Elopement Dress: Best Wedding Dresses For Eloping

Dresses & Accessories
Written By Colleen McCarthy
 
 

If you’ve decided to elope, your wedding planning just got a whole lot easier! All you need to do is book your ceremony and a private celebration. Once you’ve done that, there’s only one more question: what are you going to wear?

There’s a lot of options and that can make it hard to decide on the perfect outfit. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable. If you want to wear a dress, the perfect elopement dress is the one that you feel great in. It can be brand new or it can be a dress you already own. Love your prom dress? Wear it again! 

If you want to buy a new dress you can shop at a department store, a consignment store or an online shop. In fact, the best elopement dress doesn’t even have to be a dress. You can wear anything you’d like to elope - from a romper to a jumpsuit. 

Please note: this article contains affiliate links. That means that I may earn a commission if you decide to buy something.

If you’d like to choose a dress, there’s lots of options for that, too. You can choose anything from casual dresses to a full ball gown. Traditional wedding dress styles, like A line dresses, mermaid dresses or fit and flare dresses are all great choices for an elopement wedding. As the bride, you can choose whichever style you love the best.

 
 

Wedding Dress Styles for Eloping

When you’re choosing from elopement dresses, the first thing to consider is your own feelings. Have you always wanted a traditional wedding gown? Or would you rather have something simple? You can get the type of dress you love no matter where you’re having your elopement. 

For example, if you’ve always wanted a ball gown but you’re getting married at the beach, you can still make it work. Choose a dress with a full skirt made of light fabric. Or choose a strapless gown to get a traditional look, while still fitting the beach vibe.

If a certain type of dress isn’t that important to you, consider where you’re eloping. You can choose a dress that matches the spot. If you’re having an adventure elopement, consider dresses you can move around in. If you’re eloping in a forest, you might want a lacy, rustic or boho dress to fit the natural vibe.

If you haven’t decided where you’re going to elope yet, read this next: How to Plan an Elopement Wedding.

If you’re having a wedding photographer, think about how you want your photo to look. Do you want your photo to be formal, semi formal or casual? What kind of mood do you want in your photo? You can choose dresses that are romantic, rustic, casual, fun, cute, sophisticated or elegant. It all depends on the style you want for your elopement.

Before you finally choose your dress, think about a few practical things, as well:

  • Are you going to elope somewhere hot? Somewhere cold?

  • Do you need a short skirt so you can be active?

  • What kind of shoes will you be wearing?

  • Are you traveling? Does your dress need to be easy to pack?

 
 

Where Can You Buy a Dress for Your Elopement?

Elopements usually have a short turn around time. But traditional wedding dresses can take a while to arrive. Designer dresses are made to order and that takes time. Typically, you’ll need to order six months to a year ahead for a traditional, salon dress. If you’re planning to get married in the next few months, or even in the next few weeks, don’t worry - there’s lots of other options:

Buy an In Stock or Sample Dress at a Bridal Salon

If you want to have a salon experience, many bridal shops have a small selection of dresses that they keep in stock. Or they might have samples that you can buy right away. At your appointment, tell your consultant your time frame and let them show you the dresses they have available. Make sure you’ve got enough time for alterations. Alterations normally start 8 weeks before your wedding. Some salons can offer faster times if you pay a rush fee.

Check Consignment Shops For an Elopement Dress

If you have a local wedding gown consignment shop, you’ll be able to see all the dresses, pick one out, try it on and buy it that day. As well as shopping in person, there’s lots of consignment shops online. Just make sure the shipping times will fit your schedule and leave you enough time for alterations before your elopement.

Shop at a Local Department Store

If you’re not looking for a traditional wedding attire, you can check your local department stores for a new outfit or dress. You’ll find a selection of casual dresses, cocktail dresses and formal dresses. Depending on the time of year, many department stores will carry dresses for special occasions. If you’re looking for a formal gown but don’t want to spend a lot, you can find great elopement dresses at your local department store.

Shop Online For an Elopement Wedding Dress

When you’re shopping for dresses online, pay extra attention to the shipping date. As well, check their reviews to make sure people have gotten their dresses on time. If you’ll need alterations, talk to a local seamstress before you order and be sure they can do the work in time.

Lots of online shops have ready to wear dresses that don’t need alterations and are available to ship immediately. Check your favorite bridal stores for shipping times. 

