6 Things to do Instead of a Big Wedding
With weddings becoming more and more about personal preference, many soon-to-be newlyweds are deciding to elope over planning a big, elaborate ceremony. Although this isn’t seen as the traditional way to host a marriage, that doesn’t mean you can’t do something special to celebrate your union. Skipping the big wedding means you have endless options for your elopement or small wedding and subsequent celebration. Here are some fun ideas suggested by our friends at Earnest.com for celebrating your new marriage that don’t involve a big wedding!
1. Climb a Mountain
Many couples who feel a strong connection to the outdoors choose to have an elopement ceremony right in the center of mother nature. The top of a mountain, the base of a waterfall or even just a clearing in the woods would all make a beautiful location for an intimate elopement ceremony. Bring along a photographer to capture some breathtaking photos. Showing your loved ones how beautiful and intimate your ceremony was should help them understand your decision to elope. There are lots of opportunities out there for those interested in mountain elopements.
2. Take a Cruise
Just because you’re not hosting a wedding doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in a little luxury. Instead of using a wedding loan on a big ceremony, why not use it to finance an extended nautical honeymoon? Cruise ship weddings are usually easy to arrange by contacting the coordinator on board. This can take a lot of the planning out of your hands. Plus your family and friends might join you for the cruise. If you’d like to get married at one of the most popular cruise destinations, check out this guide on eloping in the Caribbean. A simple ceremony followed by days of relaxation sure sounds like a great way to celebrate a new marriage!
3. Do The Vegas Thing!
Whenever anyone talks about eloping, Las Vegas is one of the first places that always springs to mind! Not without good reason! There are an average of 115,000 weddings in Las Vegas every single year. Part of the reason for this is how easy it is to obtain a marriage license. There are no waiting periods, no residency requirements, no blood tests required and the license bureau is open until Midnight. However, another big part of it is the variety of options available. Las Vegas may conjure up images of the stereotypical 24-hour wedding chapel on the strip, but if that’s not your style there are plenty of options. Take a look at the Elope Nevada guide for inspiration!
4. Choose a Honeymoon Instead of a Big Wedding
When you forgo the traditional big wedding, the cost of your big day reduces dramatically. That not only means that you can avoid starting out your life together in debt, but it also means you can afford to have a honeymoon! One of the fantastic things about eloping is that you can combine your dream vacation destination with an intimate and romantic wedding ceremony! Look for all-inclusive elopement packages to make planning your elopement and honeymoon a breeze!
5. Stay the Night in a Romantic Inn
Extend your marriage celebration by spending your first night as newlyweds in a romantic inn. Even if you are getting married in your home town, staying in a local inn or bed and breakfast makes it feel like you’re on a romantic getaway. If you do want to go a little further afield, look for elopement packages that include a few nights lodging. This is also a great way to start an anniversary tradition and come back every year!
6. Instead of a Big Wedding, Have a Photo Shoot
Even if you’re not having a traditional ceremony and reception, you can still hire a photographer to capture photos of the two of you as a newlywed couple. In fact, without the time crunch of a reception to attend, you can get even more creative with your photography. Head to a unique location or throw in some outfit changes! Having photos of this moment will be all the more special as a way to show your friends and family how intimate and beautiful your elopement wedding was.