Should I Elope? 4 Questions to Decide Between an Elopement vs Wedding
Photo Credit: Love & Lens Photography
Picture this: you’re standing at the top of a gorgeous mountain, with the sun shining down on you and your partner. The Colorado Rockies stretch out before you, as far as the eye can see. You take a deep breath of fresh air and feel a sense of joy and happiness well up inside of you. This is it–your moment. You turn to your partner and say those two magical words, “I do.” The rest is history. But let’s get back to the beginning. If you’ve been asking yourself, “Should I elope?” then you’ve come to the right place. Many recently engaged couples wonder which is better, an elopement vs wedding. Eloping can be a great choice if you want a simple, low-stress, intimate wedding or if you’re on a tight budget. But there are also some things to consider before making the decision to elope. Read on for four questions to ask yourself (and your partner) to help you answer the question, “Should I elope?”
4 Questions to Ask When Deciding Between an Elopement vs Wedding
1. Why Are You Considering an Elopement vs Wedding?
What are the motivating feelings, emotions, and factors behind your desire to elope instead of have a traditional wedding? Are you wondering, “Should I elope?” because you’re overwhelmed with the wedding planning process? Are you trying to find ways to cut wedding costs? Or does an intimate celebration simply sound more relaxing, enjoyable, and exciting to you? Knowing what’s motivating you will help you decide if eloping is a temporary desire due to outside circumstances or a deep desire you know won’t change.
For example, what if I told you that planning your wedding with help from Mountainside Events is guaranteed to make the entire process less stressful? Would you still want to elope? What if I told you I could help you manage your wedding budget and find ways to save? Would a traditional wedding start to sound appealing again? If so, let’s chat about how we can ensure you have the wedding of your dreams within budget with less stress. If not, and you’re still leaning towards an elopement, check out these posts to learn more about planning the perfect small celebration:
2. How Does Your Partner Feel About an Elopement vs Wedding?
In your search to find the answer to your question, “Should I elope?” it is also important to ask, “Should we elope?” Regardless of how involved your partner is in the wedding planning process, it’s essential to consider their desires too. What’s most important is that you arrive at a mutual decision. Remember that compromise is a big part of marriage, and you may have to start compromising a little early during the wedding plans. If one of you isn’t interested in a two-person elopement, discuss the possibility of having a micro wedding with 30 or fewer guests to meet in the middle.
3. Are You Okay with Disappointing Some People?
Many couples wonder, is eloping selfish? If you decide to have an elopement vs wedding, you will probably disappoint some people. This is especially true if you originally planned on a traditional wedding then changed your mind midway through. However, while disappointing some people may be inevitable, it is more important you are happy with your decision.
Another option is to have a hybrid celebration. For example, you could have an elopement ceremony with just you and your partner, followed by a large wedding reception where you invite everyone. Depending on what feels best to you, the reception could take place on the same day as your elopement or weeks after. Or, you could have a micro wedding and reception with a handful of VIP guests so your closest friends and family can witness your marriage.
4. Do You Think You’ll Regret Your Decision?
Regardless of how you’re feeling right now, I challenge you to put yourself in the future and think back on your wedding day. Will you feel sad or disappointed that you went with an intimate celebration over a large wedding? Or will you remember the elopement ceremony with joy, knowing you made the best choice for you and your partner? Don't rush the decision if you’re still on the fence between an elopement vs wedding. Your wedding day is one of the most important in your entire life. You should go with what makes you happy and at peace and wait until you know what that is for sure.
Photo Credit: Love & Lens Photography
Is It Better to Elope or Have a Wedding?
So, is it worth it to elope? There’s really no right or wrong answer. It is worth it for some couples and not for others. Some people don’t want to disappoint family and friends, so they choose to have a traditional wedding that everyone can attend. Others love the idea of an adventure elopement with a full day of hiking, scenic photo ops, and a romantic picnic for two.
At Mountainside Events, we’d love to not only help you decide between an elopement vs wedding but also plan the wedding of your dreams, no matter how large or small it may be. Contact us today to learn more about our elopement, micro, and full-service wedding packages. We can’t wait to learn about your wedding vision and share how we can bring it to life!