What is an elopement?

Jun 28

Elopements are a type of wedding that is extremely misunderstood. Partly because there is no one definition. Many will argue that an elopement isn’t a wedding at all. They’re perceived as quick marriage ceremonies involving secrecy, shame, or running away. Something done behind the backs of disapproving parents, a rash decision made while intoxicated in Vegas, or wanting to avoid all of the fuss of a “real” wedding. Even with elopements rising in popularity, these are still some of the most common perceptions of them.

But these are not the reasons why people elope anymore. The meaning of eloping and the reasons for eloping have significantly evolved with time.

An elopement is a wedding that is intentionally intimate, meaningful, and unique to reflect your relationship and focus the day on your love and passion for one another.

An elopement allows for freedom to get married the way you truly want to and create the ultimate romantic experience to express your unique love. All in all, it brings weddings back to what they should be about, the couple and their commitment to each other.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the big white wedding. Hell, I had the big white wedding! It was beautiful and fun. But that wedding isn’t for everybody - something I realized after the fact. Yet, most couples are stuck with the impression that it’s either the big white wedding or the courthouse. But that’s just not true anymore!

It’s OK that you hate being the centre of attention, that you want to avoid family drama - well if I let my best friend bring her baby, do I have to let my third cousin who I saw 8 years ago bring her baby too even though I know Aunt Lydia won’t come and would love to babysit?? - and that you just get overwhelmed thinking of all the vendors you have to research, book, coordinate, etc. You don’t have to do any of that! You are not obligated to have that wedding if it’s not for you!

If you’d rather hike up the mountain you and your partner climbed on your first vacation together and commit to each other for the rest of your lives there - DO IT! If you’d rather fly to an exotic country that’s on your bucket list, say your vows at dawn, and spend the rest of the day touring the countryside - DO IT! The possibilities are endless.

Without rambling too much, that’s what an elopement is - choosing how you commit to each other to reflect your relationship. It can be anywhere in the world, during any time of day, with your closest loved ones or just you two.

Cheers!