Image by Jess Ekstrand
Among all the happy chaos of planning and hosting a large wedding, it can be easy to forget that weddings are supposed to be about the couple. Big weddings are big parties with lots to plan and keep track of. Elopements, on the other hand, give couples a chance to focus more on one another and a few guests who may be invited to be part of the big day.
One of the things we learned in 2020, is those small weddings can be just as fun, memorable, and special as big ones. The intimate moments you cherish can be even more significant when you share them with just your partner or a very small group of your closest friends and family.
Elopement photography has shown us that some of the biggest joy can be found at the smallest weddings. Here are some things to consider when deciding if elopement is right for you.
Image by Ben Lansky
Elopements Don’t Have to Be A Secret
The old days of elopement—meaning a trip to the courthouse (or Vegas) for a quickie wedding—are long gone. Eloping, even before COVID, is more popular than ever, and couples are giving it a new meaning. Plus, the benefits, from the intimacy of the small gathering to the freedom and flexibility elopement allows, are hard for some couples to ignore.
For other couples, elopement might be preferred in the short term, with a larger party planned for later—whether due to COVID or simply because the more custom style fits your life better.
Whatever you decide, it doesn’t have to be a secret. If it makes sense for you and your partner, let certain friends and family in on the idea so they can offer support and be elated for you. Allow loved ones to be connected about the big day by creating a wedding website. It’s the perfect place to offer a live stream of the ceremony and share your photo gallery after the event if you so choose.
Image by Tara Sloane
Elopement Locations
One of the best parts about eloping is that you can have your wedding almost anywhere. If you’re going for the smallest wedding possible, you can get as small as you, your partner and the officiant. We, of course, recommend a photographer to capture the moment, too, but that still means you only need to coordinate with a handful of people.
The intimacy and personal touch of elopement photographs at your favorite spot in the world with your favorite person can’t be beat. Whether you want to get married in a garden, by the lake, or in your parents’ backyard, a small gathering allows you to dream up the most creative locations.
Image by Melissa Hesse
Eloping Saves Money
The benefit of saving money with elopement can be hard to ignore. The average wedding costs around $30,000 but when you’re keeping the festivities extra small, there are inevitably going to be savings. The flexibility of an elopement allows you to spend money on exactly what you want and skip things that don’t matter to you. The money you save can be put toward a down payment, an amazing honeymoon, or that big party down the road to celebrate with those you love in person. The possibilities are endless.
Image by Nicole McCoy
Elopement Photography
Elopement photography has the benefit of feeling very normal and relaxed because it’s such a small group. We’ll capture all of the intimate moments so you can have them documented to share with friends and family whenever you’re ready to. Plus, your photographs will make for a beautiful wedding announcement, if you want to announce the good news in a more official way.