It seems as if there are only two options to get married – go the courthouse route or host a large wedding. However, eloping and creating your own kind of wedding day is beginning to catch on.

There’s more to it than saving money (click here to see how much it costs to elope) or being able to get married quickly. Nowadays, elopements are more about creating an authentic experience with less stress and pressure than a traditional wedding.

Below are 30 reasons why you should consider an elopement:

1. Your wedding day should be about you

Traditional weddings aren’t always tailored to the couple getting married. When planning a large wedding, you tend to keep in mind how to entertain 100+ guests, when to fit in family photos, or what could happen if you provide alcohol, among many other details.

Adventure elopements are different. They take out the superficial fluff surrounding weddings and make it solely about your commitment to each other.

2. More time together

Believe it or not, most couples do not have a single moment of alone time on their wedding day. If they do a first look, that will be the most private time of their day. Apart from that, the wedding party, family, and guests will always be vying for attention.

Eloping allows you to control your how you spend your time.

3. Create a safe place

I love that elopements give you space to celebrate your commitment in a way that feels authentic. Bring on the tears and all the emotions you might be too shy to show in front of an audience.

4. Elopements are intimate and meaningful

Rather than be overwhelmed with the number of guests you’re supposed to greet at a traditional wedding, eloping allows you to intentionally choose who you’ll be spending your day with and how much of it you’d like to share with your guests. No more meeting strangers on the day of your wedding!

5. Create an authentic experience

Maybe a large wedding with partying into the night isn’t your thing, but what about a first dance on a mountain top or with your toes in the sand?

Do whatever makes you feel most alive and create an elopement experience that is authentic and uniquely yours.

6. You can celebrate where you feel best together

For example, I feel that my husband and I are always at our best together while hiking. We both love a challenge and know when to encourage each other and when to soak in the views. On the trail, it feels like we’re in sync.

For you and your partner, that time might be while you are road-tripping, playing with your dog, or experiencing something new. You can include whatever makes you feel completely in tune with one another.

7. You value experiences over stuff

According to The Knot’s survey, the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. is $33,931. That’s an astronomical amount to spend on monogrammed napkins, china plates, and floral arrangements. Elopements allow you to save money on the material things that don’t matter to you and splurge on what does.

8. Less stress and planning

Let’s face it, you don’t want to spend your free time planning a $30,000 event. If you loved doing that, you’d have gone into event planning already. A smaller event means less to coordinate, less stress vetting and hiring vendors, and less that could go wrong.

9. Less vendor management

If you aren’t hiring a wedding coordinator, guess who is responsible for managing seven (on the light end) or more vendors for a traditional wedding? You. That means you’ll have check ins from each of them every few months and be responsible for telling them exactly where and when to set up on the day of.

Most of the elopements I photograph have between one vendor (myself) and three vendors. There is beauty in simplicity!

10. There is no one to impress but yourselves

Few to no guests means there won’t be anyone expecting you to wow them with the most up-to-date wedding trends, dessert tables, or the city’s biggest party DJ.

You do you. No pressure to cater to the expectations of others.

11. Privacy

Nowadays everything feels like a show, especially when broadcasted online. Some moments are better savored alone and unplugged.

12. Time for spontaneity

Did I mention how rigid traditional wedding timelines are? Wedding days are planned down to the minute. When you have hundreds of people waiting on you, the schedule matters.

Elopements take the stress out of the schedule. I still set up a timeline for each of my couples but it’s there to make sure we’re all on the same page and to help them know what time they’d need to hire other vendors for if they so choose. Otherwise, they get to have their ceremony and take photos whenever it feels right to them.

13. Slower pace

Speaking of schedules, elopements are generally more relaxed and have a slower pace than weddings. You can start your day off with your daily meditation practice, cook a meal together like you love to do or just sleep in (truly a wedding day luxury).

14. Less guest list drama

Narrowing down your guest list to fit within a venue’s capacity, or simply for your own sanity, is DIFFICULT. Trust me, I had to do this for my own wedding to meet my venue’s fire code requirements.

It’s tough, and your parents will insist on inviting relatives you haven’t heard of and their old-time friends. Nix this dilemma entirely by only including immediate family, close friends, or no one at all!

If you need help telling your family that you’re eloping, check out this blog before you do.

