Eloping used to be synonymous with running off in the middle of the night (sometimes away from your husband with your lover), casting off the shackles of cultural and familial expectations to marry your beloved against all the odds. Couples eloped for many reasons such as being too young to marry, having a bun in the oven, being in a Romeo and Juliet situation, or simply being from different social classes.

 

But during the Great Depression, couples started eloping because they didn’t have enough money to throw lavish affairs. Today, eloping is a variation on that theme.

Getting married is pricey—the average wedding costs $33,931. Elopements aren’t necessarily any less so, although they can be, and some couples would rather use that money to run off to the destination of their dreams or keep it low key and save that cash for their future together.

 

Also, weddings can be stressful. Eloping takes the stress away and lets you focus on just the two of you! Do you want to spend your wedding date getting ready? Or do you want to jump off a cliff into the Pacific or go on a 4-hour hike to say your vows while you have a private mountain view?

 

You’re best friends and only need each other to make memories that will last a lifetime, so here are five reasons why you should consider eloping.

 

Have Your Wedding Your Way

 

Eloping frees you to create your wedding just the way you want it. Where do you want to go? What kind of day do you want to have? When it’s just the two of you, you won’t have to field Aunt Martha’s sarcastic comments about your red wedding dress or plan food for your cousin Sally who has Celiac.

 

Say No to Stress and Yes to a Beautiful Day

 

Weddings are considered one of the most stressful life events and create a unique brand of crazy. Since they’re rites of passage, everyone has an opinion about what you should be doing and wearing, and whom you should invite. They’ll also pull people out of your past, some that you would rather forget, and you’ll get bogged down in the innumerable details. Eloping erases all of this and allows you to focus on your beloved.  

 

Create a Super Romantic Intimate Affair

 

Take a moment to pause, lovely. Close your eyes and think about the most important people in your life. Now think of the perfect setting for your wedding, and see them surrounding you, coming together to celebrate your love.

 

Today’s elopements aren’t about running away, they’re about running toward the things and people that really matter. If there are a handful of people you want close to you, bring them along! The best thing about eloping is that you can make it all about you and your man as you let everything else fade into the background.

 

Take the Awkward out of Your Guest List

 

You can use the energy you would have spent creating the perfect seating arrangement and agonizing over all those tenuous familial relationships to plan an epic camping trip to the Olympic Rainforest. Why not get married under a waterfall instead of feeling pulled underwater by your complicated family? Plus, you won’t have to worry about letting any of your friends down, because let’s face it—not everyone is a bridesmaid and there’s only one Maid of Honor.

 

Get Epic Photos to Remember Your Day

 

We’ve arrived! This is my favorite reason to elope because you won’t be cramming a photo session into an already packed day. Not only will you feel more relaxed, but you’ll also get better photos, and your photographer can be involved in other intimate moments throughout the trip if you want. (Would I like to take candid pictures of your man carrying you into the forest on his back? Yes, please!).

 

With the right planning, you can set the scene in a way that will make everyone feel like they were right there when you said your vows.

 

So there you have them, the top five reasons why I love elopements! Are you planning to elope? Comment below; I’d love to hear about your plans! Or send me an email—info@janellerosephoto.com.