Why You Should Elope
Arizona Elopement Photographer
This morning I sat down with a lovely couple for a bridal consultation. I asked my first question, "What type of wedding are you wanting to have?" They look at each other, then back at me.. "WE'RE ELOPING!!!" As an Arizona Elopement photographer, Music to my ears right there. This was my 4th wedding elopement bridal consultation in the last couple weeks. I decided to make a blog post on Why you SHOULD elope.
1. The obvious reason you should Elope is the money!
The average wedding is nearly $27,000. Venues alone are about $21,000. That's a shit ton of money right there. If you're paying for your wedding by yourself, it would be really hard to have cash upfront. Of course, you could save and save and save some more but in all honesty.. Most people put it on their credit cards. Don't start your marriage off with tons of debt from your wedding. That's just bad juju right there!
2. Since you aren't paying for an entire wedding you could elope some place hella epic!
That's right since you won't be for Aunt Tammy and Uncle Cliffs $27.57 per person dinner plate from the caterer you can spend all that extra money on a lavish vacation. What most people do is pick a vacation destination and then will add the elopement. After your ceremony, you can explore all the amazing spots. For a traditional wedding, you would have to pay $27,000 for the wedding + $5,000 for the honeymoon. YIKES!!
3. You'll save yourself the stress.
Planning a wedding is so stressful. Every little detail comes to YOU for approval. That means the photographer, caterer, coordinator, bridesmaid, guests and etc will come to you for all questions and expect you to have answers not to mention the seating chart! That gives me anxiety just thinking about it. I don't know about you but that sounds so stressful. People literally go crazy when planning a wedding. It's not a pretty thing to see. With eloping, you get to bypass all that shit!
4. You don't have to pick a bridal party and risk leaving someone out.
You know you'll have that one friend who freaks out because he or she wasn't included. GUESS WHAT... I've been that one friend before and the feeling is totally a crappy one. Also if you have more than 1 sister... who do you choose?
5. Avoid the family drama.
With every wedding there comes its fair share of family drama. People seem to forget who the wedding is all about and are so focused on themselves. I have photographed at least 5 weddings where there had been some drama. It is awkward AF! But as a photographer, I just make sure to do what the bride wants. I don't care about anyone else's feelings. I mean duh.. the bride is the PAYING client.
6. Last but not least, Your wedding day will truly be all about YOU!
Instead of focusing on what color dress your future mother in law is wearing you can focus on what is most important to you, which is hopefully your soon to be husband! You can create this intimate magical moment of you and your partner pledging your love to one another and vow to always love one another... in sickness and in health and evermore.
As an Arizona Elopement photographer, I want to know.. 1. Are you thinking of eloping? 2. Did this "Why you should Elope" blog post assist you in your decision? Feel free to CLICK HERE if you want more elopement information or just want to say HI!
: : Chelsee
Photography: Poppyseed Photography Dress: Lovely Bride Phoenix Florals: Cheeky Blooms Hair and Makeup: Gatsby G. Rentals: AZ Retro Rentals Cake: Amour De Sucre Location: The Mogollon Rim
Equipment Used
Camera: Canon 5D Mark III
Lens: Canon EF 50mm f/1.4L , Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8
Flashes: TWO Canon 600EX-RT speedlite flash
13 Comments
Jul 5, 2018, 10:48:25 AM
Ashley - Elopements are really beautiful but I think it really comes down to who you want to share the memories with. Weddings are about having the experience and celebration you want as a couple, whether it’s private or a big party. Our number one tips as planners is, to quote Burger King, “you can have it your way”!
Jul 5, 2018, 10:48:25 AM
Ashley - Elopements are really beautiful but I think it really comes down to who you want to share the memories with. Weddings are about having the experience and celebration you want as a couple, whether it’s private or a big party. Our number one tips as planners is, to quote Burger King, “you can have it your way”!
Jun 29, 2018, 9:38:06 PM
Kaci - That first image is fire! Beautiful couple, wedding dress, colors in the sky, the forest, and the leading lines to them from the road. I love everything about it. You captured their emotions wonderfully as well as the details and landscape. What a dreamy way to get married!
Jun 28, 2018, 10:41:30 AM
Paige Robertson - I am having a disagreement in my mind over this blog. As a wedding planner, I say “no have a wedding! It is a great and joyous reason to get everyone together”, but as a recent bride myself, I say “eloping would have been less stress and money for sure!” However, I did have plan my own wedding (as I’m a planner and couldn’t give up control, hehe)...do it; don’t do it! Haha! What a beautiful elopement though!
Jun 28, 2018, 10:41:30 AM
Paige Robertson - I am having a disagreement in my mind over this blog. As a wedding planner, I say “no have a wedding! It is a great and joyous reason to get everyone together”, but as a recent bride myself, I say “eloping would have been less stress and money for sure!” However, I did have plan my own wedding (as I’m a planner and couldn’t give up control, hehe)...do it; don’t do it! Haha! What a beautiful elopement though!
Jun 19, 2018, 10:45:13 PM
Michelle - I agree! I loved my wedding and it still goes down in history as one of the best days of my life, but when I look back I do wish we would have eloped or done something more intimate. It cost us so much money!
Jun 18, 2018, 9:50:37 PM
Lauren - These photos are just amazing! The tones used are stunning. I love the special moments and all the emotions you captured. I’m engaged and while we do have our venue, I’ve thought about how much more easy and fun it might be to elope.
Jun 18, 2018, 8:52:07 PM
Ashly - The Mongollon Rim is GORGEOUS! Your photos capture the beauty and emotion of this day so well. And agree 100% with all those reasons! Your wedding day is about YOU. Plus I'm a sucker for beautiful places so catch me eloping somewhere epic sometime soon
Jun 18, 2018, 8:52:07 PM
Ashly - The Mongollon Rim is GORGEOUS! Your photos capture the beauty and emotion of this day so well. And agree 100% with all those reasons! Your wedding day is about YOU. Plus I'm a sucker for beautiful places so catch me eloping somewhere epic sometime soon
Jun 18, 2018, 8:50:37 PM
Lauren - These photos are just amazing! The tones used are stunning. I love the special moments and all the emotions you captured. I’m engaged and while we do have our venue, I’ve thought about how much more easy and fun it might be to elope.
Jun 18, 2018, 5:34:54 PM
Abi - These images are absolutely incredible! I'm currently engaged and have thought numerous times that I should just run away with him and elope
Jun 18, 2018, 5:34:54 PM
Abi - These images are absolutely incredible! I'm currently engaged and have thought numerous times that I should just run away with him and elope
Jun 18, 2018, 12:17:06 PM
Brittany - I LOVE that you wrote out the costs. Plus, then they can spend more on an amazing photographer