Fuck it let’s elope – what to wear when eloping in Ireland
You’ve booked your flights, sorted out a cute Airbnb for your elopement, booked your photographer, found a wonderful celebrant and chosen an epic location to say your vows…. now its time to figure out what you are going to wear! Whether you want to go understated or full-out Irish fairytale I’m here with this handy guide to help you when choosing your perfect elopement attire and give you some handy tips for what to wear when eloping in Ireland
Let’s skip to the good part! ( Table of contents)
Firstly there is no rule book! wear whatever the fuck you want, seriously my number one top tip is to wear what makes you feel awesome and comfortable, its the best way to ensure your photos are going to look amazing, No one wants to be fidgeting and pulling at tight/uncomfortable parts of their clothing when there is incredible experiences and sights to see! Saying that there are some things that work better than others and maybe even some elements you haven’t yet thought about or considered!
The Best Dress Fabrics for Elopements in Ireland
If you’re choosing to wear a dress, fabric plays a big role when it comes to adventure elopements. Your day is going to be filled with trekking, climbing styles, jumping walls, hopping in the back of land rovers, running through fields and standing on cliff tops, The way the fabric of a dress moves, feels and weighs are all really important not only on the day but also for packing and travelling with it!
lightweight flowy fabrics work so well in our landscape, the way the wind catches a flowy skirt ( or cape) just adds to the magicalness of an Irish elopement. the lighter-weight fabrics also help with the amount of moving about you’ll be doing and make adventuring through our gorgeous terrain a bit easier.
Tulles, organzas, laces, chiffons etc work beautifully and the added ability to layer these fabrics means you get more dimension to your dress and allows me as a photographer to get that bit more creative with your images
the best dress shapes for eloping
When it comes to choosing the perfect dress for your elopement, don't forget to think about how it will feel to move in it. After all, you'll be climbing cliffs, striding through fields, and maybe even jumping a few walls on your big day! Tight, form-fitting silhouettes like mermaid and trumpet styles may be gorgeous, but they'll also limit your movement and make it harder to enjoy all the fun and adventure of your elopement.
Instead, opt for a dress with more flexibility and mobility. A-line, ballgown, tea length, and slip dresses are all great options that will let you move freely and comfortably. Plus, their layers of fabric will add dimension and texture to your photos, giving your photographer lots of creative options. So go ahead and try on a few different styles, take some big strides, climb some stairs, and squat low to see how each dress feels. And remember, if you can't do any of these things easily in your dress, it's probably not the right one for your elopement!
Extra tip – this is Sarah, Sarah had a detachable skirt which allowed her to hike on her elopement day.. be more like Sarah!
the best colours for an elopement dress in ireland
you know your dress doesn’t have to be white right? Most people do choose to go for a light-coloured elopement dress either white, ivory or some shade of off-white and I have to say this is a great option as it contrasts the landscape so well, but there are other options if white isn’t your vibe.
I’m totally here for the unconventional and love pops of colour, my one tip… avoid green like the plague. Our landscape is so lusciously green that a green dress just blends in and the images don’t have that pop or wow factor. contrasting colours will always pop against the landscape so consider pinks, yellows, purples, rusts etc
Check out Cheyenne’s incredible black elopement dress that complimented the steely colours of the giants causeway so well
accessories for an elopement
jackets, shawls, and a snuggly textured rug are all brilliant additions in a) making your outfit unique and b) keeping you warm! Most people travelling to Ireland to elope are used to warmer climates an extra layer will always be a saviour when the wind is doing its thing on a cliff edge! on the occasions we do get sun, it’s bright and beautiful, I highly recommend packing a pair of sun glasses just incase!
elopement suit guide
Oh I love a good suit, I’ve found that again contrasting colours to the landscape work really well in helping you stand out, the added bonus of eloping being a way more relaxed vibe allows you to get creative with a suit too. Go all out and super snazzy or embrace the rustic vibes and channel some inner peaky blinders, I’ll always be a sucker for a grandad collar shirt! If you’re eloping in the late autumn or early winter a woolen suit will be your best friend!
the best footwear for an elopement in Ireland
this goes for EVERYONE involved, ditch the fancy shoes with the shitty slippy soles. Our land is green, our land is muddy and our terrain involves some trekking at the very least, you can never go wrong with a good set of boots with a grippy sole. Personally I think wedding outfits and hiking boots looks fucking amazing!
top tip: eloping during our colder seasons? skin coloured thermal leggings will go unnoticed and keep you toasty warm!
Last but not least, when it comes to elopement attire, I love sustainable fashion. If you don’t know where to start looking, try checking out your local brands, Etsy and thrift stores and see what they have to offer.
Brands I love
reclamation design company
leanne marshall
Mr Self portrait
charlie brear
abigail of gardenia
halfpenny london
rue de seine
yoora studio
If you found my content insightful, feel free to browse through all the other elopement resources on the site
