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The corona crisis has meant massive changes for people getting married. Many countries have introduced restrictions on gatherings, and wedding venues around the world have had to close. If you were planning a wedding abroad, the chances are you and your guests can’t even make it to your dream destination right now.
In the last few weeks, lots of couples who have had to cancel the big wedding they’ve spent months planning are now thinking about an elopement as a “plan B”. Many of them had never heard of elopements before the corona crisis, and are now torn between postponing the big wedding their friends and family were expecting, or changing their plans completely and getting married in a way they hadn’t considered before.
So this blog post is a shout out to all those couples currently making this difficult decision. If you are discovering elopements for the first time, and feel eloping is much more “you”, here are a few reasons to make it your plan A.
Why An Elopement Should Be More Than Just Your Plan B
I don’t believe an elopement should be your plan B. Why? Because I believe that elopements shouldn’t be seen as a consolation prize. I work with so many couples who intentionally choose an elopement as their plan A because they want their wedding day to be something different and unique.
So why are elopements awesome?
You Can Build Your Day Around You
Your wedding should be about you, your partner and your love for each other. If neither of you are into large parties, a traditional wedding probably doesn’t reflect who you are as individuals or as a couple.
With an elopement, there are no rules. You can elope where you want, when you want, and however you want. I’ve had couples who have eloped in an igloo, on a climbing route, and even a couple who wanted to say their vows amongst a flock of sheep. An elopement is an ideal way to incorporate all the things that are important to you and make your day the way you want it to be.
You Are More Flexible With Locations
Many of my couples feel an affinity to nature, that’s why they choose to get married in stunning places like mountains and lakes. However, it can be quite challenging to have a big wedding in these kinds of locations. Transporting 100 people up a mountain to watch you say your vows is simply not possible in many places, and you end up having to compromise on the nature for logistical reasons.
When it’s just the two of you, you have so many more options. The only criteria is whether you can make it to the location you both love, not your friends and extended family. If you’re both rad climbers, you can climb up your favourite route and say your vows at the top. If you’re powder hounds, spend your wedding day in the backcountry making fresh turns. An elopement gives you the flexibility to get married wherever you want.
An Elopement Is Better For The Environment
On a similar note, if you love nature, you are probably at least slightly concerned about climate change. And big weddings are usually not so environmentally-friendly, particularly if large numbers of your friends and family are flying out to celebrate with you.
Many couples who elope have a much simpler celebration than they would have done otherwise. I’ve worked with lots of couples who choose to stay in a basic mountain hut, do activities outside in nature, and then enjoy a traditional meal made with local ingredients. Not only is it a much better reflection of their relationship, but it helps the planet too.
It’s Easier To Organise–And Change Last Minute
I don’t think anyone has ever found a wedding easy to plan. The venue, the flowers, the invitations and, worst of all, the dreaded seating plan. With an elopement, you can keep things simple. At the bare minimum, you just need to get yourselves to a place you both love and decide what you want to say to each other. After that, you can choose which elements you want to include in your elopement, such as staying in a nice hotel, doing an activity you both love, or inviting some close friends and family along if that is what you would like.
And of course, the fewer things you have to plan, the easier it is to change those plans later on. It’s been heartbreaking to watch my couple’s dream weddings be ruined by the corona crisis. But those who had planned smaller, more intimate celebrations have found it a lot easier to change everything and reschedule.
And Don’t Forget, You Can Do Both!
For many people, the hardest part about eloping is telling your family and friends. If your family has been dreaming of your wedding day from the moment you and your partner first met, they may find it difficult to not be involved in the big day.
But as I said, with elopements you make the rules. That means you can invite friends and family along if you want to. Alternatively, you can plan your perfect elopement with just the two of you and then organise a larger party back home so everyone can celebrate your new marriage. Eloping is the ideal way to make your wedding exactly how you want it to be.
If you want to find out more about eloping in Europe, click here to download a free adventure wedding planning guide or contact me today to get the ball rolling on planning your own elopement adventure.
