10 Reasons Why You Should Elope

Are you torn between having a big traditional wedding and choosing to elope? After hearing from many couples why they decided to elope and talking to couples that have huge regrets about their large traditional wedding, I decided I would put together a list of 10 reasons why you should elope to help couples know why elopements are so amazing.

I have been a part of photographing large weddings and elopements. I also have attended large weddings (my brother and sister had 400+ guests at their weddings). My wife and I personally decided on an intimate wedding that was 90 guests at my parents farm in a beautiful river pasture. We both come from large families so this was quite small for us.

So I have both professional and personal experience that I believe is very insightful to help you choose.

Here’s 10 reasons why you should elope.

1. You want to focus on you two

This is the number one reason why couples choose to elope. You are seeking something more meaningful than a large traditional wedding, an intimate elopement offers the perfect opportunity to focus on what truly matters: your relationship. This special day is about creating a celebration that is authentic to who you are as a couple—whether it’s saying vows at the edge of a cliff after a breathtaking hike, exchanging rings in a quiet ancient forest, or riding horseback through the open plains.

The idea of a big wedding with hundreds of guests doesn’t feel true to your adventurous, nature-loving souls. Instead, you choose to prioritize your connection, your love for adventure, and your deep respect for the natural world, opting for an experience that is as unique as your bond. You get to do what you want and not bend to everyone else’s wishes.

2. You want something intimate and intentional

Couples choose to elope because they want a wedding experience that is intimate and deeply personal. You dread the thought of getting swept up in the chaos of a large traditional wedding. Eloping allows you to focus solely on your connection. You don’t have to worry about the distractions of managing a guest list, coordinating vendors, or dealing with family expectations. The beauty of an elopement is the ability to craft a ceremony that reflects your values, personalities, and unique love story—without the pressure of appeasing others.

Instead of spending the day running between guests, you have the freedom to spend quality time together, exploring new places, savoring moments, and truly soaking in the significance of your vows. This more intentional approach to your wedding day creates memories that are rich with meaning. This allows you to truly connect and enjoy the day without the stress that often comes with a big wedding. Eloping is about making the experience exactly what you want it to be. You can focus on your love and the life you are building together. You can always plan a micro wedding to include your closest friends and family.

3. You both want to explore somewhere new

Eloping offers you the perfect opportunity to experience a new place together. You can create unforgettable memories in a destination that’s meaningful or new to you both. Whether it’s a mountaintop in Glacier National Park, exploring the beauty of New Zealand, or chasing waterfalls in Iceland, eloping lets you immerse yourselves in a setting that reflects your adventurous spirit.

The beauty of choosing to elope is that it can be just the beginning of your journey. You have the option to extend your stay and turn your elopement into a honeymoon. By embracing this unique experience, you not only create lifelong memories of your wedding day but also get to explore and discover a new place side by side.

It’s a way to combine the excitement of starting your life together with the joy of travel and adventure. With fewer logistics to manage, you can truly be present in the moment, soaking in every detail of both your elopement and your post-wedding getaway.

4. Wedding Planning Stresses You Out

Planning a traditional wedding can quickly become overwhelming. You have endless decisions to make, from choosing the perfect venue to picking out the right flowers, all while managing a long to-do list. The financial burden of a big wedding can also add unnecessary stress. The costs for catering, decor, and entertainment often exceed expectations.

On top of that, navigating family dynamics and balancing everyone’s expectations can feel like a full-time job. This leaves little room to focus on what truly matters: the love you’re celebrating. Eloping allows you to skip all of this stress, offering a simpler, more streamlined way to marry on your terms. Without the pressure of meeting everyone’s demands, you can focus on creating a day that feels true to you both. You are free from the overwhelming logistics of a traditional wedding. By eloping, you not only save time and money but also reduce the stress and allow yourselves to fully enjoy the experience without distractions.

This is suppose to be one of the best days of your life. You shouldn’t have to be stressing and pulling your hair out in the process.

5. You want to avoid the drama

Eloping is an ideal choice for couples who want to avoid the drama that often comes with a traditional wedding. Especially when families don’t get along or have differing opinions about how things should be done. In many cases, family members may insist on certain traditions or rituals. While others might create unnecessary tension or even cause scenes on the big day.

Eloping gives you the freedom to make your wedding day entirely about what feels right for you, without the pressure of fulfilling anyone else’s expectations. You have the power to decide what traditions you want to include. Whether you stick with long-standing customs or create new ones that reflect your unique relationship. By choosing to elope, you can keep the focus where it belongs—on the love and commitment you share—without outside distractions or drama. It’s your day, your way, and you deserve to celebrate it on your own terms, free from stress and conflict.

I want to remind you not to become overwhelmed with what your family thinks is right or wrong. The truth is, there is no right or wrong way to celebrate your marriage.

