Elopement Shoes

Adventure elopements are nothing like traditional weddings.

Your elopement shoes won’t be either.

Here are my top tips for choosing the perfect adventure elopement footwear!

Spoiler alert: you get to buy two pairs.

Outdoor Wedding Shoes

There are three main categories of shoes for adventure weddings: cute shoes, functional shoes, and hiking boots. There are a time and a place for all three. Let’s walk through their uses together!

1. bridal sneakers

Trail runners and tennis shoes are lightweight, breathable, and flexible. They are not suitable for rugged terrain or heavy rain. They are best for level trails and warm weather.

Typical trail runners do not have any ankle support.

2. bridal boots

Cute bridal boots are an option for adventure elopements that don’t require you to hike a long-distance or gain elevation.

Bridal boots are more about fashion than function and are totally fine to wear for your elopement shoes if you aren’t doing any serious hiking. Think ankle booties, leopard print, gold metallic, the fun stuff!

3. bridal hiking boots

Hiking boots are necessary for adventure elopements that include hiking on uneven trails or for long distances.

Boots for hiking elopements should be waterproof, provide ankle support, and have a firm sole. Here are three of my favorite hiking boot brands: Keen, Danner, and Columbia.

Hiking Elopement Shoes

Hiking elopements require a different type of footwear than outdoor elopements on flat ground.

Your hiking elopement shoes should focus on function over fashion.

But don’t worry there are a lot of hella cute hiking boots.

Here are three things to look for when selecting the perfect hiking elopement shoes.

Tips on Buying Hiking Boots

1. fit and feel

You cannot buy a pair of hiking boots that don’t fit your foot. What worked for your best friend not might word for you.

I strongly suggest that you go to REI and try a bunch of boots on with a pair of wool socks. They will help you find a boot that fits the shape of your foot.

2. waterproof

Don’t spend the money on a hiking boot that isn’t waterproof. Look for boots that have a GTX (Gore-Tex) stamp of approval.

If you are getting married in the Pacific Northwest I strongly encourage you to get waterproof hiking boots.

3. support

Consider the terrain you are going to be hiking on. Is it an uneven rough trail? Will you be scrambling over rocks or walking on slick wet ground?

You need a pair of boots that will protect your feet from the elements. Hiking boots should provide ankle support and have a grippy firm sole.

pro tip:

Don’t forget to break your boots. New hiking boots will almost always give you blisters on your first use.

Wear them around the house, take a walk around your neighborhood - just make sure the first time you are wearing them isn’t your wedding day.

Cute Adventure Elopement Shoes

You are not confined to hiking boots. You can also bring a pair of cute elopement shoes.

I understand if you want to wear leopard booties or a red wedge. In this case, I recommend bringing two pairs of shoes.

Get around in your hiking boots or tennis shoes - then slip on your heels for the photoshoot.

There are no rules with elopements. You can wear whatever you want on your wedding day.

Outfit change? No problem. Second pair of shoes. You bet.