How to Follow Leave No Trace Principles for Your Outdoor Elopement

When you plan an outdoor elopement, you’re choosing more than a beautiful setting. You’re stepping into nature’s care. Following Leave No Trace principles helps protect that space, keeping it wild and welcoming for others. Whether you’re exchanging vows in a mountain meadow or tucked into a quiet forest, your choices matter. With a little intention, you can celebrate your love while honoring the land.

 

At Elope Outdoors, we create intimate, nature-centered elopements in Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you’re dreaming of a wedding that’s both meaningful and low impact, this guide is for you. We’re sharing simple steps to help you follow Leave No Trace principles from your first planning call to your final goodbye. Ready to start planning your own eco-friendly elopement? Reach out. We’d love to hear your vision.

 

 

Start with Smart Planning

Good planning is the first step to following Leave No Trace principles—and we’re here to help with that. At Elope Outdoors, we know which permits you’ll need, which locations allow ceremonies, and how many guests each spot can handle. We also stay up to date on public land rules and help you choose a location that’s both stunning and sustainable.

We’ll guide you on:

• What time of day to visit to avoid crowds

• How to prepare for seasonal weather and trail conditions

• Choosing ceremony spots that protect fragile plants and soil

• Avoiding areas with nesting wildlife or sensitive terrain

You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. With the right info and a thoughtful plan, your elopement can be both smooth and low-impact from the very start.

 

Stay on Designated Trails and Durable Surfaces

To follow Leave No Trace principles for your outdoor elopement, stick to marked trails and solid ground. This helps protect plants, soil, and the beauty of your ceremony spot.

Keep these tips in mind:

• Stay on marked trails when hiking or moving between locations

• Use durable surfaces like rock, gravel, sand, or dry grass

• Avoid stepping on soft ground or areas with wildflowers and new growth

• Choose worn or open spaces for your ceremony and portraits

• Work with your photographer to find photo spots that won’t cause damage

Even small choices, like where you stand or walk, can help protect the land and keep it looking beautiful for others.

 

 

Pack It In, Pack It Out

A big part of how to follow Leave No Trace principles for your outdoor elopement is to pack it in and pack it out. This means you bring everything you need with you, and you take everything back out when you leave.

Start with trash bags. Bring at least two, one for recyclables and one for non‑recyclables. Place them in an easy spot so guests can use them during the event. After the ceremony and photos, pick up every piece of trash. Do not leave even small items, such as ribbon or confetti, behind.

Food waste should be packed out, too. That includes fruit cores, sandwich crusts, and wrappers. These may seem small, but they can harm wildlife and disrupt the balance of nature. If you use biodegradable materials, remember that they still may not break down quickly in nature. It is best to carry everything out to a proper waste or compost bin.

 

Choose Eco‑Friendly Florals and Decor

Another way to follow Leave No Trace principles for your outdoor elopement is to choose eco‑friendly florals and decor. Flowers and decorations can make your event feel magical, but they must be chosen carefully.

Work with a florist who uses seasonal, local flowers. These flowers travel a short distance and do not need heavy packaging. Ask for designs that use natural materials like dried grasses, twine, and wood. Avoid plastics and glitter.

When choosing decor, think small and simple. A few well‑placed pieces can make your ceremony beautiful without leaving a big footprint. Use items that you can reuse or donate after the event. Do not leave floral crowns, arches, or other decorations behind. If you want petals, choose ones that are safe for the environment and natural to the area. Still, it is best to collect and pack them out rather than scatter them on the ground.

Planning your elopement blooms? Read our blog on what flowers are in season when you elope in Asheville.

 

 

Respect Wildlife and Natural Sounds

To follow Leave No Trace principles for your outdoor elopement, it’s important to respect the wildlife that calls your location home. Your presence can affect their behavior and safety.

Keep these tips in mind:

• Keep voices low and calm to avoid startling animals

• Skip loud music or shouting and enjoy the natural sounds around you

• Never feed or approach wildlife, even if they seem friendly

• Observe from a distance and allow animals to move freely

• Remind guests and vendors to do the same

Sharing space with wildlife is part of what makes an outdoor elopement so special. With a little care, you can enjoy these moments without causing harm.

Stressing over elopement details? Read our blog on planning myths you can totally ignore.

 

Keep It Small and Meaningful

At Elope Outdoors, we keep group sizes small on purpose. Smaller gatherings create a more intimate experience and help protect the land. When fewer people are present, there’s less noise, less foot traffic, and less risk of damaging trails or delicate areas.

Our team will guide your group in moving with care, staying on paths, and using areas that can handle foot traffic. Whether it’s just the two of you or a few loved ones, a small, mindful group helps ensure your elopement stays true to Leave No Trace principles.

 

 

Enjoy the Moment and Leave It Better

Following Leave No Trace principles for your outdoor elopement helps protect the place you chose to say “I do.” It also sets a kind example for others who visit after you. Take a quiet moment to enjoy the sun, the breeze, and the beauty around you. Then, before you leave, do a quick check to make sure nothing is left behind.

A few simple steps:

• Pick up all trash, food scraps, and decorations

• Pack out anything you brought in, even petals

• Leave rocks, flowers, and natural items where they are

• Check the area one last time before heading out

When you care for the land, your love story becomes part of it, without leaving a trace.

Feeling pressure to explain your elopement? This post reminds you why your choice is valid, no explanations required.

 

 

Why It Matters to Follow Leave No Trace Principles on Your Elopement Day

Choosing an outdoor elopement means choosing adventure, beauty, and connection. It also means choosing responsibility. You can follow Leave No Trace principles every step of the way. Research before you go, stay on paths, pack out every item you bring, choose thoughtful florals and decor, respect wildlife, and keep group size in mind. These simple steps help protect the natural world you stepped into to share your vows. When you follow Leave No Trace principles, you show honor to the land, the creatures who live there, and the community that will come after you.

If you’re ready to plan an outdoor elopement that honors both your love and the land, we’re here to help. Whether it’s just the two of you or a few close guests in the Asheville mountains, our team will guide you every step of the way. Reach out today to start planning a simple, intentional day that leaves the lightest footprint and the deepest memories. For more inspiration, explore our galleries and follow along on Instagram.