Where to Buy Your Asheville Elopement and Wedding Dress
You’ve been waiting for this day for ages and now you can’t believe it’s here! It’s time to pick where to buy your adventure elopement wedding dress! If you don’t know where to start or what to look for, here is Where to Buy Your Asheville Elopement and Wedding Dress plus lots of tips and tricks for picking the perfect eloping dress and accessories for any location and season.
When choosing your dress to elope In, knowing the location will help you choose a dress you’ll be comfortable in. While a long-sleeved, ball gown with a million layers might work perfect for a winter, indoor wedding, it might not be so Perfect on a lake in the middle of summer.
Let’s start by thinking about…
Elopement Location and Terrain for Wedding Dresses
Think about what your elopement location will be like during the specific season you’ll be eloping. What are the chances of rain, snow, or other weather factors that could change the terrain even more. While one area can be very dusty and the soil as hard as a rock, a rainstorm can change all that into a muddy and slippery location.
Having a dress where you can be comfortable in all potential terrain and climates can help you worry less about what the weather might be like and instead focus on the fun you’ll have no matter what.
Elopement and Wedding Dress Fabric
When deciding Where to Buy Your Asheville Elopement and Wedding Dress, be sure to take a look at the various fabrics the dresses are made of.
Tulle, organza, and chiffon are amazing at being lightweight and easy to walk in. If you’re in love with satin but worried about being too hot and difficult to move in, check out dresses made of charmeuse as a good, lightweight alternative.
When hiking in your adventure elopement wedding dress, you’ll be so thankful to have chosen a lightweight fabric that helps you move around more easily and not feel dragged down by your dress choice.
Having a dress with multiple, lightweight layers can also be perfect for creating whimsical and ethereal photos. Everyone loves a dress tossing photo, right?!
One quick word about tulle and lace:
Be prepared for dirt and sticks grabbing onto the fabric! Dirty hems are actually kind of the cutest thing in my book, but just be prepared for your dress looking much loved by the end of the day. I eloped in a tulle dress and yes, it needed a good soaking that very night to get some of the mud off (be sure to refer to fabric guides before trying to wash your dress as some must only be dry cleaned.)
Additionally from experience, I caution against tulle in pine forests as I spent 2 hours picking sticks out of a dress after being in the Redwoods! Worth it but wow, that was not how I expected to spend my evening!
Winter Elopement Dresses
Winter elopement dresses made of satin, polyester, and silk (plus layering up) can help you stay warm in the cold. Having multiple layers of fabric can also help you be comfortable.
And yes, never underestimate the power of layering up! Nude leggings, winter jackets (that can easily be pulled over your wedding attire), gloves, etc. can help even a cold day be manageable and fun.
Summer Elopement Dresses
If eloping in the summer, cottons and silks are perfect for helping you keep cool. Dresses with minimal layers, especially for desert and beach locations will help keep your mind off the weather and instead on the experience you’re having.
Don’t forget to layer up with sunscreen, though! We don’t want you red and sunburnt on your honeymoon.
Spring and Fall Elopement Dresses
When eloping during “in-between” seasons, be sure to be prepared for the weather to be either colder or warmer than usual. Having layers on hand, even if your dress is more of a typical summer elopement dress will come in handy, especially if you’re eloping in the mountains where it is usually 10-20 degrees cooler than at the base (sometimes even in the summer, you’ll be thankful to have brought a jacket!)
What happens if you fall in love with a dress that's not your typical elopement style dress and might be difficult to hike in?
No worries! You can always pack it in or hand it off your backpack while you hike around and then pause to get dressed whenever you’re ready. Portable changing tents make for easy access in and out of outfits (suits can get hot, too, after all) but just be sure to plan extra time for every change of outfits you have in your timeline.
The Best Places to Buy Your Dress to Elope In
Lulus: Perfect for bride on a budget
BHLDN: Boho, dreamy dresses with some in-person stores around the country (the dress featured in this post is from BHLDN!)
Reclamation: Inclusive and small business owned, these dresses are perfect for those desiring one-of-a-kind and custom dresses
Natalie Wynn: I’m obsessed with the texture of these dresses (plus options for customs makes this the perfect designer in my mind!)
