Elopements have been making headlines recently. Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker decided on an elopement wedding. They chose to say “I do” in a court house in downtown Santa Barbara, making elopement weddings the thing everyone is talking about. Prompting a lot of questions, one being what is an elopement? Well I still think of that time on Friends when Ross and Rachel got drunk in Las Vegas but times have changed and so have weddings.
Elopement wedding in history
An elopement wedding can be misperceived. They used to have a reputation for being something you did if you wanted to marry without your families permission and run way into the sunset never to return. Something a bit naughty.
What used to mean spur of the moment decision to marry, often in secret, without family and friends, has now become something far more considered. Over time, the definition of an elopement wedding has evolved. Today an elopement wedding is tying the knot somewhere away from home, in a romantic setting, often in a dramatic and picturesque location (think hiking to a mountain top). Either on your own or with a couple of selected family members.
What is an Elopement wedding now?
Elopement weddings have become an intimate and sincere way of choosing to get married. Allowing you to focus more on your marriage and commitment to each other, and less on the admin that comes with planning a wedding.
There will still be some planning required and there are still legal parts that you need to consider, but compared to a larger more traditional celebration, there is a lot less work. No save the date cards, invitations, bridesmaid dresses, groomsman suits. No table plans, cake, dietary requirements or photobooths. The list goes on. This gives you the opportunity to celebrate your love in a way that feels authentic to you. It is a chance to find out what is important to you with complete freedom. Without the fuss. The only essential part of an elopement is you.
Reasons for an Elopement wedding
Cost is a big factor on why couples are choosing to elope. According to https://www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-planning The average wedding cost in the UK in 2021 was £17,300, a big chunk of which was spent on venue hire and wedding catering. That’s a big old chunk of cash to spend. An elopement will be a lot cheaper. Even if you book flights for an elopement abroad and take your favourite photographer (oh, Hi there, I’m Sarah I am a wedding Photographer who loves to travel) it is still going to be a fraction of the cost of a more traditional wedding with Venue hire, catering and so on.
Adventure wedding
The sense of adventure is what motivates some couples to elope. For some couples, hiking up a mountain, walking through a forest or feeling sand between your toes is more tempting than walking down an aisle. If you love to travel and enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, then an elopement may be perfect. Just saying “Adventure Wedding” speaks to my soul! You don’t have to bungee jump off a bridge or swim with sharks, but packing up and going on an adventure before you start your married life sounds pretty good.
Under Pressure
Wedding planning can be a stressful job that some people thrive on and others really struggle with. Even a simple task of a seating plan can become a nightmare once family politics are involved. Everyone has an opinion on your wedding day, and it can become, overwhelming. This is why some couples opt for a wedding planner. It’s also a time consuming job, and a professional will take a lot of that pressure off. Deciding on an elopement to an Ice cave in Iceland, the tall trees at Big Surr, a flower filled gondola in Venice or a mountain in New Zealand can take a lot of pressure of your shoulders.
Time
Couples who live busy lifestyles can use their elopement wedding as a well deserved break from their hectic jobs and social lives. Combining a celebration of love and commitment with a break away from home is a perfect answer. After the ceremony you could relax straight into your honeymoon.
Is an elopement the right choice?
Is an elopement the right choice for you? Only you can answer that. It is worth stripping back everything you know about weddings and asking yourself what is important? What is it about getting married that you value above all else? There are pros and cons to most big decisions in life, but only you will have the answer to this one.
If you think that planning an elopement sounds like something you want to explore, there are a few things you may want to consider before you book anything.
Location is really important.
Think of somewhere special that means something to you. Or, if you haven’t got a place that is special, where do you want to tick off your bucket list? Do you want the perfect backdrop for photos? Think mountain top, waterfalls, desert or forest you will soon have list of places. You could have an elopement in Italy, elopement in Iceland or an elopement in Las Vegas, the world is your oyster. You can find some elopement in Venice inspiration here on my last blog https://www.sarahcarterphotography.co.uk/destination-wedding-in-venice/
A few last points
Time and weather. If you plan to elope in the UK, remember how unpredictable our weather is. Factor this into your plans. Do you need your big coat for the Scottish highlands in January? Do you need your wellies for the Lake District in April? As stunning as our Blighty is, she is a cruel mistress when it comes the weather. The same can be said for other places all over the world. Before you book anything, you will need to check the time of year you want to visit. The last thing you need, is to get to your destination, to find out it is monsoon season.
Outfits. Like I said at the beginning weddings are changing. You can pretty much wear what ever you want. You do not have to be bound by tradition. Maybe that isn’t you. You will need to feel comfy all day and if you are planning a bit of hiking you will need a back pack and probably a big coat. Even in August.
Do you invite guests? You don’t have to go it alone. Just be mindful, if you are inviting your grandparents along for a hike up a mountain will they thank you for it? Remember, an elopement is a great excuse not to invite lots of people. There are no rules, no one says you can’t have a few people with you. You will need to be mindful of what you are asking of other people.
Pick your dream team.
Depending on how stripped back you want to go, you may or may not want people with you. However, a celebrant and a photographer will be a great start. Often you will find that together you can all plan the elopement much easier as they have experience in all sorts of weddings. It is a great chance to really get to know your photographer and they will absolutely love you for it. Working so closely with couples is an absolute dream and offers a unique opportunity for photographers to really get to know you.
If you would like to talk to me about an elopement just follow this link and come say hello. We can capture some authentic moments, raw emotions and happy tears. All whilst being, somewhere only we know. https://www.sarahcarterphotography.co.uk/contact-me/