Why should you elope?
The mountain fog settles and through the white, snow caps appear. Down in the valley, song birds are singing while the sun shines onto the thin fall stream. In that moment, it is just you two, and maybe even the people you love most as you say 'I do'. It is the most majestic day of your lives!
Do you find yourself stressed even thinking about planning a traditional wedding? Are you tired of trying to accommodate everyone but yourselves on your special day? Do you feel like you're trying to cram soooo much into one day that you won't be able to soak in every moment?
Consider eloping! & no, not the run off to Vegas type of elopement (but those are fun, too!). Elope in your dream location, planned (but not strict!) and relaxed.
Elopements can be anything that you make them. You can make the day(s) as adventurous or laid back as you want. You can get married anywhere you want (within legal limits, of course). You get to share the day with just you and your partner and soak in every moment together. Some couples invite the closest of individuals to witness their day or part of the day, too.
As a photographer and even a guest of traditional weddings, I've seen first hand how chaotic and stressful it can become. I see the bride and groom getting pulled in different directions, away from each other; I see the couple spend half of their day together, or less. I see couples stressed making rounds trying to make sure they talk to every guest and they can't even take a second to eat their own meals. I see couples stress about not wanting to upset anyone by decisions they make or who they invite or include in the bridal party for their day. I see everyone trying to follow a strict timeline and not being given even a second to just embrace the present moment and just be. I could go on but let me tell you what your elopement could be like.
You start your day waking up to your best friend, you enjoy the morning having breakfast in the small cabin you rented with unbelievable views. You're sipping on fresh coffee while the sun rises. The day feels calm and un-rushed, you take your time getting the day started.
You and your partner decide it's time to get ready for the day you planned ahead. You planned a gorgeous hike to the mountaintop in Colorado where you will say your vows and marry. You laugh, hold hands, and talk to each other while getting to the top. You feel the cool morning air bring the hairs on your arms up. There's some muddy puddles on the way, you both jump in like you're kids again.. At the top you take some time to change into your wedding attire - this is probably the only time you'll be away from your significant other!
You do your first look but to build suspense first you sit back to back overlooking mountain tops in the distance and write your vows and take time to feel emotions and the energy just being with your partner. When you are finished you stand up and turn around towards each other with the vows you had just written in your hands.
You read those vows to each other. Uncensored, raw, & true to your love. You don't have to hide anything you wouldn't want to share with a crowd, you can be authentic, you can just be yourselves, no one is watching or listening. You end the vows with tears and hugging, there’s no rush to wipe the tears away and continue on, you take time to embrace this moment with your partner. On your own time you look up at each other, eye to eye, and marry yourselves.
It is 100% legal to marry yourself or "self solemnize" in Colorado! You can even make your dog your witness!
You spend the rest of the day in each other's presence the way you want to spend it. Your itinerary is planned but not strict, it's flexible to how you want your time to be.
You eat pb+js for lunch or pull out the backpacking gear and make one of your favorite meals together. You want to dance around like nobody's watching (because no one is!). You bring your favorite game and play it together. You go back down to the bottom and jump into the lake together in your attire, or go kayaking or canoeing. The day can go any way you want it to, you can really do anything you want and spend it the way that feels true to you and your love.
The evening is near. You start a fire outside of your perfect lil cabin, listening to the calm waters brush to the shore that is in the backyard. You hear crackling of the wood in the fire, you feel the warmth of not only the fire but your partner nestled next to you. You savor the perfect day you just had and take time to appreciate the experience you got to have with your partner. You decide to dance around the fire, and eat s'mores, catch fireflies, and giggle throughout the night. The stars come out, you go down by the lake and see the milky way make its appearance. You snuggle with your partner on the beach and stargaze. This is how your night ends, this is how you remember your special day, relaxed, preserved, & authentic.
So what are the three main reasons you should elope?
1). The day is truly about you and your partner, this is your "just us" day. You can enjoy it anyway that feels right to you and you do not have to consider anyone else. You don't have to make sure you keep your ceremony short so you don't bore the guests. You don't have to make sure the socialized norm of traditional weddings is followed; the rules, expectations, and timeline of how a wedding ‘should’ be. Your wedding is about you and only you. Eloping creates a day focused on you and lets you just be with your partner, intimate and private.
2). You're paying for an experience, not a party! Let's be honest, it's EXPENSIVE to throw a wedding. Why not use that money for your own adventure and pleasure. You don't have to please others with an open bar and overpriced meals (you know how often you hear someone mention they can't wait for the open bar at a wedding?! uhh what about the couple?!).
Eloping can be a one day or multiple day adventure. Just think of all the ways you can spend that money on an adventure that truly grasps your love and personalities.
When I say adventure, it doesn't always mean physical exertion or crazy expeditions. Your adventure can be walking along the beach with sandy feet getting married next to the ocean or finding yourself beneath city lights. An elopement doesn't have to include physical activity to be an adventure. This adventure is your story!
3). Elopements are less stressful! Ditch family and friend drama. Ditch all the little details of planning and coordinating. Planning becomes so much easier when you're planning your own adventure the way you want to do it.
Bonus reasons ;)
Did you know elopements are more environmentally friendly? Skip the absurd amount of one time use flowers, decorations, and food that go to waste at the end of the night. When you elope you're helping eliminate carbon emissions, harsh chemicals, and waste. Elopements also follow the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace. https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/
You get to experience something new with your partner! Or maybe the location you chose has meaning to you two and you get to relive that space + energy again, together, just the two of you.
You can even go back on anniversaries!
Finding yourself feeling guilty or selfish for your decision to elope? If anyone makes you feel that way for choosing what's right for you and your partner then would you really want to host them on your wedding day? Stay true to yourself, honor your own feelings and dreams and do what feels right to you and your partner, remember, this is YOUR day. You'll always have photographs to let friends and family feel and experience this day with you.
Xoxo,
Kelsey
Adventure Elopements + Couples Traveling Photographer
Mountains Nomad Photography
