15 Reasons Why You Should Choose an Elopement or Intimate Wedding Over a Traditional Wedding
Are you tired of hearing about the same old wedding traditions?
Do you want your wedding day to be all about you and your significant other?
If so, then an elopement or intimate wedding might be the perfect choice for you.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the reasons why you should consider ditching the traditional wedding for an elopement or intimate wedding, including cost savings, increased intimacy, and a unique adventure experience. Whilst we are Scotland Elopement Photographers the same reasons apply if you are planning on eloping anywhere in the world! Enjoy!
#1 Cost Savings
One of the biggest reasons couples choose an elopement or intimate wedding over a traditional wedding is the cost savings. According to The Knot’s 2020 Real Weddings Study, the average cost of a wedding in the United States was $33,900. And that price has likely increased in the years since. In contrast, elopements and intimate weddings can cost a fraction of that, with the average cost ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 (this doesn’t include travel however but most people treat a destination elopement as their honeymoon. More on this later) This means couples can save tens of thousands of dollars and put that money towards a more meaningful and memorable experience.
#2 Increased Intimacy
An elopement or intimate wedding is all about the couple, making it a more intimate and personal experience. With a traditional wedding, the focus can often be on pleasing the guests, but with an elopement or intimate wedding, the couple can focus solely on each other. The smaller guest list also allows for more meaningful interactions with loved ones, making the wedding day even more special. Why not spend the morning of your wedding having a picnic in a forest whilst you write your vows to each other or for the more adventurous, perhaps why not go kayaking or paddle boarding? Want even more ideas? We’ve put together a blog post detailing The Perfect Morning for your Scottish Highland Elopement.
#3 Adventure Experience of a Lifetime
Elopements and intimate weddings are often more adventurous and unique, providing couples with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Instead of sticking to traditional wedding venues, couples can choose a location that holds special meaning to them, such as a remote beach or a scenic mountain top. This type of wedding also allows couples to be more creative and spontaneous, adding a touch of adventure to their big day.
#4 Say Goodbye to Outdated Traditions
One of the most significant benefits of an elopement or intimate wedding is that couples can say goodbye to outdated traditions. Say goodbye to the receiving line, the bouquet toss, and the uncomfortable garter belt removal. Instead, couples can create their own traditions and rituals that are meaningful and special to them. For those wishing to elope to Scotland and include some ancient highland traditions we’ve got a blog post for that. Read it here.
#5 More Time and Money to Spend on What Matters Most
With a traditional wedding, couples often find themselves spending a significant amount of time and money on details that don’t matter. This can include over-the-top decor, elaborate centerpieces, and expensive favors. With an elopement or intimate wedding, couples can focus on what matters most, such as meaningful experiences and spending quality time with loved ones.
#6 Create Lasting Memories with Loved Ones
With a traditional wedding, guests can often feel like they are just going through the motions. An elopement or intimate wedding allows for more meaningful interactions and connections with loved ones, creating lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come. We have found that many couples who bring along their close family members choose to spend their entire day with their family before heading out for their post-ceremony photoshoot the next day.
#7 Increased Privacy
For some couples, the idea of having their every move witnessed by hundreds of people can be overwhelming and intimidating. An elopement or intimate wedding allows for increased privacy, making it a more intimate and personal experience. Couples can exchange their vows without the pressure of a large audience, allowing them to truly be present in the moment. Take it from us – every elopement we have ever been part of has seen relaxed vow exchanges full of joy, laughter and (happy) tears.
#8 More Flexibility and Creativity
With a traditional wedding, couples often feel limited by time constraints and strict wedding traditions. An elopement or intimate wedding allows for more flexibility and creativity, allowing couples to create a unique and personalised experience that truly represents them. Say goodbye to your venue telling you that you have to be in a certain place at a certain time.
#9 A Different Kind of Honeymoon
Eloping or having an intimate wedding can also double as an adventurous honeymoon. Instead of a traditional honeymoon, couples can continue their adventure by traveling to new locations. This can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that allows couples to create lasting memories and continue the excitement of their wedding day. Oftentimes, our couples from the States and Canada use their Scottish Elopement to explore Europe for their honeymoon and money of our clients fly on to Ireland, France, Iceland or Italy for a continuation of their adventure.
#10 Focus on What Matters Most
With a traditional wedding, it can be easy to get caught up in the details and forget what the day is really about. An elopement or intimate wedding allows couples to focus on what matters most, their love for each other. This type of wedding allows couples to start their journey as newlyweds without any distractions or added stress.
#11 Get Married Where You Want
Elopements and intimate weddings allow couples to get married in a location that holds special meaning to them. Whether it’s a remote beach, a scenic mountain top, or a quaint garden, couples have the freedom to choose the perfect location for their special day. If you choose to have your elopement ceremony at the top of a mountain or on a a beach you will both be forever tied with that location and bound to the land. Looking to get married in a castle? Check our blog post – Wedding Castle Venues in Scotland.
#12 Intimate Vow Exchange
Exchanging vows on your own or in front of a small group of loved ones can be an incredibly intimate and special experience. We often see clients choose to involve their families with a reading or a toast. If you are eloping just the two of you, why not get your family members to write a letter to read out or record a video message.
#13 Stress-Free Planning
Planning a traditional wedding can be stressful, with a never-ending list of details to attend to. Stress over matching your wedding favour ribbons to your bridesmaid dress or making sure that nobody is missed off an ever-growing guest list is not fun. Trust us. We’ve been there.
An elopement or intimate wedding eliminates much of the stress, allowing couples to focus on what truly matters. With a smaller guest list, there are fewer details to attend to, making the planning process more manageable and less stressful.
#14 Personalised Experience
With a traditional wedding, couples often feel limited by the expectations of others. Instead of embracing the things that are special to them as a couple, they often include wedding day aspects that are unimportant (or worse – not meaningful) to them. An elopement or intimate wedding allows for a more personalized experience, allowing couples to create a day that truly represents them and their love for each other.
#15 Create Lasting Memories
An elopement or intimate wedding allows couples to create lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come. With a smaller, or even non-existent, guest list and a focus on what truly matters, this type of wedding allows couples to start their journey as newlyweds in a way that is meaningful, intimate, and special.
For balance, we are not saying that traditional weddings are bad. We had one (OK, we didn’t enjoy it) For some couples a traditional wedding day is the best day or their lives and we are truly delighted for them! ,
However, an elopement or intimate wedding is a perfect option for couples who want a more personal and intimate experience on their wedding day. With cost savings, increased intimacy, and the opportunity to create a unique and personalised experience, an elopement or intimate wedding is the perfect choice for couples who want to start their journey as newlyweds in a meaningful and special way.
So, why not ditch the traditional wedding and choose an elopement or intimate wedding for your special day? And if you are doing that in Scotland, why not book us as your elopement photographers?
Thank you, as always, for reading. For more thoughts on elopements, why not head on over to our 20 places to elope in Scotland article or read our blog by clicking the link at the bottom of the page.
Matt and Jodie – The Sassenachs
