Why to Change Course from Big Wedding Plans to an Elopement

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING & ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER / UNITED STATES AND BEYOND

While a lot of couples, especially outdoorsy pairs, were already trending toward planning elopements and small outdoor weddings instead of a traditional big wedding, even more couples have started to consider this a viable option for their wedding day thanks to the uncertainty of COVID-19. All of 2020 might be a loss for big weddings with hundreds of guests, but couples are finding that they are still able to elope and have a wonderful day if they keep it small and local. Socially distant backyard elopements are popping up and couples are getting creative with their bouquets, custom sewn masks, and a bunch of other details. In 20 years they will tell their kids they got married during and pandemic, and although it might not be what they had originally planned, it sure will be memorable. So even if you’re bummed about postponing or canceling your big wedding, there is still reason to celebrate- you’ve found your forever person- and that is a truly magical thing. Here are some reasons to consider planning an elopement or small outdoor wedding either in addition to or in lieu of a big wedding.

Get Married Outside

There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to getting married outside, I get that. But I’d also argue that’s precisely the beauty of getting married outside. If it rains on your wedding day make sure everyone brings an umbrella, and if you are planning a small wedding or eloping with just the two of you, that’s an easy thing to do. If it’s a warm summer rain, why not dance in the rain? Make it memorable, make it fun, and let’s stop taking ourselves and weddings so seriously- like every little detail has to be in place to make it perfect. If you’re an adventurer, you know better than most that the best adventures and the subsequent stories are the ones where not everything goes right. You encounter a challenge, you overcome, you are better for it. So let’s embrace the sometimes dirty, messy, crazy freaking beautiful outdoors and get married there!

The Day Is Focused on the Love Between You and Your Partner

Eloping is really about having an amazing and memorable day with your partner. You are able to cut out all the things you don’t care about in a sort of no-bullshit approach that a lot of people find more enjoyable than worrying about things like tablecloths and place settings. You don’t have to worry about who you will seat at what table, and who cares if Aunt Linda is upset she didn’t get a corsage. Let’s be honest, it’s great to honor and include your family, but you shouldn’t place their preferences over your own on YOUR wedding day. Eloping or having a small outdoor wedding with some family is a great way to include those super close to you, and if you want you can have a party with everyone else to celebrate later. A lot of couples like how much making this one decision simplifies all the other decisions they eventually have to make. They trade place settings and tablecloths for picnic tables or blankets on the ground. They trade centerpieces on every table for epic bouquets and a beautiful archway to have their ceremony under. A lot of couples roll their elopement and honeymoon into one enjoy the area they’ve eloped in for even longer.

More Flexible Timelines

A traditional wedding day is packed full of getting ready in hotel rooms, taking formal photos with absolutely everyone, and being whisked from place to place as you try to take in all that’s happening. During your elopement day, you can plan a more loose timeline that doesn’t need to be as strictly adhered to. It’s easier to take in the views, chat with family, and spend genuine quality time together. A bonus is that you aren’t inside a dark ballroom so you can enjoy the setting sun and the light changing on the landscape. The most common thing I hear couples say during their wedding day spent in the great outdoors is, “wow, we should do this more often!” And it’s true, life sometimes gets going so fast you forget to take in and appreciate the small things. Eloping in the great outdoors truly allows you to slow down and take in the experience rather than be whisked through it. Think of it as a soak rather than a whirlwind.

More Flexible Vendors

The coronavirus pandemic has really put this one into perspective. If you need to postpone or move your elopement for any reason it is much easier to do that if you were only inviting a few people. I’m a photographer who only shoots elopements and small outdoor weddings, and while the couples I’m working with have been a little stressed out about all the uncertainty and changes, they’ve been able to cope and make solid backup plans. A bonus is that they are working with fewer vendors than a lot of couples who plan big weddings, so there is less coordination both on the guest side and on the vendor side. Less logistical mess means less stress.

Eloping Is More Affordable

I have a whole separate blog post about just how much more affordable it is to elope, called “How Much Does It Cost to Elope?” There’s even a handy calculator so you can get a rough estimate of how much it will cost based on your wants. But to summarize, it’s at least half as expensive. So just think of what you could do with all that extra money- go on trips, learn new skills, buy a car, save for a down payment on a house. Something I’ve heard repeatedly from couples during this pandemic is that it really forced them to slow down and decide on the things that really matter to them. I’ve heard people say that they want to save for a house for their family, they just want to keep more of their funds secure during these uncertain times, and that they really felt a sense of relief when they made the decision to elope. And most of them have ultimately said that it really feels like “more them” to begin with! That’s right, a lot of people felt like they were having big weddings for other people, and when the pandemic gave them an excuse to have a more pared-down affair they felt relief! While I’m so glad they came to that decision for themselves, it shouldn’t take a pandemic to get you to decide to elope. If you feel like that is what’s best for you, please don’t hesitate to DO IT! Here’s a link to a post about why couples decide to elope in the great outdoors.

Making Memories with Your Life Partner

Why not have a great adventure that kicks off the greatest adventure yet with your life partner. Entering into marriage with another human is a wild ride. A lot of couples who choose to elope have been together for a while already, and might even have kids together. Some of them are new and freshly in love. Either way eloping in the wild is a great adventure, and it creates unforgettable memories that you will be able to relive through the photos for decades to come. Remember what Kesha said, “someday soon, your whole life's gonna change, you'll miss the magic of these good old days.” And it’s so true. So breath deep, take it all in and remember it is a great day to be alive.

I hope this outlined some of the great reasons why planning an elopement or small outdoor wedding instead of a traditional wedding can be beneficial for many couples, especially in these uncertain times. The most important thing is honoring and celebrating the love between you and your partner, and when you strip it down to that being the most important thing, a lot of the stress and indecisiveness falls away. If you’d love help planning your small outdoor wedding or elopement, please get in touch today. I do more than just take amazing photos- I help couples plan the day of their dreams in the location of their dreams.