Weddings are supposed to be one of the happiest and most memorable days of your life, but they can also be stressful and expensive. That’s why more and more couples are choosing to break away from tradition and opt for intimate elopements or micro weddings. It’s all about making your special day fit you as a couple, and that’s exactly what my partner and I did when we eloped to Las Vegas with just five family members.
Let me tell you, it was the best decision we ever made! We were able to focus on what truly mattered: our love for each other. In this blog post, I’ll be sharing the reasons why my husband and I chose to elope. Hopefully, our experience will help you decide if eloping is best for you.
What is an elopement or micro-weddings?
In recent years, the trend towards intimate and alternative weddings has been on the rise, and two popular options that have emerged are elopements and micro weddings. These types of weddings offer a more personalised and often more affordable approach to tying the knot. They may be a great option for couples who want a more intimate and less traditional celebration.
An elopement is typically thought of as a secretive or spontaneous wedding, where the couple runs away together to get married in a private ceremony without the presence of family or friends. While this may have been true historically, nowadays, an elopement can mean different things to different couples. It can be a way to have a more private and intimate wedding with just a few loved ones present, or it can still be a spontaneous wedding with no guests at all. Elopements can also take place in a variety of locations, such as a courthouse, a remote scenic location, or even in the couple’s own home.
On the other hand, a micro wedding is a more formal and planned event, typically with fewer guests than a traditional wedding. While the number of guests can vary, a micro wedding generally has between 20-50 guests. Micro weddings offer couples the chance to still have a more traditional wedding celebration with a smaller group of family and friends while still being able to focus on the details that are most important to them.
Both elopements and micro weddings have their own unique benefits. When deciding whether to have an elopement or a micro wedding, it’s important for couples to consider what is most important to them. Some may prefer the privacy and simplicity of an elopement, while others may still want a more traditional celebration but with a smaller guest list. Whatever the choice may be, both elopements and micro weddings can provide a beautiful and meaningful way for couples to celebrate their love and commitment to each other.
The top 8 reasons why we choose to elope
Reason 1: Affordability
Weddings can be overwhelming in terms of cost. We booked a gorgeous local wedding venue and put down a hefty deposit to secure our date. The venue on its own cost thousands of pounds, but as we started diving into all the details, the costs started adding up – and fast. Suddenly, our wedding day was turning into a financial nightmare.
We couldn’t justify spending all that money on just one day. That’s when we stumbled upon the idea of getting married abroad with the help of an elopement planning company. It seemed like the perfect solution – we could have a beautiful, intimate wedding in a stunning location, all while saving a considerable amount of money on the venue, photography, flowers, catering, and other aspects of the wedding. We could use those savings to create unforgettable experiences at our wedding destination.
Reason 2: Less Stress
The thought of planning a big wedding seemed really overwhelming and daunting. The idea of spending countless hours stressing over every little detail leading up to the big day did not appeal to us.
Eloping seemed like the most straightforward option, with significantly less planning required. Plus, working with an elopement company made the process even easier because they took care of so many of the details. The company sorted out the perfect location, arranged for a photographer, and provided my bouquet and an officiant for the ceremony. Because our wedding did not require guest lists, food packages, table decorations, or seating arrangements, we didn’t have to worry about those elements.
Reason 3: Intimate Guest Count
We wanted our wedding to be intimate, so we only had five close family members with us, which made the experience feel more personal and meaningful to us as a couple.
When we originally planned a larger wedding, we realised that there was a minimum number of guests required, which made it unaffordable and forced us to invite people we didn’t necessarily want there. However, when eloping, there is no need to feel obligated to invite dozens or even hundreds of guests to witness your commitment to each other or to meet venue requirements. You can choose to get married with just the two of you or invite as many or as few family and friends as you desire.
Reason 4: Amazing Photography
For us, having amazing photography was one of the most important aspects of our elopement. That’s why we chose Las Vegas as our destination, as it boasts an endless array of scenic locations for photos.
From the dazzling lights of the strip to the stunning natural scenery of Red Rock Canyon, we knew we would find the perfect backdrop for our photos. We were fortunate enough to have professional photos taken at both Red Rock Canyon and the Strip, and we are so happy with the results and will cherish them forever.
Reason 5: Flexibility with location
As soon as we started planning our wedding, my husband and I knew that we wanted to get married in a location that was special to us. And for us, that place was Las Vegas. As a popular wedding destination, we were drawn to the city’s unique atmosphere, which we had come to love during our multiple visits over the years.
But we didn’t want a typical Las Vegas wedding – we wanted something that would truly reflect our personalities and love story. That’s why we decided to get married in the middle of the desert, surrounded by the breathtaking red rocks that make Las Vegas so iconic. We wanted a peaceful and serene atmosphere where we could focus on each other and the commitment we were making.
Reason 6: Simplicity
When my husband and I planned our elopement wedding, we knew we wanted to keep things simple. Instead of obsessing over decorations and following traditional customs, we decided to let the natural beauty of our location shine through and only incorporated a few traditional elements into our ceremony.
That’s one of the things I love about elopements – you have the freedom to create a day that feels uniquely “you.” Whether you want to include all the traditional elements or none at all, the choice is yours. And when it comes to styling your elopement, the sky’s the limit. You can choose to have a rustic, bohemian vibe, a chic and modern aesthetic, or anything in between.
At the end of the day, what matters most is that you’re able to celebrate your love in a way that feels authentic to you as a couple. So don’t be afraid to think outside the box and create a wedding day that truly reflects your personality and your love for each other.
Reason 7: Not just one day
Creating unforgettable memories through amazing experiences was a top priority for us when planning our elopement. We wanted to make it not only a special moment for us but also for our family, who accompanied us on our trip of a lifetime.
During our adventure, we explored the vibrant hotels of Las Vegas. I went to the spectacular Cirque Du Soleil Ka show with my Mum. We also had our stag and hen parties while there, which was so much fun. These experiences were truly unforgettable and allowed us to create beautiful memories that we will cherish for a lifetime.
Our elopement was about so much more than just our wedding day; it was a celebration of love and family and the joy we shared during our incredible journey together.
Reason 8: Being in the moment
We wanted to make sure that we could remember and savour every moment of our special day without it all becoming a blur. That’s why we decided to elope. Being able to share our intimate ceremony with just our closest family members allowed us to be fully present with each other without any distractions.
One of the things we loved most about eloping was that we could spend quality time together on our wedding day. Instead of worrying about greeting and thanking guests, we were able to focus on each other and the beautiful surroundings.
My final thoughts
Overall, all the reasons why we chose to elope came together, and it was well worth it. Our wedding was truly magical, and we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. It allowed us to have a wedding day that was personal, intimate, and stress-free. We could focus on what was truly important – our love for each other – and create lasting memories that we’ll cherish for years to come. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend eloping to other couples who are considering it as an option. It’s a beautiful and affordable way to start your journey together as a married couple.