The Pros of Eloping: Why it might be the Perfect Choice for your Big Day

Why It Might Be the Perfect Choice for Your Big Day

by Melissa Clark

Weddings are a wonderful way to celebrate your love together with friends and family, but sometimes a large wedding just doesn't resonate with you. Enter elopements - purposely small and intimate occasions that could be the perfect choice for you.

Elopements usually include just the couple, a celebrant, and two witnesses who sign the marriage certificate. The photographer can often be one of the witnesses. Alternatively, the couple can invite their closest family and friends, but typically, guest numbers are up to ten.

When it comes to planning a wedding, the traditional route involves months, sometimes even years, of preparation. From selecting the perfect venue to creating a guest list that pleases everyone, the process can be overwhelming. But what if you could bypass this and still have a wedding that’s deeply meaningful? Enter eloping — a choice that more couples consider as they reimagine their wedding day. Here’s why the pros of eloping might just make it the perfect option for you.

Financial Freedom

Weddings can be expensive. From venue rental to catering, florals, and attire, the expenses add up quickly. Eloping, on the other hand, can reduce these costs. Without the need to cater to a large guest list or book an expensive venue, you can allocate your budget towards something more — like an honeymoon or a down payment on your first home. Financial freedom is one of the major pros of eloping, allowing you to start your married life without the wedding debt.

Focus on the Relationship

One of the most compelling pros of eloping is that it allows you to focus solely on your relationship. With the pressure of planning a big event off your shoulders, you can fully immerse yourself in the experience of getting married. The day becomes entirely about the two of you, free from the distractions and expectations that often come with a traditional wedding. This intimate approach can lead to a more personal and meaningful ceremony, where your vows and commitment take centre stage.

Less Stress, More Joy

Wedding planning is often accompanied by stress about guest lists, seating arrangements, weather, and everything in between. Eloping removes much of this stress. You can enjoy a relaxed and joyful experience with fewer details to manage. Imagine saying your vows on a mountaintop, at a secluded beach, or in a charming chapel.

Flexibility and Spontaneity

Eloping offers a level of flexibility. You can choose to elope on a whim, turning a spontaneous idea into reality within days or even hours. Whether you dream of a sunrise ceremony or a late-night exchange of vows under the stars, eloping allows you to craft a day that is entirely your own. This spontaneity can add an element of excitement and adventure to your wedding day, making it a unique experience you’ll treasure forever. The flexibility and spontaneity are significant pros of eloping that many couples find appealing.

Avoiding Family Drama

Weddings often bring out the best — and sometimes the worst — in families. Disagreements over guest lists, venues, and traditions can lead to unnecessary stress and tension. Eloping allows you to avoid these potential conflicts by keeping your day focused on what matters most: your love and commitment. You can choose to involve only those closest to you or keep the day entirely private, sidestepping the drama that can sometimes accompany larger family gatherings. Avoiding family drama is another key pro of eloping that can make your wedding day more peaceful and enjoyable.

Environmental Impact

If sustainability is important to you, eloping can align with your values while still allowing you to celebrate your love. A traditional wedding can have a significant environmental footprint, from the waste generated by catering to the carbon emissions associated with travel. Eloping, particularly if you choose a minimalist approach, can be a more eco-friendly option. Fewer guests mean less travel, and opting for a simple ceremony in a natural setting can minimise waste. The reduced environmental impact is a growing pro of eloping for eco-conscious couples.

Authenticity

At its core, eloping is about authenticity. By choosing to elope, you can create a wedding experience that is deeply personal and authentic to you as a couple. Whether you want to marry in a place that holds special meaning or simply say your vows in a quiet, intimate setting, eloping allows you to do it your way. Authenticity is perhaps the most profound pro of eloping, allowing your true selves to shine through on your special day.

Conclusion

Eloping isn’t for everyone, but for those who crave intimacy, simplicity, and authenticity, it can be the perfect choice. The pros of eloping are numerous: financial freedom, a focus on your relationship, less stress, flexibility, the avoidance of family drama, a reduced environmental impact, and the opportunity to create an authentic experience. If you’re considering eloping, know that it’s not a lesser option — it’s simply a different one, with its own unique set of benefits. After all, the most important thing is not how you get married, but that you are marrying the person you love.

So, if the idea of a big wedding feels overwhelming or just doesn’t resonate with you, consider eloping. It might just be the perfect way to start your happily ever after.

BE INSPIRED with these beautiful elopements…

captured by Melissa Clark Photography

Lucy & Lewis’s elopement at Lake Hope perfectly showcased the beauty and charm of a snowy, intimate wedding. After spending the morning getting ready together, the couple and their four close friends travelled by helicopter to the shimmering Lake Hope. The ceremony was perfect, even though it was a chilly day with snow blanketing the mountains and the lake glowing a bright blue in contrast. It was an intimate and beautiful elopement.
Returning to the family home, evening guests arrived and they enjoyed a laid-back dinner with platters and pizzas, followed by a house party-style celebration. The night was filled with games, countless rounds of beer pong, and an abundance of laughter.

Engaged on the weekend, married by the following! Helen & Chris had a whirlwind engagement on their trip to New Zealand, and with the help of Melissa Clark Photography and Philippa Thomas Wedding Celebrant they managed to pull off a stunning last minute elopement at Rippon in Wanaka. It was the perfect autumn afternoon and they finished up the night with a golden hour picnic and some of the best cake around.

Nicola & Matt's wedding was the epitome of elegance and timeless style, set against the backdrop of Lake Hayes in a luxury holiday home, before moving to Eichardt's for the reception, surrounded by close family and friends. Their choice of venues overlooking Lake Hayes offered panoramic views and a serene setting for the ceremony, creating an intimate and majestic atmosphere. As the festivities moved to Eichardt's for the reception, the elegance continued with fine dining and heartfelt toasts under the soft glow of candlelight.

Jess & Ryan’s elopement was the kind of day that dreams are made of, with golden light bathing Coromandel Peak, the mountains, and Lake Wanaka in a warm, ethereal glow as they said “I do” in a beautiful ceremony filled with heartfelt moments and touching words. After the ceremony they shared their first dance as the light hit the last of the mountains. Jess and Ryan were then whisked away in a luxury Range Rover to a romantic candle-lit greenhouse, where Cardrona Distillery created an amazing meal that made the night even more memorable.

Rebecca & Paul had the most romantic, intimate and personal elopement, exchanging vows just as golden hour bit Queenstown. The photos speak for themselves, as the couple’s love story takes centre stage. To end the day the pair celebrated in their favourite way… with a McDonalds meal!