Reasons To Elope

It’s 2021 and never has there been a time more perfect to plan an elopement. If fear of catching the vid (also known as COVID) isn’t enough of a reason to elope, then here are 8 more inspiring reasons to hunker down and plan your dream elopement.

Put your money where your heart is

It’s no secret that weddings can be ridiculously expensive. Even with a small guest list, things can add up quick. For some reason, the married couple ends up paying up the wazoo for their own celebration. Seems a little backwards, doesn’t it?

Why not take a fraction of what it would cost to fund an entire wedding and plan your dream elopement instead? No more paying for a caterer, wedding planner, venue, stylist, etc. Those savings can go directly to the people celebrating – you! Whether you use it to splurge on your honeymoon or save up for a down payment on a house, it’s your money and your choice!

Go straight from the ceremony to the honeymoon

Imagine you’ve travelled to your dream location to elope, you’ve just said your “I do’s” at the most picturesque beach you’ve ever seen, and now you get to float seamlessly and blissfully straight into your honeymoon! You get to spend your first married days already in paradise instead of traveling to paradise. If you’re looking for inspiration on dream elopement locations, check out this blog.

Plan the ultimate adventure day

You don’t have to travel far to have a kick-ass elopement. Imagine the most perfect day you could ever have, and then just add getting married to it! Maybe you’ve always wanted to go scuba diving, race car driving, hot air ballooning, incorporate that into your elopement celebration! It’s your day to break traditions and do whatever you want. Maybe you’re a little less adventurous, try a scenic hike for some stunning pictures, or a beach day that ends with popping some champagne and both of you jumping into the ocean fully clothed. Don’t be afraid to dream big here, start your lifelong adventure of marriage with a day of adventures together.

Include your family and friends!

Maybe you’re hesitant to elope because you don’t want to leave out the people you love most. Then don’t! I usually consider an elopement a ceremony with 16 guests or less, so bring your mom and dad, best friend and sister, it’s 100% up to you who you want to include. There are other ways to incorporate your loved ones too. Have an announcement party before the elopement so everyone can gather and celebrate you, live stream the ceremony, have your family members and close friends write heartfelt notes that you read at the ceremony.

On the other hand, maybe there are some family tensions you wish to avoid. If there are uncomfortable family dynamics then choosing to elope can be a great way to side step some potentially stressful and undesirable interactions. Make this day about your love for each other, not about family drama.

Complete artistic freedom

Deciding to elope means you can have fun and style your day however you want. You can literally do anything you want. This day can be fully and completely representative your your tastes. No outside pressure from friends or family about decor. No worrying about caterers and food allergies. Maybe you love old movies and want to style the whole day around that. Maybe you love motorcycles and want to have a biker themed ceremony. Or maybe you want to rent a cottage and get lost in the woods together. Then do it! The possibilities are endless and you have complete freedom to be as unique and adventurous as you want.

Make the world your venue

With an elopement you can essentially make anywhere and everywhere your venue. Grab a coffee at your favorite spot, then grab some photos there too! Pass under the bridge and pose where you first kissed, snap some shots in front of the stunning city hall architecture, slip into your favorite dive bar for a shot to ease the nerves, dance through the museum that was your first date. Wander the city and make the world your own photoshoot! Having an elopement offers you the freedom to have stunning photos in locations you love for a fraction of what it would cost you to rent them as venues.

Stress who?

Imagine having your entire wedding without any of the stress of planning a wedding. No caterers, guest lists, lodging, rehearsal dinners, bridesmaids dresses, florists, wedding planners, dress fittings, venues, save the dates, invitations, guestbooks, cleanup. Imagine creating a day that revolves completely around the two of you, without any of the added stress of planning and the expenses that come with that.

There are hundreds of reasons to elope instead of choosing a more traditional wedding celebration. But that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. Ultimately you and your partner know your values best and are the only ones who can decide if eloping is right for you. If you want more tips for adding intention and value to your photoshoot (elopement or not) check out this blog. And for tips on how to plan your wedding timeline check out this blog here.