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. When planning your elopement, it’s crucial to be aware of and follow these guidelines to prevent negative impacts.

Without adhering to Leave No Trace, the cumulative effects of weddings, elopements, and photo sessions can lead to significant environmental degradation. Popular locations could become off-limits for special events and professional photography, meaning you might not be able to return for vow renewals or anniversary sessions. Areas could be damaged, destroyed, or closed for restoration, altering the landscape you fell in love with. Additionally, the costs and prevalence of special event permits could increase, making it harder to celebrate on public lands.

Whether you find the outdoors peaceful, awe-inspiring, or simply the perfect setting for your vows, we all share the responsibility to protect it. By following Leave No Trace principles, we can ensure that these beautiful places remain unspoiled for future visitors, allowing everyone to have the best day while preserving our natural world for generations to come.

Here’s a short description of each Leave No Trace Principle and how it applies in real-time on your elopement day!

Plan Ahead and Prepare – 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.

Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces – Stick to trails and durable surfaces like rock, sand, gravel, ice, snow, and sturdy vegetation like dry grasses for your ceremony, portraits, and activities. This minimizes damage to delicate ecosystems and prevents the creation of new paths that others might follow.

Dispose of Waste Properly – Before you leave your ceremony or celebration area, be sure to do a good sweep and pick up any little trash items that might have fallen, including food scraps and biodegradable items like flower petals.

Leave What You Find – Everything you see makes up this beautiful landscape––leave all of those treasures where they are! If there’s something you see that you love, let your photographer know and they can take a beautiful detailed photo of it instead. “Take nothing but pictures & leave nothing but footprints.”

Minimize Campfire Impacts – Follow fire regulations and if you do have a campfire, make sure to use an established fire pit, and put it out entirely before leaving. Avoid using sparklers, smoke bombs, or candles in any place that you wouldn’t consider safe for a campfire.

Respect Wildlife – Keep a safe distance from all wildlife. Do not feed animals or leave food unattended, as this can lead to dangerous encounters. Carry bear spray and know how to use it in case of emergencies.

Be Courteous of Other Visitors –Smile & be friendly to other hikers and even couples/photographers you meet on the trail. Share the views & best photo spots and enjoy being in the beautiful great outdoors together.