So you found the person you want to spend forever with- congratulations! Now the hard part is deciding how you’ll celebrate your union. For some, the big family get-together with out of town guests, 3 days of activity, and tying the knot in your hometown is exactly what they want. But for others, that sounds like an overwhelming, stressful, and costly way to start your life together.

Have you and your partner been considering eloping? Here are 7 things to consider when deciding whether or not to blow off the big bash and keep things simple!

1: You’re an Untraditional Couple

Maybe you were never the kid who played a wedding with your friends, maybe you’ve done the big wedding thing before, or maybe you just don’t really get excited about Jordan almonds and tossing bouquets. That’s okay! Traditions are just a suggestion from previous generations, not a rulebook for how you have to start your married lives.

When you picture how you want to start your lives together, do you picture yourselves surrounded by a big crowd of people, or do you want to focus on your partner? If you guys are not the traditional type, why not celebrate your marriage in a way that reflects who you are as a couple!

2: You Want to Avoid Stress

The first thing anyone who has planned a big wedding will tell you is that there is a LOT of planning that goes into it. Catering, colors, corsages- the details go on and on! Family and friends will travel from out of town and probably ask you a million questions on the way. After all the people pleasing, compromising with both families and event coordinating, the most common thing I hear from couples is “I just want to get this over with!”

Is that really how we should celebrate two people falling in love and sharing their lives? It seems like a pretty intense way to tie the knot, so if you’re considering eloping just skip the stress and fly to your dream destination instead!

3: A Sense of Adventure

When eloping, the sky's the limit! You don’t have to worry about catering to a bunch of people or traveling to one or the other person’s hometown. You can travel anywhere your heart desires; why not start your marriage hiking glacier in Iceland? Your marriage will be the adventure of a lifetime so start it in a way that reflects that!

4: Being Authentic/Intimate is Important to You

When choosing to elope, you are choosing to put the focus on where it matters: you and your love for each other. No distractions, no stress, and no outside voices telling you what your day is “supposed” to be.

Starting your marriage this way is a great way to set yourself up for future success. Couples who always put each other and their marriage first above other commitments and interests are the ones who will still be there loving each other in 60 years’ time!

Having that small, intimate ceremony allows you to truly be yourselves and express your love in a way that feels authentic to you. There’s no line of people coming up to talk to you while you’re just trying to enjoy a dinner with your new spouse, just you and your favorite person in the world- oh, and me of course!

5: You Like a Smaller Crowd

Of course, eloping doesn’t mean you have to leave absolutely everyone behind. For example, if you want to bring your best friends as witnesses or you just can’t imagine getting married without your parents there, bring them along!

Cutting out the lengthy guest list means you get more time with the people who matter the most. You don’t have to run around making sure you said hi to all 100+ guests in the ballroom, you can just enjoy the company around you and celebrate this beautiful day together without the stress of a big crowd.

6: Balling on a Budget

The biggest source of stress in a traditional wedding is, of course, the cost. Couples spend tens of thousands of dollars on DJs, dinners, dresses- the list goes on and on. So many couples who stress about money around the big day find it becomes a real strain on their marriage. What’s the point of that?

Eloping allows you to have a beautiful wedding adventure with your partner ( and maybe a few guests) in an amazing location with photos and memories that will last a lifetime, for a FRACTION of the cost of a traditional wedding! Put your money where it matters, whether that’s on an epic honeymoon or saving for your future.

7: You Want Some Badass Photos

I know you’ve seen dozens of wedding photos from friends posing in front of the barn or the hotel or the country club- how many have you seen pose on a completely isolated jet-black beach? Or the top of a sheer blue glacier? Or in front of a breathtaking Scottish castle?

If you want amazing photos that stand out from the pack, let’s get planning! When you sit down for a coffee Zoom consultation with me, we’ll brainstorm some of the epic location packages I offer and see what suits you guys. My elopements are completely personalized and tailored to your interests as a couple, so we can make sure we get the photos that actually reflect who you are. I’ll help you guys explore an epic new country and get into the nitty gritty of trip planning to make sure we get all the experiences that will make this a once-in-a-lifetime trip for you both!

So, does this sound like you and your partner? Then get in touch with me today! I can’t wait to take you guys on the adventure of a lifetime and capture the magical moment where you start your new lives together in one of the most beautiful locations on Earth. See you soon!

7 Signs Eloping is Right for You!