7-minute read
With elopements, tiny, micro and intimate weddings on the rise, the team here at E-lope are often asked questions like why do couples elope?
With elopements, tiny micro and intimate weddings on the rise, the team here at E-Lope are often asked about what type of couples elope. So we thought it would be a good idea to put some frequently asked questions to Sam, the founder of E-Lope. Here is what she had to say
These questions might include the following:
‘What does it mean to elope’?
‘Who elopes and why’?
‘When is the best time to elope’?
‘Do couples have to keep elopements or tiny weddings a secret’?
Are we too old to elope?
‘Why should couples consider eloping over a traditional larger wedding’?
‘Are elopements, tiny, micro and intimate weddings considered more modern than a traditional wedding’?
However, the most frequent question is, ‘Why do couples choose to elope?’.
We are sure you won’t be surprised to learn that there is no one answer to this question. So, here are team E-lope’s top ten reasons, given as explanations by real couples who chose to elope, with no witnesses, with witnesses or who held a tiny wedding for up to 10 people.
Top 10 reasons why couples choose to elope
1. Couples want to realign the focus.
We often hear couples want to host an intimate wedding that sits better with their personalities, a day that they can better craft into a unique experience, enabling them to focus on each other or maybe just a few of their nearest and dearest.
2. Couples don’t want the pomp, ceremony and attention of a traditional wedding.
Couples often share with us here at E-Lope, that they are both completely ‘turned off’ by the idea of walking down the aisle with so many guests watching them. In addition, they can’t bear the thought of chatting to distant relatives who they haven’t talked to for years. And the idea of doing a speech in front of 85-plus guests makes them feel physically sick! Some people are just more shy, introverted or reserved.
3. Couples have a change of mind, changed their priorities or even fallen out of love with their wedding venue.
Team E-lope is sure it won’t be surprising to learn that some couples have started planning a big wedding. Then at some point during the planning process, they realise that the wedding is, in fact, ‘getting out of hand’ and ‘taking over their lives’ – with the seating arrangements often at the centre of some ‘falling out’ or ‘major headache’.
As elopement planners, we have also heard couples say that their chosen venue has done a U-turn on an aspect of the wedding that was critically important to them; for example, the venue has now stated that it doesn’t allow pets. When couples contact us here at E-lope, it’s often when both partners have finally had enough, and one has asked, ‘Why don’t we just stop this craziness and elope?
4. Couples often choose to elope because of budget
Traditionally when couples decide that they want to elope, it is likely that their budget is starting to or has the potential to spiral out of control. Or it could be that they choose to elope, to restrict how much money they spend on saying ‘We Do’. Couples are choosing to dramatically cut the guest numbers to enable them to spend more on getting:
- A cohesive style (ideally organised by someone else), which is when we at E-lope love stepping in to ensure that everything is organised and looks fantastic without the couple having to get involved in all of the niggly detail
- The perfect accommodation
- The perfect ‘get-away-vehicle’ etc.
5. Couples want a destination with character, charm and style that their budget wouldn’t stretch to
Many couples see their elopement as a way of booking a unique and romantic venue, like a castle in Kent, but that normally they couldn’t afford. If you didn’t know, elopements often occur mid-week or out of season, enabling couples to stretch their budget further.
6. Couples can’t face planning a big wedding.
Some couples don’t want to become slaves to wedmin and can’t contemplate themselves planning a traditional wedding. Working with the E-lopement team eliminates all the project planning. What our E-Lopement couples love is that we organise all of the details, that includes your specialist elopement photographer (for those all-important want-to-share pictures), award-winning cake maker, delicious food, stunning and beautiful flowers, that all-important styling and most important the backdrop to your big day, leaving you to enjoy the adventure – more akin to booking an all-inclusive holiday package at an amazing location.
7. Some couples cite family politics as a major reason for eloping
If you find every time you get your family together for a social gathering, there is some ‘family drama’, or you are tired of them arguing over your wedding or even being intrusive and wanting the last say. Or perhaps the family even disapprove of your partner. Eloping can be the perfect or only solution or option in some of these senarios.
8. Couples want to find an epic location
Location is considered a really important reason why lots of couples choose to elope. It might be that, under normal circumstances, a couple’s budget won’t stretch to getting married at a particular venue. Or perhaps the wedding venue’s terms and conditions, such as minimum numbers, prevent them from marrying at such an outstanding venue. However, by selecting a weekday (Monday through to Thursday), possibly out of season, elopement packages enable couples to book an ideal destination wedding venue, like a medieval destination castle, not normally available to them.
9. Couples’ circumstances change
Circumstances mean that couples prefer a personal and private marriage ceremony now and a bigger party later. For example, if they are suddenly expecting or want to be married before they have a child.
10. Couples don’t want to wait to tie the knot.
Time is an important factor when planning a wedding. Not every couple has the time or wants to plan their wedding spread over several years. Some couples want to make their wedding happen right now and not wait, for example, up to 18 to 24 months to say, ‘Yes, we do!’.
Other couples who have busy lives don’t have the time to spare to project manage a traditional wedding. A massive pro of booking an elopement or intimate wedding is that they don’t have to take long to organise. By booking an elopement package, all it leaves you to share is your Pinterest board with us and your Spotify list of tracks. Then if you are travelling from further afield, don’t forget to book your accommodation locally (which we can even help with), and on the day, turn up dressed, with your wedding bands and licence to marry and the team here at E-lope we do the rest. It couldn’t be simpler! If you need any local accommodation, check out the suppliers we love page.
With regards to age, our view is making a happy commitment only needs two people, no matter how old you are.
Whatever your reason or reasons for eloping, many couples are now intentionally choosing to elope. Elopements are no longer taboo or old-fashioned. Elopements are inherently simpler, less stressful, intimate, more spontaneous, and are now seen by some as more romantic and fun than traditional weddings.
To book your elopement, contact the team here at E-Lope. We can’t wait to hear all about you both, see your Pinterest board and help design your dream elopement in Kent.
