Spending time in nature together is part of the reason you’ve chosen to elope, and likely what you’re hoping to do on your wedding day. Whether it’s standing at the edge of a mountain lake, exchanging vows beneath red rock cliffs, or hiking to a hidden overlook; these places stay beautiful only if we take care of them by following the guidelines outlined below in our Leave No Trace guide for Eloping Couples.
The concept of Leave No Trace may be new to you. These guidelines you’ll hear us mention over and over again are a set of ethical principles designed to minimize human impact and ensure nature stays just as stunning for the next couple, family, or traveler who visits it.
With 7 simple principles, here is how you can apply Leave No Trace on your elopement day.
The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace for eloping couples
1. Plan Ahead And Prepare
The first step in protecting the great outdoors is knowing what your chosen location will allow. Your elopement photographer should be able to advise you on what to consider when looking at various locations. Make sure to research your venue well in advance and choose a location suitable for the group size you expect, without damaging fragile environments. Because of fragile environments many National and State Parks require permits for ceremonies, drones, and any sort of decorations. You should also check weather forecasts for your date and check trail conditions, so that you can bring the right gear and avoid having to create new paths or damaging sensitive areas.
2. Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
Although having wedding photos among the wild flowers, on the beach dunes, and within the grove of ferns and trees sounds incredible it can cause long-lasting damage. Stick to established paths, rocky areas, or other durable surfaces in order to protect the ground we walk on an the organisms living in it. Your photographer, with correct use of angles, foreground, and background, should be able to make it look as though you’re in that flower field- even while still on the trail! Additionally, If you’re camping for your elopement, or staying in an overlanding vehicle be sure to set up camp in designated sites or places where others have set up camp before to avoid impacting sensitive areas.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
Everything you bring with you, from food scraps to tissues to flower petals, should leave with you. Even “biodegradable” items like orange peels and toilet paper can disrupt the local ecosystem. The easiest way to do this is to carry a small waste bag- even a plastic shopping bag (reduce, reuse, recycle, right?) so that stashing your trash throughout the day until you find a proper trash can is easy and convenient.
If you’re hiking long distance, or camping overnight your location may require you pack out human waste. Yes, that means your poop. But with some simple packing and mental preparation this can be easy as well. There are commercialized “toilet bags” and other similar conveniences you can find in common outdoor stores that make packing out your waste easy and a little less ‘gross’. If this is something you’re concerned about on a longer hike or overnight excursion, talk to your adventure elopement photographer and they should be able to give you tips, pointers, and encouraging advice on how to cleanly and easily sh*t in the woods.
4. Leave What You find
The landscape you’ve fallen in love with for your own elopement is so beautiful because it is untouched. To keep it that way resist the urge to pick wildflowers, take rocks or pebbles, climb on logs, or take small natural items as sentimental keepsakes. The best keepsakes you will have from your wedding day will be your photos and video. You’ll be so thankful you left nature exactly as you found it when you are able to return for years to come and experience the same natural brilliance you did on your wedding day!
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
Wildfires pose a huge threat to the environments you know and love. While fires from lightening are not preventable, accidental fires are. Especially during dry seasons, fires are often prohibited or restricted at many camp sites and outdoor wedding locations. If you are planning on camping on wedding day or just enjoying some s’mores over a fire, make sure to use existing fire rings, clear away all flammable material, and keep flames small. If you are unable to have a fire due to restrictions, or lack of an established fire ring, you can still incorporate battery operated lanterns, LED candles, and string lights to achieve a similar and safer ambiance.
6. Respect Wildlife
One of the most rewarding parts of eloping in the ‘wild’ is being able to immerse yourself with nature and all those that inhabit it. Seeing wildlife as you say your vows, or enjoy a romantic hike can be an incredible experience, but remember to keep your distance and admire all wildlife from afar. Getting too close can cause animals undue stress, and put you in danger. “If not friend, then why friend shaped” you might ask? We can promise the fluffy murder cows do not want to be your friend; they have plenty of their own already. Keep a respectful distance. If you’d like to document the awe of the wildlife you encounter on wedding day your photographer can use a zoom lens to capture the moment.
When in nature also make sure to store food securely to avoid attracting animals. And never, ever, feed wildlife. Even the smallest handout from humans can harm their health or change their behavior, resulting in potential relocation or euthanasia by park rangers.
7. Be Considerate of Others
Nature is for everyone. While you are here for one of the most important day of your life, there may be others seeking the same beauty that you are. Be mindful that other outdoorsy people may be enjoying the same location you’ve chosen to say your vows. While choosing a less busy time of day, or a less popular location can help you to avoid crowds and create a more intimate atmosphere, you may still encounter other people. Remember to keep voices and music at a respectful volume, and be willing to share the space politely for others to pass. More often that not, others on the trail, or at your location will be thrilled that you’re getting married and will greet you with an enthusiastic “Congratulations!”
Your elopement is a celebration of your relationship enhanced by the beauty of the place you’ve chosen. By following Leave No Trace, you help keep that beauty intact, not just for your wedding photos, but for future visitors and all the generations to come. Small, thoughtful actions on your part ensure that the landscapes you love will stay just as wild and breathtaking as the day you said “I do.”
How do we follow Leave No Trace?
You can depend on us to help you create and plan a sustainable elopement day that is truly magical. You’ll not only get incredible photos immortalizing the beauty of your day, but access to planning assistance, our Leave No Trace for Elopements Guide, timeline assistance, activity and vendor recommendations and much more. By booking with us, you’re choosing a sustainable adventure and becoming a part of a community dedicated to responsible exploration. Ready to experience the beauty of the outdoors in a way that leaves no trace?
