Elopements and small adventure weddings are amazing ways to get married. I should know—I did it myself in 2019. These intimate ceremonies in the great outdoors are a lot of fun and tend to attract those who aren’t afraid to get dirty in the pursuit of happiness. Dusty roads, mountain rains, or sandy shores only add to the joy of getting married to the person you cherish most, in the places you love.

Of course, outdoor adventure weddings present their own set of challenges. Specifically, what to wear.

Generally speaking, you want sturdy shoes with a bit of traction and layers for changing temperatures. The rest is up to you!

For better or worse, men’s fashion is pretty straightforward: Dress shirt, slacks, nice shoes, maybe a suit jacket, add a tie, accessories, and you’re good to go. Not to mention, that “men’s fashion” isn’t exclusive to men nor are men limited to these options. Know that there's always room to improvise and ways you can really own your style.

Nevertheless, if you’re looking for tips, check out our guide for grooms below. And hopefully, it’ll give you some tips for what to wear to your elopement.

#1 — It All Starts With the Button-Up Shirt

A button-up long-sleeve with a collar is always a winner. You can experiment with different colors and textures, especially as the shirt compliments your other articles of clothing. You may want a more muted shirt, so the tie or jacket can really stand out. Or maybe you want to flip things around by wearing a loud shirt with more subtle accessories.
**Are you planning on wearing cufflinks?**
If so, you’ll need a French cuff. These button-ups have an extra long cuff that folds over. A cufflink is then used to pin this fold together, in lieu of a traditional button. If you try to use a regular button-up, you’ll notice that it’s really hard to get the cufflink through the buttonhole—which then requires you to force the button through as well. Not to mention, this is a nearly impossible task to do alone. So, do yourself a favor and **get a shirt with a French cuff if you plan to rock your cufflinks**.

Obviously, you don’t have to wear a button-up. Some folks prefer a long sleeve with a suit jacket or even a nice sweater instead. Play around and see what works best for you.

#2 — What About the Tie?

A tie is a great way to accentuate your style. Clearly, there are a lot of different designs and colors. But bonus points if you find a way to match your partner, the flowers, decor, or natural scenery. That’s always cool to see. You can also play with the width of the tie. Wide ties versus thin ties strike very different vibes, so shop around and see what looks best.
You can opt for a bowtie if that’s your thing. Consider a bolo tie if you’re aiming for southwestern suave. Or even no tie at all. It’s up to you.

Tie companies we love: Kind Design (Custom topo ties!) | The Tie Bar | Cyberoptix on Etsy

#3 — What About a Suit Jacket or a Vest?

The classic three-piece (consisting of a waistcoat, jacket, and trousers) is pretty rare these days, but it’s still an option. Instead, most people either opt for a suit jacket or a vest. Both are very handsome, so I recommend jackets for cooler weather and vests for hot climates.

If you’re leaning towards wearing a vest, be sure to explore different varieties. Velvet or silk vests are in-style right now. Or you could go for a simple pattern to let other accents, like your tie, really stand out. Floral-patterned vests are super cool—and pair well with a solid-color suit jacket.

Again, totally up to you if you want to ditch the outer layer.

Suit companies we love: Indochino | Black Tux | Men's Wearhouse | Friar Tux | Generation Tux | ASOS | Franco Uomo | ADDICTED bespoke

#4 — Tell Me About Trousers

Pants are probably the most straightforward part of your outfit. Go with something that either matches or contrasts the shirt or jacket. Since you’ll be outdoors, you’ll want a fabric and fit that makes it easy to move.

Please, please, please—for the sake of your photographer—remember to take phones, keys, and anything else out of your pocket for the ceremony. Trust me, it’s better to strike a clean pose than to sport bulky pockets.

Other options for bottoms include shorts (especially if they match the jacket) or kilts (which is super fun).

#5 — What About Shoes?

There are lots of really lovely dress shoe options. Everything from lace-up dress shoes to laceless loafers, boots to black tie, monkey shoes to brogueing. It’s best to match your shoes with your belt, especially when it comes to color. And of course, you got to have some fun socks to spice up any wardrobe.

When it comes to boots, there are dozens of stellar options: Hiking boots, cowboy boots, Chelsea boots, work boots, dress boots, and many more. Sturdy as can be, boots strike the perfect vibe for an adventure wedding.
Then again, I’ve totally seen couples kick it in their sneakers. And I’ve been to more than a few weddings where couples abandoned their shoes to feel the soft green grass or the sandy shoreline. You can even carry fancy shoes for photos, and wear something else for the hike in and out. Your feet, your prerogative.

Shoe companies we love: Converse | Nordstrom | Del Toro Shoes | Moon Mogul

Sock companies we love: Crazy Socks | Sock Smith | Stance | Darn Tough

#6 — Tell Me About the Little Things

There are lots of little accessories you can add to really spice up your wedding attire. A boutonniere of flowers pinned to the chest or clipped to the pocket helps add a splash of color—especially if it matches the bouquet or other flowers.
Traditionally, a boutonnière is pinned to the jacket or vest, with a single straight pin. But unless you do it just right, they tend to fall off or sag. Easier options include slipping it into a pocket or clipping it to the jacket instead. If flowers aren’t your thing–or the location has restrictions on the types of flowers—a decorative handkerchief in the pocket is subtle and classy.
Other accessories might include a watch or bracelet, rings (other than the wedding ring of course), tie clips, or even a bolo tie. Consider meaningful items to bring along like family heirlooms or gifts from loved ones.

Masculine wedding rings we love: Point No Point Studio | Manly Bands | Rings by Lux | Jewelry by Johan

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Bonus Question: What About My Guests?

Some elopements only consist of the two people getting married, so this isn’t relevant to everyone. But if you do have friends or family members in attendance, there are sometimes questions about what they should wear. The direct answer is sturdy shoes with traction and layers for temperature changes.

Then again, some wedding guests coordinate with the couple so that everyone matches (like everyone wearing some item of the same color), or that everyone has a different color (rainbow vibes), or that everyone has a pair of novelty socks (makes for some classic photos), or what have you.

Of course, this isn’t mandatory. But It can be a fun way to get guests involved in your big day.

Adventure Wedding Photography for Your Elopement

You’re dressed to the nines. You have your newlywed pressed up against you for a kiss. And you’re surrounded by sweeping vistas of natural beauty. There’s only one question left: Who’s going to capture the moment?

Book your outdoor wedding or elopement photography with Love & Latitudes! We’ll have an amazing adventure that you’ll always remember.

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