To Elope or Not To Elope, now THAT is the question! Are you considering eloping but you don’t know if an elopement is right for you, you have come to the right spot — we get this question all of the time, and we have created a comprehensive list of the pros and cons for you to decide whether or not an Elopement is right for you. With eloping being a new trend, we want to clear up some things for you!

The Pros of Eloping:

1. You get to have the wedding experience you want. With an intimate wedding you can choose to splurge on the things that matter to you and not worry about compromising to accommodate all of your guests. Whether that is the dream destination or pulling out all the stops for a once in a lifetime dinner, you can do more with less guests. 

2. It costs less. Less guests and a simplified experience means you will spend significantly less on your wedding day, even with some of the splurges and can use that money for a honeymoon, down payment on a house or simply save it. 

3. You get to spend more time with your guests. An elopement is so intimate that you really get to enjoy time with your loved ones and your new spouse. The day won’t fly by as you rush to say Hi to everyone, so there is time to have meaningful moments and conversations. 

4. Epic backdrops. One of the benefits of an elopement is that you can have your ceremony or photos on the edge of a cliff, on a fantasy tropical island or a stately courthouse - whatever your style is you are not limited by your guest count and resources.

5.. No planning headaches. You don’t have to worry about a year of budgeting, vendor contracts, seating assignments and the multitude of opinions and unsolicited advice from your friends and family on your big day.

The Cons of Eloping:

1. Your guest count is limited. An elopement is defined as an intimate wedding and can be anywhere from just the couple up to 25 guests. This means that a lot of your friends and extended family won’t make the cut. 

2. No dance party. Usually an elopement is a ceremony followed by a dinner reception and doesn’t include the traditional elements like a first dance, cake cutting and those memorable dance floor shenanigans. 

3. Foregoing the Pinterest wedding. Elopements are by nature simpler weddings and don’t have all the opportunities to add all of those many ideas and details that you have had pinned on your wedding board for years. 

4. No wedding registry. Since elopements are small affairs there is not the opportunity to notify your guests of where you are registered and not generally good etiquette to requests gifts without an invitation to the celebration.

5. Giving up the bridal party. Elopements don’t usually have a bridal party because there are so few guests anyway that it becomes silly to make the distinction. So, you won’t get to honor your squad with the official titles of bridesmaids or groomsmen.

Now that you’ve heard from the experts, what do you think? Is an Intimate Elopement more your style or are you a fan of the Pull-Out-All-The-Stops Weddings? Let us know in the comments below!

Still Have Questions about Eloping?

Don’t worry, we’re here to help! If you still are wondering about whether or not an Elopement is right for you, check out our video at the site below.