If you’re wondering, should I elope or have a wedding, you’re not alone. Many couples feel stuck between wanting an intimate experience and planning a big celebration.
The decision to elope or have a more traditional wedding isn’t about right or wrong. It’s about choosing the type of experience that feels authentic and special to you and your partner.
As a Colorado-based elopement photographer, I’ve worked with many couples to plan and enjoy the perfect wedding day. In this guide, I’ll break down the pros and cons of eloping and answer common questions to help you decide what’s right for you.
Is eloping right for you?
Eloping might be right for you if you:
- Want a simple day focused on you and your partner
- Don’t want to plan a big traditional wedding
- Want to explore a unique location like Colorado, Missouri, or Montana
- Are getting married on a budget
- Want less pressure and fewer opinions from loved ones
I chose to elope with my husband, and it was the best day ever. Our elopement was stress-free, fun, and inspired by nature. We enjoyed a sunrise hike, shared coffee, and spent time hammocking together. Later, we celebrated with friends and family.
Should I elope? The Pros
Eloping can let you enjoy a flexible, authentic wedding day. For many couples, it removes the stress tied to a traditional wedding and replaces it with a peaceful space to truly connect and celebrate.
Affordable
Eloping is often much more budget-friendly than having a larger wedding. With fewer guests and vendors, you have more options for locations, and costs can stay more manageable.
While it’s easy to splurge if you want, you can also easily spend less. Many couples like to plan a simple elopement and put more of the budget toward photos, a honeymoon, and other meaningful experiences.
Lower Stress
Most couples who elope appreciate how much less stressful it is. Without a packed timeline or guest logistics, planning and the day-of is much more relaxed. You don’t have to worry about guest expectations, rigid timelines, or keeping everything running on schedule.
With less stress on your elopement day, you can focus on being present with your partner and truly enjoying the experience.
Unique Locations & Experiences
Elopements give you the freedom to get married almost anywhere. Whether you want to elope in the mountains or at the beach, have a peaceful setting or an adventurous experience, the options are endless. Your location becomes part of the experience, not just a backdrop.
Instead of a traditional venue, your day can include hiking, exploring, or traveling together. Many couples I work with even include their dog in their elopement day. This allows you to have a wedding that feels personal and memorable, and also makes for incredible photos.
Eco-Friendly
If you value sustainability, an elopement can be a great option. Large weddings often create a lot of waste, including leftover food, single-use décor, florals, and guest travel. Elopements usually involve fewer people and simpler details, which can reduce overall environmental impact.
I’m also a Leave No Trace Aware Photographer and bring those principles into every elopement I photograph. When I work with couples, we’re mindful of the environment and make choices that help protect the places we explore.
Flexible Timeline
Elopements aren’t tied to a traditional schedule, making it easier to be flexible and truly enjoy the day. You can plan a sunrise ceremony, choose a weekday, or spread the day out — whatever makes the most sense for your dream day.
With a flexible timeline, you’re able to slow down and enjoy each moment instead of rushing from one event to the next. Some couples I work with even have a multi-day celebration for more time to explore, take photos, and create new memories.
Should I elope? The Cons
While eloping is a great option for many couples, it’s not for everyone. It’s important to consider the emotional and practical challenges before deciding what’s best for you.
Missing Loved Ones
If you really value time with friends and family, this can be one of the hardest parts of eloping.
Some couples choose a just-us elopement, while others invite a few close loved ones. Many find it easier knowing there are ways to include family, like reading letters on the day, FaceTiming after the ceremony, or planning a larger celebration later.
Family Expectations or Pressure
If your family expects a traditional wedding, this can lead to tough conversations or feelings of guilt.
Having open, honest conversations early about your plans and priorities can help set clear boundaries. The most important thing to remember is that your wedding day is about your relationship, not meeting others’ expectations.
Less Traditional Focus
Elopements often skip classic traditions, which is why many people ask, should I elope? But you can still incorporate the ones that are important for you. For example, you can still exchange vows and have a first dance.
When planning your elopement, envision your perfect day to decide what traditions are actually important to you. When I work with couples, I love helping them add these meaningful moments into the day.
Should I elope? FAQs
What are the disadvantages of eloping?
The disadvantages of eloping are missing loved ones, family pressure, and having to rethink traditional wedding expectations. These concerns are common and completely valid, and eloping allows the flexibility to create your ideal experience. If you’re hoping to have a more stress-free, simple day that feels authentic to you and your partner, eloping could be a great option.
How much does an elopement cost?
The cost of eloping is usually between $4,000 and $18,000. Pricing depends on location, guest count, and vendors. Elopements offer a wide range of options, so you can stick to a budget or splurge on the experience.
