The Pros and Cons of Having an Elopement

Back in the day elopements were seen as a way for a couple to run away from the family and society and get married in secret, but it was often tethered in scandal and drama. However, an elopement means something quite different these days. For a variety of reasons, couples are now opting to have a romantic getaway together, without family or friends, where their wedding can be small, intimate and focuses wholeheartedly on the love that they share. An elopement has become more popular after difficult periods in our lives including numerous setbacks caused by COVID-19 and at times difficult family situations. A smaller, more personal wedding may be what you and your partner really want; this is entirely your choice, and a beautiful way to begin the next chapter of your life together. If you’re considering an intimate wedding with just you two, this article covers the pros and cons of having an elopement.

The obvious difference between having a wedding and an elopement is the inclusion of guests, aka your friends and family. As much as we love our immediate family, emotions can run high around weddings and your decision to go it alone could impact those around you. As long as you and your partner both know this is the right option for you, then we hope the family will understand, but it’s worth noting that this may not always be the case. Remember to do what is right for you, and hopefully, they will support your decision. Taking plenty of beautiful photos and / or even filming the journey could be a wonderful way to make your family feel part of your day. Some couples may also worry that they would ultimately regret the decision to not have the big white wedding they were also considering, however, making sure that you have both taken the time to think about and discuss your options will ensure that this will be the right decision for you.

Whilst the cons of having an elopement primarily surround the guests’ involvement, there are many pros to eloping too. Firstly, and quite simply, you are putting the focus back on what weddings should be all about, love. The relationship that you and your partner have is like no one else’s so should be celebrated in the way you both feel most comfortable with and that authentically represents you.

Another pro is the amount of money that you could save! You could save thousands on catering, venue hire, wedding outfits and so many other areas within a traditional wedding that would need to be provided for. Having an elopement means you can focus on the legal and vital parts of getting married along with a photographer and a gorgeous setting for your ceremony and evening celebrations. Perhaps you feel that weddings are wasteful and unnecessary but you like the notion of marriage, therefore an elopement might be the perfect option for you.

The final pro to mention here would be that you are doing exactly what makes you both happy without the additional stress of arranging a huge wedding and managing other people’s expectations. We all know weddings can be stressful, plus you end up being the centre of attention all day. This simply doesn’t suit everybody so if you’d rather sneak off with your beloved and get hitched in private, that’s a totally valid reason.

However you decide to spend your wedding day, opting for an elopement might suit you and your partner perfectly. It’s a deeply romantic and intimate option which you will undoubtedly remember and cherish forever.