Should We Elope? – 10 Signs That It’s a “Yes!”

For some couples, making the decision to elope is easy (a big party in an extravagant venue? So not you). But for others, it can be a little more difficult. A more traditional wedding is still the norm, and a lot of couples don’t realize that they have other options. Even for couples who know in their hearts that it’s not right for them, expectations from others or fear of disappointing people can stop them from doing anything about it! So whether you’ve got just the tiniest feeling in your gut, or you know you don’t want a cookie-cutter wedding, if you’re asking the question, “Should we elope?” this guide will give you some signs that the answer is a big yes!

What is an Elopement?

Before we start talking about whether you should elope, let’s get on the same page about what an elopement is! I’m not talking about a quick courthouse wedding that’s unplanned and unromantic. 

Eloping is so much more than it used to be, and it’s not a way to avoid planning or investing in your day. It’s about getting married in a way that’s truly right for you, and having a unique adventure. It’s marrying your best friend on a beach in Maui, flying in a helicopter, swimming in a waterfall, hiking through the jungle… whatever adventure you come up with that reflects the two of you and how you want to get married! So when you’re asking “should we elope?” you’re asking “should we have whatever wedding day we want?” 

Because eloping can truly be anything!

10 Signs That You Should Elope!

If you’re wondering “should we elope,” here are 10 reasons that couples often choose to do so. If these resonate with you, eloping might be just the thing.

1. You Don’t Want to Be the Center of Attention

This is usually a big reason that couples choose to elope – they don’t want a hundred people to watch them get married. Being the center of attention isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time, so if the thought of standing up there and reading your vows while everyone’s eyes are on you sounds stressful, that’s a great reason to elope instead.

2. You Want a Small Guest List

The guest list is often a stressful part of planning a wedding – deciding which distant relatives to invite, navigating family drama, trying to avoid having people you’ve never even met at your wedding… there are lots of reasons why couples may want to keep the guest list short (or even nonexistent), and all of them are totally valid! 

Eloping allows you to be more intentional about who’s around you when you exchange vows. You can totally decide that you want it to be just you and your partner, or invite a few friends or family members! 

3. You Want to Elope Somewhere Beautiful

A big thing to consider when you’re asking “should we elope” is what you actually want your wedding day to look like. If tying the knot in a venue doesn’t really feel like how you want to begin your marriage, eloping allows you to get married outdoors! If you want a beautiful setting and to be surrounded by nature, eloping might be right for you.

4. You Don’t Want to Plan a Wedding

Planning a wedding is hard – and a lot of couples first ask themselves “should we elope” as they’re in the midst of trying to plan a big wedding! If the process is 100% painful and 0% fun, or if you haven’t started planning because it just fills you with dread, that’s a sign that eloping might be a better choice for you.

Now, eloping doesn’t mean there’s no planning at all – but instead of making a seating chart you get to choose which beach to exchange vows on! The decisions tend to be more exciting, but an elopement planner can make your elopement totally easy!

5. You Care About the Environment

Big weddings are a big burden on the planet (an average of 400 pounds of waste is created per wedding, according to the Green Bride Guide!) – and eloping is a much more sustainable choice. So if you’re worried about the environmental impact of a wedding, eloping makes it easier to make eco-friendly decisions.

6. You Want a Unique Wedding Day

Sure, the venue is different and you can definitely personalize it, but big weddings tend to follow a very similar mold. On the other hand, every elopement is so different and so unique to the couple! If you want the day you get married to feel like it’s completely yours and like it perfectly reflects the two of you, an elopement allows you complete freedom over how you tie the knot.

7. You Want to Save Money

Let me be clear – eloping doesn’t mean you’re “cheap,” and it doesn’t mean that you won’t spend money to get married! But, it’s a fact that elopements cost way less than a typical wedding. Though elopements are less expensive, this is because you’re spending money on things that the two of you actually care about! You’ll save money on the venue and on feeding a hundred guests, allowing you to spend more on adventures and experiences. A lot of couples ask “should we elope” when they realize that big weddings come with a huge price tag, and eloping allows you to cut the fluff and spend money on things that actually matter to them.

8. You Value Experiences Over Things

Let’s face it, a lot of the things that people buy for their wedding won’t ever be used again. This ties into saving money as well as sustainability – because eloping is more about what you do and the experiences you have, rather than about buying a bunch of things you won’t ever see after the day is over! Deciding to elope means you’ll have an adventure, and one that you’ll remember forever.

9. You Want Your Day to Be Flexible

So you’ll definitely have a plan for your elopement day, but eloping provides a lot more flexibility than a typical wedding! If you’re more relaxed and go with the flow, you might not like the idea of spending the entire day following a strict timeline and running from place to place making sure you say hi to every single guest and that you have time for photos. Eloping lets you be in the moment, allows you plenty of time to just relax and just be together (you won’t believe how many couples say they barely even saw each other during their wedding!), and is much more flexible! 

10. You Want Amazing Elopement Photos

Getting married on a cliff, or by the beach, or in front of a waterfall, means you’ll have some pretty jaw-dropping photos! So if you want incredible photos from your day that are just as unique as your adventure was, this might be another great reason to elope.

And if any of these reasons resonated with you, take this as your sign that the answer to “should we elope” is a yes! As an elopement planner, my job is to create the perfect experience for you – and to make it easy. So contact me if you’ve decided to elope and you want to get started!