Thanks in part to COVID-19, more and more couples are taking a look at the benefits of eloping instead of having a larger wedding. There's something extremely romantic about the idea of wandering into nature with just your partner and an elopement photographer to celebrate your love.
No matter how much you try to stop it, almost every guest makes your wedding about themselves. Many couples get to the end of a wedding day and feel like they don't remember a single moment about their wedding. They spent so much time trying to please everyone else.
Let's take a look at some of the benefits of eloping and see if choosing to elope is the right move for you and your partner.
1. Ditch the Stress: Make the Elopement About You Two
Friends and family are great. But they aren't always great on your wedding day.
Many people try to make other people's wedding all about themselves. They judge the way something was done, because "that's not how I would have done it." People always impose their expectations and values about what a wedding should look like onto your day. Every decision you make will get put under scrutiny.
"They're not doing a garter toss? They're ditching a famous tradition!"
"They're doing a garter toss? What a gross tradition to include."
"Her wedding dress is too low cut. Show some modesty!"
"Her wedding dress is so high up. Why did she go with something so prudish?"
See where I'm going? No wedding will make every single guest happy because they already have preconceived opinions on what a wedding should look like.
With elopements, you get to do exactly what you want to do, when you want to do it. Want to sleep in so you can watch the stars with your new spouse? Do it. Want to get Chinese food and share it in the back of a vintage car? Go for it! Want to climb up a mountain and exchange vows with just you, your partner, and your adventure elopement photographer? Literally no one is stopping you. You get the chance to shape your day to exactly the way you and your partner want to experience this incredible, once in a lifetime moment.
Don't worry; family and friends will still try to make your elopement about them. "Why weren't we invited?" "That was selfish of them to just do this alone." "Now we don't have that chance to get together as a family."
If people have this reaction either behind your back or to your face, consider it a bullet dodged. Now you know that they didn't see your wedding as something for you or your spouse. They saw it as a chance to make the day about themselves.
2. Spend Money How You Want To
It's true; elopements can save you a ton of money. But just because you can do it cheaper doesn't mean you should.
When you aren't spending $200 per plate to a venue for 100 guests, you can do some pretty incredible things with that money. You could rent a hot air balloon and exchange vows in the sky. What about flying to Italy to get married abroad? When you don't spend your entire lifesavings on a wedding you'll barely remember, you can afford to splurge a bit on experiences you actually want.
And we're a bit biased, but we think one area you shouldn't cheap out on it your intimate wedding photographer. You want someone that will capture the day as a work of art (especially because on one else will be there to view it in person). Also, you want someone who's just plain fun to be around. Plus, some elopement photographers (like us!) will help you plan the big day. We can even marry you, as we're certified as officiants.
Most extravagant elopements will still clock in as less expensive than your average wedding. So splurge in the areas you care about.
3. Stay in the Moment, Ditch the Anxiety
In your typical wedding, it feels like half the day is spent running around making sure the day goes according to plan. If you don't have a planner or coordinator, you're the one putting out fires. Even small things like telling catering where to set up and helping grandma check into her hotel room take away from you simply experiencing the day. More often than not, all of this stress falls on the bride.
Every time you turn around and have to answer another question, you're taking away time from simply experiencing the joy of your wedding. When you spend tens of thousands of dollars on one singular day, you should be able to enjoy every second.
Guess what you get to do with elopements?
Many elopement photographers will also offer coordination services, so all of that stress gets taken off your plate. All you have to worry about is enjoying this incredible moment while your adventure elopement photographer takes care of the rest.
Benefits of Eloping: Making the Day All About You
Your wedding should be a day where you get to be completely selfish. You and your partner should be able to do what you both want, when you both want. Savor this incredible moment by choosing a photographer that will take away all your stress.
If you're looking through Delaware wedding photographers and trying to decide on the best one, give us a call. This husband and wife team would love to help shape your wedding into the most memorable, special day of your life.