6. You Want To Save Money

If the thought of the financial burdens of planning a large traditional wedding are stressing you out, that should be a huge red flag! You shouldn’t have to put yourself into debt over marrying the love of your life.

I recently wrote a blog about the cost of traditional weddings versus an elopement. To summarize it a traditional wedding in 2024 cost on average $35,000 versus an elopement ranging from $10,000-$15,000. In short you don’t save on the cost of your photographer or videographer because they help plan your entire elopement, decide on locations, get permits, your go to resource, and capture it. However you do save on venue cost, catering, invites, DJ, and the stress that comes with it all.

You also save if you are wanting to honeymoon and plan your elopement to be in the same location. You’re getting the most out of your money this way and also get to have an wedding experience that actually excites you.

If that sounds much more appealing to you, then maybe its time you change your wedding plans and choose to elope instead.

7. You’re Looking For A Different Experience

Choosing to elope allows you to have a wedding that is entirely unique to you. One that revolves around your love and the bond you share, rather than following the traditional wedding script. Instead of worrying about fitting into societal expectations, you can design a day that is a true reflection of who you are as a couple. You can still include traditions from a normal wedding into your elopement.

This can include having a first look at sunrise in the mountains, sharing a first dance following your ceremony, or even having a small cake cutting for your dessert. Eloping gives you the freedom to focus on what matters most to you and celebrating your love in a meaningful and memorable way.

With no need to cater to hundreds of guests or traditional norms, your wedding day becomes an adventure that is about the two of you and your shared journey. It’s the perfect opportunity to create an experience that’s as extraordinary as your relationship, free from stress and full of joy. By choosing to elope, you’re not just tying the knot; you’re making memories that are uniquely yours.

Remember, every elopement is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to planning it. Ultimately, it’s your day, and you get to make it whatever you want it to be.

8. A big wedding doesn’t feel like you

A big wedding simply doesn’t feel like you. You might not enjoy being the center of attention or feel overwhelmed by the thought of performing for a crowd. Instead, you want your wedding to be a true reflection of your love—intimate, personal, and focused on the connection you share.

Eloping allows you to escape the spotlight and create a day that’s all about you two, free from the distractions of a large guest list and extravagant traditions. It’s a chance to spend quality, uninterrupted time together.

Whether that’s exploring a stunning landscape or savoring quiet moments with just a select group of family and friends. By eloping, you can avoid the stress of a big wedding and instead have a celebration that feels authentic to your relationship and your values. Just do what makes you happy!

9. Big weddings produce a lot of waste

Large weddings often generate a significant amount of waste, from decorations that are used once and discarded, to food that ends up being thrown away, and flowers that quickly lose their luster after the event. Even party favors, which are often forgotten or tossed, contribute to unnecessary waste.

For couples who choose to elope, there’s a strong focus on sustainability and minimizing their environmental impact. Many elopement couples embrace a Leave No Trace philosophy. They aim to leave the locations they visit just as beautiful—or even better—than how they found them.

This mindset allows you to create a meaningful, memorable celebration without contributing to the environmental burden that can come with larger weddings. By eloping, you can celebrate your love while being mindful of the planet, leaving a smaller footprint and a lasting positive impact.

So if you prioritize experiences over materials, grab your partner and plan an unforgettable adventure with just your wedding attire and a bouquet (if you’d like), because that’s truly all you need for an amazing elopement.

10. You want Epic Photos from your wedding day

Couples who choose to elope often do so because they want EPIC, authentic photos that capture the real essence of their love and adventure. You don’t want stiff, posed shots. You crave images that showcase the raw emotion and connection you share while doing what you love. Whether that’s hiking through a stunning landscape, riding horses on a ranch, or simply enjoying quiet moments together in nature.

Elopements allow you to create an experience that’s truly yours. The focus is on being present in the moment and not on following a script or posing for a crowd. This results in memories that feel genuine and personal and your photos will reflect that.

Eloping lets you have an unforgettable and intimate experience, with photos that will forever remind you of the adventure you shared on your wedding day.

So if you’re looking for a more romantic and personal experience with epic backdrops, then this reason is for you. 

Are you ready to start planning your elopement?

If you resonated with the list of 10 reasons why you should elope, then I would love to hear from you. My name is Marcus and I not only photograph elopements all around the world, but I help couples choose their dream locations, location scout, create custom timelines, offer planning assistance, permit assistance, and more. You can checkout what my packages include or send me an inquiry here.

I have traveled all around the world to places like New Zealand, Iceland, Switzerland, Australia, South Africa, Tanzania, Hawaii, Montana, and many other US states. I love to hike to explore the beauty all around us. If you’re open to places I have a ton of knowledge on places that will blow your mind and having you feel so stoked that you decided to elope. Trust me!

If you’re looking for more elopement resources, checkout my blog on the top 10 places to elope in the world, the best places to elope in New Zealand, the best places to elope in Minnesota, and the best places to elope in Iceland.