It’s Okay to Elope: Here’s Why!

By Dave Westfall

It is no secret that we are huge fans of eloping, but we understand that not everyone feels the same way. One of the most common issues that we here about from our eloping couples is that they feel guilty about their desire to just get away from it all and elope instead of going through the whole ‘big white wedding’ that is expected of them. We won’t try and sugar coat it and tell you that nobody is going to be upset if you choose to elope, because we know that someone will be. However, they will get over it and at the end of the day – if you can’t be a little bit selfish on your wedding day, then when can you? Today, we are here to tell you that it is okay to elope and these are some of the reasons why!

Top 7 Reasons Why It’s Okay to Elope

1. Weddings Are Expensive!
   Year after year our ‘Why Are You Eloping?’ survey reveals that the number one reason why couples choose to elope is to save money! We are not surprised. The latest figures suggest that the average cost of a traditional wedding and honeymoon is now approaching $30,000! When you compare that to an all-inclusive elopement package at around $2,500 or less it is easy to see why elopement is more popular than ever before! Many couples do not want to start their new life together off with huge debts on their shoulders. That money could be better put to use buying a home, upgrading the car or starting a college fund for your children!
2. You Can Still Have a Honeymoon
   Eloping is often seen as just rushing off to the courthouse, but that is certainly not the case. You can still do most of the things that you would with a traditional wedding – including having a honeymoon. In fact, with the cost of a traditional wedding soaring some couples find they are unable to afford a honeymoon! When you choose an all-inclusive elopement you get the chance to combine a wedding and a honeymoon by choosing your dream destination for your wedding. We coined the phrase ‘elopacation’ to describe this situation – a vacation where you also get married.
3. You Get to Preserve Your Own Sanity
   Weddings drive people crazy! They really do seem to rile everybody up. How many stories have you heard of a perfectly sweet lady turning into a Bridezilla in the run up to her wedding? It all comes down to the level of stress involved with planning a wedding. Let’s not forget the additional stress that comes from family and friends putting their two cents in! Everyone – and we do mean EVERYONE – has an opinion on the right way to put on a wedding and it can get overwhelming when you try to please them all! For the sake of your own sanity just skip the drama and elope!
4. Ditch The Family Politics
   That last point leads us perfectly into our next reason why it’s okay to elope – family politics. You really don’t know how messed up your own family is until you try to put together a guest list and a seating chart. It is only then that you notice who refuses to be in the same room as someone else and who you cannot under any circumstances seat at the same table together! Then there is the minefield that is deciding who gets an invite and who doesn’t – there is always going to be someone who feels slighted because you chose one cousin over another. Ditch the drama and just elope instead!
5. But, You Don’t Need to Exclude Family
   Ditching the family politics doesn’t necessarily mean having to exclude everyone. Elopement no longer means just the two of you. Many couples take their parents or a few friends along with them. You will find many elopement packages that include up to 12 guests. You can also choose what we would consider a small wedding package for a few more guests.
6. You Can Wear Whatever You Want
   Another great reason to elope is that you get to wear whatever you want! If you are not comfortable in a big wedding gown then ditch the dress and wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable. Similarly, if you don’t want the big wedding, but you have always dreamed of a white princess dress then that is fine too! We have some great tips for choosing elopement dresses.
7. Spend Your Special Day Together
   Our final reason why it’s okay to elope is that it is going to give you the opportunity to enjoy your day together. You have chosen to get married becasue you want to spend your lives together. However, many couples find that when they have a big traditional wedding, they send so much time entertaining guests that they have barely any time to spend together. However, if you choose to elope, the focus of your wedding day is on you. That means you get to share the entire experience together. It is so much more intimate than a large wedding.

Still on the fence about eloping? Take our helpful ‘Should You Elope?‘ quiz!