Why elope versus plan a big wedding?

Why elope versus plan a big wedding?

What comes to mind when you close your eyes and imagine your wedding day? Are you and your partner exchanging vows or seeing each other for the first time wearing your wedding attire, or do you dream about dancing to your song like nobody is watching? Most couples have those picture-perfect moments in mind for their big day, but no one prepares you for the thousands of tasks you must accomplish before your wedding day to savor those beautiful seconds with your partner. 

Planning a big wedding implies making big efforts both economically and time-wise. You need to cater to everyone’s needs, from food allergies to accessibility and even accommodation. All while investing thousands of dollars in entertainment, a large wedding venue, catering, drinks, invitations, and decorations. But if you think about it, you don’t need to have all those elements to enjoy your first dance or to have a magical ceremony. All you need is your partner, an officiant, and of course me, your photographer. 

I think that’s why many couples have chosen to elope instead of planning a big wedding because you are celebrating your union with your loved one. There is no need to add stress and complicated situations to a day that’s supposed to be about love. If you are still unconvinced about eloping, here are some differences I find between big weddings and intimate elopements. 

Budget. 

One of the main differences is how much you will spend or how you can invest the same budget to splurge on what you want. A big wedding implies a big budget because you need to find a large wedding venue, food, drinks, appetizers, a big wedding cake, decorations for every table, and so on. 

While eloping means you get to spend only on those things you want, perhaps a five-star dinner, a beautiful wedding bouquet, or hiring the wedding photographer you want. When you elope, you don’t have to stretch your budget or go into debt to cover every detail. 

Your day is your way.

Weddings are a dream come true not only for the couple but also for their friends and families. And you know what that means, unsolicited opinions. From wedding décor to who you should invite, you must know that organizing a big wedding means having some drama. Eloping is the best option if you want to have things your way without hurting anyone’s feelings. 

Stress levels. 

You don’t get as stressed about having dinner with your partner as when you have 30 guests, right? Well, now imagine the stress level of organizing a ceremony and a party for hundreds of guests. Having all eyes on you and your partner for hours and many opportunities for everything to go wrong. 

When you organize a big wedding, you must consider hiring the right vendors to offer the best experience to your guests and, of course, avoid mis happenings like food issues, bad drinks, poor lighting, or boring entertainment. The pressure of organizing the wedding of everyone’s dreams will get you eventually, unlike planning an elopement where you only must take care of yourself, your partner, and a couple of guests if you wish to. 

Say yes anywhere. 

I think this is one of the biggest advantages of an elopement; let’s say you love to travel and wish to tie the knot at a unique location; in that case, you could organize a destination wedding, but even then, you must think about your friends and family schedule, their budget to travel, and how to accommodate everyone. 

Elopements are perfect for starting your marriage with an adventure because you don’t have to think about parking spaces, food preferences, or accommodation. You can tie the knot at a beautiful Savannah, Georgia, landmark, park, or natural setting. Your elopement photos will be as unique as your love. 

Lastly, if eloping sounds amazing to you, but you still have some doubts, I suggest you ask yourself if you are comfortable with having an intimate celebration where many of your friends and family won’t be part of it. For some couples, planning an elopement is the answer to balance this situation. Remember, there are no rules when you choose to elope; you decide where, when, and who will participate. Just don’t forget about me, your Savannah, Georgia documentary-style elopement photographer, to capture every detail.