Should I Elope?

If you’ve started wedding planning, you/your partner might be wondering, “Should I elope?” Asking, “Should I elope?” is important as you figure out what you both want.

Elopements are made for couples who face social anxiety, want to avoid drama, desire something personal, aren’t fans of tradition, crave adventurous experiences, want to save money, or get hives thinking about wedding planning.

The wedding industry continues to ebb and flow and one of the major shifts we have loved watching is the movement from tradition for tradition’s sake, to having a wedding that fits you.

There is nothing wrong with doing what the two of you want to do on your wedding day! Your wedding day is important, and you don’t have to compromise what you value.

• If you want to wear a colored gown instead of a white one, do it!
• If you want a small, intimate backyard wedding, do it!
• If you want to go to the city for a chic elopement, do it!
• If you want to elope to the mountains, desert, cornfield, or beach, do it!
• If you want to skip having a bridal party, do it!
• If you want a large wedding and an amazing party afterwards, do it!
• If you want to spend the day adventuring and enjoying the things you love with the person you love most, then do it!

This is what eloping is about.

What is an elopement?

Elopements have become a bit more common over the past 10 years, but COVID accelerated the small wedding trend and it’s not going away anytime soon! People who are getting married now are in a place of wanting to have their wedding day focus on what is important to them.

This trend of individuality in the wedding industry is something that we believe is here to stay. Elopements and micro-weddings will continue to rise in their popularity as weddings stay small and more personal to each couple.

Elopements have been happening for ages. But unfortunately, what an elopement was and what it is now are two different things.

Sam Starns is an author, TEDx speaker, and an amazing adventure elopement photographer. She shares in her TEDx Talk these words of wisdom: “The word elope doesn’t necessarily mean what it used to. Now, instead of running away from something, you’re actually running to something. You’re running to yourself, to your relationship, and what’s true to you.”

Our Definition

We would define an elopement to be when two people decide to get married and instead of a larger celebration, they decide to have a smaller celebration. It can take place anywhere that is important to the couple and they can bring along as many of their closest people to celebrate with them.

It does not have to be done at a courthouse although it can be; it does not have to be kept a secret although it can be; it doesn’t have to just be the couple although it can be.

An elopement is a wedding day made simple to shift the focus from everyone else to the couple and what is important to them. If you want to know more about what an elopement is, you can read our blog here.

Why Should I Elope?

1. If you’re shy or have social anxiety, this might be the answer for you.
2. Not close to family or want to avoid family drama, then elope just the two of you!
3. Want something personal, unique, and intimate? Elopements are made for this.
4. If the thought of wedding planning gives you hives, then consider an elopement and keep things simple.
5. Eloping can save some money if you want to simplify things.
6. You and your partner love to travel and want to explore somewhere new on your wedding day from a national park to an epic city.
7. You don’t want to spend money on a giant reception but would rather put that money towards an epic honeymoon. Elope where you’re going for your honeymoon!

Jonathan and I had a beautiful wedding. It was a lovely day and I’m thankful to all who came together and helped us celebrate. But if I’m being completely honest, and I could do it all over again, I would’ve eloped or gone the micro wedding route.

From Our Point of View

I’m a people pleaser. This meant inviting people I didn’t know, stressful seating charts, gift registry shopping with scanners that didn’t work, and trying to create the perfect “Pinterest” day (because it was 2013 and that was the trend). It was all about rushing around, rather than enjoying the moment. I missed out on a lot of joy.

Jonathan agreed that he would’ve loved to have a small local elopement as well. Why? To save our families money. We really didn’t need (or want) anything crazy fancy. We are chill people and to have a simple day would have lined up with what we value.

This is why for our 10-year wedding anniversary this year we are renewing our vows privately in the mountains in Switzerland—just the two of us. To say we are excited is an understatement.

I asked my Mom if there was anything she would do differently looking back on her wedding day in 1984. My Mom recalled that she was very stressed about the expectations to uphold the status quo. My Mom has social anxiety. For her, being the center of attention made her want to throw up in her shoe box. And she almost did.

I know that I’m older now than I was when I was planning my wedding. But my goodness, I still remember wanting a tent in my parent’s beautiful 5-acre backyard under their grove of trees. It would be filled with intention, love, and a joyful, outdoor summer experience—all things my husband and I value. 

What does an elopement look like?

LITERALLY WHATEVER YOU WANT IT TO LOOK LIKE.

All possibilities are on the table! From desert ceremony to mountain top vows to backyard dinner party to small vineyard gatherings. You can stay local or get on a plane to fly to a new country or your favorite national park—it’s your day!

If you want to get ready at an AirBnb that perfectly fits your style or have a quaint ceremony at a location that speaks to your heart, you can. If you want to hike, chill in an airstream, take a helicopter ride, share a picnic, or go horseback riding, DO IT.

Whether it’s just the two of you, or if you want to have 20 of your favorite people attending, an elopement is meant to be a day for you and your partner—a day to remember and celebrate the start of your marriage.

Relieve some of the stress and stigma that surrounds wedding planning because your wedding day is about you and your partner and what the two of you value. When it comes to your wedding day, the world is your oyster. Or however that saying goes.

Curious what an all-day elopement timeline looks like?

Take a peek below!

Elope in Glacier National Park

Jenni & Drew

Logan Pass-Glacier National Park | 8.15.2021

12-HOUR ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY TIMELINE

Getting Ready Location: Camp Caribou Guest Yurt

Ceremony Location: Avalanche Lake-Glacier National Park

Additional Portrait Locations: Lake MacDonald + Going to the Sun Road/Logan’s Pass + Horses

Meal/Celebration Location: Belton Grill Dining Room & Tap Room + Cowboy Cookout (for couple only)

6:15 am

• Sunrise vows + first kiss + private ceremony
• Portraits at Avalanche Lake
• First Dance

12:00 pm

• 5-10 of the closest friends and family join in for lunch and toasts

2:30 pm

• Couple leaves to change at Airbnb (15 minutes)

3:00 pm

• Couple leaves Airbnb to go on Cowboy Cookout + Horseback Riding  at Swan Mountain Outfitters

Does eloping sound dreamy to you?

If something like this checks all the boxes of what you’re dreaming of, then an elopement is the way you should go.

For any questions, you can reach out and contact Jonathan and I here and we can start talking about your dream day and any photo or video needs you might have.

 If you liked this post, then we think you would enjoy looking through these as well:

Indiana Elopement

Glacier National Park Elopement

A Guide to Eloping in Arizona

Downtown Indianapolis Elopement