Eloping is a great option for couples who want to get married now and have a big celebration later. This method has become more popular since 2020, as many couples opt for smaller events instead of elaborate weddings. Eloping allows couples to have an intimate and authentic experience, sharing their vows in a private setting with only their closest friends and family. It also gives them the flexibility to plan a more traditional wedding later, whether it's a month or a year later, without the stress and pressure of a typical wedding. This way, they get to have two special days to celebrate their love and union.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Rules | There are no rules. |
Decision-making | You get to decide how to announce your elopement, what to do after eloping, and whether or not to have a bachelor/bachelorette party. |
Reasons | You want to do things your way, buck tradition, have an intimate and authentic day with your partner, minimise stress, save money, wear your wedding attire twice, extend your wedding celebrations, and/or have the best of both worlds. |
Planning | You can plan a post-elopement celebration like any other small or large wedding. |
Guest list | You can finalise a guest list for your wedding festivities, which can help you understand the space you'll need, the amount of food to serve, and other details. |
Venue | You can book an event venue where you and your guests can eat, dance, or celebrate however you envision. |
Combining elopement and traditional wedding elements | You can commemorate your marriage as a couple authentically while still honouring cultural or family traditions. |
What You'll Learn
You can have a pressure-free ceremony
Eloping is a great way to have a pressure-free ceremony. By choosing to elope, you and your partner can focus on having an intimate and authentic ceremony that is centred on your relationship and unique love story. This means you can create a wedding day experience that is truly exciting for you, without the stress and pressure of planning a traditional wedding.
One of the main benefits of eloping is that you can eliminate external pressures and opinions from others. Planning a traditional wedding often means having to navigate family drama, appeasing guests, and incorporating traditions that may not be important to you. By eloping, you can make the day exactly what you want it to be, without worrying about what others may think.
Eloping also gives you more flexibility with your wedding day choices. You can choose an epic location, whether it's a favourite city, a National Park, or even a foreign country. You can also be more selective about your guest list, keeping it small and intimate, which can alleviate stress and costs.
Another advantage of eloping is that it can be a more affordable option. Traditional weddings often come with high costs, including venue hire, catering, and wedding attire. By opting for a smaller, more intimate elopement, you can save money and put those savings towards your future or an unforgettable honeymoon.
If you're considering eloping, remember that there are no rules! You can choose to elope and still plan a more formal or traditional wedding later. This gives you the best of both worlds, allowing you to have an intimate ceremony now and a bigger celebration with friends and family in the future.
So, if you're feeling the pressure of planning a traditional wedding, consider eloping as a way to create a stress-free, authentic, and memorable ceremony that truly reflects your relationship.
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You can save money
Eloping and then having a wedding later is a great way to save money. Here's how:
Spread Out the Cost
Weddings are expensive. By eloping first and having a wedding later, you can stagger the expenses and make both events more financially manageable. This gives you more time to save up and plan for your dream wedding without compromising on the things that are important to you.
Smaller Guest List for Elopement
Eloping with a small, intimate group of guests is significantly cheaper than a big wedding bash. A smaller guest list means you'll spend less on food, drinks, invitations, and other costs associated with hosting a large number of people. This also reduces the pressure of planning a big event and allows you to focus on an intimate ceremony with your closest loved ones.
Less Stress, More Fun
Planning a wedding can be stressful and overwhelming. By eloping first, you reduce the stress of planning two events at once. The elopement can be a more low-key and spontaneous affair, with less planning required. This gives you more time to focus on having fun and creating meaningful memories with your partner and loved ones during both occasions.
Wear Your Wedding Attire Twice
Why not get more use out of your wedding attire? Eloping and then having a wedding later gives you the opportunity to wear your wedding clothes twice! This can help you feel like you're getting even more value for money, especially if you've invested in a bespoke outfit or always dreamed of wearing a particular style.
Extended Wedding Celebrations
By splitting your wedding and reception into separate dates, you essentially get to celebrate your marriage twice! This gives you more time to savour the experience and create lasting memories. It also provides an opportunity to include different traditions or cultural elements that may not have been possible during the elopement, allowing you to honour your heritage in a meaningful way.
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You can still have a wedding reception later
There are no rules when it comes to elopement planning, so you can elope and then have a wedding reception later. Here are some reasons why you may want to do this:
You Get an Intimate and Authentic Day with Your Partner
Eloping gives you a completely authentic and private wedding day that you and your partner will remember forever. It can be a blur when there are so many people at a wedding, and you hardly find a spare moment to connect. Eloping solves that problem, giving you a day focused on your relationship and commitment to each other.
