5 Reasons to Consider Eloping over a Traditional Wedding

So, let’s jump into why you may want to choose an elopement over a big traditional wedding. I have five points here but there’s dozens more I could talk about too! Before we begin, keep in mind that if you have any questions along the way or are excited about eloping and want a photographer/videographer definitely check out my work on the other pages of this website and we can get to chatting :)

If you’re a visual learner (like me) and enjoy watching videos at 2x speed to digest the information then you’re one lucky dawg because, as a videographer I like making videos. Plus, the benefit is you get to see my smiling happy face.

If you enjoy curling up with a lil’ blanket and reading articles about elopements on the couch, no need to stress because everything I talk about in the video is below as well!

5 reasons to consider an elopement:

1) It’s All ‘Bout You

The way that I define an elopement is moving everything away and making it just about you and your love that you're celebrating on that day. It's not about your guests not about the catering it's not about the venue it's about you and your experience together, marking the beginning of a new chapter. Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean that you have to do it alone. About half of the elopements I filmed and photographed last year brought their families along for the ride. So if the idea of being with your families sounds more enjoyable than uncomfortable, it’s totally possible to have them come to your elopement! Even though they may be there, make sure to set the intention and making it just about you and your love together.

2) Traditional weddings are EXPENSIVE!

To put this into perspective the average cost of a wedding in Colorado is $31,000!! Compare that to an elopement where the average cost is $5,000 and you're gonna be able to save some.To put it in perspective again, the price for a wedding permit in Rocky Mountain National Park is $250 which is roughly the same price as a low-end cleaning fee at most wedding venues! Keep in mind, even if you're not in it to save money and you're saying “Okay Roo, but $31,000 is absolutely no problem for me. I want to spend that because I want a memorable kick-off to my marriage but I'm still considering an elopement… what should I do?! Well, just because elopements are traditionally a little less doesn’t mean you can’t plan an expensive and baller elopement! Consider spending that $31,000 and having an incredible elopement experience :) Rent a villa in Greece, buy the fancy wedding clothes, book the nicest AirBnB you can find, hire me as your videographer and we'll go and we'll have a great time!

Essentially, the money can go a lot farther into the elopement space than it can for traditional weddings.

3) You Can Do Whatever You Want! No Rules!

This is probably my favorite thing about eloping… The day can be whatever you want it to be! If you’re adventurous and you want to hike through the snow in your wedding dress to get to some amazing overlook, that's totally possible. You know you can have your dog be your witness on your marriage license here in Colorado. You can get married at sunrise on a frozen lake in the mountains, just the two of you (here in Colorado you technically don’t need an officiant, you can self-solemenize!)

There are no rules to what an elopement is and what it can be so take this as a chance to get creative and do what feels right for you as a couple. Tailoring this experience and focusing it around intentional actions can be quite liberating for a lot of people

4) Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

Planning a big wedding is exhausting! There’s just so many things to do. For example… You have to have the classic discussion of DJ vs. Band. You have to choose the bridal party attire, refine the huge guest list hoping you don’t offend your high school best friend by sitting her next to smelly uncle Ted. Rental chairs, tents, linens, decor, lightning, guest books, flower baskets, drink menus, dinner menus, open bar, flower basket, pillows for the ring bearer, finalize playlist with musicians or DJ!! It’s a lot. Planning an elopement is a lot easier because you get to strip all that away and just focus on you and your love together. Although there are things to plan for an elopement, a local vendor, such as Castlehouse Videography ;), will be able to do a lot of the heavy lifting for you so you can just relax and enjoy your engagement period.

5) Location, Location, Location

This is definitely an exciting one! You can choose a destination location or you can go to one of your local favorite hiking trails or overlooks. Since you are setting the intention for the day to create a meaningful experience for you and your fiance, choose the adventure! You can go get married in Great Sand Dunes National Park or near Breckenridge. You can hike in at sunrise to a 14,000ft mountain and have your ceremony there. Here in Colorado there's an endless amount of locations to get married. It’s actually insane, there's so many options to choose (although I’ve made it pretty easy with an interactive map you get access too when you book with me which makes it as easy as shopping for hotels!)
Regardless of if you go with a destination location or a local hotspot, it’s going to be better than a stuffy church basement.

Don’t Forget:

Just to recap why you would want to elope over having a traditional wedding. Let’s make the experience about you. It's not about your guests it's just about you and your love together. Traditional weddings are expensive and you can save some of that money (maybe put it towards a house, a date night fund for the next 10 years, or a new car) and still have a really meaningful experience. Remember point number three? That’s right, the day can be whatever you want it to be. You want one of your married in your hiking pants because you never liked how you felt in a suit? Do it!

Eloping eliminates some of the pressures that come with planning a big traditional wedding. Take the stressed out of your engagement and go with an elopement.

And finally, pick a spot you’ve always wanted to go to or a place that you love. If you need ideas check out my “eloping in Colorado” post or video under the “resources” tab!

I really hope this provides some value for you. If you liked this post and want to learn more check out the other things I’ve written here on the site or just reach out to me regardless and we can talk all things elopements :)

Don’t be a stranger, reach out and say hi!

hello@castlehousevideography.com