15. No stage fright

Eloping means you don’t have to share one of the most intimate moments of your life with a crowd of a hundred onlookers. You’ll both be able to cry freely, show emotions, and there won’t be any freezing up while you walk down the aisle because EVERYONE is staring at you.

16. No setup or cleanup

Unless you hire yet another vendor for this, guess who sets up and cleans up weddings most often? Brides, grooms, and their families. That’s not the way I’d like to start my honeymoon or send off my family after a day full of activities!

Adventure elopements generally require no set up and therefore no cleanup since you’ll be getting married in a place so beautiful no decoration is needed. Show up with your vows in mind and that’s all you’ll need.

17. Location, location, location

With a limited guest list, you have the world to choose from as far as elopement locations go. Choose from your favorite national parks, the top of a local hike, or your dream vacation. Take a look at this list of locations in Washington for more inspiration.

18. Combine your elopement and honeymoon

About half of the couples, I photograph do this! It’s great for cost savings, adventure, and romance! If you have limited time away from work, a busy schedule, or need an epic getaway, this is an unforgettable way to get married.

19. Incredible photos

Since you don’t need a traditional venue, you’ll have the opportunity to take photos in naturally beautiful places. Think rainforests, on top of glaciers, summits, and beach caves for a start!

You’ll have the opportunity to take advantage of golden hour as well. Not only does it create an amazing experience, but your photos will be jaw dropping!

20. Live in the moment

Living in the moment is already difficult in our day to day lives. So much so, that nearly 50% of people report thinking about something other than what they are actually doing (according to The Guardian).

Stress and constant distractions (guests and vendor’s needs) only amplify this. Lower these and you’ll have a much easier time focusing on the present.

21. Create memories

You’ll hear it from family, friends, and vendors alike – your wedding day will fly by and you’ll have a hard time remembering what happened. It’s true, but eloping allows you time to get ready slowly, enjoy a walk to your ceremony location, and gives you more intentional time with those you love most. No rushing involved.

Check out this blog to better remember your day, regardless of your plans.

22. Elopements are more sustainable

On average, a typical wedding in the U.S. produces 400-600 pounds of waste and 60 tons of carbon dioxide. With an estimated 2.5 million weddings per year, that is about 1 billion pounds of trash as many emissions in one day as approximately four people would produce in an entire year (according to the Green Bride Guide). Despite potential travel, eloping is far more sustainable than hosting a wedding.

23. Set the intention for your marriage

It’s rarely talked about, but your wedding day can set help the tone for your marriage. Eloping throws out others’ expectations and helps give you the freedom to determine what you value for your wedding day, but also for the grander picture of life.

If you’re wondering how to start planning intentionally, check out this blog.

24. Be sentimental

Whether it’s a special place or an important date you don’t have to wait for a venue to be available or for your date to land on a weekend.

25. Do something different

I love how trying something new makes everything feel fresh and exciting. That’s what eloping will feel like, especially if you’ve attended more weddings than you can count. It will be unlike anything you’ve ever done and will do again in the future!

26. Keep it secret

There are lots of reasons to get married secretly. It’s no one’s business but yours and your partners so do what works for you both!

27. No need to wait

If you’d rather not wait another single moment to get married, beautiful elopements can be planned much faster than a large wedding.

Ideally, give yourself a month to get details squared away, or six to 12 months to plan in a more relaxed manner. However, they can be planned in a month or less like this Redwood’s elopement which was planned in 16 days.

28. Covid is here to stay

With yet another wave of cases on the horizon, we’re all learning how to live with covid. Part of that usually means pairing down guest lists and hosting smaller events, often outdoors. Doesn’t that sound like a great excuse to elope!?

29. Throw a party later

I think elopements have the potential to take advantage of the best parts of elopements and weddings. Throw a grand sendoff beforehand or reception afterward with none of the stress of making sure everything goes right since you already did the most important part!

Plus, since you’re already doing things untraditionally there is less pressure to have a formal reception. Of course, do that if you like, but if not consider hosting a backyard BBQ or potluck at your local park.

30. Start life together with an adventure

There is no better way to start a life together than with an epic adventure! Your wedding day should be something to look back upon and remember with awe, inspiration, and gratitude.

Start planning your adventure elopement