7 signs to know eloping is right for you — Jenn & Pawel Photography

• Elopements are unique and personal

Eloping can be tailor made the way you want it. There are no limits to what you can do on your elopement day, you really can make it truly yours. It’s a great way to have a unique experience over a large wedding and you can use the money you save towards something more important.

A lot of couples want an elopement that reflects who they are as a couple. They want to remember all the small moments and share in each other’s love. It allows them to truly focus on the true meaning of the day.

When it comes down to it there are no rules for eloping or your wedding day. Most important thing you can do is be true to who you are as a couple.

• Elopements are less expensive

Sites like The Knot and Nerd Wallet say the average price of a wedding in 2021 was $28,000. It doesn’t matter why you’ve decided to elope you will still be saving money by eliminating things that don’t add to your experience. This let’s you decide what is important to the two of you and prioritize where you put your money.

• You can explore a new place, go on an adventure and honeymoon

If you’re considering an elopement odds are you are thinking of epic outdoor locations filled with awesome views. Maybe it’s a place you’ve never been, maybe one of you have been and you can’t wait to share it with your partner. No matter where your destination is why not kick off your married life with a honeymoon? When you combine everything together once the vows have been said you are ready to get your honeymoon on.

About 80% of our couples travel for their elopement. We don’t blame them one bit. Why not eloping in a new place and explore somewhere exciting to celebrate your wedding day.

• You want something different

There are a ton of ways to do something different on your elopement. Hiking, climbing, spa time, yoga, brunch.. These are just a few options couples like to do on their day. This is when you can really focus on making it perfect for the two of you. Make new traditions, tweak old ones, do what you want. No elopement is the same and each one should reflect that.

• A big wedding doesn’t feel like you

Big weddings are not for everyone, and we believe this is one of the reasons elopements have become so popular. We’ve been photographing elopements before the pandemic and one of the biggest reasons our couples listed wanting an elopement is they didn’t want the big wedding. They didn’t want to be the center of attention, they didn’t like all the traditions that go with a big wedding. What they did want was something more casual and relaxed and reflected them as a couple.

Big or small, lots of guests or none at all, the entire point is to do what matters to you.

• Avoid wedding day blur

This is no joke. I barley remember specifics from Pawel and my wedding day. In fact, Sony recently surveyed 2,000 couples and they found that one in four people admitted to not remembering their wedding vows and 54% said they have wedding day memory loss.

It shouldn’t be that way. Being stressed and yanked from one event to the next is no way to start a life together. Your day should be filled with intention. Focus on celebrating your love and relationship. Eloping let’s you do just that. You can be fully present on your day and take all the time you like. Soak in every little moment.

• There are no rules

Elopements are freeing, you can forget about what everyone else wants for you and focus on what you want. It’s about YOU, doing something that’s right for YOU, being present and experiencing the moments and your new life together. So go ahead, break the rules, do what you want, it’s your day.