A while back I asked many of my friends, family & random strangers if they could help me with answering some questions. The topic- Elopements!

What exactly is an elopement?

Even though I stated to everyone that there were no wrong answers, the responses I received were very interesting! There is unfortunately a lot of stigma and negative connotation concerning elopements. I am hopeful we at Seeking Venture can help clarify a bit more about what this topic is all about and possibly help with planning your own elopement down the line!

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Myths and Maybes:

What are some of your first thoughts when you hear a couple is ‘eloping’? What do you think it means to elope?

Here on some of the most popular responses I received:

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Getting hitched or marrying on a whim. False.

Most of the time we think of a couple getting ‘hitched’ by taking a plane to Vegas and saying some quick vows by an Elvis impersonator. However this is not to be confused with eloping! Somewhere down the line, these terms got intertwined and associated with each other. Elopements of course can be quickly planned, but most of the time it takes months to still figure out. So be careful when you use the phrase ‘getting hitched’ – this has nothing to do with elopements!

Elopements are a huge secret. Maybe.

It’s up to the couple if they want to make their eloping plans known to others. Some announce it during the planning stage. Or some couples may share the news afterward. Not telling anyone is a couples choice, whether they are getting eloped or not.

The bride is pregnant or someone’s green card is about to expire! False.

Oh boy! While we hope this isn’t the main reason someone is deciding to tie the knot, it still has nothing to do with eloping! Elopements most of the time are carefully planned and thought out. When someone is getting married quickly for the reason(s) above, THEN you can possibly say they are ‘getting hitched’!

A private intimate ceremony. True!

Whether it’s just the bride & groom, or a more intimate wedding ceremony with some friends & family, these ceremonies vs a traditional wedding are a lot smaller. We consider 30 guests or smaller to be considered an elopement rather than a wedding. Any celebration with 30+ guests but under 80 we would consider ‘an intimate wedding.’ Any guest count above 80 we think more as a traditional wedding.

The couple is broke or cheap. False.

Elopements are open to couples with any kind of budget. Of course it can save a lot of money! You don’t need to hire as many vendors or pay for food for all those guests like you were going to for that larger venue wedding. However it doesn’t mean you can’t have an epic elopement with a lot of value attached! Many couples choose to go to a place they’ve never been to. Your choice of location, where you stay, what you choose to wear and the vendors you use will still most likely cost thousands of dollars. But not ‘venue’ thousands! You can really stretch your dollar and pick what you want for literally everything, rather than saying to yourself ‘Oh, we will just go cheaper on the flowers and table favors.’

They aren’t planners. Maybe!

Maybe the couple has an idea where they want to have their elopement, and sometimes they have no clue where to start. That’s where we come in– Having an elopement guide really takes a lot of the stress and planning out of it for a couple. The couple still 100% chooses what they want to do, but we guide them along the way with vendor, location & timeline recommendations. We spend endless hours scouting for incredible locations, so they don’t have to.

Elopement Defined

So what is the ‘correct’ definition of elopement? I had a few sum it up perfectly. One of my favorite responses was “two people getting married the way they want to.” So much yes! Even though the planning might take months, it is normally a less stress than planning a huge traditional wedding. An elopement really means two people having their day the way they want, with a more intimate gathering of friends & family, or no one there at all. We consider elopements to be with 30 guests or under, but other photographers set their own limits.

It’s not for everyone!

Eloping might not be right for everyone. Some people might want to have a big, more traditional wedding and that’s cool too! The point of eloping is that you are doing it for yourself and your partner, not for other people. It’s about what the two of you want for your day and how you want to remember it.

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.

If you are thinking of eloping, maybe consider gorgeous Hawaii or Big Sur as your destination!

Ready to start planning your own elopement?