Thinking about running away to get married?
Elopements are a growing trend in 2017, and it’s easy to see why—without all the hustle and bustle of planning a wedding, you can really focus on what you want. If you dream of getting married on a mountaintop, you can! Want to say I do in city hall? Go for it!
On the flip side, weddings evolved for good reason, and skipping the traditions can mean you miss out on some important rites of passage. Let’s dive in!
PRO: Focus on Your Love
When you elope, it’s just you and your partner. This moment is private, romantic, and memorable—without extra frills. You can truly let go of the superfluous details and focus on your love. You don’t have to spend a lot of time saying hello to friends and relatives in a whirlwind of a day.
CON: No Family Present
Back in the day, people would elope precisely to cut out disapproving parents and relatives. But if you’re on good terms with your family, you may want them present for this special moment. It’s possible to plan a small and/or casual wedding so your closest loved ones can bear witness.
PRO: Exotic Location, Small Budget
It’s cheaper to avoid renting a space and feeding guests—hence the attraction of elopements. You literally just have to show up and sign the papers, if that’s all you want. In the social media age, more couples are opting to hire a photographer and exchange vows in a beautiful location.
CON: Missing a Life Event
Your wedding is a rite of passage: it helps to prepare you, socially and emotionally, for marriage. We make a big deal of it because, like graduating school or having a child, it is supposed to stand out. You might later wish you’d worn a white dress, or gone ring shopping, or done ____ differently.
PRO: Getting What You Want
Tired of your mother-in-law’s unwanted advice? Don’t care what the bridesmaids’ shoes look like? When you elope, you have control over what elements of style—if any—you care to incorporate. You can go to a chapel and have it over in an hour, or say your vows in a hot air balloon. It’s all up to you!
CON: Ignoring Stakeholders
Imagine you’re a parent. A significant moment in your life includes when your daughter or son gets married—you’re probably a wonderful mess of pride, sorrow, and joy. Siblings or close friends may also feel hurt if they’re left out. Bottom line: unless you live under a rock, people care about you and want to participate in your biggest life events.
PRO: No Planning Needed
Don’t want to stress over planning a wedding? You don’t have to! Eloping means you can skip hiring a wedding planner, following a timeline, obsessing over a gown, picking florals, and choosing invitations. All you need is a license and someone legally certified to marry you (check your state’s requirements).
CON: No Social Skills Gained
Ever hear that communication is vital to a marriage? When you plan a wedding, you also gain skills such as: event planning, interpersonal relations, time management, negotiation, cooperation, compromise, emotional intelligence, budgeting, scheduling, organization, problem-solving, and multi-tasking.
PRO: Short Waiting Period
Does waiting for years to get married while you plan an extensive wedding sound exhausting? It’s common for couples to spend at least one year (sometimes two or three) saving and planning so they can throw the wedding of their dreams. Eloping can be done in a few days.
CON: Truncated Engagement
When you cut down your engagement time, you also miss getting to know your partner better. Even if you’re a thousand percent sure, an engagement period is like a test drive. It gives you both time to prepare for marriage—and see new/different aspects of each other in the process.
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Whether you’re eloping or planning a large wedding, we’re here for you! Check out our accessories to make your big day even more special, and follow us on Instagram for styling ideas. Congratulations!
