Meal Ideas for Hiking and Backpacking Elopements

In the process of planning your elopement, don’t forget to plan out your meals! As a hiking and backpacking enthusiast, one of my favorite aspects of planning is thinking about what kind of food I want to eat while I’m out there – it can make all the difference! Hiking/backpacking food isn’t known for it’s taste, but there are some great options that will be a level up from your typical boring trail mix.

HIKING

If you’re planning on hiking to your ceremony location then hiking back the same day, you don’t have to worry about packing an abundance of food. Just enough to get you through the day! Here are some examples of food that will keep you full but not make you feel bloated and slow on your wedding day.

Any type of wrap with meat, cheese and veggies- lots of protein but doesn’t feel too heavy! Pizza is a great hiking meal because it’s easy to pack, can be eaten cold and it’s filling! You can find pizza places almost anywhere, you should have no problem finding a place in a small mountain town where you decide to elope. If you are hiking back to a destination like an airbnb, hotel or an easily accessible location to camp you have more options for meals. Here are some ideas!

Food trucks! They are fun most people love them. Check out Roaming Hunger— here are lots of options to cater for larger parties but they also have some that cater to smaller wedding parties.
If you have family and friends who like to cook, consider a potluck and have everyone bring a dish! This is especially great if you have a place nearby that you are going back to after your ceremony.
Along the lines of a potluck, a backyard BBQ is a great way to celebrate the night. It’s casual and who doesn’t love BBQ!
- If you are deciding on a backyard BBQ or a home cooked meal, check out Blue Ribbon Meals — they deliver almost anywhere and it’s perfect for fresh food that you don’t have to worry about packing.
Our go to hiking snacks: Dried fruit, nuts, trail mix, protein bars, meat jerky

This may be an obvious but lots of WATER. Consider adding a little something to your water that will give you some extra electrolytes and minerals.

BACKPACKING

Things to consider when choosing food for backpacking; weight, shelf-life, and calorie content. If you are having guests at your ceremony, are you in charge of bringing food for them as well or just for you and your partner? Make sure to coordinate so this isn’t a stressor right before your wedding day!

Weight: since you will be carrying an abundance of other things for you ceremony, choosing lightweight food is important. Dehydrated foods are extremely lightweight and pack really well.
Shelf-stability: avoid food that can’t be stored at room temperature; don’t pick anything that is perishable.
Calorie content: choose foods that will refuel you but won’t make you feel bloated and heavy in your wedding dress when you get to the top.

These are some example of food ideas:

If you’re feeling fancy, consider making a charcuterie board. Meats, cheese, fruit and crackers are all great snacks for hiking because they fill you up and are easy to pack. Shelf life of the meat and cheese is obviously not long but should be good when consumed within the first 24 hours!

Instant oatmeal, granola, energy bars, nut butter packets are all great breakfast items.
- Don’t forget your coffee! There are lots of good options of instant coffee packets now both iced and cold.
Dehydrated meals are always a great option, REI has a big variety and you can find breakfast, lunch and dinner meals. Don’t be afraid to eat packaged food on your wedding day! Most backpacking meals have options of freeze dried desserts too. REI Meals
If you’re eloping during winter months, get cozy and fill a thermos up with hot chocolate to have at the top after your ceremony. If you’re feeling extra fancy, bring some Baileys to add to it. YUM.
- Speaking of alcohol, what better way to celebrate than with a cocktail. Check out BarCountry Pocket Cocktails (REI usually carries these as well)
A great tip for boosting your backpacking meals is to add spices, they are lightweight and super easy to throw in any backpack. Travel size hot sauces to add to cup a noddle ramen, salt and pepper, cumin, lemon pepper.

This is great resource to determine HOW much food to bring: Backpacker.com

Our go to stores for hiking and backpack meals are; Trader Joe’s, World Market, Target, Walmart, REI, and Amazon.

Stephanie Keegan

I’m an adventure elopement and wedding photographer based in Seattle and the surrounding Pacific Northwest. I focus on capturing love in beautiful places while sharing a passion for the outdoors. Rock climbing, backpacking, hiking – I love it all!