Is it selfish to elope?
Celebrating your love is one daring adventure. If you are currently planning an elopement, you may have heard the opinion that elopements are selfish. Maybe you have been questioning your own motivation and what your wedding ceremony means to you. Is it really selfish to elope? We don’t think it is but let’s look at the topic from multiple perspectives first!
We get it. When planning a wedding, a big bouquet of expectations can pop up amongst your friends and family. This can create some tension, especially when your loved ones would like to take part in your wedding ceremony while you and your partner envision an intimate wedding in a beautiful spot instead. Just you two and a small selection of people that you would like to share the experience with.
Your wedding should be all about you.
Your wedding should be all about you as a couple. You and your partner are entering the next big chapter in your relationship. For most people, their wedding day is one of the most important days in their life and it should be exactly the way you imagine it. It’s entirely up to you if you want to share this moment with a big crowd of people or if you prefer to keep it small and intimate. Eloping doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate with your friends and family later. It simply means that you put your own dreams first.
Elopements are simply less stressful.
Once the planning is done, you can sit back and relax. Elopements won’t require you to manage a bunch of people while managing your own stress levels. A destination wedding is more like a big adventure: You and your partner get to explore a beautiful place and can share this great experience with each other.
It’s less expensive.
Traditional weddings are expensive but not only for the couple. In many cases, wedding guests feel obligated to take time off work, pay for accommodation, buy an expensive present and get a new outfit for your special day. Dancing on multiple weddings during one season can leave a big hole in your pocket. Additionally, eloping can be cheaper for the couple as well. Okay, this depends. Your choice of destination can still come with travel expenses and you pay for your stay, the ceremony and a wedding photographer. However, you don’t spend a fortune on a big party, you pay for a dear shared experience instead that you will remember forever. And of course, you can throw a party afterwards if you want. (Or you could put the extra money towards one of your financial goals and benefit from it together.
So it’s not selfish?
In many ways, eloping is quite the opposite of selfish.
Social responsibility. Right now, a global pandemic is restricting our ability to travel. Getting your family from all over the globe over to celebrate with you may not even be an option and in many cases, you would have to limit the number of people you invite anyway. It is the perfect time to do whatever you have in mind on your wedding day while making a socially responsible decision that protects you and your loved ones.
Memories to share. Who is to say that eloping means you can’t share the experience? You will come back with fond memories, stunning pictures and great stories to tell. Your friends and family can still participate and enjoy your memories with you.
Your relationship is private. Not everyone is comfortable with the idea of sharing their vows with a big audience. This is a very emotional moment between you and your partner and it is absolutely legitimate to keep this to yourself.
It’s an experience. Oh, the places you will go! Eloping is an experience. Instead of spending one stressful day with your friends and family, you can turn it into a trip full of amazing experiences, new ideas and exciting discoveries. Who knows, you may come back as a changed person!
Communication is key. If you are worried, your friends and family might be disappointed about your decision to elope, think again. They want the best for you and of course, they want you to be happy. If their first reaction shows disappointment, then probably because they would like to celebrate your special moment with them. Once you have explained your reasons, they will understand and accept your decision.
Why eloping?
If you are of the adventurous kind, your soul is longing to see the world. You may be a traveller already, chasing the sun whenever you can. Or maybe you fell in love with the wild stunning beauty of remote mountains a long time ago. We all have those places where our heart feels wide and open, places full of joy and laughter. Isn’t this exactly where you would want to get married?
Eloping comes with many benefits. However, the biggest one is that you get to see a beautiful location while saying ‘Yes’ to your significant other. A wedding doesn’t have to be big and loud, it can be intimate and relaxed as well. It’s your wedding and you should decide what you want it to be. A destination wedding ist often much cheaper than a traditional wedding while giving you a unique and special experience in a beautiful spot. And if you want to, you can turn it into a real adventure.
Not sure where to start?
Do you have an idea in mind already? Our experienced team of travel experts and wedding photographers is more than happy to help you plan your destination wedding. We can help you plan your elopement from scratch or provide advice and tips wherever it’s needed. Send us your ideas in the contact form and together, we can work out an experience that is uniquely yours!
