Top 10 Reasons to Elope

from people who actually did elope

It’s a “just us” kind of experience.

There isn’t a jam-packed schedule for the day that barely includes “just for you two” time. No bridal party standing by you, no cell phones taking low quality photos of your ceremony– no distractions!

Authenticity.

You can make your day exactly what you want it to be. A perfect representation of your relationship. Your day doesn’t have to be a big show with bright lights and loud music and cake cutting and first dances and speeches and so on. While all of these things are good things, they aren’t always exactly what you want for your wedding.

Intimacy & intention.

It is just you + your forever. All the intimate and personal pieces of your vows can remain with just you. There is something incredibly special about marrying your best friend without the world watching. An elopement is more than just a runaway secret wedding – its a representation of you and your love and your lifestyle and your values. Make it however you want it to be, whether its bare bones simple or a bit more quirky with a boho set up.

Less family drama.

Do you have a loud + crazy (+ wonderful don’t get me wrong) family? Where everyone has an opinion and they share it with you. Eloping takes away all that, at least from your wedding day! No pressure from mom to wear her pearls or unwanted family comments and opinions about your choice of dinner or cake or song. No intense seating chart stress trying to separate this uncle from this aunt because of their ongoing feud. Or, if you have divorce in your family, not having to split them up while also keeping them close to you at the same time, somehow? Do you have a headache yet? Scratch all that! This is your day, not anyone else’s.

Valuing experiences over stuff.

Weddings can be so SO expensive and have so many little moving parts from centerpieces to bridesmaid gifts to wedding favors to custom cocktail napkins to sparkler/confetti exits. Again, all of those are good things, but if you care more about the “just you two” moments (the first look, the exchange of vows, the portrait session after) then focus on those! Cut out the clutter & the noise and elope! 

Less stress & anxiety.

It is unanimous with brides that eloping is wayyy less pressure. The day being perfect and everything being thought of and ordered and planned is no longer on your mind while you are also trying to be in the moment and make this beautiful commitment. Have you ever thought about how traditionally you stand in front of a 100+ people and say personal vows and repeat your covenant? Does just the thought of that makes you nervous? I totally feel you! Take away all those eyes and ears and expectations & feel free to do whatever you want to do to celebrate!

Too much planning.

Let’s say on average it takes about 6 months to plan a wedding. Tons of people do it in more and tons do it in less, but 6 months for ONE DAY. What else could you have spent your time and energy doing if you cut that factor out? Planning and coordinating and paying for 12 vendors? Heck no! Eloping you might have 3-4! Plus, you can spend your money on the select few people that you really really want to work with, without spending 10s of thousands of dollars! 

Not the center of attention. 

I mean, technically you are the center of attention, BUT you are in the center of the woods, or the desert, or the mountains. There isn’t a sea of people watching you. There is just you + your love (and maybe a few super close friends or family).

Life is meant to be an adventure.

What is your favorite national park? Your favorite beach? Favorite mountains? Favorite anything…why not get married there! A place where your “I do’s” can live on forever in your mind at that one location. A location that you can revisit in the future as a celebration of your marriage.

Amazing photos.

Piggybacking off the last one – if you pick an incredible adventurous location (or just the forest down the road) your ceremony photos are going to be incredible + peaceful. No coordinator slipping in the background, no yawning groomsman, no little kid crying. Every single photo is at this incredible location. Plus doing your bridal portraits is a breeze because you are already at your dream spot so you get to just adventure around and find even more amazing spots! Imagine… all of your photos on the beach, or on the lake, or on a cliff, or on the mountains – no dim-lit church or venue that has a few great photo spots. The world is your oyster!