Elopement vs Wedding: 3 Key Differences

Once the initial excitement of getting engaged begins to fade, it is common for anxiety to set in! Planning a wedding can be a big task and many couples are not even sure where to start. Where will you get married? Who will you invite? Will your wedding be traditional? Is there going to be a theme? How much is it going to cost? All of these questions and more will be circling around in your mind. However, when you choose elopement vs wedding you can put a lot of those stress-inducing questions to bed early on and start enjoying preparing for your wedding instead.

What is an Elopement vs Wedding?

Historically, eloping meant running off to get married without telling anyone. Often it was because the bride’s parents did not approve of the groom or the young couple were expecting a child out of wedlock. However, times have moved on and a modern elopement simply means a small, intimate wedding day usually involving only the couples or a handful of their closest friends.

Let’s take a look at 3 of the key differences when comparing elopement vs wedding!

1 – How Long Will You Spend Planning an Elopement vs Wedding?

One of the big differences when comparing elopement vs wedding is the amount of planning that is required. Traditional weddings usually involve multiple different vendors and many couples start planning 18 months or more before their wedding date. In comparison, elopements tend to be more spontaneous, sometimes being arranged just a few days or weeks ahead of time! Of course, if you are a planner and don’t like the idea of a last-minute wedding, you can still book an elopement as far in advance as you wish. However, you will find that it takes far less time to plan and make all of the arrangements.

2 – How Many Guests Are Invited?

Another distinguishing feature when we compare elopement vs wedding is the number of names on the guest list! This is a big deciding factor for some couples who cannot think of a worse punishment than being the center of attention in a crowd of 200 guests! Elopements are smaller and more intimate celebrations. Traditionally speaking, an elopement involves just two people – the couple who are getting married! However, modern elopements commonly include a small number of guests – usually immediate family and closest friends. There is no hard and fast rule, but in general terms, you can have up to 20 guests at an elopement before it starts tipping more towards a small wedding.

3 – A Difference in Cost

One of the biggest differences between an elopement and a traditional wedding is how much it all costs! Cost is actually the most common reason that couples choose an elopement. Traditional weddings do not come cheap! Our readers are often amazed when we tell them that eloping can allow you to save 90% on the cost of a traditional wedding – and you will still get to have a honeymoon!

Are you still weighing up eloping vs wedding? What is swaying you in one direction or the other?