Eloping vs Wedding: Which One is Right for You + A Craggy Gardens Elopement
So you’ve said yes and it’s time to start planning the wedding, but you’re starting to realize just how much goes into planning a big wedding and how much it can cost. You may even be thinking to yourself, “Is it just easier if I elope?”
Well, as a wedding photographer myself, I completely understand how much stress can be involved in planning a wedding. And, oftentimes it can start to feel like you aren’t able to actually enjoy the lead-up to your wedding or even the day itself because you are constantly trying to make sure every single detail falls into place perfectly.
Because of this, we have started to see a trend emerge and more and more couples are opting for an elopement vs a wedding. Not only does this mean less planning on your part, although there is still some planning involved, but it can also create a more intimate and memorable day for you and your partner.
So, eloping vs wedding? Which one is right for you? Let’s take a look at what eloping means, the cost of an elopement vs a wedding, and some tips for your own elopement!
What is an Elopement?
First, let’s answer your first question – what is an elopement? Traditionally, you may think of an elopement as running away to Vegas and getting married in the middle of the night. And, while you can totally still do that, today eloping is more so an intimate wedding that is overall a much shorter event.
Elopements can be as small as just you and your partner along with people like your photographer and an officiant or they can include a few of your closest friends and family. They tend to be a more relaxed and low-key day where the main focus is on you and your partner.
Having an elopement also allows you to make everything more personal for your wedding. This can include everything from personal vows, intimate handfasting ceremonies, and any other additions that you and your partner want to add.
Why Have an Elopement vs Wedding
So now that we know what an elopement is, why would you want to have one over a full-on wedding? Well, for most couples, the main two reasons they will choose to elope are to have a more intimate wedding focused on just them and a more budget-friendly wedding.
But, there are so many other great reasons to elope over having a wedding. Eloping gives you so much flexibility when it comes to picking a venue – especially if you are eloping with just you and your partner.
This means you can elope up in the mountains, on the beach, in your own backyard, or halfway across the world. When you take out having big setups, needing chairs and table space for everyone, and fitting 100+ people into a single area, the world is your oyster when it comes to where you can say I do.
Elopement vs Wedding Cost
When it comes to weddings, the overall cost is definitely something that is on the top of a lot of couple’s minds. So, what is the cost of an elopement vs wedding?
Well, this is definitely going to vary depending on where you are and what you actually plan for your wedding, but on average, weddings cost $30,000 and up. A big part of this cost can be the venue itself as well as all of the food and drinks for you and your guests.
On the other hand, elopements generally cost about a third of the price of weddings, although they can be as low as a few thousand dollars depending on what you plan.
Now, while budget can be a factor in planning an elopement vs a wedding, how you actually want to spend your budget can also play a big role. Let’s take a look at what this actually means.
Say you have a budget of $30,000 for a wedding. You can plan a wedding that is local to you, invite 100-150 guests, have a big reception, etc. By doing this, your entire $30,000 budget is going to be spread out across anywhere from 10-12 different vendors.
On the other hand, taking the same $30,000 budget, you can opt to elope and only have to spread that budget across 3 or 4 different vendors. This is a great option if you know that there is something that you truly value for your wedding and want to make sure it is able to happen.
For example, maybe you want a destination ceremony, so by choosing to elope, you are able to spend more of your overall wedding budget on that venue and actually traveling there for your big day!
Tips for Eloping
Make a Whole Day of It
One thing that I love about eloping is it gives you so much free time throughout the day to do what you want to do. Oftentimes, elopements will be earlier in the day than weddings, so you’ll have plenty of time after you tie the knot to go out and do something fun with your new spouse and any friends or family you want to celebrate with.
Take Asheville for example. You can have your elopement up in the mountains with incredible views, and then head down to a brewery, go enjoy a concert together, or even head over to The Biltmore and explore the gardens or go to their winery.
Anything you and your partner love doing you can do and make it as big or as intimate as you would like!
Be Sure to Get Any Permits Needed
This is an important one so make sure you pay attention. You need to make sure that you get any permits you need to elope before your ceremony. Even in some public places, you will need a permit to actually have your elopement there.
For example, you can get married along the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway – which if you are looking for the perfect place to have your elopement is a great option – but, you will need to get a permit in order to actually have your ceremony there.
Understand If and How Many Witnesses You Need
This is going to vary from state to state so it is definitely important that you do your research ahead of time to know if you need any witnesses to sign your marriage license and how many you may need.
For example, in North Carolina, you are required to have two witnesses sign your license, but in South Carolina, you are not required to have any witnesses. While this may seem like a small factor, the last thing you want is for issues to come up with your wedding license because of witnesses.
Caitlin and Sean Craggy Gardens Elopement
Caitlin and Sean made the decision to elope early in the morning in Craggy Gardens with just a few of their close friends and family. They had the mountain ranges serving as a gorgeous backdrop for them and exchanged personal vows and beautiful rings for an overall amazing wedding day.
One thing that is great about elopements, too, is that you can make any adjustments you need to. For these two, it meant switching their afternoon elopement to a morning one due to some not-so-great weather.
But, this just meant we got to have the perfect hike up to their ceremony spot in the morning when the weather was a bit cooler and had the perfect peaks of sunshine breaking through the clouds.
I mean, who doesn’t love a good hike before your wedding?? This is one of the great adventures of elopements and especially if you and your partner are avid hikers, this will feel like the perfect way to kick off your wedding day.
Another major pro to eloping is that you can do it in a spot that is meaningful to you and your partner. This is what these two did and they got to tie the knot right around the area where Sean popped the question just a few months before.
With their friends and family sitting nearby, they had a gorgeous intimate ceremony with a handfasting ceremony and all. This ceremony also allowed them to include some of their family and symbolically show their love and commitment to each other as they move forward into this exciting new chapter together.
You could just see the love that these two have for each other and as the ceremony inched closer and closer to the end, they couldn’t hide their excitement. After the ceremony, we were able to take some photos with their friends and family before walking around Craggy Gardens for some couple’s portraits to end the perfect elopement day.
Final Thoughts on an Elopement vs Wedding
Hopefully, this helps give you a peek behind the curtain to see what it is actually like eloping. When it comes to the question of eloping vs wedding, it really is going to be a personal one and there is no right or wrong answer.
At the end of the day, you just have to remember that this day is about you and your partner and you can do whatever you want to celebrate it. Whether that is having a huge wedding with all of your friends and family or an intimate elopement with just your partner, you’ll still be starting the next journey of your life together at the end of the day!
If you are still looking for the perfect photographer for your dream elopement, I’d love to chat. You can click here to learn more about my elopement packages or you can head over here to get in touch with me!
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