Is Elopement the Right Choice?

Every single couple has thought about eloping at some point during the wedding planning process… For some people like my friend Maddie, it was the night they got engaged and her mom handed her a 300-person guest list. For others it’s simply because they want the moment to be immortalized between the two of them. Or perhaps a small handful of people who they care about most in this world.

Whatever your reason is for thinking about elopement… Let me tell you. DO IT. (Whenever I capitalize DO IT, I can’t help but think of Shia Lebeouf)

Painted Hills Elopement | S Photography | Pacific Northwest Adventure Photographer

Why should you elope? Well, because unlike my friend Maddie that I mentioned before, you won’t have to decide who gets a plus one even though they’re going to break up with them a month after the wedding. You won’t have to cry over the fact that the reception venue costs $65 a plate. You won’t have to choose between live flowers and the dream dress you’ve had in mind.

An elopement lets you have the best of both worlds. You can have an incredibly special and intimate ceremony with you just, an officiant, and a witness.  (Along with me of course, because I would love to capture every moment of your elopement.)

Of course there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a larger wedding, some of the best weddings I have been to were ones with over 100 guests! If this is what you want, seriously go for it! Packed dance floors are always a good sight to see at a wedding.

But again, if that guest list is something you really do not want to deal with… Elopements are a great option.

The average wedding in the US is roughly $30k. If that number terrifies you, one thing that every single bride will tell you is this. The easiest place to cut the costs is by cutting the guest list.

And let me tell you a secret: if you elope, you won’t actually hurt anyone’s feelings. At least not anyone who truly matters. If you decide to elope it truly can save so much stress from wedding planning, and if anyone comes to you after the fact and complains that you didn’t have a wedding… Well you know where they can shove it. JK. But actually, maybe not.

In the end it all comes down to what you and your future spouse want from your wedding day. Either way there is no wrong choice, and the people who love you will always be supportive.

 

Need help choosing a location? Shoot me an email and let’s chat!

S Photography | Pacific Northwest Adventure Photographer | Columbia Gorge Intimate Wedding