Elopements Popular Alternative Amid Pandemic
COVID-19 has dealt a severe blow to the wedding industry. According to Lending Tree, 63% of weddings across the country have been postponed or canceled due to long periods of shutdown in many states. Even as venues began to reopen, many were unable to offer the same weddings they had in the past thanks to new restrictions on social distancing and guest numbers. This has resulted in many couples deciding to wave goodbye to their traditional big wedding plans and choose elopements instead.
Why Elopements Are Popular Right Now
The impact of COVID-19 has been far-reaching, especially in the hospitality industry. Large scale weddings may be a thing of the past, at least for the foreseeable future. Couples canceling their weddings during the pandemic are left wondering how long before they can tie the knot. However, many couples are deciding that love is what matters more and are opting for elopements rather than having to wait any longer. This has spawned the #ElopeNowPartyLater hashtag..
Small weddings and elopements actually make a lot more sense in the current climate. Not only are gatherings being restricted to smaller guest numbers, but many people have also seen a drop in income. For those individuals, financially elopements are a better option than an expensive traditional wedding.
An Easy Escape From Tradition
I always like to look for the positive in every situation. In terms of how COVID-19 has affected weddings, one positive is that it has made choosing elopements an easier decision. One of the most common things couples tell me when they are uncertain if an elopement is right for them is that they don’t want to disappoint the family. Now, with eloping being one of the few viable options, couples are being given a ready-made reason to go down that route without the guilt!