Will I regret Eloping? Here’s What Past Elopement Couples Had to Say

sam@samstarns.com @samstarns

TLDR: Couples Don’t Regret Eloping. BUT, Some Would Do Things Differently.

You’re probably here because you typed something like “Will I regret eloping?” or “Do people ever regret eloping?” Here’s the truth: I’ve never met anyone who regretted an intentional elopement or intimate wedding. That said, there are plenty of people who’ve eloped have told me small things they’d tweak to make their day even better. Here’s what real couples who don’t regret eloping said they’d do differently, plus a few expert insights from behind the camera.

“We wish we would have booked more time with you!”

While it’s not super common with my couples, simply for the fact that they already book full days of adventure (or more), some folks wish they would have had a bit more breathing room. Whether that’s a bit more time to allow for magic to unfold (I take every opportunity to buffer our timeline to allow for spontaneity but sometimes we want even more) or spending a bit more time in wedding attire.

“We wish we could have spent more time in our wedding attire.”

I had one couple cut their coverage early (we’re talking cutting coverage in half) due to the cold and in hindsight, the bride said she’d wished she braved the cold a bit longer (or took a break and came back).

Couples often wish they had more breathing room. Building in extra time for slower pacing, more locations, or simply soaking it all in makes the day feel richer. Elopements are meant to be intentional, not hurried.

“A part of me will always regret not getting a flowy dress lol.”

I’ll be the first person to love a form-fitting, mermaid or trumpet-style wedding dress. But on an elopement day? It can be a bit of a hindrance. Flowy, movement-friendly attire photographs beautifully and keeps you comfortable for adventure. Restrictive or overly structured pieces can limit what you’re able to do (and how much fun you have doing it). An elopement regret I will continue to hear is that dress-wearers felt constricted and like they couldn’t move and be free in the landscape, like they were a part of the environment.

If you love movement in your images but are 100% certain about a more form-fitting dress, try adding a bit of movement with a cathedral-length veil, fringe on sleeves, or a detachable skirt like Olivia did in the image above!

BONUS — Movement in your attire helps incorporate another aspect of the backdrop chosen by you: the wind. It adds the environment’s personality and helps tell the story of where you chose as your elopement destination.

“If I’d known how unpredictable the weather would be, I would have just booked a pro! At least when my hair was whipping about it would still look somewhat on purpose LOL”

It’s true. Professional hair and makeup, even in incelement weather, still looks professional. When folks DIY things (especially their hair), things like wind and rain exacerbate a “I literally did nothing to my hair today” look. This is most true when someone DIYs their hair in a down-do style.

WHAT THAT MEANS: You often get fewer images than you would have otherwise. Sometimes the wind is just knocking your hair around so much that it gets in your face (and not in a cute way). I can only do so much in post-processing your images, so those photos that would have been stunning otherwise get culled.

If there’s one professional aside from a photographer that I recommend, it’s an HMUA (or a hairstylist specifically, though many HMUAs have a minimum for elopements so they end up doing both services). Even if you’re not a big makeup person, an HMUA can use things like tinted moisturizer to help even your skin tone while still staying as makeup-free as possible.

Whether it’s alpine chill or ocean spray, outerwear can make or break the vibe.
If you skip bringing something that fits the aesthetic of your wedding duds, you’ll either be cold and taking more breaks, or stuck wearing a jacket that clashes with your outfit (and maybe opting out of photos altogether).

The result? Shorter coverage, fewer photos, and less presence in the moment. The bride below looked adorable in her oversized jacket, but she wasn’t a fan of looking like a mismatched “Michelin Man” (her words) in too many photos.

“I wish it had just been us.”

What happens when you invite guests to your intimate adventure wedding? You become the de-facto planner and question-answerer. Family has concerns about flights and where/when they should arrive? Where should they stay? Are they going to be present for your getting ready coverage? All of those things will either be directed at you or affect the elopement day.

“You were right, even the 5 guests we have is stressing me out.” – Literally a bride to me on her wedding day

Guests tend to make a day run late, whether intentionally or not. They can flat-out cost you more (helicoptering to a glacier for your ceremony is going to take multiple trips or helicopters). They’re going to have questions, they’re going to want to be involved. And for the few folks who feel obligated to invite that one person who is part of the family but always has a sour attitude? Hate to break it to you: they’re not going to be grateful that you invited them on such a beautiful and scenic adventure.

The number of guests sets the tone. More people often means more schedules, distractions, and expectations. Nearly all intimate weddings I’ve captured with 10-15 people have had less time for spontaneous moments, less time to be artistic, less time to be present. People don’t regret eloping, they often regret inviting the few people they did in the first place.

If intimacy is what you’re craving, protect it. Loved ones can still be involved while not being present on the day. They can write letters, send videos for you to watch, help pick out your dress, and more.

Even the people who would tweak small things never regret eloping itself. Here’s the takeway: when you focus on making your elopement intentional, not perfect, it becomes unforgettable in the best way.

If you’re planning your elopement and want to make sure you don’t look back thinking “I wish I had…,” that’s exactly why I’m here and do what I do. From choosing weather-smart outfits to planning timelines that actually let you breathe, our goal is to help you craft a day that’s full of presence, intention, and sets the bar for your relationship moving forward.

Want more tips or help planning your day?
Get in touch or grab my free elopement checklist to start feeling extra-prepared and extra-elated.