No Pressure and No Drama
A benefit of eloping is that you eliminate all the "noise" of pressure and other people's opinions. You don't have to worry about inviting people you hardly know or where to seat two cousins who don't get along. You can always navigate family and friend drama for your reception later on, but at least that's more of a party and not your actual wedding!
Spread Out the Cost
Weddings are expensive. Eloping with a small group of guests is cheaper than throwing a big bash, and you can take your time to save up and plan your ideal post-elopement celebration.
A Reason to Wear Your Wedding Attire Again
Why not wear your wedding attire again? Eloping and later having a wedding reception allows you to don those fancy clothes at least twice!
Extend Your Wedding Celebrations
Who says a wedding should only be celebrated once? By eloping and then having a reception later, you get to celebrate twice and give people a chance to celebrate you as a married couple, rather than an engaged couple.
You Still Get to Party with the People You Love
Eloping and having a wedding allows you to have the best of both worlds, making memories with one another and with loved ones.
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You can wear your wedding attire twice
Eloping is a great way to ensure you get to wear your wedding attire twice! One of the biggest perks of eloping is that you get to do things your way and break with tradition. So, if you want to wear your wedding attire twice, why not?
There are no rules when it comes to elopements, so you can plan a romantic micro wedding ceremony for you and your partner, and still look forward to a larger wedding party or celebration later on. This gives you the best of both worlds, allowing you to have an intimate, authentic day with your partner, followed by a big party with all your friends and family.
If you're worried about the cost of two events, don't be! By staggering the expenses, you can make both occasions more affordable. You can also save money on your elopement by keeping the guest list small and choosing a low-key location. This means you'll have more in the budget to spend on your dream wedding outfit, and you'll get to wear it twice!
Of course, you might not want to wear the exact same outfit for both occasions. In that case, you could opt for a more casual look for your elopement and save the fancy wedding attire for the big party. Or, if you're a bride who doesn't want to wait to wear your dream dress, you can always change into something more comfortable for the second half of your elopement day.
Whatever you choose, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and happy. So, go ahead and start planning that epic elopement – and don't forget to enjoy wearing your wedding attire twice!
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You can have a more intimate and authentic day with your partner
Eloping and having a wedding later is a great way to have a more intimate and authentic day with your partner. By eloping, you can make the day all about your relationship and your commitment to each other, without the pressure and stress of planning a traditional wedding.
One of the biggest benefits of eloping is that it allows you to have a truly intimate and authentic experience with your partner. Instead of being caught up in the blur of a big wedding, you can focus on each other and share your vows in a private and sentimental setting. It's a chance to make the day all about your love story and to celebrate your relationship in a way that is authentic to you as a couple.
Eloping also gives you the flexibility to plan a wedding or reception-style party at any time in the future. You can decide to elope first and then plan a bigger celebration down the line, whether that's a month or a year later. This way, you get to have the best of both worlds—an intimate elopement followed by a fun party with your loved ones.
Additionally, eloping can help reduce the stress and pressure often associated with traditional weddings. Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, and eloping allows you to minimise the coordination and logistics involved. You can focus on creating a meaningful ceremony with your partner, and then take your time to plan a celebration that includes all the traditions and elements you want.
By eloping first, you also get to extend your wedding celebrations. You can wear your wedding attire again and create lasting memories with your partner and your loved ones. Eloping gives you the freedom to design your wedding experience in a way that suits you, whether that's an adventurous elopement in a far-off location or an intimate ceremony with your closest family members.
So, if you're considering eloping and having a wedding later, know that it's a great option to create a more intimate and authentic day with your partner. You'll be able to focus on your relationship, minimise stress, and still have the celebration you've always dreamed of.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can elope and then have a more formal or traditional wedding later. There are no rules when it comes to elopements, so you can decide how to announce your elopement, what to do after, and whether or not you want to have a bachelorette or bachelor party.
Eloping before a wedding can allow you to have an intimate and authentic day with your partner, minimise costs, reduce stress, and extend your wedding celebrations.
Research the requirements for obtaining a marriage license in your area, choose your witnesses carefully, and consider having a small group of supportive family members present for your elopement.
Set a budget, decide on a guest list and a date that works for your closest friends and family, book a venue, and plan the activities and menu for the reception.
Think about the pros and cons of each option, such as cost, level of stress, the number of guests, and the focus of the day. Ultimately, do what feels right for you and your partner.