thing on, I could barely move. It was fine if I stood still, but terrible if I even tried to walk. There was so much happening and so many layers and it was so big that I nixed any dress like it! I was having a traditional wedding, but I couldn’t imagine hiking in something like that! You want to feel comfortable in whatever you and your partner wear. Keep in mind the style of dress you want to wear and what activities you want to do for your elopement: If you’re hiking or walking pretty much at all outside, an a-line style is going to be best as it gives you the most mobility for hiking. Some fabrics like satin get extremely heavy, and that isn’t ideal for any outdoor activity either. You need to be able to move around.
AM I GOING TO BE COMFORTABLE?
Pulling in from what we just talked about, your comfort comes above anything else with the dress! Finding a gown that’s lightweight, easy enough for you to sit/stand/hike/climb/get in a boat/do some outdoor shenanigans in is going to be the best option for you. Take into account the movement, ability to do the activities you want to do, and if you’ll want to leave the dress on all day.
IS THE FABRIC RIGHT FOR MY ELOPEMENT?
Many elopement dresses come in a nice flowing fabric like chiffon, light silks, organza, tulle, or stretchable lace. All of these materials allow you to move, and allow the dress to flow really pretty in nature. Think about where you’re getting married at when you think about the dress fabric: do you want it to flow with the rush of the wind and water while you stand by a waterfall, or be stagnant and unmovable? Light and airy fabrics dry quickly, move easily, and catch movement beautifully in photos.
Another important thing to consider is where you’re getting married — the time of year, climate, and potential weather matter when picking your dress!
CAN I GET DRESSED IN THIS BY MYSELF?
Whether or not you’ll be having a first look, it’s important to think about how easily you can dressed by yourself. Instead of a corset back, look for something that zips or pulls on; instead of something that needs bustled, look for something that doesn’t require a lot of effort to wear and move around in. If you do want a train or something more elaborate, consider one that your partner can easily help you with when you start to move and hike around!
SWEET CAROLINE STYLES
EFFORTLESS AND ORGANIC SEPARATES
Sweet Caroline Styles specializes in custom separates and believe me when I say there are truly STUNNING. Working with soft and wispy fabrics like tulle and chiffon, this shop’s pieces are amazingly perfect for the person looking for an effortless blend of contemporary glam and organic vibes. This shop’s styles are available on Etsy — you can find their entire collection here.
Buy this juliet bodysuit here
Buy this Norma J skirt HERE
Buy this Savannah Top Here
Buy this Cordelia Skirt HERE
REFORMATION
MODERN STAPLES
Reformation is known for having a core in modern stapes, and the bridal collection is no exception. The dresses are modern fabrics like silk, lace, and crepe and are sure to add a perfect mix of sexy and classic to any wedding. Their styles range from traditional wedding dress shapes like sheaths to jumpsuits and miniskirts. Reformation is honestly the perfect place to look for something a little out of the box! As an added bonus, they’re very affordable as far as wedding dresses go! Plus, the company has a huge heart for sustainability! There’s something for everyone in this collection. You can find the entire collection here.
Buy this Acacia Dress here
HALSEENE
SIZE-INCLUSIVE AND ULTRAMODERN
Halseene brands themselves as “Modern wedding wear options for curvy brides” and they really take it to heart! When designing the collection, they used a whole range of curvy women to make sure they were creating the best options possible. They’re woman-owned out of Vancouver, Canada (but shipping to the US!) and I can’t recommend them enough! My favorite dress is the Julia — I dieeeee for a good cutout! You can see the entire collection here.
Buy this Kamy Dress here
Buy this Robyn dress here
Buy this Tess Dress here
Buy this Julia Dress here
LULUS
AFFORDABLE AND STYLISH
Lulus seems to be the go-to shopping place for engagement and occasion dresses lately, and for good reason. They’re an amazing option for guests, bridal party, and brides themselves. Most of the dresses are around the $100 or below mark, which is perfect for brides on a budget or brides not looking to make a huge commitment to their dress! Lulus is also a great option if you’re planning to elope and then have a reception back home — you can get one of their dresses, and still have enough left over to do another dress (or two) for the party! You can find all of their dresses here.
