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How to leave no trace while getting married outside
And why it matters
a note from me:
Hey there,
I’m reesh, your elopement photographer and I couldn’t be more excited to photograph your amazing day out in nature—it’s going to be incredible! I started photographing elopements because I love the outdoors. I know you do too, which is why I’m so excited to share this guide with you, which has a ton of helpful things to consider as you plan your outdoor wedding day, to keep the amazing location you’ll say your vows looking beautiful for years to come.
We have a huge privilege of being able to access such amazing public lands (National Parks, State Parks, National Forests, Wilderness Areas, BLM lands, etc) as a backdrop for committing your lives to each other. Instead of paying $5-20k+ for a wedding venue, public lands give us the gift of the best venue in the world, for nearly free.
With that, comes the responsibility for all of us to keep that venue looking amazing, so you two can come back to that spot in 10, 20, or 50 years, and for it to still look and feel the same as when you said your vows there.
So as I come alongside you and help you plan your day, I’m excited to keep in mind how lucky we are to have such a beautiful planet—I have the best job in the world, and I can’t wait to help you two create a beautiful outdoor wedding day that’s as kind to the planet, as it is to us.
XOXO,
REESH ♡
first off
What IS Leave No Trace?
Simply put, Leave No Trace is a set of ethics & best practices we should follow to enjoy and protect the outdoors at the same time.
Leave No Trace has a set of 7 minimum-impact principles, that help guide our decisions when we’re outside.
f you’re getting married outside, it’s probably because you’re drawn to nature’s beauty.
And the way we keep nature beautiful, so that we can continue to come back to these gorgeous spots time & time again, is to make sure that we enjoy them sustainably and responsibly.
Weddings, elopements, and photo sessions can have a big cumulative impact on the environment—and without following Leave No Trace, this is what could happen:
Locations that are currently available for weddings, & elopements could become off-limits for special events and professional photography—meaning it could become impossible to come back to a location for a vow-renewal or anniversary session in 5 years.
The spot that you said your vows could get so badly damaged, destroyed, or trashed that it needs to be closed for restoration, and won’t look the same at all when you want to come back in the future.
The prevalence and costs of special event permits could spike, causing it to become very difficult to have any kind of events on public lands
So whether you find the outdoors peaceful, serene, awe-inspiring, or whatever’s drawing you to getting married in nature, we’re all in this together.
And together we believe it is possible to have the BEST day, while also protecting our natural world for future visitors.
By reducing our impact as we visit, photograph, and celebrate outdoors, we can protect these places we love! You don’t have to limit your celebration to reduce your impact–this guide will help you each step of the way as you plan, prepare, and finally get married somewhere beautiful!
Why should I care about Leave No Trace on my wedding day?
5-Step Guide to Leave No Trace
While Getting Married Outside
The place you get married is a decision that affects a large portion of your experience of getting married... so how do you pick the perfect place?
STEP 1: PICKING A LOCATION
Things to Consider to help you find the perfect outdoor wedding location:
NumbeR OF PEOPLE:
How many people will actually be there?
Hint: Don’t forget to include your photographer, officiant, other vendors, guests (and pets!)
Ex: 5 guests + photographer + videographer + officiant + musician + caterer + couple getting married + 2 dogs = 12 people & 2 pets (it adds up quick!)
Is there a location that both allows that number of people and can sustain that amount without causing environmental damage?
Note: Most outdoor areas have a limit to the number of people that can be in attendance at an event (including vendors) and many have strict rules about (or don’t allow) pets— be sure to check the rules, regulations, and permit guidelines of that particular area.
aCCESS NEEDS:
Consider every individual’s needs. Does anyone have access requirements?
Does someone require a flat walking path, wheelchair access, or facilities?
Will you be bringing chairs for anyone who cannot stand throughout your ceremony?
Are chairs allowed at that location and/or will setting up chairs cause damage at that location?
What about fitness levels? Can everyone carry everything they need to the location and pack all of their own items out?
Will everyone be comfortable and prepared with weather, altitude, or other environmental factors?
Activities & Experience
What activities do you want to do on your wedding day? (Ex: catering, music, chairs, floral installations, alcohol, etc.)
Are the activities you want to do allowed in the location you want to go?
What kind of access and space is required for these activities in order to leave minimal impact?
Do you need to bring any equipment for them?
Can you actually get it to your location? Is that equipment allowed?
How private do you want your wedding experience to be?
Is the location you want to get married super popular & busy? This may be unideal for your wedding experience, and cause impact on other visitors since public lands can’t be privately reserved for events.
Can you pick a less-trafficked location or go at a non-peak season, day of the week, or time of day?
The questions above will help guide you to a location with a better understanding of whether that space can accommodate your plans.
Each park, venue, public lands space, and environment has its own rules and regulations.
Knowing exactly what kind of day you want from the start will help you quickly narrow down places that serve your needs, as opposed to those that don’t.
