Pros and Cons of Eloping vs. Planning a Traditional Wedding

Eloping is wayyyyy different than it used to be. Years ago, many couples previously viewed an elopement as “running away” or having to get married in secret. But, today eloping may be an alternative for you and your partner for several reasons. 

I’m a huge fan of elopements and weddings for different reasons. I don’t believe that you can make a “right” or “wrong” choice. As a wedding photographer myself I wanted to give you a better idea of some of the pros and cons of deciding to elope vs. planning a traditional wedding. 

Let’s dive into more about the main differences between eloping vs. planning a big wedding and what the benefits and drawbacks of each are. 

Eloping vs. Big Wedding 

The biggest difference between weddings and elopements is the number of guests you invite. Most elopements have a guest count of 3-15 people. With so few guests, you can have an intimate and meaningful ceremony for you and your partner. 

Another reason couples choose to elope is to save on wedding costs, choose their dream location, and make the planning process much less stressful. 

Many of my couples that choose to elope tend to pick non-traditional locations such as trails and parks along the Blue Ridge Parkway to embrace the outdoors and nature. There are many great trails with breathtaking locations for your elopement, such as Craggy Gardens, Black Balsam Knob, and Pisgah National Forest in and around Western North Carolina. 

If you’re looking for beautiful elopement options outside of Western North Carolina, check out: the Umstead in Cary, McGill’s Rose Garden in Charlotte, or Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden in Greensboro. 

The Cost of an Elopement vs. Wedding

The price tag that comes with a traditional wedding can be scary for many couples. As soon as you start getting quotes from potential vendors, setting your budget, and determining how much you want to spend (or need to spend), everything can add up very quickly. 

I understand that stepping outside the norm from having a traditional celebration and doing something more intimate and special with you and your partner can feel like a nerve-wracking decision. 

On the other hand, an elopement could save you and your partner lots of money and time spent planning and coordinating. You’ll also be able to avoid any other surprise costs or obstacles. 

Elopement still comes with its own costs and certain obstacles, but it doesn’t come close to how much would be spent on planning a wedding with 70 – 100 guests. For starters, you don’t need to book a large number of vendors for your elopement. 

You’ll at least want to hire an officiant and a photographer. Other vendors that my couples typically hire for their elopement are a hair and makeup artist and a baker for cake and desserts. 

Also, choosing to have your elopement at a venue or a public space such as a park or arboretum means that there will be built-in costs. However, these costs will be significantly cheaper than booking a venue all day for a wedding. 

Pro tip: Look into planning your elopement on a weekday. This can significantly cut costs at certain venues. 

Costs of different types of elopements 

Let’s break down the costs of the different types of elopements, such as a City Hall elopement, compared to a typical wedding price. 

If you want to go to City Hall and avoid all the bells and whistles, eloping is extremely affordable. All you will have to do is pay a small fee for a marriage certificate and a government employee to legally conduct your ceremony.  

Typical Wedding Costs in North Carolina:

• Venue: $2,500 – $10,000+ (Depending on location and size of the wedding)
• Catering: $40 – $150 per person (Average for 100-150 guests)
• Photographer: $2,000 – $5,000
• Wedding Planner: $1,500 – $4,000
• Attire (Dress & Suit): $1,000 – $3,000+
• Flowers & Décor: $2,000 – $5,000
• Entertainment (Band/DJ): $1,000 – $3,500
• Other (Invitations, Favors, Hair/Makeup, etc.): $1,000 – $2,500

Typical Elopement Costs in North Carolina:

• Elopement Package (Officiant, Photographer, Small Venue): $500 – $3,000. Many elopement packages in North Carolina include the officiant, photographer, and sometimes flowers or a small venue or scenic location. 
• Travel/Accommodation: $0 – $2,000. If you’re eloping at a destination like the Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll want to factor in separate travel costs.
• Attire: $200 – $1,500+. You could rent, buy something simple, or splurge on a special dress.
• Photography: $500 – $3,000. Elopement photographers may charge less than full wedding photographers but they of course still offer stunning work. 

Key Differences in Costs 

When it comes down to it, the main difference you’ll find between an elopement and a wedding is that traditional weddings are larger and they require more services and vendors, more guests, and you’ll have less customizations and flexibility to spend money where you want. 

In contrast, an elopement focuses more on intimacy and simplicity, and costs typically involve just you and your partner or, at most, a few close friends or family. Also, elopements mean you can spend your money where you want—be it on photography or a special location—without the pressure of a big production.

A traditional North Carolina wedding can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000.+ An elopement can be anywhere from $1,000 to $8,000+, depending on how elaborate or simple you want to make it.

Pros and Cons of Eloping vs. Planning a Traditional Wedding

Let’s dive into the pros and cons of eloping vs. planning a traditional wedding: 

Pros of eloping 

• Save on huge costs such as your planner, caterer, venue 
• The day, and your ceremony, are entirely focused on you and your partner
• Less planning which means less stress
• You can get married anywhere 
• You can allocate some of your budget to fun/ memorable activities such as a private helicopter ride, stargazing, hiring a private chef, planning a luxury picnic, etc. 

Cons of eloping 

• Fewer gifts, keepsakes 
• A shorter guest list 
• Running the risk of disappointing your loved ones who don’t get the chance to celebrate with you 
• If you plan your elopement outside you’ll have to deal with outdoor logistics such as rain, road closures, inclement weather, etc 

Pros of a wedding 

• Get to spend the day with friends and family 
• Be catered to via your vendors 
• Have the spotlight on you and your partner 
• Have those unforgettable memories 

Cons of a wedding 

• Can be really expensive 
• Stress due to all the planning that’s involved 
• You may encounter obstacles/difficulties trying to customize your day
• Feeling pressure to conform to traditional wedding expectations 

How to Elope on the Blue Ridge Parkway 

One of my favorite elopement spots in North Carolina is the Blue Ridge Parkway. This location provides you with a unique, out-of-this-world experience, and as you drive along it, you will find yourself immersed in the gorgeous Blue Ridge and Shenandoah mountains. 

I love, love, love any chance I get to take a drive on the parkway. So, let’s talk about how you can elope here! 

First, you’ll need to get a permit – you can’t elope here without one. The cost of eloping on the Blue Ridge Parkway is $100. This includes a $40 permit fee and a $60 application fee. 

You must submit your application by email at least 30 days before your ceremony. The permit includes permission for a two-hour ceremony during daylight hours and is a permit for up to 25 people. 

Some of the restrictions that apply to you if you want to elope here are that you can’t bring any live plants or place any hanging objects in nature, and the area where you’re having your elopement must remain open to the public. 

If you want to elope here, you can apply for a permit here! 

Now You Know the Pros and Cons of Eloping 

I hope you found this breakdown on the pros and cons of eloping vs. a traditional wedding helpful! The truth is, when it comes to marrying the love of your life all that really matters is that you both do something that feels right and makes both of you happy.

Whether that’s planning an epic adventure elopement or having a traditional wedding, the important thing is to celebrate in a way that allows you to have your cake and eat it, too. 

The best part of elopements is that they can look any way you want them to. However, there is so much joy to be found in planning and creating the wedding day of your dreams. 

So whether you decide you want to elope on a mountaintop or in your favorite park or have a large wedding party all night with your friends and family, your day should be all about celebrating this new, exciting journey with your partner! 

And…if you are still looking for the perfect photographer for your dream elopement or wedding, I’d love to chat. You can click here to learn more about my services or you can head over here to get in touch with me!

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