Let’s start off by saying there is nothing wrong with having a traditional wedding. However, not every couple has this vision for their big day. The 100+ guest count, dealing with all the vendors, not to mention all of the other planning that goes into the day; it can be daunting. The idea alone can cause so much anxiety that they may not want to get married at all. Aside from the planning, sometimes the thought of a giant wedding doesn’t align with everyone’s personality, which is totally okay. Here are a list of reasons why you should consider having an elopement over a full-sized traditional wedding!
If you aren’t quite sure what it means to elope and you missed our other blog, check out Misconceptions About Elopements.
Table of contents
- 1) Elope = Less Stress
- 2) You Hate Having All Eyes on You
- 3) You Value Privacy
- 4) You Want to do Something Different because You Are Different
- 5) “Tradition” doesn’t mean much to you
- 6) You Would Rather Get More Epic Photos
- 7) You Like to Avoid Drama
- 8) You Save a lot of Money if you Elope
- 9) Elope Because it’s Better for the Earth
- 10) You Value the Experience
- Final Thoughts:
- Ready to plan your own incredible elopement?
1) Eloping is Typically Less Stressful
Eloping can significantly reduce the stress associated with traditional wedding planning. By choosing an adventure elopement, much of the logistical burden is alleviated. Your photographer will typically take care of the detailed location scouting, ensuring picturesque and private settings for your special day. This not only saves you countless hours but also allows you to focus on what truly matters—each other. Without the extensive planning required for a full-size wedding, you can enjoy a more relaxed and intimate experience, free from the pressure of coordinating numerous details!
2) You Hate Having All Eyes on You
While some may like attention, others find the spotlight overwhelming. If you’re introverted and the thought of being the center of attention all day feels intimidating, eloping might be the perfect solution. Traditional weddings can be stressful with all eyes on you, but elopements offer a more private and intimate experience. Whether you choose to share the moment with just your partner or a small group of your closest loved ones, eloping allows you to feel more comfortable and at ease on your special day, free from the pressure of a large audience.

3) You Value Privacy
If you cherish intimacy, a smaller gathering of your closest loved ones can be far more meaningful than a large, impersonal wedding. Eloping allows you to share one of the most personal days of your life with only those who truly matter to you, avoiding the obligation to invite distant acquaintances or strangers. Many couples find themselves surrounded by guests they barely know due to familial expectations, which can feel awkward on such a special day. By choosing to elope, you ensure that your wedding remains a private, cherished moment with the people you care about most.
4) You Want to do Something Different because You Are Different
While elopements are not a new concept, the idea of adventure elopements is just starting to gain popularity. A recent poll on our Instagram stories revealed that most people are still unfamiliar with the concept of an adventure elopement. Embracing your uniqueness and choosing a path less traveled is a wonderful way to make your wedding truly yours. If you and your partner are outdoor enthusiasts, it makes perfect sense to celebrate your love in a natural setting. Let your passion for nature shine on your big day. Who says you have to follow the crowd? This leads us to the next point …

5) “Tradition” doesn’t mean much to you
But tradition! Many people feel bound by traditional wedding customs, but if you’re someone who values individuality over conformity, eloping might be perfect for you. Following your own path is honorable and showcases your uniqueness. Just because something has been done for generations doesn’t mean you’re obligated to do it. Traditional values can often feel outdated or irrelevant, and you shouldn’t let others make you feel bad for choosing a different route. Embrace your individuality and celebrate your love in a way that feels authentic to you.
6) You Would Rather Get More Epic Photos
Traditional wedding venues often come with strict schedules and limited time for photographers to capture family photos and portraits. Elopements, on the other hand, offer unparalleled flexibility. Depending on how much time you book with your photographer, you have the entire period to tell the story of your day without the pressure of a tight schedule. You can choose any location you desire, allowing for stunning and unique backdrops that reflect your personality and love story.
Having photographed countless weddings at golf course venues, I’ve seen firsthand how limiting some locations can be. Often, there’s little scenery, and couples are restricted from accessing certain spots, despite paying thousands of dollars. It’s disheartening to have to tell a couple that they can’t take photos in their desired location. With an elopement, these restrictions disappear, giving you the freedom to capture breathtaking and meaningful moments in the most beautiful settings. I could elaborate further on this topic, but that might be best saved for another blog post!

7) You Like to Avoid Drama
Weddings can sometimes be breeding grounds for family drama. This day is about the two of you, and you deserve to enjoy it without unnecessary stress. Not everyone is close to their families, and every family has its share of issues. I’ve seen weddings where fights break out or feelings get hurt, which is the last thing a couple should experience on their special day. Eloping offers a way to sidestep potential drama by allowing you to choose exactly who you want to be present. This ensures a peaceful, intimate celebration focused solely on your love and commitment.
8) You Can Save a lot of Money
The average amount of money spent on a wedding for 2023 was $35k according to The Knot. That’s a significant amount of money! Instead of spending a fortune on a single day, why not allocate those funds towards a dream honeymoon or a down payment on a house? Your guests won’t miss the elaborate details or the Jordan almonds that often go unnoticed. Weddings can involve a lot of unnecessary expenses, which brings us to the next point…

