If you’ve decided to have your engagement, proposal, vow renewal or elopement in the great outdoors, it’s because you genuinely love nature—maybe even as much as you love your partner!

Although it’s the last thing any of us intend to do, many unknowingly cause damage to the environment during outdoor adventure sessions. That’s why the Leave No Trace initiative launched: to help people who love the great outdoors enjoy it without causing unintentional harm.

What is Leave No Trace?

Leave No Trace, or LNT, refers to an eco-minded ethics code which encourages the use of low-impact techniques when enjoying the great outdoors. It aims to protect natural habitats and wildlife through seven basic principles:

Planning ahead and preparing
Travelling and camping on durable surfaces
Disposing of waste properly
Leaving what you find
Minimizing campfire impacts
Respecting wildlife
Being considerate of other visitors.

What’s cool about the Leave No Trace principles is that they’re helpful any time you’re outdoors, whether you’re embarking on a multi-week trek through the Pacific Crest Trail or simply enjoying an afternoon stroll through the local park. If you’re planning an eco-friendly Leave No Trace elopement, here are a few ways the seven principles will likely apply.

Plan ahead and prepare

My favorite thing about adventure weddings is that they’re so carefree and laid-back. Although they don’t call for the same preparation that traditional weddings do, having a Leave No Trace elopement does require some pre-planning.

Although you get to skip booking a venue, it’s still a good idea to check an updated version of the location’s official rules. Looking up trail regulations, fire bans, site-specific camping regulations, off-limit areas, and park boundaries ahead of time can help keep you from making decisions that will unknowingly hurt the area’s ecosystem.

Snacks, of course, are a must-have! Unfortunately, they can also attract wildlife and create unwanted waste. Removing food items from their commercial packaging and securing them in air-tight containers will help minimize food odor and make sure that no wrappers or packaging end up as litter. All-in-all, planning a Leave No Trace elopement comes down to thinking ahead and getting a little creative.

Travel and camp on durable surfaces

When it comes to delicate things there’s probably a pretty good chance “the ground” isn’t your first thought. Dirt seems pretty sturdy after all, right?

The truth is that natural surfaces are fragile in their own way—walking or camping on less durable terrain can sometimes cause irreparable damage to vegetation, leading to soil erosion and deforestation.

Of course, it’s likely that at some point during your adventure session you’ll be tempted by an off-trail photo op, but sticking to the designated trail will help keep natural terrain healthy and undamaged. Generally, this also includes resisting the urge to run through an open meadow or scale trees, even for the sake of that seemingly-perfect shot.

Dispose of waste properly

So it’s not the most romantic subject in the world, but if your adventure elopement involves a long hike or overnight trek, you’ll have to plan for poo. The best way to dispose of personal waste without polluting water sources or spreading disease is generally to dig a cathole using these guidelines. Some higher-traffic areas, like Mount Rainier, require that you pack it out it so as not to damage the terrain. This is where WAG (Waste Alleviation and Gelling) Bags, or “Blue Bags” come into play.

While toilet paper is technically biodegradable, most brands are made from “virgin” materials which can take as many as three years to fully decompose! Instead, plan to pack it out in an airtight ziplock freezer bag. The local wildlife (and future visitors) will thank you!

Outside of personal waste, another form of waste that’s frequently overlooked is water waste, which is created any time you wash your camp dishes before re-packing them. Once food scraps and soap are added, water becomes a potential contaminant.

What’s tricky is that even soaps which are advertised as “environmentally friendly” or “biodegradable” will inevitably impact the surrounding ecosystem, so use minimal amounts and avoid disposing of water waste less than 200 feet away from any natural sources.

Keep in mind that anything, even organic material, can be considered waste. Even bridal bouquets (which are 100% natural and compostable) should never be left behind, especially if they contain plant species which aren’t native to the area.

Leave what you find

It’s understandably tempting to pocket a little memento from your elopement site to serve as a souvenir, but the fourth principle of the Leave No Trace code asks that you leave what you find.

Plucking a flower or pebble might seem harmless, but imagine if every visitor followed suit. Given that U.S. national parks can boast as many as 330 million visitors a year, the practice would quickly destroy the surrounding natural environment, leaving none for us to enjoy.

The good news is that you don’t have to let any memories slip by—if any natural elements catch your eye, ask your photographer to incorporate them into your photo session. That way, you can leave all the natural elements for future visitors to enjoy and still walk away with a priceless souvenir.

Minimize campfire impacts

There’s nothing quite as relaxing (or romantic) as gathering around a campfire after a long day of hiking. If you want to enjoy a roaring fire during your adventure elopement, just be mindful about how and where you do it.

At some locations, campfires are prohibited due to risks of permanently scarring terrain, depleting vegetation, or starting forest fires. Other areas allow campfires, but may have location-specific guidelines for anyone wishing to start one.

Keep in mind that fire regulations will likely change depending on the season, state regulations, and recent rainfall levels. Even if you’ve visited the location in the past, you’ll want to update yourself on the current mandates and maybe brush up on your firemaking techniques.

Not sure about your own campfire-building skills but want a way to cook a hot meal? No problem—camp stoves offer a safer, low-impact alternative.

Respect wildlife

Let’s face it: no one sets out on an adventure elopement hoping to hurt or disrespect the area’s wildlife. We all know not to touch or feed the animals—mostly, it is unthinking (and often well-intentioned) human activities that end up causing the greatest amount of harm.

It’s so hard to see an animal that is suffering or sick and choose not to help, but that’s exactly what ecologists ask outdoor enthusiasts to do. It’s difficult, but respecting wildlife ultimately means accepting that sometimes the circle of life is a little heartbreaking. Unless an animal’s injury has been caused by human intervention, it’s best to let nature take its course.

Respecting wildlife also means keeping quiet. Often, the best Leave No Trace elopements are small and intimate, with parties consisting only of the couple, the photographer, and perhaps an officiant. If you’ve added additional members to your group, consider splitting up as you travel in order to minimize disturbances.

Be considerate of fellow visitors

You’re definitely going to feel like the only two people in the world when you say “I do” on that beautiful mountaintop, but there’s a possibility you won’t be the only outdoor enthusiasts in the area that day.

Staying mindful of fellow visitors can be as simple as keeping noise levels down, not hindering designated walking paths during photoshoots, and respecting the environment as a whole. Keep in mind that music and loud laughter can all detract from another’s experience.

Of course, deciding to have a Leave No Trace elopement unfortunately doesn’t mean you’ll be able to have complete privacy during the ceremony or photoshoot. For a better chance at a more secluded, intimate experience (especially at popular, high-traffic spots), consider scheduling your session for the early morning, a weekday, or the off-season. Personally, I love researching trails and finding places that aren’t as well-known. There’s a wonderful sense of satisfaction that comes with discovering a ‘new’ location, and it’s an experience I enjoy sharing with couples who book me for their adventure!

Contact me to discuss your next adventure!