Elopements: Pros & Cons
So, you’re thinking of eloping?
Let me let you in on a small fun fact about me…I’ve been married twice to the same guy. It’s not as juicy as it sounds - my husband and I were engaged in 2019, and our initial wedding was planned for the fall of 2020. After months of planning (and, of course, after the invitations had gone out) the pandemic hit; and we, like so many other couples around the world, made the difficult decision to postpone our wedding.
However, with so much negativity and uncertainty in the world at that point in time, my husband and I wanted to end 2020 on a positive note and decided to elope. With the full support of our families, we held a small ceremony at our home in New Brunswick, followed by a swoon-worthy bridal photoshoot on Grand Manan Island for our honeymoon.
We later hosted a wedding celebration in 2022 at what was our original venue in Ontario, including a mock ceremony which was officiated by one of our best friends from university. So, we had the unique experience of having both eloped, AND hosted a traditional wedding.
Both elopements and traditional weddings (whether big or small) have their pros and cons. Each of these choices carry their own set of benefits and challenges, and the decision ultimately comes down to personal preference and priorities of the couple. In today’s Weddings Unveiled, we’ll delve into the upside and downsides of elopements.
Elopements: The Intimate Affair:
Upsides:
Cost-Effective: One of the significant advantages of eloping is the reduced cost. Without the need for a large venue, extensive guest list, and all the frills of a traditional wedding, couples can save a considerable amount of money. Perfect for the thrifty couple!
Less Stress: Planning a traditional wedding can be a major source of stress. Elopements are typically much simpler to organize, allowing couples to focus on the moment (and each other) rather than the minutiae.
Intimacy: Elopements offer an incredibly personal experience. The ceremony is often just the couple, the officiant, and their chosen witnesses, which can create a deeply meaningful and memorable moment.
Flexibility: Couples who elope have the freedom to choose unique locations and spontaneous adventures. Whether it’s a mountaintop, a beach, or a city hall, eloping allows for creative and romantic settings.
Romantic: While I’m biased, an elopement can offer a uniquely personal and romantic experience for the couple, as it is all the easier to format your day around what matters to you.
Downsides:
Limited Celebration: Without the presence of family and friends, elopements can sometimes feel a bit lonely, and this absence of loved ones may leave some couples feeling like they’re missing out on sharing their special day.
Less Formality: Elopements can lack some of the traditional elements that some couples and families hold dear; such as walking down the aisle, and a formal reception.
Feeling Like You’re Letting Others Down: While your wedding is YOUR day, it is normal for some couples to feel as though they are letting down their friends and family by not hosting them in-person for one of the happiest moments of their lives.
Photographer: Geneviève Flynn
Ultimately, the decision to move forward with an elopement depends solely on what matters to you as a couple. An elopement can offer an intimate and personal affair for you as a couple, not to mention there are some very hard-to-ignore savings! However, with an elopement also comes the sacrifice of not celebrating in-person with your friends and family.
Me personally… I’ll always hold a special place in my heart for an elopement.
Happy planning!
-Meg
