What Do Eloping Couples Want?

By Dave Westfall
As an elopement vendor, your priority is to sell elopement packages to engaged couples. A large part of this is, of course your sales technique, but if you are not offering what eloping couples actually want then you are going to find it so much more difficult to convert those leads! Let’s take a look at what eloping couples are actually looking for in an elopement package.

Setting Your Price Point

One of the most important factors for eloping couples when choosing an elopement package is always going to be the price. Not only do they need to find a package that fits with their budget, but they also want one which represents the best value for money. One of the main reasons why couples choose to elope in the first place is to save money, as illustrated by our ‘Why do Couples Elope?’ poll which revealed that almost 73% of couples are choosing to elope in order to save money on the cost of their wedding.

So, with that in mind, what sort of price range should you be going for with your elopement packages? Here at WhereToElope.com, we have always advocated a tiered system of packages on a ‘good, better, best’ system which allows you to accommodate various different budgets. Statistics have show us that 72% of eloping couples who use WhereToElope.com to search for elopement packages are looking for a package that costs under $1000, so this should be the basis for your ‘good’ level elopement package.

 

As you can see from this breakdown, of that 72% seeking elopements under $1000, 58% are interested in packages under $500, which is why you might want to consider adding a basic elopement package or even a ceremony only option.

A Further 17% of eloping couples are looking for an elopement package in the $1,001 to $2,500 price range which would be your ‘better’ level package. The remaining 11% fall into the $2,500 and over price bracket which would be your ‘best’ package for those couples looking to go all out with their elopement.

What Should Your Elopement Packages Include?

Aside from just the cost of your elopement packages, you are also going to have to consider what you are going to include with them since eloping couples are also looking for value for money when selecting their elopement package. An overwhelming amount of eloping couples are interested in all inclusive elopement packages. After all – elopement is about convenience and 58% of eloping couples want to be able to turn up with their marriage license and have the vendor take care of everything else. An all inclusive package should include the ceremony, an officiant, flowers, photography and some form of toast and cake. Many vendors also include accommodation and a dinner certificate for the happy couple.

The next most popular search at 18% is for a basic elopement package. This ties in with what we were saying about those eloping couples looking for elopement packages that are less than $500. For this level of package you will want to include a simple ceremony with an officiant and perhaps a toast with cider or sparkling wine and a small cake afterwards. Around 10% of couples are searching for ceremony only packages from their vendor which is probably the easiest option for you to arrange. The remainder of couples are looking for some form of enhanced package that is not quite all inclusive, or something that is similar to a small wedding or destination wedding. You can see the full breakdown of figures below.

These are some of the things that eloping couples are looking for in an elopement package and you should use this information to develop elopement packages of your own. If you need any assistance in doing so, them please do get in touch with us for advice and guidance.