Buy this Duchess dress here
Buy this In My Dreams Dress here
Buy this Have Faith dress here
Buy this Forever You and I dress here
SUMAROKOVA ATELIER
CLOTHING AS ARTWORK
Possibly one of my all-time favorite designers I’ve ever seen. Maria Kolomoiets (the designer behind the Ukrainian brand) does the MOST amazing beadwork. Truly, these dresses are more than just gowns — they pieces of artwork. While they’re much more delicate than some on this list, they are also created with handcrafted care. She also works with custom requests, making this shop just an all-around amazing option. You can shop the Etsy store here.
Buy this Bronze Pink embroidered gown here
buy this tulle corseted gown here
Buy this icy blue and copper gown here
Buy this Blush Purple gown here
TORRID
CURVY AND FLATTERING
Torrid is a staple clothing store for women with curves and their wedding collection doesn’t disappoint! It’s one of the smaller collections on this list, but at a great price and coming from a brand known for catering to curvy women, they’re a great option! You can find the whole wedding collection here. You can shop the bridal collection here.
Buy this Leopard Satin dress here
Buy this Off-The-Shoulder dress here
Buy this Sequin Sleeveless dress here
Buy this Lace Inset Mermaid dress here
LEANNE MARSHALL
ETHEREAL AND SPECTRAL
Buckle up, because I have nothing but amazing things to say about Leanne Marshall! First of all, Leanne Marshall is the winner of season 5 of Project Runway, so you just KNOW her designs are going to be amazing. I’m the owner of one of her previous gowns (the Marfa, if you’ve seen it!) and it’s so incredibly amazing. These dresses are hand-dyed (if you get a color one), so flowy and ethereal and just all-around gorgeous. I feel pretty confident these gowns are what mythical creatures wear. Plus, the company is completely woman-owned! I seriously can’t recommend them enough. You can shop all of her collection here.
Buy this multicolor simona gown here
Buy this Sequoia gown here
Buy this ivory Eliza gown here
Buy this sky blue Dubois gown here
ASOS
ELEGANCE ON A BUDGET
ASOS and Lulus are pretty comparable to me. This is another brand that’s known for affordable but very stylish clothing, and does an amazing job at providing a wide range of styles and looks at a very cost-effective price. It’s a little higher in price, sitting usually between $100-$300, but still for a wedding dress, you can’t ask for much more! You can see all the dress options here.
Buy this Hope & Ivy Floral gown here
Buy this Iris Long Sleeve gown here
Buy this Joni Sequin Cami gown here
Buy this Rosie Satin Cami gown here
RECLAMATION
BOHO TO THE MAX
Trista, the designer and creative mind behind Reclamation, says, “I infuse each piece with all of the joy, love, and intention that I have for you and your perfect dress.” Her dresses are never mass-produced, and she encourages you to help in the design process to ensure you have the dress of your dreams. If there’s a dress on her site or her Etsy shop you already love, feel free to purchase that as well! If you’re looking for the perfect bespoke boho dress, though, Reclamation is unmatched. You can see the entire collection and inquire about a custom gown here.
Buy this Adventure Awaits dress here
Buy this Magical Radiance dress here
Buy this Wild hearts dress here
Buy this a Moment Like This dress here
BOUDOIR WEDDING
DELICATE AND GRACEFUL
This Etsy shop has 450+ five-star reviews, and for darn good reason. While some of the dresses definitely fall more on the “boudoir” end of things (ie, very see-through and lacy — although they’re perfect for a pre-wedding boudoir shoot!) there’s tons of wedding dresses that are absolutely stunning. Anastasia works a lot with tulle, organza, chiffon, and lace, so every single one of her pieces feels light and airy, while still feeling classically “bridal”. You can shop the entire collection here.
