10 Signs to know if Eloping is for you
Thinking about eloping? Here are the 10 signs to look out for to see if eloping is right for you and your partner.
1. You have never pictured having a big wedding.
A lot of couples that elope have never pictured having a big traditional wedding. The thought of inviting 100 or so guests and spending the money on a party for just one day does not sit right with them. So then they decide to look at other options and eventually come across the idea of eloping.
When you think about your wedding day- you probably are focused on having an amazing time with your partner. You picture living in the moment and enjoying your day so when you look back on photos, you can remember exactly how you felt.
2. Planning a traditional wedding is stressful.
One thing in common that all couples have, when planning a traditional wedding, is they all say the same thing towards the end, “I can’t wait for this to be over and get married already”. After dealing with all of the planning, coordinating, drama, finances and more- they are exhausted and just want the day to be over with; and that’s not including the expectation that everything goes right.
When couples elope, their planning and coordinating is around fun adventures, epic locations and unforgettable excursions. So rather than picking out center pieces, finding money for a videographer, and DIY-ing signage, the eloping couple is planning a boat tour to Capri, coordinating a picnic on a cliff, or hiring a private chef to cater their first meal as a married couple. The planning process for elopements is a lot more fun because rather than planning for your guests (wedding) you are planning for yourselves.
3. You want adventure.
When couples elope, they can get married anywhere in the world; which sounds crazy right? But it’s true. You can share your vows and commit your lives to one another anywhere you want to.
Maybe you and your future spouse are already outdoorsy people and this just makes sense. Or maybe you two want to go on an epic adventure like you never have before. When you are getting married in a venue- you are so limited to what you can do and where you can go for your ceremony or getting photos done. Rather, in the outdoors you have the freedom to go anywhere, you can feel the natural elements around you and plus- you get amazing photos and videos!
Marriage starts and ends with you two- so why not start your marriage with an epic adventure?
4. Attending your friends/family wedding made you rethink.
Some of my couples have told me that when they have attended a wedding they look around and realize that a traditional wedding may not be for them.
Maybe you have been a Maid of Honor or Best Man and have experienced your friend stressing out on their day.
Maybe you have attended your cousin’s wedding and looked around and realized that none of that stuff is for you when your big day comes.
Or perhaps you have worked in the industry and have witnessed what the couple goes through and how they can’t even enjoy their day catering to others.
Whatever the reason may be, listen to your gut and do what you think is right.
5. You want a small, low-key wedding.
Plain and simple- you want the guest count to be small so you can enjoy the guests that are present. You are happy with light decor, a small number of loved ones and a cute little spot in your home town.
6. You have some family drama.
This is actually the second biggest reason couples decide to elope. Whether you have issues with your parents, your partner’s parents, or a conflict amongst the family- it seems nearly impossible to keep them all in the same room peacefully.
Even if you don’t have any family conflict - maybe you feel if you invite one person, you need to invite them all. This is a big case with inviting extended family.
Remind them that this day is for you and your partner and this is ultimately will make you happy; by no means are they any less special to you for not attending your wedding.
7. You usually don’t like all the attention.
Sometimes I hear that the reason a couple chose to elope is because they usually don’t like all eyes on them in the first place. The thought of having so many people attending an event just for you feels overwhelming and totally not like you.
Elopements are completely centered around you two and your day. You can choose to invite a close number of people attend and even with guests there you can include them as much as you want on that day. Most of the time, couples only see they guests when they are getting ready and then at the sunset ceremony and dinner.
You still get the whole day with just you and your partner.
8. You want some badass photos.
Couple choose to elope for some amazing photos outdoors! Who doesn’t like photos in Iceland? Or in the middle of the redwood forest?
When I am planning an elopement with a couple- we first start off by picking the ceremony location from my research. From there, I will suggest nearby places, that work logistically, for us to either take photos at or do something at (picnic, reading vows, etc..)
9. You are having a hard time finding a venue.
Some wedding venues charge an outrageous price to just get the brick & mortar. Or you may find some of your favorite wedding venues booked years in advance just to get a weekend date.
The comes the cost with renting chairs, tables, flower arrangements, customized decorations, signage, plates, cups, and so much more. And just when you think you got it all, you are purchasing bar napkins from Amazon days before your wedding.
Imagine all of that money, whether from your pocket or graciously donated from your parents/family members and put into an unforgettable trip with everyone. You are trading one day in one place for an incredible wedding/honeymoon/vacation package!
10. You want to actually enjoy your wedding day!
Confession time- when I was married I didn’t even realize I was at my own wedding until 9:00pm that night.
One of the biggest reasons I chose to do Elopements full time and get away from traditional weddings, was because I could see the difference in how my couples experienced their day.
The traditional wedding couple is stressed:
They are running around trying to say hi to everyone that attended but getting pulled in 15 different directions at all times.
Because one thing you need to consider is how the day is ran. The venue coordinator needs to know when you want to cut the cake, the DJ is announcing your grand entrance soon, you ran out of hard liquor and your groomsmen is out getting it, your photographer is trying to get a sweet photo of you and your partner on the dance floor, your mom wants to introduce you to her boss- all of this happening at the exact same time. Whew!!
They are spending 3 times the money you would for an elopement.
They are trying to ensure everything is perfect while still trying to live in the moment.
The elopement couple instead is:
On their way to Yosemite to get married on top of a cliff.
Having sweet moments with their family at their cabin in the middle of a forest.
Getting an hour break for lunch at a picnic they set up with the ocean in front of them.
Playing scrabble at a bar before heading to their ceremony spot.
Renting an ATV to head to the backside of Sedona’s red rock mountains.
Crying form reading a journal that has been written since their first date.
Playing with their dog before going on a sailboat excursion.
The best part of all- these are all real stories from past elopements.