Elopement vs Wedding: Which One is Right for You?

So, you’re engaged, and now you’re staring down the overwhelming decision of how to actually get married. Do you go for a big, traditional wedding with all the trimmings, or do you say, “screw that” and run off to do something that actually feels like you? That’s where the elopement vs wedding debate begins.

I’m here to break it all down—what each option really looks like, how to decide which one fits your vibe, and why eloping is not just running off to Vegas with an Elvis impersonator (unless that’s your thing, in which case, I fully support it). Let’s get into it.

---

Table of Contents

1. What’s the Difference Between an Elopement and a Wedding?
2. Why Do People Choose to Elope?
3. What About a Micro Wedding?
4. Reasons You Might Prefer a Traditional Wedding
5. How to Decide: Elopement vs Wedding
6. Why I’m the Photographer for You
7. Final Thoughts

---

What’s the Difference Between an Elopement and a Wedding?

The biggest difference? Scale, structure, and expectations.

• Traditional Wedding: Usually involves a full guest list, a venue, a schedule, catering, a DJ, seating charts, family expectations, and a whole lot of money spent on things you might not even care about (hello, chair covers).
• Elopement: Ditches the rulebook. It’s an intimate, intentional experience that prioritizes you and your partner’s desires over outdated traditions or pressure from anyone else.

An elopement can be just the two of you or include a few close loved ones. It can be on a mountaintop, in a forest, on a beach, or even in your backyard. The focus is on the experience, not the production.

And no, eloping doesn’t mean sneaking off in secret (unless you want it to). More couples are choosing to elope in a way that’s meaningful to them while still including family in ways that feel right.

---

Why Do People Choose to Elope?

Eloping isn’t just for rebels and free spirits (though, if that’s you, we’d get along great). People choose to elope for a ton of reasons, including:

• Ditching the stress – No months of wedding planning chaos, no seating charts, no Aunt Karen demanding a plus-one for her new boyfriend she met on Facebook Marketplace.
• Focusing on the experience – Imagine reading your vows to each other on the edge of a canyon, with no one watching but the birds (and me, but I promise to be discreet).
• Saving money – The average wedding in the U.S. costs around $30,000. For that price, you could have an epic elopement and a honeymoon and still have money left over for tacos.
• Flexibility – Want to say “I do” at sunrise in the middle of the desert? Go for it. Feel like celebrating with a picnic and some wine after? Done. Elopements let you plan a day that’s actually fun, rather than a jam-packed schedule where you barely get to eat.

---

What About a Micro Wedding?

Maybe a full-scale wedding feels too much, but an elopement feels too small. Enter: the micro wedding.

A micro wedding is basically the perfect middle ground—it’s an intimate wedding with usually 10-50 guests. You still get some of the traditional wedding elements (like a venue, a reception, and maybe even a dance floor), but it’s on a smaller scale, which means:

• Less stress
• Less money spent on things you don’t actually care about
• More time to actually enjoy the people you’re with
• A wedding day that still feels intentional, not like an event you’re performing in

Micro weddings are great for couples who love the idea of celebrating with family and friends but don’t want the chaos of a massive wedding. You can keep things as laid-back or as structured as you want. Want to have a small ceremony followed by a cozy dinner party? Do it. Prefer a casual backyard wedding with food trucks and lawn games? Perfect.

And because it’s smaller, you can actually choose a unique location without worrying about how to fit 200 guests.

If a micro wedding sounds like your thing, hit me up, and let’s talk about how to make it happen.

---

Reasons You Might Prefer a Traditional Wedding

Okay, okay—eloping isn’t for everyone. A traditional wedding might be more your vibe if:

• You love the idea of a big party with everyone there.
• You want to celebrate with all your family and friends in person.
• You’ve dreamed of walking down a big-ass aisle since you were a kid.
• You actually like wedding planning.
• You want a structured timeline and classic wedding traditions.

Basically, if the idea of a big event with all eyes on you sounds exciting rather than stressful, a wedding might be your thing. But if that list just gave you an anxiety attack, maybe an elopement or micro wedding is calling your name.

---

How to Decide: Elopement vs Wedding

Still torn? Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do we actually want a big wedding, or do we feel like we should have one?
2. What kind of wedding day would make us the happiest?
3. Would we rather spend money on an experience or an event?
4. How do we feel about being the center of attention all day?
5. Are there traditions we really care about, or do we feel like we’re just going through the motions?

At the end of the day, the “right” choice is the one that feels authentic to you.

---

Why I’m the Photographer for You

If you’re leaning toward eloping or having a micro wedding, you need a photographer who gets it—someone who knows how to make the day feel like an experience, not just a photoshoot.

That’s where I come in. I specialize in capturing elopements, micro weddings, and alternative weddings that throw tradition out the window. My goal? To make sure your photos feel like you—candid, real, and packed with nostalgia.

So if you’re ready to plan a wedding that feels like stepping into a memory every time you look at your photos, let’s chat.

---

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the elopement vs wedding decision is totally personal. But if you’re craving something intentional, stress-free, and focused on you, eloping or having a micro wedding might be exactly what you need.

Whatever you choose, make sure it’s what you want—not what’s expected of you. And if an epic, adventurous, or just plain laid-back elopement sounds like your jam, I’d love to be there to capture it.

Let’s make it happen.