What Does it Mean to Elope? No Longer just 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 2024?

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 and allows you instead a wedding day full of excitement, joy and meaning towards the two of you.

This is why it’s so much more than just a courthouse ceremony. Your partnership means something to you right? Even if you aren’t having a big wedding, why not have a special day you can luxuriate in?

You’ll see nature based elopements as front-running ideas. But let me tell you, eloping is eloping no matter if it’s in nature or not. While I focus on adventure elopements, you can totally elope on a vacation or figure out a way for an epic urban adventure!

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

Elopements are more than a 20-minute ceremony and some quick portraits. Just because you don’t want a big wedding, doesn’t mean you’re not worthy of celebrating this huge milestone in your life.

Elopements put intentionality back into your choices. You get to think out of the box a little more and you get to choose activities that mean something to you and your partnership. You also get to invite only those you want to have there!

Is eloping cheaper than a big wedding?

The average cost of big weddings is about $27,000. My couples still choose to spend between $8,000-$15,000 on their elopement days. This includes everything from lodging and travel, photography, excursions, their attire, permits, and anything else they want to add to their day!

Since you’ll be saving the money you would have otherwise spent on a hundred guests (food alone is at least $40 * 100 = $4,000), you’ll get the opportunity to create an amazing and spend that money on yourselves instead. For example in the PNW, lots of people like to hike! You could go on a hike in your wedding attire and say your vows in nature. Or splurge on a super cool excursion. There are whale-watching cruises and set sailboat cruises here that allow you to book a private tour to get married on. Or if you like urban adventures, make a day date around visiting your favorite food places and recreating your favorite things to do together! You’re definitely going to have one hell of a story to tell your loved ones!!

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 and think 2 hours is plenty. Honestly it’s not. Most of my couples spend anywhere from 6-10 hours adventuring with me as their photographer because its about taking our time and enjoying, not just checking off photo ideas. 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! 

P.S. This is something I help all of my couples with!

Some ideas include:

Renting a unique vacation rental to elevate your experience.

Some of my couples like spending the time writing vows, getting cozy together or closing out their night at one. Just make sure to follow any rules and you get permission for your photographer or other vendors to come onsite since it is private property!

Go on an epic adventure.

Do you like to hike? Have you ever dreamed of taking a helicopter or balloon ride? What is something that will be once in an lifetime that could elevate your elopement experience? This is one of the many ways I encourage couples to think so they get to feel all the feels, and experience something bigger than themselves their elopement day. Or maybe you’re city folk and love exploring urban areas!

Picnic it up!

Whether with friends or an epic charcuterie board for yourselves, picnics are a wonderful way to slow down and enjoy some slower moments!

Watch the sunset and experience blue hour.

If you hire me, we can play with fun light!

Make it super personal.

What do you like to do together? Do you want to surprise your partner with anything?

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

How do we know if an elopement is right for us?

Big weddings are usually focused on your guests and elopements are focused on you. 

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. If I were to go back, I would have 100% eloped hybrid style with my closest peeps. To make my husband happy, we would have also had a bigger party later on where it was just a get-together, no official ceremony.

There are pros and cons to both, and there are ways to celebrate in a hybrid matter (elopement + party).

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

How do we start planning our elopement?

Start by thinking of the two of you and what you love doing together, the general location, and the general time of year. Keep some flexibility in mind because as a photographer, I may ask if your date is flexible to help you get a great experience. From there, hire a specialized adventure elopement photographer to help you plan further!

Check out my other blogs on planning for a Washington State Elopement!

Plan a hiking elopement in Washington State

10 Steps to Plan Your Mount Rainier National Park Elopement!

How to plan an elopement on the San Juan Islands

How to plan an elopement at Olympic National Park

Hire A Specialized Elopement 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. 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?

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 doesn’t do. I also help my couples come up with ideas for activities and locations in nature if they are inclined and hike with them if that’s what their day brings! In addition, I strive to take nature into consideration and will be upfront and honest with Leave No Trace Principles, weather, accessibility, permit knowledge etc. I help you create a backup plan in case things go haywire. We know that small weddings are open to SO MANY possibilities and want to help you dream it up and help you figure it out in addition to photographing it!