You might also consider if your dream location cannot sustain your plans, whether you want to alter factors that will allow you to accommodate your celebration in a place you love.
It’s all about choosing priorities – and never over burdening a space beyond what it can handle. Remember that sometimes less really is more. Following leave No Trace isn’t about limiting your plans, but being realistic and intentional about your choices
If getting married in a national park is your dream, take a close look at the regulations below. There are some differences and specifications from park to park, but these general rules apply across the board to most National Park weddings & elopements:
Considering Getting Married in a National Park?
As you pick a date, think back on your desires and the desires of your guests as far as season, temperature, and weather. Certain locations at different times of year can result in significantly different experiences at the same location.
Questions to ask yourself to decide on the right time of year to get married at your chosen spot:
How To Choose a Wedding Date
Time of Year, Seasons, & Weather
Great, you’ve picked your date and location! You know how many people can be present, what sort of activities and amenities you can incorporate, and you have a base knowledge of how to prepare guests to access the space safely. Next, with your knowledge of everything that is possible according to the rules and regulations of your location, it’s time to start figuring out how to use the 7 Leave No Trace principles to guide the planning of your day. Each of the following 7 principles will apply differently depending on your plans, but all of them can apply in some manner! If there’s anything you want even more specifics on to apply to your event, local knowledge and expertise will go a long way.
STEP 2: PREPARING FOR YOUR DAY
It’s a great idea to do your research prior to your wedding day. call local land managers/rangers, check online resources and recent trail or location data, and seek out knowledgeable vendors! Get to know the area well, because then you can be prepared to educate your guests and bring the right gear to have a truly enjoyable experience.
While staying on trail 100% of the time you’re outside is an admirable goal, it is likely that you or your guests will go off-trail at some point during the day. While doing so (either because the trail ends, or your group spans out into a space that can handle congregation) staying on durable surfaces is the next best thing to staying on trail.
Plan to Stick To Trails & Durable Surfaces
OK
to go off-trail:
Rock, sand and gravel: These surfaces are highly durable and can tolerate repeated trampling and scuffing. (Just be aware that lichens that grow on rocks are vulnerable to repeated scuffing).
Ice and snow: The effect of travel across these surfaces is temporary, making them good choices for travel assuming good safety precautions are followed and the snow layer is of sufficient depth to prevent vegetation damage..
What are Durable Surfaces & When is it okay to go off trail?
Sometimes OK
to go off trail:
Vegetation: The resistance of vegetation to trampling varies. Careful decisions must be made when traveling across vegetation. Dry grasses tend to be resistant to trampling, while wet meadows, moss, tundra plants, and other fragile vegetation quickly show the effects of trampling. If vegetation shows signs of trampling, it creates what are called “social trails,” (or “satellite trails”) which encourage other visitors to go off-trail because there is the appearance of a space used for travel. As a general rule, travelers who must venture off-trail should spread out to avoid creating paths that encourage others to follow.
Not OK
to go off trail:
Living soil: 'Cryptobiotic crust' or 'crypto' is often found in desert environments, and is extremely vulnerable to foot traffic. One footstep can destroy this fragile soil, causing damage that will take many years to overcome if ever.
Desert puddles and mud holes: Water is a scarce resource for all living things in the desert. Don’t walk through desert puddles, mud holes or disturb surface water in any way.
Fragile Vegetation: Moss, alpine meadows, tundra, wildflowers, and other fragile plants are not resistant to trampling and can take years to grow back if stepped on.
“Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.”
While Getting Married Outside
Here’s some important tips to keep the place you get married as good (or better) than the way you found it.
12 Sustainable Alternatives
to Popular Wedding & Photography Trends
Photos With Wildlife: If you’re lucky enough to see some wildlife on your elopement day, make sure to get some photos from a safe distance. For the safety of the animal (and you!), it’s important to never try to approach, follow or or feed them-—no matter the animal or size. A good rule of “thumb” is to stick your actual thumb out in front of you and close one eye—if you can’t cover up the whole animal with your thumb, you’re probably too close.
Pets: Wildlife can be strongly affected by the presence of our furry companions, so be sure to only bring dogs in places they are allowed, and then keep them on-leash and under control.
Food & Wildlife: Food and food smells can have a large impact on wildlife. Some animals are notoriously sneaky and like to steal food—so make sure your food (and any scented items) is secured if you walk away from your pack, so you don’t unintentionally feed wildlife. Feeding animals can cause them to become aggressive and need to be relocated or terminated. For backpacking elopements, especially in bear country, always make sure you have the proper food storage. Some areas require bear canisters, and you should never bring food into your tent! Bear can rentals can easily be found at national parks or nearby camp and outdoor stores. Always make sure to pack out all your food when you leave.
Bear Spray: Seaking of bears… bear spray is required in some areas, and not allowed in others—this is something else you’ll want to research and know ahead of time to know what’s appropriate for your chosen area.
