Let’s start with the basics! What is an elopement? In the not-so-recent past, elopements were generally thought of as a couple running off and getting married in secret. (Maybe in Vegas!) But now, in 2024, the definition has changed. In fact, the wedding industry has changed. More and more couples are opting for smaller, scaled down versions of a traditional wedding. Intimate weddings, micro weddings, and elopements are on the rise. Their definitions are a bit blurry and what one may call a micro wedding, another might call an elopement. To me, an elopement is simply defined as a private (or intimate) meaningful marriage ceremony between two people, in a special location. It’s often a destination for the couple; meaning they travel to that special location.

Basically; in 2024, your elopement or wedding celebration can be whatever you want it to be!

After 15+ years in the wedding industry and 350+ weddings photographed, I’ve seen it all when it comes to weddings in the traditional sense. And while I love those and understand why many couples want to celebrate surrounded by all their friends and family, elopements hold a special place in my heart too! So without further adieu, these are my:

Top five reasons to elope!

1. You can spend your day with your spouse, focused on each other!

So often during traditional wedding days, couples barely even see each other. Between getting ready separately, strict timelines, group photos, saying hi to all the guests, cocktails, it’s all a blur. More often than not, couples don’t even get a chance to eat their meal! Couples who chose to elope can spend their day focused on each other; experiencing their once-in-a-lifetime day together. However that looks to them.

2. Location freedom!

Your day can truly be anything you dream of when you’re not restricted by venues, guest counts, and distance guests must travel. From remote Hawaiian beaches, to boat rides along the coast of Kauai, to the cliffs of Italy, to the Saguaro filled deserts of Arizona, to national parks; you can elope almost anywhere you can dream of. And your location/backdrop can be a reflection of you as a couple!

3. Turn it into an adventure, honeymoon, and vacation!

Need I say more?! It’s so beautiful to get married in your childhood hometown with a big, traditional wedding if that’s what you envision. But, for couples who choose to elope, they generally love adventure and travel, and they can literally run off to anywhere in the world. Your elopement day can easily turn into your honeymoon, taking advantage of the destination you’ve chosen. Many of my clients chose to elope on one Hawaiian island, but then spend their honeymoon on another.

4. Less planning and less stress!

Let’s face it – big traditional weddings typically require at least six months of planning and considering every big and little detail from guest lists, to seating charts, to rentals, to planning the ceremony, to choosing first dance songs. The list goes on and on. Even with an experienced planner (which is an absolute must!), there are still endless decisions to be made. Elopements are inherently way less stress, even when planning from a distance. For an elopement, you really only need an officiant, but I also recommend having an amazing photographer! ;) If it’s a destination for you, you can rely on your vendors to help with guiding you towards obtaining a marriage license, recommending locations, obtaining permits, and recommending other vendors as needed. If you choose me as your photographer, I’m with you every step of the way as your local expert!

5.  Significant cost savings over a traditional wedding

Elopements are certainly not cheap, if you factor in travel costs, an amazing photographer, the handful of other vendors you need, a special dinner as newlyweds, etc., but they’re still a significant cost savings over a wedding with dozens, if not hundreds of guests. The venue, catering, and bar fees alone would probably more than cover the average elopement, all in.

There you have it, my top five reasons to elope! All of these images were captured at sunset on a deserted beach on the north shore of Oahu!

Now that you’ve read my top five reasons to elope, are you considering eloping with your sweetheart? Contact me – I’d love to chat with you and help bring your dream day vision to life!