Is It SELFISH To ELOPE?

I hear this question a lot from couples who want their wedding, their way which is an elopement. These couples have no desire to plan and pay for a wedding for everyone else, their dream is to have a romantic ceremony just for them.

However, many couples come to me with elopement plans that turn quickly into wedding plans because they were made to feel guilty about not including loved ones.

My question is, why should they be made to feel guilty or told they are selfish because they want to marry their person, their way?

As many as there are couples who want the bigger wedding, there are equally as many couples who want to commit to each other privately. They want incredible photos and the entire day being only about them. They do not want the outside distractions, the pressure of making everyone happy or the cost of a wedding. 

These couples want a wedding experience that is connective; they want to be totally present, and they want the freedom to slow it down and savor every moment of the day. 

The elopement couples we work with come to us because we offer a unique once in a lifetime experience with our adventure elopements. Saying “I Do” on the Appalachian Trail, beside a river, on a mountaintop, on our historic property or anywhere out in nature is connecting and nature pours her love into the ceremony. 

As a planner, a venue owner and an officiant, I feel that every couple should have the wedding that best suites their personalities, budget and timing. 

If that’s an elopement, then they should do it!

Cheers to all the elopement couples!