Let’s Elope!

Some things you should consider if you’re thinking about eloping.

IS AN ELOPEMENT RIGHT FOR ME?

With all of the uncertainty and craziness happening in the world thanks to COVID-19, many couples have been forced to rethink what their wedding day is going to look like. Whether or not that is due to concerns over the size of the guest list and CDC recommendations, budget concerns, or simply wanting to get the wedding taken care of sooner rather than later. For some couples, this pandemic means postponing to a later date. But for other couples, it might mean eloping!

Even without a pandemic situation, many couples have started to look at eloping to save money, create a more intimate day, and really focus on what’s important. There are so many ways to have an elopement, from a small courthouse wedding to a private ceremony on top of a mountain. I want to help walk you through some of the considerations in this decision, whether you are thinking about it because you need to change your current plans, or you're just starting the planning process!

**Please keep in mind before you read on: if a stay-at-home order or shelter-in-place order is in place, depending on your state an elopement might not be feasible. Safety and community health is my top priority!**

One other thing I want to point out, is that to elope or not to is a very personal choice! Big weddings are super fun, elopements are super fun, and either way at the end of it, you'll be married to the love of your life. I love all weddings, no matter the size, but here are some reasons that I think elopements are very worth considering:

First and foremost: elopements put the focus on you and your boo.

Weddings can be A LOT. So much goes into the planning: the guest list, finding the right venue, picking your vendor team, picking out your wedding party, the list goes on! How great would it be to have less to worry about, and less to coordinate?

A lot of couples have opted to elope because at the end of the day, they really only care about being married to the love of their life. Eloping really does put that focus on the two of you, which is both empowering and a wonderful way to start your lives together.

Basically, eloping is a great way to make your wedding day simple, easy, and still meaningful to you! If you’re planning an elopement, I will be right there to help you plan every step of the way.

Elopements keep the guest list small. 

Small can mean a lot of things: it could be just the two of you, your officiant, and your photographer (hi!). But, it can also mean getting married in your backyard with parents, siblings, and a couple of close friends. There are pros and cons to this, of course. If you have always envisioned a big wedding with cousins, grandparents, college friends, and everyone else important to you, this could be a deciding factor for you. And that's totally OK! Weddings are about you and your partner, but for so many couples a wedding is the best way to see extended family and friends! You will have to be honest with yourselves about what is important for you guys.

There are ways to have the best of both worlds. Maybe that means the ceremony is private and intimate, and then you host a big reception later for family and friends. There is no wrong answer! 

With current CDC guidelines, and once stay-at-home orders are lifted, elopements might be the best way to keep your original date if other things have needed to change. This changes by state, and the situation is ever evolving.

Eloping can help you cut costs.

I just alluded to this in that last bullet point: but eloping is a LOT cheaper! It’s no secret that weddings can be incredibly expensive. According to Nerd Wallet, the average wedding as of 2019 costs about $33,900!! Depending on the services you still opt for in your elopement, you can seriously shave that cost down.

Think about an elopement where we hike to a pretty awesome spot in Rocky Mountain National Park, one of my favorite spots in Colorado.

     •Instead of a venue cost, we have the cost of a permit from the park service.

     •Instead of a caterer for 100 people, maybe you and your 10 guests all go get dinner in Estes Park.

     •Instead of flowers for you, your wedding party, and 20+ tables, you get bouquets and boutonnieres as needed.

Those are just a few examples of the costs you can save on when you elope. I know that cost is a HUGE consideration when planning a wedding! Elopements can be super simple, and super cost effective. 

Elopements can be a serious adventure!

Your elopement can be a super fun adventure! I love hiking, camping, backpacking, exploring, and snowboarding, so we could definitely get into some awesome areas with drop-dead gorgeous backdrops. My background as a landscape photographer has allowed me to find some pretty amazing spots that would make for a great elopement. And I’m a pretty fun adventure buddy! If you are an adventurous couple, this might be something you consider!

Don’t let the idea of “adventure” intimidate you. Even if you don’t want to hoof it into the backcountry, you can still have a pretty awesome elopement that can roll your wedding day and honeymoon into one epic trip. Maybe you decide to elope in Telluride (please bring me along, I love that area!), and then stay a couple of extra days at one of the resorts and explore with your boo! Some people ultimately chose a small elopement so that they can later go on a HUGE honeymoon adventure! 

Elopements can be much more sustainable.

For those of you who don’t know, I work in the sustainability field when I’m not taking photos. This is something that I am extremely passionate about, so I really love getting to educate couples on the impacts of the wedding industry!

There is a lot of waste associated with traditional weddings, from the food waste to the decorations that may or may not be reused. Elopements generally cut down on a lot of this waste! It can also cut down on the carbon footprint of guests travelling far and wide. If you’re looking for even more tips on how to have a sustainable wedding, check out my “sustainable weddings” blog post here!

So, if this even made you interested in eloping, hit me up! I love getting to work closely with couples to plan out a day that is memorable and totally personal to you! I have so many ideas for spots to elope, and would love to find a place for you. I also travel a fair amount throughout the year to some really cool places for landscape photography, and when travel plans align, it can save you even more!

Eloping isn’t going to be right for everybody, and that’s OK! Just knowing what options you have can help you make a more informed decision with everything going on now, and even in the future as you start to plan. And always remember: your wedding day is going to be great, no matter what!!