Buy this Whitney Flowy gown here
Buy this blush pearl gown here
Buy this Embroidered Floral gown here
Buy this gauzy white flowing gown here
BHLDN
QUINTESSENTIAL WITH A TWIST
BHLDN is a staple for anyone shopping for a wedding dress. They were originally started as an offshoot from Anthropologie, but have really come into their own in recent years. There’s a dress for everyone here — classic, romantic, bohemian, modern, beachy, or something perfect for city hall, BHLDN literally has it all and they’re always introducing new collections. A lot of their dresses are made with some famous dress designers, but they’re at a really reasonable price compared to a lot of other bridal options of similar quality. There’s some stores around the country, or you can order online which is super helpful! Don’t forget to browse their bridesmaids and occasion dresses: there’s often some really beautiful gowns for lesser cost in light colors if that’s more your style! Plus, their accessories are to die for (speaking from experience, since I wore some of their jewelry for my own wedding!). You can see everything they offer here.
Buy this Lacy Odalis gown here
Buy this Sachin & Babi Darcy gown here
Buy this Willowby by Watters Lilia Gown here
Buy this Watter Serafina gown here
DAVID’S BRIDAL
CLASSIC AND ACCESSIBLE
Speaking of bridal brands everyone knows, David’s Bridal is probably at the top of the list. They’re affordable, there’s usually a store close to you wherever you live, they do in-house alterations, you can buy veils and accessories from the same store, and the dresses are really beautiful! No matter what style you’re going for, David’s has something that will work for you. Plus, they’re a great place to shop if you’re having a small bridal party or family who needs some occasion wear too! You can shop their entire store here.
Buy this Bandeau Sheath gown here
Buy this Lace Applique chiffon gown here
Buy this low back lace gown here
Buy this Corset Sheath dress here
LARIMELOOM - MARIA LUCIA SQUILLARI
SOFT AND BILLOWY FAIRYTALE DRESSES
You know we love a custom-made wedding gown, and Larimeloon Bridal is top-notch. Everything in their bridal collection can be ordered as you see it online, or customized to fit your specific vision. Each item in the collection (long or shorter dresses, accessories, colored gowns, and separates) honestly looks like you should be running barefoot through an open meadow at dusk with the wind billowing in your skirts, and I absolutely love it. The company started in 2007 out of Italy and has grown to an in-house artisan workshop. You can shop their entire collection here.
Buy this Paeonia gown here
Buy this 1920s-inspired gown here
Buy this Sequin Princess gown here
Buy this dreamy Bohemienne gown here
NET-A-PORTER
MODERN DESIGNER GOWNS
Net-A-Porter is a staple for fashionistas, and their bridal collection is no exception. Ranging from minidresses and pantsuits to crop tops and blinged-out skirts to classic wedding dress silhouettes, Net-A-Porter is a go-to for any bride looking for a little avante garde. A few of my favorites online right now are an asymmetric pleated duchesse-satin maxi skirt from Halfpenny London, a belted appliquéd silk-organza midi dress from Carolina Herrera, and a Bardot sequined crepe jumpsuit from Temperley London. Prices range anywhere from $250+ up to a few thousand, but there’s a huge range of styles. You can shop their entire bridalwear collection here.
Buy this Halfpenny London Jackson dress here
Buy this Stella McCartney open-back dress here
Buy this Danielle Frankel OPEN-BACK Silk AND WOOL gown here
Buy this Costarellos Kalissa Guipure Gown here
NATALIE WYNN
BESPOKE BRIDAL WEAR
Natalie is another designer who excels at custom gowns. If you’re in the market for a bridal gown with a little something extra, Natalie Wynn is your girl. Her studio is based out of Salt Lake City where you can go for custom alterations and sizing, or you can order online. If one of the ready-to-wear designs isn’t doing it for you, she offers consultations to help you create the dress of your dreams. Who wouldn’t want a dress that glimmers with celestial appliques, or twirls with colored lace flowers, or contrasts against the desert in a black gown? You can shop all of the ready-to-wear collection and inquire about custom dresses here.
