Elopement vs Wedding : Which is right for you?
What is an Elopement?
By my definition an elopement is a marriage celebration with less than 20 guests.
Some couples prefer to elope just the two of them (and maybe their doggos) for a more personalized and intimate experience. This allows you to focus wholly on your partner and to more freely enjoy the whole day without having a super strict timeline to keep everything going.
Choosing a just the two of you elopement can also allow you to include more activities in your day. Some experiences such as a hot air balloon ride or a difficult hike to a picturesque view are easier in smaller groups.
Choosing to elope allows you to create an whole day tailored to what you want to do. You can hike to where you proposed and say your vows there before exploring more along the way and ending with a nice dinner or dancing under the stars. You can choose to snowmobile, go off-roading, kayak, and so much more. It’s up to you!
An elopement can also be planned in a couple of months or a year, depending on what season you want to be the background to your adventure. Since there’s not as many vendors included, it’s easier to quickly put things together for an elopement, at minimum most including only an officiant and photographer.
You can still include family and friends through having them write letters or make videos of congratulation or advice to enjoy during a quiet moment after your ceremony. You can also include them symbolically, through the wearing of family heirlooms as one example.
Eloping with Friends and Family
Just because you want to elope doesn’t mean you have to completely exclude those closest to you. You can choose a small group of individuals to share in your celebration. Think about it, if you had 100 guests and had a 5 minute conversation with each one, that’s over 8hrs of small talk.
I’ve found that 15-20 people is a good number to still keep things small and to allow for quality time with each of those you have chosen to include. These are the people that have supported you as individuals and as a couple, people you have great joy hanging out with and will enjoy however you have crafted your day. You can include them as much as you would like, throughout the ceremony or just for the reception. Some couples prefer to say their vows just the two of them and then reconvene with guests to celebrate.
Reasons to choose Eloping
More intimate experience
Get to get married however you choose
Get to spend more quality time with those you include
Can include more experiences
Can be planned quicker
What is a Wedding?
By my definition, a wedding is a marriage celebration that includes over 70 guests.
Most couples enjoy having a large wedding as a way to have a big party to celebrate with all their family and friends. For such a big occasion, friends and family you don’t get to see often will usually make a point to be there. It’s a joyous time and a reason to eat good food, dance, and toast to your future.
You can build a small support group through your wedding party who gets to stand by your side and helps make the day run smoothly. The wedding party is also helpful throughout the planning process of your wedding. From helping to put together favors, or décor pieces, and more, they are your wedding dream team.
Most couples plan their wedding over the course of 1-2 years. Giving yourself plenty of time to plan makes sure you don’t forget any details and that you are sure of the overall theme of your wedding from venue, to type of catering, to dress and accent colors. You have time to research and book all the vendors needed to pull off your event.
Reasons to choose a Wedding
Includes as many family and friends as you want
Chance to get to see people you often don’t
More structured event
More time to plan things
What if you want something that is a little bit of both? Consider a micro wedding! Usually around 20-50 guests, micro weddings allow you to include more family and friends while still making it an intimate experience.