Amazon Wedding Dresses For Eloping

One online shop that always delivers: Amazon! They’ve got a huge selection of dresses at great prices. If you’ve got Amazon Prime, you can even get most dresses the next day. Just check that the dresses are in stock and ready to ship before you place your order.

Don’t have Amazon Prime? Try a Free 30 Day Trial

 
 

Elopement Dresses From Etsy

Another great place to shop for elopement dresses is Etsy. Again, make sure to check shipping times. Some shops have standard sizes in stock and ready to ship. Other shops hand make dresses as the order comes in. Double check the dates to make sure your dress will be done in time to arrive for your wedding date.

 
 

To see more styles, check out my favorites list on Etsy: Elopement Wedding Dresses

Where Can I Buy a Plus Size Elopement Dress?

If you’d like to shop locally, call ahead to your bridal salon and ask if they carry in stock dresses in your size. Another great option is a local wedding dress consignment shop. To save some time, call ahead and make sure they have a selection in your size. Find a local seamstress who can finish your alterations in time. 

For more selection, you can shop online for dresses. Amazon and Etsy both carry dresses in extended sizes. And my favorite online store for plus size dresses has an entire section of bridal wear. For in stock and ready to wear dresses, check out these wedding dresses from Kiyonna Clothing:

 
 

See the entire selection of plus size elopement dresses at the Kiyonna Plus Size Wedding Dresses and Gowns

More Plus Size Elopement Dress Ideas

 
 

More Ideas For Elopement Dresses

When you’re looking for dress ideas, you can find inspiration from the type of wedding you’re having, along with your style. A beach wedding is perfect for a light, breezy dress. Boho style is great for an outdoor adventure wedding. A city hall wedding could be a classic vintage style, or a city chic, modern style. 

Dresses to Wear For a Courthouse Elopement

If you’re eloping at city hall or your local courthouse, you can choose any dress you like. Since you’re staying in the city you could choose a traditional wedding gown and wear it with heels. Or you could go low key and casual, with a short wedding dress. If you’d like a vintage look, choose a tea length dress with a full skirt. For a sophisticated bridal look, choose a fitted sheath dress or a modern silk dress.

 
 

Dress For a Boho Elopement

Boho is a great style for an elopement wedding. If you’re planning an outdoor, casual or natural wedding, the bohemian vibe is a perfect match. When you’re looking for a boho elopement dress, look for a laid back, easy going style. Boho dresses can have a romantic, rustic or vintage look. Boho dresses are often soft lace in white, champagne or blush.

 
 

Long Sleeve Wedding Dress

If you’re planning your elopement in the spring or fall, the weather could get cool. If you want sleeves on your elopement dress, there’s lots of long sleeve dresses online.

 
 

Best Dresses for the Beach

If you’re eloping at the beach, a soft chiffon or lace dress will keep you cool and breezy looking for yourwedding ceremony and pictures.

For a summery look, choose a style with thin spaghetti straps or a strapless dress. If you’d like to have sleeves, short sleeves, cap sleeves or three quarter sleeves will give you some coverage, but still feel cool and comfortable at the beach.

For a more casual look, you can opt for a sun dress, a mini dress or a slip dress.

 
 

For more wedding dresses that’ll look great at the beach, read this next Casual Beach Wedding Dresses: Simple and Affordable

Plus Size Bride? To see more dresses perfect for a beach wedding, read this next: Plus Size Beach Wedding Dresses For a Destination Wedding

Best Dresses for the Winter

If you’re eloping in the winter, a crisp white dress will look gorgeous. And don’t forget the accessories! A winter wedding is a great opportunity to add a shawl, a muff or mittens.

 
 

Non White Elopement Dresses

You don’t have to pick a white dress for your elopement wedding. There’s lots of gorgeous dresses with colors and patterns. If you’re the practical type, a non white elopement dress could be perfect - you’ll be able to wear your dress again. Especially if you’re planning a post elopement party!

 
 

Remember, as long as you’re happy and comfortable, any dress is the ideal elopement dress for your wedding. Take your time choosing and go with the style that makes you feel great. If you feel happy and excited when you’re getting dressed for your wedding, you’ll know you made the perfect choice. If you look for that feeling when you’re choosing your dress - and planning your elopement - it’ll all add up to a perfect wedding day!

 

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Colleen McCarthy
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