Leanne Marshall: Classical and simple designs with colorful twists to stand out
Dear Heart Bride: Beautiful literary inspired dresses! Do I need to say more?!
Where to Buy Your Adventure Elopement Dress Second Hand
I’m a huge fan of the sustainability and cost effective perks of buying used dresses. My elopement dress was second hand and fit so perfectly, I didn’t even need to pay for alterations!
Adventurous Wedding Accessories
No dress is complete without accessories from shoes to veils to hairpieces. The great thing about eloping is that there’s no “set” type of accessories to include so you get to choose exactly what you want!
Shoes
Finding the perfect shoe is really important for elopements because you’ll be in them all day! Hiking boots are actually my favorite because there’s nothing that says adventure so much as an eloping couple in boots! Classic hiking boots that lace up above your ankle not only look adorable but also provide good ankle support.
If hiking during warmer seasons, be sure to pack a few pairs of hiking socks (Smartwool is a favorite company of mine.) You may want to change socks throughout the day to prevent blisters from forming.
Flats can work well if you’ll just be walking short distances or during your ceremony or portraits. Stay away from heels unless you’ll be on mostly paved surfaces (city elopements, anyone?)
With any shoe, always opt for waterproof as you never know what kind of puddle or river you might end up crossing. Wet feet are never a good thing!
Pro-Tip! Don’t forget to wear your shoes of choice to your alteration appointment because they’ll need to hem your dress to their specific height. I was definitely one of those brides who forgot and had to have someone run back to my house to get them!
Oboz: I chose these shoes for my own feet because they’re great for people with small ankles, like myself!
Merrell: Dependable with lots of waterproof options
Keen: My husband loves Keen shoes as they fit his wider foot perfectly
Kodiak: My favorite company for those classic and stylish boots perfect for peeking out from under a elopement dress
Veils
Veils, while not your typical elopement accessory, is a favorite of mine! Drop veils in particular are perfect for creating romantic shots.
If you find yourself leaning towards getting a veil but not sure you want to deal with it all day, remember that you can just put it on during certain parts of your day. Opting for a shorter veil (fingertip vs cathedral length) can also make it easier to manage while exploring.
Twigs and Honey: Stunning veils with crystal and other sewn in detailing
One Blushing Bride: Amazing custom veils to fit your exact vision
Noon on the Moon: Veils, capes, and hair accessories galore!
DIY Veil Material: If you decide to go a DIY and make your own veil, SuperLuxeFabrics has authentic English Netting on Etsy that is the best I’ve found online after purchasing over 10 samples when I made my own veil!
Wedding Dress Shopping and Alterations
When shopping in person, take the time to walk around the store in each dress and imagine what it will be like to walk around for half the day with it on. Try picking up the train and holding it as you walk. Often, longer trains are actually easier to walk in because you can just throw it over your arm instead of having to grab it with your hand.
If shopping online, be sure to use the suggestions above in the fabric section to help you choose a dress that will likely be comfortable to move in. Knowing return policies can also be helpful to know ahead of time in case you find yourself deciding that it’s just not the perfect dress for you.
And remember, hiking up in exercise clothes and changing into your elopement attire is totally okay, too!!! It’s all about what is going to make you most happy and free to be yourself.
Don’t forget to have your dress altered if needed. While some wedding dresses really do come perfectly fitting to your body, most dresses need altering to make sure they fit like a glove. When in doubt, get alterations.
While that is an additional line item on your budget, having a dress that looks like it was made for you goes a long way, especially in pictures!
Traveling with Your Dress
One last thing!
When traveling with your dress, be sure to NEVER pack it in your stored luggage. We all have heard stories of bags getting lost so we want to be sure that does not happen to your amazing adventure elopement wedding dress! Instead, pack in a carry-on suitcase or in a garment bag to hang up by the flight crew or lay in the overhead bin.
Once you arrive, be sure to pull it out and hang it up to allow it to settle. If the fabric allows, feel free to steam it to make sure it’s picture perfect for the elopement day.
Location: North Carolina
Dress: Written in the Stars by BHLDN
