TO ELOPE OR NOT TO ELOPE?
While planning your wedding, it is normal to ask yourself should I elope instead of organising an event for hundreds of guests and hiring a dozen vendors. Especially after finding out the cost behind every detail involved, such as wedding invitations, rentals, and finding a wedding venue big enough to fit your guests. But what are the pros and cons behind deciding to elope? I will try to outline them below as I have experience as an elopement photographer in both cities and in adventurous locations.
Pros
Let me start with the positive because elopements for me are simply magical, and they are a precious opportunity to capture your love story in the purest form, so here are some of the main pros I have found in my experience capturing elopements in cities like York as well as in the Peak District.
You get to focus on what matters to you.
If you wish to hire an elopement photographer, have dinner at your favourite restaurant, or even spend the evening camping, you can do it. The main pro of eloping is that there will only be two opinions because no one else is attending, and you don't need to please anyone but yourself. So, you get to do what you want, from getting ready together or alone to planning what you will do the entire day and exchanging vows without distractions.
There is little stress related to planning.
Since you won't have to hire a catering service to feed hundreds or spend hours figuring out how to sit your guests and arrange the tables, the stress level will be lower. For many couples, wedding planning is stressful because they have demanding families who want to have an opinion in every celebration, turning your wedding into a constant conflict. When you take off the guests from a wedding, it instantly becomes easier to plan.
Your savings account will thank you.
Even if you choose a luxurious location to elope, top of the notch accommodation, and pricey wedding attire, the cost of a traditional wedding will always be higher than an elopement. You can't compare organizing an event for 150 attendants that need to have a chair, table, venue, parking, entertainment, food, and drinks, to a two-person celebration plus your elopement photographer. So, if money is a concern for you, eloping is the way to go.
Your elopement can turn into a dreamy honeymoon.
Why plan two separate celebrations when you can easily go from your ceremony to kicking off your honeymoon? So, pick your dreamy location to spend a couple of days and plan your elopement slash honeymoon; there is no need to book two separate flights, hotels, or even experiences. And your adventure can start right after you say I do without cutting the feeling of being newlyweds.
The world is your wedding venue.
Finding a wedding venue to fit your entire guest list and the style you look for could be a hassle. But when you choose to elope, you don't need to think about capacity, emergency exits, lighting, parking space, and other facilities. All you need to do is find the perfect place in the world where you wish to say I do.
For example, if you want your elopement photos to be full of natural landscapes, you can plan a Peak District elopement with the steep limestone valleys and its famed steppingstones as a backdrop. There is no way to go wrong. And if you wish to have astonishing views of the entire space, head to the highest point, Kinder Scout, to exchange your vows.
Cons
You might miss on traditions.
You need to consider how important traditions are and if you are willing to skip them for your elopement. Even if you find a couple of wedding traditions outdated, for some couples, there are meaningful traditions they wish they could keep, such as walking down the aisle while your family looks at you with teary eyes or spending a moment with your parents before the ceremony. And how about speeches from your best friends or parents?
You must prepare for the unexpected.
While traditional weddings are most of the time under control with rain plans and all sorts of day-of coordination, an elopement has more room for unexpected events. And this could be a pro if you like to be spontaneous because even if it's easier to control what goes on with only your partner, an elopement photographer, and your officiant, you still can't control nature. Since natural settings are preferred for elopements, things do not always go as planned.
Family and friends might feel left out.
Weddings are exciting events not only for couples but for those who surround them, and when you choose to keep them off the guest list, feelings get hurt. This is an important matter you need to consider while planning your elopement, especially if you are family-oriented. Have an action plan or figure out the best way to communicate the news to your loved ones. Perhaps you can throw a family dinner to break the news and show them your amazing elopement photos, where they feel included.
Forget about gifts.
For many couples, not having to open and thank every guest for their gifts is a relief, but if you love this part, you need to know it's not going to happen. Perhaps a couple of close relatives or friends could send you a gift once you break the news but don't get your hopes too high. Although, this isn't a bad thing if you already have everything you need for your home or if you already live together.
You will get dirty.
White dress and dirt are not the best combinations, but if you want to nail the most amazing elopement photos, you need to walk muddy paths, climb rocks, and even get the occasional drizzle. So, pack a pair of comfy shoes and change into your heels or formal shoes for the photo because natural landscapes are not easy to reach, and secluded environments will provide unique memories for your elopement.
I hope this has answered your question of should I elope? As a wedding and elopement photographer, I get to enjoy both sides, and I know how magical each celebration is, but you have the final word, and I'm certain it will be the right one. If you are looking for an elopement photographer to join your adventure, don't hesitate and contact me, so that we can plan the elopement of your dreams!