9) Elope Because it’s Better for the Earth
Weddings, while joyous, can be incredibly wasteful. This isn’t the couple’s intention, but it’s a stark reality. According to the Green Bride Guide, the average wedding in the U.S. produces 400-600 pounds of trash. Multiply that by the millions of weddings around the world, and the environmental impact is staggering. By choosing to elope, you can significantly reduce your wedding’s carbon footprint and make a positive impact on the planet.
At Seeking Venture Photo, we proudly follow Leave No Trace principles and encourage our couples to do the same. If you’re not familiar with Leave No Trace, click here to learn more. Eloping allows you to celebrate your love in a sustainable, eco-friendly way, contributing to a healthier environment.
10) You Value the Experience
A traditional wedding can often feel like a grand performance, with the couple stressing to impress their guests and worrying about everyone else’s enjoyment. This can detract from the true essence of the day. If gifts and all-day praise aren’t what you seek, it might be time to reconsider what getting married means to you. Your marriage will be a lifelong adventure—why not start it with an adventure on your wedding day?
Elopements offer a unique way to celebrate your love, focusing on the experience rather than the spectacle. Instead of putting on a show, you can embark on a meaningful journey together. If you’re going to climb life’s metaphorical mountains together, why not start by climbing a real one on your special day? Eloping allows you to create unforgettable memories in stunning locations, making your wedding day truly extraordinary.

Final Thoughts:
If you’ve dreamed of a grand wedding since childhood, complete with a perfect venue and the excitement of sharing your special day with all your friends and family, go for it! There’s no right or wrong way to get married as long as it feels right to you. This article aims to highlight some of the reasons why many couples are choosing a more intimate elopement. While our values align with the elopement experience, we understand it may not be for everyone. Ultimately, whether you opt for a grand celebration or a quiet elopement, stay true to yourselves and choose what makes you and your partner happiest.
Need some epic location inspiration for your future elopement? Check out our Big Sur, Oahu or Alberta blog!
These are such great points! I think elopements are definitely the way to go!
Wow these are such great points! I especially love number 5!
[…] But next time the topic of a couple eloping comes up, maybe you can help take out some of the confusion and educate someone else! There are many reasons why couple’s are now choosing to elope. […]
Love all of the information! The way you explained everything was perfect!
I whole heartily agree with each of these reasons! Beautifully put!
Yes! Experience above all else on a wedding day <3
I love this! Makes me so happy to see all these reasons listed out, so helpful for couples that are trying to decide what to do!
Wow point 9!!! I can’t believe how much waste a wedding produces!
These are all such beautiful & inspiring reasons to opt for an adventurous elopement… awesome images, too! ??
Not only these words are so valuable and incredibly helpful for couples who are trying to decide whether elopement is for them, but your photos are also so so fun and precious. Keep up the good work friend
These are all such wonderful reasons and great advice! Thanks for sharing!
I love all these tips so much!!! You made me realize how badly I want to elope! Every single one, I was like “yup, that’s me!” Hoping it’ll happen one day!
This is a great list! Love the focus on helping the environment, it’s a point that is often overlooked when choosing between a traditional wedding or an elopement.
So many good reasons to choose an elopement if it is what resonates with the couple! I am all for breaking the mold.
You’ve made so many good points here! These are all great reasons to elope. I’m glad it’s becoming more “normal”. 🙂
Love all of these reasons, such good information!
Such great info! I love that you threw in a little bit about you and also mention the environmental impact of a wedding vs. elopement!
This covers everything! I may have to snag that fact about the amount of trash the average wedding produces. That’s crazy!!
I love this post! Such a good breakdown of all the reasons to elope!
This is a great informative blog about eloping!
[…] Aunt Karen is pissed you decided to go the non-traditional route and do things your own way. Of course it wasn’t your intention to sting her feelings, you just want to do your own thing and elope for various reasons. […]
Great article! More couples could benefit from the reading your top 10 reasons to elope!
#9 yess!! Let’s elope and help mother nature!
Heck yes! I can’t agree more. These are all such great reasons to elope 🙂
These are actually really good reasons to elope… as someone who did, I agree with all of these! Great post, thanks for sharing your thoughts!
These are all fantastic reasons, but I especially love the highlight of number 9 and saving waste.
This is the best advice ever! I never thought about all the waste a wedding can leave, thank you for sharing that ❤️
Yes, yes, yes to all of this! I’ve always loved to elopements, but this year so many of my couples that originally had a traditional wedding planned became believers too!
So many amazing reasons to elope! I eloped and I can relate to all of these.
I love the way you broke down each different reason to elope. Super easy to navigate and read, as well as lots of useful information.
This is awesome and so helpful! Think I’ll have my parents read this so they understand the purpose of elopements more!
This was so insightful! Thank you for also addressing the misconceptions. So many people think it’s not right to elope! I say break tradition!
There are so many people that will feel like these points resonates with them! Elopements are such an incredible way to get married!
Wow, what a great guide on why you should consider eloping instead of the traditional wedding route. Great job!
Such a great list of reasons why some choose to elope! This can be such a personal, and emotional decision but if someone is on the edge, this might help show them how elopements can be great. ❤️
I’m so glad you brought up the waste. It scares me how much waste there is in general with weddings, from throwing out entire pies and meals to decorations that end up in our oceans, etc. Great list of reasons to elope!
Avoiding drama might be my favorite reason ever to elope! So many great points in here-thanks for this post!
I really like that you mentioned how elopement weddings would be good for people who value their privacy. My boyfriend and I have been together for a long time we agreed that it’s time for us to tie the knot. I think an elopement wedding would be perfect for us so I’ll start looking for our options on this.