What Does it Mean to Elope? No Longer a Courthouse Wedding!

Eloping as a concept has changed in meaning over time. Once a time when couples secretly ran away is no longer the only definition for eloping. So what does it mean to elope in 2022?

Big weddings are usually focused on your guests. 

When you stop and think about big weddings for a second, what is the biggest part of planning? It’s finding a venue, picking a theme, choosing food & drink, creating a rocking dance floor, and creating activities for GUESTS. The original focus of wedding planning isn’t on the couple, but on all the other things to keep guests occupied while the couple exchanges vows and takes pictures. It’s truly a production to show off the couple, rather than letting them enjoy it. Check out this wedding planning guide from Brides.com to show you just how many steps it takes to plan a wedding!  Some people love it, but it isn’t for everyone.

As a former bride I can tell you, I thought I planned a stress-free wedding for myself. But I realize looking back, that we wanted to throw a fun party for our guests – which we did accomplish!  I focused on elements that looked beautiful in photos as you’re “supposed to do.” As much as I thought I planned for everything, the day was still stressful for this introverted extrovert, however, our guests did have a great time.

What does it mean to elope? 

Eloping is an intentional small experience focused on the couple rather than the guests. It takes away the big production of getting married. This means you do not need to impress anybody! 

By giving the power back to yourselves, your choices will be things you love with the people you love. It allows you a better chance of eliminating stress because you can take your time to enjoy every moment. If you invite a small group of friends or family, the people you invite will come with the most amazing intentions to celebrate you. 

Just like the definition of elopements has evolved, so should your view of elopements too.  

Elopements are more than a 20 min ceremony. You should celebrate all day because your choices are special. 

Elopements put the intentionality back into your choices. Since you don’t need to worry about a large group of guests, it actually opens up an amazing opportunity for activities you love doing and even maybe a bucket list item! You’ll save money by not inviting a bunch of guests which means you can choose something amazing for yourselves instead, like go on a hike in your wedding attire, or rent that epic vacation home you’ve had your eye on, or rent out a private boat to get married on! 

If you’re curious how much you can spend, check out my resource here on eloping vs big wedding costs!

How the heck do we celebrate all day? 

If you’re trying to get away from the production of a big wedding, you might be wondering how you could celebrate all day. Honestly, when you really think about what the two of you like doing together and then pair it with the elements of a wedding, it can take all day or even multiple days! It just depends on how you want to celebrate! 

Check out my resource here on a different timeline of examples of how you can fill your day!

Do we need a photographer?

In my opinion, good photography is something everyone should value for their wedding days. It’s one of the only tangible things you can take away from your day to remember it. 

Remember you are choosing an elopement for the ways it will celebrate you and your partner, and you are designing the story of your wedding day. Book your photographer for all-day coverage so they can help tell your beautiful story (rather than just posing you all day). You’re hand-selecting all these beautiful, important things to incorporate into your day, so why would you only book a photographer for the ceremony? And why only remember portions of your day…why not remember ALL of it?

Hire a specialized elopement photographer

You should 100% hire a specialized elopement photographer for anything you do. I have nothing against big wedding photographers, but after being one myself and refocusing on smaller events in the outdoors, the flow and intention are different. Couples usually come to me with a vague plan in place and I give them tools to solidify that plan and make it something unique and special, something a larger wedding photographer might not do. I also help my couples pick locations in nature if they are inclined and hike with them if that’s what their day brings! This is why you’ll find our industry’s prices are a little higher for photography! We know that small weddings are open to possibilities and want to be there for you, whatever you decide and help you figure it out in addition to photographing it! 

On the fence about elopements?

On the fence about an elopement or a big wedding? Check out my resource here on how to know if a big wedding or an elopement is right for you!