Wildlife & Pets
We are all lucky to have access to public lands—and remember, these public spaces are supposed to be for everyone. As much this is YOUR day, there are also other visitors who come from wide & far to enjoy the same natural beauty. If you find yourself sharing your wedding or elopement location with other people, take a deep breath and smile. They will probably do everything they can to stay out of your way, and they’re probably stoked to have witnessed a wedding!
What about Other Visitors?
Tips to get more privacy & seclusion for your wedding day
Sunrise, Weekdays, & Off-Season
For highly trafficked and popular areas, consider planning your wedding or elopement earlier in the day. Sunrise ceremonies, even during the busy season, are one of the best ways to have the trails all to yourselves! Also look at off-season or “shoulder season” (between off-season & high-season) or consider getting married on a weekday.
Look for Alternative Spots
If you want to get married in a super popular location, you might find yourself amongst other couples getting married on the day of your celebration, or even literally waiting in line to take photos at iconic viewpoints. To avoid this, look for alternatives to the most popular spots that may be more off-the-beaten path and naturally more secluded. An experienced local vendor (photographer or planner) can usually help with this.
⟶ Be mindful of the noise you’re making–many national parks actually don’t allow amplified music, but try not to be too loud even in spaces where a speaker is okay.
⟶ Be aware of the space your group is taking up—try not to block viewpoints, or cause passing hikers to veer off trail to walk around.
⟶ Don’t hog the best photo locations––everybody has a right to get their shot! Instagram influencers, tripod dads, families, and pro photographers alike deserve their chance to capture an image that will document this memory for them.
⟶ Be open to approaching people and politely asking if they don’t mind letting you step in to get a couple quick shots if it’s a particularly busy area––then move on in a timely manner so others can do the same.
⟶ Let others enjoy the sunset too Smile, say hi, and share the views.
⟶ Most other visitors are very happy to oblige letting you take photos with the good views—and simply being kind, respectful, and courteous usually goes a long way.
Tips to respect other visitors on your wedding day:
Now that you’re informed about the best minimum-impact practices for having an amazing outdoor wedding experience, it’s time to make sure that your guests are in the loop too.When sending pre-wedding emails, these are some great things to include:
STEP 3: TALKING WITH YOUR GUESTS
What to bring
What gear do your guests need to have a safe and enjoyable time for your day? Sensible shoes, jackets, extra layers, water, snacks, headlamps and other safety gear?
Wildlife information
Let guests know what wildlife they may encounter and remind them to not feed, follow, or approach them. If you’re getting married in bear country, make sure to include information about bear spray and proper food storage.
Service
Will you have cell phone reception in this area? Do you have paper maps, GPS, or other ways to safely find help in an emergency?
What not to bring
It’s a good idea to explicitly ask your guests to please not bring confetti, rice, flower petals, etc. Even if no one mentioned it, bring it up. Guests may have organized as a ‘surprise’ without your knowledge and may not think about the impacts of their celebration. Also if your location is not pet-friendly, make sure your guests are aware.
Navigation
Do you have maps downloaded and available? In remote or less-frequented locations it can be easy to get off trail, especially at night. We highly recommend downloading area maps, trail maps, and even alternative trail maps. We love Google Maps, Alltrails, & Strava. Consider a GPS device and/or compass too.
Parking
Where are they going to park? Is there enough parking? (encourage carpooling). Make sure parking areas are clearly designated on any maps you send to guests.
Timeline
Will guests need to meet you at a certain time/location? It’s always a great idea to send GPS coordinates for the exact place you plan to meet. Back up plans are never a bad idea (Example: if we are not at this location by 10:00 a.m., meet at the Visitor Center where there is cell reception).
Waste
Your guests are there to enjoy themselves, but there’s no venue staff in the parks to pick up after your party. How can you make sure you don’t have to worry about cleaning up after your guests?
Facilities
Tell guests where the nearest facilities to your wedding location are, and where there are no toilet facilities.
Leave no trace
Feel free to send along the exact LNT guidelines to give your guests a better idea for expectations. Giving them enough of a heads up gives you all a chance to discuss expectations, clarify any confusion, and make sure everyone is prepared.
Pro-Tip:
Pro Tip: If you’re worried about seeming like a “party pooper” to your guests with some of this info… it’s a great idea to start out this email with something like: “We’re so excited to get married in such a beautiful natural setting, and we want to ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience and that we keep this place looking beautiful so that we can come back here on our 5-year anniversary.”
Your day is HERE! You’re ready to celebrate, party, & enjoy yourself. The best thing about Leave No Trace, is your awareness and preparation means that it’ll be second nature to you on your wedding day.
Don’t feel held back by Leave No Trace at this point––let it free you to really appreciate the landscape around you! To give you a good idea of what this will look like in practice, here’s a short play-by-play recap of each Leave No Trace Principle and how it applies in real-time on your wedding day!
STEP 4: ENJOY YOUR DAY!
