You’ve been dating your lover for quite some time now. You’ve definitely discussed marriage and both of you have no doubt that it’s going to be in your future. But, you never really discuss the when. Or the how. Or all of the other daunting details that come with planning a wedding. In fact, you’re either the one who’s ready to go all in but are too scared to say anything. Or you’re the one who knows that it’ll happen eventually so why push yourselves to do it? Marriage isn’t too different than dating…right? (Well, if you want to read about my opinion on that…go to my blog on why dating can’t compare to marriage).
Now you’re likely sitting here telling yourself, “well, that definitely sounds like us.”
If so…this post is for you!!
Something I have found with couples who haven’t decided to put a ring on it yet is that planning a huge wedding seems daunting. It can be stressful and in the end be less intimate than you hope for.
So, the solution for you?
An elopement.
“Wait, what? Why?”
I’ll give you two sets of 6 signs it’s time for you to elope right here!
The First 6 Signs: Why an Elopement is For You
1. You don’t know if you should seal the deal or not
2. You dread planning a wedding with 250+ people to please your mother-in-law and that could potentially cost $20K
3. You’ve secretly dreamed of a more intimate wedding
4. You want to get married in an adventurous, secluded location
5. You have wedding boards on Pinterest full of gorgeous images in adventurous, secluded locations
6. You aren’t too excited about communicating with a zillion vendors to plan a big wedding that you don’t really want
The Second 6 Signs: You’re Happier Eloping Because of Just One or All of These Things
1. You have a beautiful location that you’ve always dreamed of getting married at but seems impossible to do with a traditional wedding
2. You’re ideal night is spending quality time with your significant other (versus a group date or hang out)
3. You and your beau just want to have freedom on your wedding day
4. You both believe in putting your significant other first and believe that some special experiences like getting married are best kept between each other
5. You both believe in quality over quantity – in terms of the location and the people present.
6. This isn’t true of all elopements but could be a reason for you…you are lovers of the outdoors and want to capture your love in a gorgeous destination
Don’t Elope If…
An elopement is NOT for you if you have always dreamed of a large, traditional wedding including the getting ready with your besties, the ceremony with all of tour friends and family, and a killer reception with everyone you know, including your kindergarten teachers!
If that is you then by all means please do not elope! It will not make you happy.
Is An Elopement for Me?
But, maybe just maybe one or all of the 6 signs you need to elope apply to you. Either way, if you’re reading this it’s because you’re considering it and need to make plans.
An elopement is special, romantic, and intimate because it’s all about YOU TWO.
The wedding day doesn’t become about you’re mother-in-law or your grandmother (bless their hearts, but this truly is your day!). I believe in respecting family traditions. But, I suggest eloping (if you fit the reasons above), and celebrating with your family later at an open house a few weeks or even months after the wedding.
Eloping is not for everyone. I’m hindsight, I wish I would have eloped with our closest relatives and friends in an LDS temple and had a first look and bridals photo session on top of a warm, yet mountainous location where we’d be honeymooning.
If any of these 6 signs you need to elope speak to you and make you feel all giddy inside, then decide now to elope. It will make you happier.
And while you’re thinking about it, I suggest hiring an organized elopement photographer who can provide you with an organized elopement plan. And someone who helps coordinate all the logistics with your vendors. Oh wait, I think I know someone…
I’m an organized elopement wedding photographer who helps guide you through the entire planning process and ensure it’s pretty seamless and enjoyable for you both.
I’d love to ensure you get the first look, bridals, and/or ceremony photos you’ve dreamed of having.
Learn about our elopement photo + film pricing.
