What Is an Elopement?
What do you think of when I say the phrase “Elopement Wedding?” Does Vegas come to mind? What about running off to the courthouse? Elopement wedding probably sounds like an oxymoron, right? Weddings are typically huge celebrations, filled with seating charts, cake tastings, and a million other things. They’re also hugely expensive! Elopements are just more intimate celebrations with a handful of guests and no real planning, right? Not necessarily–Definitely not anymore! The beauty of an elopement is combining both traditional and non-traditional pieces, making your day exactly what you’ve dreamed of.
So, what really is an elopement wedding? I’ve listed a few ideas about what makes up an elopement ceremony. Nowadays, an elopement wedding means that you are getting married and celebrating with just yourselves or a small gathering in a minimal, more intimate way.
1. Elopement weddings don’t need you to book a legal venue
What’s beautiful about an elopement is that there are countless options as to where you can hold your wedding ceremony. Because of this, elopements can happen anywhere! You can be outdoors in nature or even at an AirBnB. Do you want to say your vows on a beach on the Oregon Coast? Does a mountain backdrop sound dreamy? With an elopement, the destination is wherever you’d like it to be, anywhere in the world, with no huge payment for a wedding venue. Elopements typically don’t require much setup at all, so the sky’s the limit for where to hold your elopement ceremony .
2. The guest list can be totally minimal
Elopement ceremonies can include the couples’ closest family and/or friends. Many times, however, an elopement party only includes the couple, an officiant, and the photographer (many times acting as a witness). I’m not saying that you can’t invite more people; that’s the beauty of an elopement wedding. You can invite anyone you choose. Typically, however, elopement weddings are smaller and more intimate than a large, traditional wedding.
3. Vendors play a large and critical role in an elopement wedding
The most important part of an elopement wedding is the ceremony itself. Sometimes it only lasts a few minutes, but that’s why many couples think that a phenomenal photographer is beyond important. After all, it’s the photographer who documents the ceremony for you with epic pictures so that you can always look back to remember those incredibly special moments. Many couples also choose to do a First Look at the beginning of their elopement day. With me as your photographer and guide, we will create a timeline to be sure that the moment where you first see each other is recorded in pictures forever.
4. You absolutely cannot beat the price of eloping
The literal biggest part of any traditional wedding is the price tag. These weddings with many a guest can be really expensive after you add together invitations, decor, florals, booking a venue, food, and time. Elopement packages are a ridiculously great choice for a couple with a tight budget. They’re also great for couples who really want to spend their money on an epic honeymoon.
Eloping lets you choose every single part of your wedding day, from the where to the florals and the food. With an intimate group, you don’t have to make sacrifices to please anyone. Wedding attire can be whatever you dream up and ceremonies can be either secular or religious. You can still have a big reception or you can choose to celebrate more intimately, holding your first dance on the beach as the sun sets. Elopements can be last minute–Hey, let’s do the damn thing; or they can be planned out in advance, much like a traditional wedding. Your elopement day is all about you and your soulmate. If you can dream it, I can make it happen. Why not elope? It may be the best decision you’ve ever made!
I’m a hopeless romantic – I believe in soulmates, and I’m here to help you marry yours in the great outdoors.
Combining my passion for epic landscapes, love stories, and equality for every human being, I’m on a mission to guide couples of all colors and backgrounds to the best wedding day of their life. A day without judgment and pressure, a day to connect with each other and nature.
Best of all?
I’ll make sure you leave with the most epic photos you’ve ever seen.
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Emily Dimond is a Colorado, Washington & Oregon adventure elopement photographer and guide. Based in the US and ready for travel worldwide
emily is an LGBTQ+ friendly photographer. inclusion & diversity are celebrated here.
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