Tamara Merri

Sep 3, 2020

The 15 Most Common Reasons to Elope

Updated: Apr 19, 2023

Have you noticed that a lot more people are eloping? A big reason is because many people are switching from a big wedding to an elopement due to COVID. But some are planning an elopement straight out, and they always would have regardless of the pandemic.

An elopement is a wedding on a smaller scale. It can be just two people (and an officiant/witness if legally required) and maybe a photographer OR can have a small group of fam and friends to witness the day. You can elope at the courthouse, your back yard, the bar where you first met your partner, at an intimate venue, on top of a mountain, mid-air during a skydive, underwater while you're snorkeling ... the possibilities are literally endless.

Whether you yourself want to elope and are curious about why other people want to or if you're a family member trying to understand why your sister/daughter/mom wants to elope, check out this list for the most common 15 reasons people want to elope.


 The top 15 reasons people choose to elope:

ONE: Less stress during the planning process and on your wedding day

TWO: You value experiences over materialistic things

THREE: You crave spontaneity and adventure

FOUR: You'd rather spend quality time with a small group than split time among a larger guest list 

FIVE: You aren't close with your family or you want to avoid family drama

SIX: Sustainability. It is better for the planet

SEVEN: It's more affordable / You're on a tighter budget

EIGHT: You don't like being the center of attention or having to "perform"

NINE: You want a marriage, not a wedding

TEN: Intention & Authenticity. No arbitrary traditions

ELEVEN: You want to include things you enjoy during the wedding like hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, or other activities that cannot be done with a large group.

TWELVE: You need to get married ASAP either because of a military deployment, health insurance, or other personal reasons.

THIRTEEN: Less of a time commitment

FOURTEEN: You want epic photos if you choose to elope somewhere adventurous

FIFTEEN: You don't want anyone to know you're getting married

TOP 15 REASONS TO ELOPE:

  1. Less stress during the planning process and on your wedding day

  2. You value experiences over materialistic things

  3. You crave spontaneity and adventure

  4. You'd rather spend quality time with a small group than split time among a larger guest list 

  5. You aren't close with your family or you want to avoid family drama

  6. Sustainability. It is better for the planet

  7. It's more affordable / You're on a tighter budget

  8. You don't like being the center of attention or having to "perform"

  9. You want a marriage, not a wedding

  10. Intention & Authenticity. No arbitrary traditions

  11. You want to include things you enjoy during the wedding like hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, or other activities that cannot be done with a large group.

  12. You need to get married ASAP either because of a military deployment, health insurance, or other personal reasons.

  13. Less of a time commitment

  14. You want epic photos if you choose to elope somewhere adventurous

  15. You don't want anyone to know you're getting married

So - why do you want to elope? Email me if you think another reason should be added to this list.

Interested in hiring Tamara Merri Photography for your adventure elopement? Check out the elopement experience online and submit an inquiry form.

xo,

Tam

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