Can you elope and have a wedding later?
It’s not uncommon to elope and have a wedding later. This works well if you want a private ceremony but still want to celebrate with loved ones. Some couples have a larger wedding or a reception weeks or months after the elopement.
Who should I invite to my elopement?
You can choose a just-us elopement or invite a few loved ones. Smaller guest lists help keep the day relaxed and meaningful. If you’re worried about leaving people out, you can celebrate later with a reception. Sharing photos is another great way to share the experience with them.
Should I elope? Conclusion
If you’re deciding between eloping and having a wedding, focus on what feels right for you. Eloping allows for more flexibility, less stress, and an authentic experience. A traditional wedding offers a more traditional celebration with loved ones.
If you want support planning and photographing an elopement that feels like you, I’d love to help. I’m a Colorado-based elopement photographer and love traveling with couples. My packages include planning guidance, location scouting, and a custom online gallery with all edited, high-resolution images. Let’s create your perfect day!
kinsley + caden
“Brooke was the perfect choice for our wedding day! We had a micro wedding at Sapphire Point in August. I had never been to Sapphire Point and Brooke was so helpful suggesting vendors, picture locations, parking, marriage license info etc. She was so kind and helpful before and during the whole process and was a large part of why the day went so smooth. She does so much more than just show up and take pictures, Brooke will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect! The photos are gorgeous and I keep getting so many compliments! I truly cannot recommend her enough!”
"Brooke was a large part of why our day went so smooth and will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect!"
We chose Brooke to capture our Colorado elopement and she did exactly that and more. She made it easy to plan our day out with locations and timelines so that we could focus on ourselves. We decided last minute to change our afternoon/evening elopement to a 6am sunrise one so beat the heat of the day. Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise. She was kind and understood what we wanted in terms of our elopement and we are so grateful to have her capture the day. Our photos turned out beautiful and truly helped us relive the day. I would recommend Brooke to anyone wanting their special day photographed.
"Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise."
erica + stacy
kirstie + colin
Brooke not only photographed our mountain elopement beautifully, but she put so much thought into the details and knew all of the answers the questions I didn’t even know to ask. She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had. She even helped pick the perfect spot for us and advised us on the logistical details like securing a reservation at the mountain lake where we wanted our ceremony. She is SO easy to work with and very friendly and chill. My husband and I are super awkward in front of a camera but she made it so natural and easy - and the shots came out better than we could have imagined.
"She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had."
amanda + jace
Brooke is many things; talented, calm, flexible, experienced/ knowledgeable, patient, incredibly responsive, organized, resourceful in a pinch, supportive, creative, professional yet a blast to work with, and goes above & beyond w her clients. Our wedding was a spectacular dream and we couldn't be more grateful that she made that single day last forever. Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be. We couldn't recommend her more and we look forward to booking with her for all of our vow renewals, seasonal and family pictures for as long as she'll have us.
"Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be."
linden + brent
Working with Brooke was a dream come true! Before we even met, my husband Brent and I were impressed by her portfolio. After meeting, we were even more convinced that her photography skills and knowledge, and her fun and easygoing personality were exactly what we were looking for in an elopement photographer. Brooke was able to take our vision and facilitate everything so that it worked out beautifully, especially when it came to finding the perfect location (the incredible mountains surrounding Ouray). Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible, and made it clear that her goal was for us to be 100% happy. In the end, her creativity and our happiness totally shine through in every single photo.
"Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible."
lauren + branden
I can't begin to express my gratitude for the intimacy and beauty behind Brooke's photographs. In capturing our wedding day, she went above and beyond to document our story, our families, and the depths of our love in ways that I'll forever be grateful for. Brooke has an eye for not only capturing the adventure and magic of your love, but deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way. She is truly an artist and tells your story in an authentic and creative way for you to look back on for years to come. We are forever grateful to Brooke for spending the time to get to know us, our story, and capturing the memories that we'll relive for years to come.
"Brooke deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way."
heather + jedd
“If you're contemplating which photographer to go with, THIS IS YOUR SIGN TO CHOOSE BROOKE!!!! She is so so so talented and was able to capture our elopement exactly how I pictured and wanted! We eloped in Ridgway, CO this past September and she was so helpful figuring out picture locations, recommendations of timeline for the day, and just made the whole day feel so smooth. She schedules multiple check ins, phone calls, etc., leading up to the big day to ensure everything is as you want it. Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever after just the first time of meeting."
"Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever."
christy + austin
Brooke is the absolute best. She truly went above and beyond for my fiancé and I to be able to get our engagement photos taken with the fall colors. Brooke is so sweet, fun, personable and incredibly talented. We could not be more in love with our engagement photos! Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever.
"Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever."
