10 Reasons Why Eloping is the Best Way to Get Married
Couples elope for all kinds of reasons. The thrill of the adventure, the quiet intimacy, the desire for a unique “just you and me” experience. What matters most is that you bravely choose what you desire and is going to be the experience you’ve dreamed of. I’m excited to share some of the reasons why I believe an adventure elopement is the best way to get married. The intention is not to be anti-big wedding but to consider different perspectives and encourage outside the box thinking.
1. Authenticity
Elopements are the wonderful answer to a question that often goes unasked. Is the big wedding production and traditions that accompany it truly us? Do these common practices even hold any special significance to us on an individual level? Often without even realizing so, the planning process of big weddings veer away from what most authentically represents the couple. In choosing to elope you are liberated from restrictions placed by conventional wedding days and are free to pursue exactly what feels most true to yourselves.
2. Intimacy
This is one of most beautiful and most exemplified characteristics of elopements. There is so much space for intimacy and emotion. We want to feel every tiny moment throughout our wedding day. Every ounce of emotion. And that doesn’t happen by accident. That happens through intention. Your environment influences how you feel. Elopements yield a much slower pace throughout the day and this quieter rhythm fosters stillness and room for intimacy.
3. Less stressful
Let’s be honest. Big weddings most often turn into quite a production. There are so many things to plan that it can quickly become overwhelming. Not only that, but with so many components going on, that’s more to worry about going wrong before or during the wedding day and every bit of stress dilutes the experience as a whole. Not everyone’s experience is such, but I’ve witnessed countless brides go through a portion of their day in apprehension. It’s a shame to experience the day you get married in that way. Contrarily, elopements are a much more relaxed form of making your commitment to each other and feeling stress free throughout the whole process.
4. A unique experience
Your relationship is unique and your celebration of committing your lives to each other should reflect that. Elopements offer the decision to ditch the routine formula we’ve all seen time and again. Your wedding experience can be whatever you want it to be. Any vision you can think of, you can bring to life. This approach opens the door to so many possibilities. The sky is the limit when you’re not confined by parameters such as venue hours and restrictions, timelines, locations, logistics, etc. Rather than spend $34,000 (the national average) on one day, consider what type of adventure you could have for that or less.
5. The focus stays on you two
How much closer to your partner would you feel if it were just the two of you? Or even a small gathering of people in contrast to a 200+ person wedding. How different would reading your vows feel if it was solely to each other, without pressure of performing or catering to an audience? It’s a sad truth, but throughout planning and executing a wedding the focus often drifts from what’s most important. More time and energy unknowingly get allocated to menus, décor, timelines, opinions of guests, etc. than to how you both feel throughout the experience. When you toss aside these transitory concerns it’s much easier to stay moored to the most important thing. The love you share for each other.
6. More time with your partner
When you choose an elopement or intimate wedding, you are able to give yourself fully to each other. People wanting to interact with and congratulate you all day is a joyful and wonderful thing, but let’s be honest that is emotionally exhausting. Every fraction of emotional energy you give to others is less you’re able to share with your partner. You don’t want to spread yourself too thin. With less social obligations to fulfill you’ll not only have more time with your partner but be free to be fully present with each other.
7. Less drama
This isn’t about excluding people. It’s about setting healthy boundaries. Marriage is sacred and the time you promise your lives to each other is deserving of safe space. Sometimes that sadly cannot accommodate friends or family who may, while be it unintentionally, bring any negative energy, conflict, or drama to the event. It’s ok to be honest about that. There are ways to celebrate with the people who are important to you and let them know you value them.
8. A symbolic adventure
This especially resonates with me. There is terrific symbolism in adventure elopements. Hiking up a mountain to say your vows represents so much. Commitment, sticking together through the ups and downs, putting in the work together, encouraging and helping one another. The examples of beautiful metaphors can be found everywhere, and the mind/body connection is italicized through such a figurative experience. Afterall, life is meant to be an adventure.
9. Epic photos
There’s no dodging that I’m biased on this front, but it is hard to argue against. The opportunities for incredible images are much more abundant in an elopement compared to traditional wedding. Not only because of the location but time allocations as well. Rather than 10-15 minutes of “ok hold hands, now smile, then kiss” and the instructed posing, the slower paced nature of elopement days serve more opportunity to document authentic interaction together. These are the memories you’re going to look back on forever.
10. No regrets
My intention is not to condemn the existence of big weddings by any means. However, I feel an obligation to pass along not only my observations from years of photographing weddings but also those of couples I encounter. Many of them, while they enjoyed their day, confess that they would elope if they could go back and do it again. I’ve heard several statements to the effect of “I’m glad it’s over”, “It went by too fast and I didn’t get to see everyone”, “I didn’t get much time to just connect with my spouse”. That’s a tragic way to feel about your wedding day. Eloping is a beautifully meaningful way to commit your lives to each other in an adventurous fashion, leave nothing on the table, and have no regrets.
There’s so much joy and freedom to be found when you make the courageous decision to pursue what makes you feel most alive! Never forget that you have the power to choose how to celebrate your love!
Looking For Inspiration?
Overnight Elopement in the Rocky Mountains
Oahu elopement
Hey, I’m Warren and this is my why behind everything I do!
I believe this is where it all starts and is at the heart of everything, so let me tell you. I have a soft spot for sentimentality and I think love is awesome. I’m so grateful that I discovered photography early in life because I’ve been able to document my own journey in a creative fashion. For that reason, I have a strong passion for giving that same experience to others and take great pride in getting the responsibility of documenting their stories. Each picture has a story or feeling behind it and I love to capture that novelty. Arresting those moments in time allows us to remember and feel more intensely. I know how much I value that and enjoy passing that along to others through photography. I would love to be a part of telling your story.