What is a Wedding Elopement and Why are More Couples Choosing to Elope?
In recent years, there has been a significant shift in the way couples approach their wedding day. Gone are the days of extravagant ceremonies and elaborate receptions that break the bank. Instead, more and more couples are opting for a more intimate and personalized approach—to elope, meaning, to travel and get married with just your partner. The concept of elopement has gained popularity for a multitude of reasons, with couples finding that it offers a memorable experience in a unique destination, without the stress that a traditional wedding celebration brings.
In this article, we will explore the pros of wedding elopements, shedding light on why this trend has captured the hearts of so many. From the freedom to choose stunning and unconventional locations to the opportunity for a more budget-friendly celebration in an intimate setting, elopements provide couples the chance to create a wedding day that truly reflects their personal values.
What makes conventional weddings so stressful?
Conventional weddings often come with a great deal of stress and pressure. From choosing the perfect venue, managing guest lists and seating arrangements, to picking centerpieces, tableware, and food, there are countless details to consider. The expectations of family and friends can add additional stress, as couples often feel the need to please everyone involved. In addition, the financial burden of a traditional wedding can be overwhelming for many couples, who may find themselves starting their married life in debt. In fact, Zola, a wedding directory site just published that the cost of traditional weddings has increased to $29,000 in 2023, and in some more expensive US cities even upwards of $40,000.
The pressure to conform to societal norms and traditions can also stifle creativity and limit the couple's ability to create a wedding day that truly reflects their unique personalities and values. This is where micro weddings and wedding elopements come in as a refreshing alternative.
What is the meaning of elopement?
An elopement is an intimate and private ceremony, with just you and your partner present, the person performing the ceremony, and if you want, a photographer or videographer to capture your special moments together. The meaning of an elopement comes from the word “elope”, meaning to ‘run away secretly with the intention of getting married’, and historically it was done without (or because a couple couldn’t get) consent from their parents.
However, eloping no longer means that the couple is running away. In modern terms, it describes a couple who simply get married away from their hometown and without or with just a few guests. It’s about making your wedding day purely about the two of you, wanting to make your commitment to each other in an amazing location, and spending quality time with one another. Elopements can be as simple or as elaborate as the couple desires, and they offer the freedom to create a wedding day that is truly tailored to their preferences. Whether it's a mountaintop ceremony, a beachside exchange of vows, or a romantic destination wedding, eloping allows couples to choose stunning and unconventional locations that hold personal significance to them. The intimate nature of elopements also provides an opportunity for couples to focus on their love and commitment to each other, without the distractions and pressures that often come with a traditional wedding.
The Benefits of Eloping
Elopements are more meaningful and intentional
Eloping offers a more intentional and meaningful way to get married compared to a traditional wedding. When you opt for an intimate elopement, the focus is entirely on you and your partner, declaring your love and commitment to each other. There's no stress over guest lists, seating charts, or coordinating numerous vendors and details. Instead, you can channel your energy into what matters: your relationship and celebration.
Elopements are intimate affairs
Elopements provide a private, intimate setting for couples to exchange vows and celebrate their marriage. By deciding to elope, your special moments won't be overshadowed by a loud guest who decides to make your wedding day about them. You'll also have more flexibility in choosing a location that holds personal meaning just for the two of you, whether it's a peaceful mountaintop, a secluded beach, or a historic chapel.
Elopements are less stressful, less expensive, and require less planning
Planning an elopement is significantly less stressful than orchestrating a large wedding. You don't have to worry about managing family expectations or opinions about your vision. Coordination is streamlined with fewer moving parts, so you can actually relax and soak in every moment. With help from experienced elopement planners like Somewhere Crazy, everything is handled for you, allowing you to simply show up on your big day.
If you're looking for affordable elopement destinations have a look here.
An elopement or a micro-wedding
Intimate ceremonies and micro-weddings have also started to become more and more popular, and they stem from the same lovely reasons. The main difference between an elopement and a micro-wedding is that the latter includes a handful of guests – usually just the closest family members and friends. These are the people who mean the most to you and who you can’t imagine not being a part of your special day. This is different from when you elope, meaning you’re involving just your partner, the celebrant, the photographer, and the elopement planner.
Pros to hiring an elopement planner
While elopements can be more straightforward to plan than traditional weddings, many couples still choose to hire an elopement planner. The benefits of working with a professional in this field are numerous. An experienced elopement planner can provide invaluable guidance and expertise, helping couples navigate the logistics of their chosen location, securing necessary permits, and ensuring that all the necessary arrangements are in place.
In the case of Somewhere Crazy, we also connect couples with trusted local vendors and suppliers, ensuring that every aspect of the elopement is well taken care of. With our knowledge and expertise, we help alleviate the stress and uncertainty that can come with planning a wedding and allow you to truly focus on your partner. We always try to be mindful of our couples, making sure we’re attentive to your wishes and help you be present in the moment.
Wedding elopement packages and services
We’ve simplified your elopement planning process from the get-go, setting up standard wedding elopement packages with the option of additional services that allow customization. Our Standard Elopement Packages include a range of services, such as wedding planning, venue selection, photography, officiants, and the wedding bouquet & buttonhole. Going with a wedding elopement package save our couples time and effort, as many of the details are already taken care of. It allows couples to focus on enjoying their special day without the stress of coordinating multiple vendors and logistics as your elopement planner will be with you every step of the way.
Then, add anything else that you’d like during your elopement. Our most common additional services include a cinematographer and a hair & make-up artist. But you don’t have to stop there. Depending on your ideal location, we can add crazy experiences that fit your personality.
Unique and memorable wedding elopement ideas
One of the most exciting aspects of elopement is the opportunity to get creative and think outside the box. With a smaller guest list and a more intimate setting, couples can craft a unique and memorable wedding day that truly reflects their personalities and interests. From exchanging vows on a boat in Lake Como, Italy to having a picnic ceremony in a picturesque park, like El Retiro Park in Madrid, Spain, the options are endless. Adventurous couples may choose to elope in a remote location, such as a mountaintop in the Dolomites or the Swiss Alps, or a secluded beach in Portugal, while others may opt for a more urban setting, like a rooftop overlooking a city skyline, like our Barcelona elopements with a backdrop of Sagrada Familia. The key is to choose a location and theme that resonates with the couple and creates a wedding day that is truly unforgettable.
Conclusion: Your elopement is a reflection of you as a couple
Ultimately, organizing a wedding elopement is personal and is a reflection of your values as a couple. Elopements offer the freedom to create a wedding day that is truly meaningful while being a wonderful budget-friendly alternative to traditional weddings.
Whether it’s an elopement, an intimate ceremony, a micro-wedding, or any other small celebration of any name, there are so many incredible options when it comes to locations, venues, and suppliers that you can work with. Somewhere Crazy wedding elopement planner will ensure your wedding elopement is a truly unforgettable experience that reflects the couple's love and commitment to each other.
Fancy saying your vows in Spain, Ireland, or Switzerland? Can you imagine getting married on a cliff edge overlooking the sea, at the highest point of an island, in the center of a buzzing Italian city, or on top of snow-capped mountains? Get in touch with us and let us know what your dream ceremony location is, and we’ll help to make your dreams a reality.
