As an elopement photographer, I’ve heard my fair share of myths about weddings and elopements. So I thought today I would debunk the top 5 biggest elopement myths! 

Eloping means getting married in a courthouse 

Fact: Eloping means getting married exactly where you want to and how you want to. Yes, it can mean getting married in a courthouse. But it can also mean getting married on a beach at sunset, during a sunrise hike, or in your favorite park. The truth about elopements is that it’s all about picking a spot that is perfect for you and your partner. 

Eloping is selfish 

Fact: Eloping is special and most definitely not selfish. I think this myth gets a lot of steam because people tend to feel guilt about leaving out bridal parties, friends and family from their ceremony. However, just because you want to have something intimate doesn’t mean you are selfish! Many people opt to have an intimate elopement and a larger reception with friends and family. If you feel like you want to include your friends and family a few ways you could do it would be to film your ceremony on a tripod to show them at a later time, let them know in advance you are eloping so they aren’t surprised, or host a small gathering the night of your elopement to celebrate with those closest to you. 

Eloping means having no family or friends there

Fact: Eloping can mean having just you two there with an officiant or you can be surrounded by as many friends and family as you would like. A big part of eloping is really throwing out any large wedding expectations and having a relaxed and intimate feel to your day. But that doesn’t mean you have to exclude family and friends! There are no rules to eloping. You can have your parents there or your best friend. You can have no one. There is no right or wrong, only what feels right to you guys. 

Elopements are thrown together 

Fact: Elopements still have key elements that are planned. Eloping doesn’t equal sloppy! Many couples pick out their elopement location, photographer, and outfits months in advance. You will need an officiant and marriage license just like a traditional wedding. People tend to elope because they don’t want to have all the stress of planning a wedding but that doesn’t mean there is no planning involved. It can be super fun to have just a few key things to plan for your elopement, like a bridal bouquet and picking up a bottle of champagne to cheers with after you say “I Do”. 

Elopements are cheap 

Fact: Elopements can be affordable. I want to be clear that “cheap” doesn’t equal “affordable”. I think the word cheap gets a bad reputation for being tacky or bad. When in reality a better way to think of it is affordable. You can still have a gorgeous elopement at an affordable price! Elopements help you save money for things that mean more to you. For example, if you have an intimate elopement you don’t necessarily have to pay for a dinner for 100 guests. Instead, you could take that money you would have spent on dinner and purchase plane tickets to a country you’d like to elope in! Or purchase your dream dress! There are plenty of ways to make your elopement special and beautiful while also being affordable and money savvy. 

What do you guys think? Are there any other elopement myths that you have heard of that you need help debunking? At the end of the day, any elopement or wedding day is all about YOU guys and having the day you dreamed of. Eloping lets you and your partner focus on each other and the things that are most important to you.

Message me today for help planning your dream elopement!