Forget the Fuss, Elope Instead:
5 Reasons To Run Away On Your Wedding Day
Maybe you've been dreaming of a huge hotel ballroom wedding since you were a kid. Or perhaps your parents are pushing for a traditional ceremony with hundreds of guests. But if the thought of crowded banquet halls, cumbersome expenses, and meltdown-inducing planning has you wanting to flee for the hills, it might be time to consider eloping for your nuptials instead.
As a wedding and elopement photographer based in the northeast UK, I've documented countless couples trading stressful reception halls for peaceful mountaintops and crowded churches for quiet forest groves. And most find that slimming down to an intimate elopement centered solely around their love and commitment can be magical. Here's why eloping just might be the way to go:
You Control The Guestlist & Venue
Rather than trimming down mom and dad's 17-page guest list to fit your venue's capacity or budget, eloping puts you fully in charge. You handpick only your nearest and dearest to join as witnesses - whether that's just your maid of honor, best mate, or also your siblings. And you get creative full control in scouting locations that feel meaningful. I've shot impromptu ceremonies everywhere from castle ruins in Northumberland to moody glens in the Scottish Highlands. The options for stunning backdrops are endless.
It Saves You Money & Stress
Let's face it - weddings are insanely expensive these days. By opting to elope, you trim away so many line items. Catering, DJs, huge bridal parties requiring hair/makeup, fancy invitations - all of it goes poof! You're now free to splurge on an incredible custom gown rather than break the bank accommodating 200+ people. And you've stripped the ballooning to-do lists down to the bare essentials so you can actually relax and soak up every second.
The Focus Lands On You Two
When overbearing relatives start demanding certain traditions or friends bombard you with petty guest list politics, it's easy to lose sight of what matters - you two committing your lives to one another! Eloping puts the attention right back where it should be - on the couple in love. I've shot intimate ceremonies with more powerful emotion and presence than rushed 30-minute church weddings. You feel every joyful tear, laughter-filled kiss and tender glance when it's just you surrounded by stunning natural glory.
Adventure Awaits!
Who says you have to walk down some stuffy aisle in a church? I've shot couples rappelling down cliffs in Lake District National Park to exchange vows at the bottom and hiked miles into the wilderness with brides in sequin jackets and grooms carrying simple rings. The excitement of adventuring to far-flung destinations or even stunning local retreats breeds so much excitement and rush of endorphins. Every moment feels amplified - like the ultimate romantic getaway except you leave legally wed!
The Images Will Be Epic
Any capable wedding photographer can competently snap party pix inside a crowded event hall. But forging out into the wild with a glowing couple so in love they can't keep their hands off each other? That passion and connection paired with cinematic landscapes and golden light makes forimages that'll leave your guests gasping. You won't get tired of reliving your magical adventure for years to come.
The bottom line? While big hotel receptions work for some, eloping can be an incredible option that lets you connect more deeply to your partner and place. So if crowded chaos fills you with dread, why not run off on a wildly romantic exploit where the only thing that matters is your ultimate soulmate by your side?
