Weddings vs. Elopements: Which One Is Right for You?
You’ve got the ring, you’ve got the love story now it’s time to figure out what kind of day you want to have. For most couples, the choice boils down to two main options: a traditional wedding or an elopement.
If you’ve been scrolling Pinterest and saving photos of dreamy reception tables and barefoot mountain ceremonies, you’re not alone. The truth is: both weddings and elopements can be beautiful, meaningful, and full of joy. But they are very different experiences and which one is right for you depends on your personalities, priorities, and what you want to remember when you look back on your wedding album years from now.
Let’s break it down together.
What Is a Traditional Wedding?
When you think of a wedding, this is probably what comes to mind: a ceremony with rows of chairs, a wedding party lined up on either side, and a reception full of family, friends, dinner, and dancing.
Traditional weddings are usually:
Larger gatherings. Guest counts range anywhere from 50 to 250+ guests.
Structured timelines. Think ceremony, cocktail hour, first dances, dinner, cake cutting, bouquet toss, and so on.
Venue-based. Most weddings take place in a church, event venue, ballroom, barn, or outdoor garden space.
Designed for guests. The day is partly about celebrating your marriage and partly about hosting your loved ones.
Traditional weddings give you a full-scale, all-day experience and they can be as classic, formal, casual, or creative as you want them to be.
What Is an Elopement?
Once upon a time, eloping meant running away to the courthouse and keeping things secret. These days, elopements are a whole new world and they’re wildly popular.
An elopement today usually means:
An intimate ceremony. Guest counts are small sometimes just the two of you, or maybe a handful of your closest people.
Adventure-friendly. Elopements often take place outdoors: on a mountain top, at the beach, in the desert, or somewhere meaningful to you.
Flexible schedules. You can plan a sunrise hike, exchange vows at golden hour, have a picnic afterward, and end the night under the stars.
Couple-centered. The entire day revolves around your love story and what feels right for you.
Elopements are about creating a day that feels like you without worrying about seating charts, formalities, or pleasing 150 guests.
Key Differences Between Weddings and Elopements
Here’s a quick breakdown in text format that’s easy to copy into Squarespace:
Guest Count
Weddings: 50–250+ guests
Elopements: 0–20 guests
Location
Weddings: Venue, church, ballroom, or garden
Elopements: Anywhere mountains, beaches, forests, or city hall
Budget
Weddings: Usually higher (venue, catering, rentals)
Elopements: Usually lower overall, but you can splurge on experiences or travel
Timeline
Weddings: Fixed, formal schedule (ceremony, cocktail hour, reception)
Elopements: Flexible, built around your day and what you want to do
Focus
Weddings: Hosting and celebrating with your community
Elopements: Your connection, vows, and time together
Photography
Weddings: Mix of portraits, candids, and guest moments
Elopements: Storytelling and portraits focused on the two of you
Vibe
Weddings: A party dancing, toasts, big celebration energy
Elopements: Intimate, adventurous, and intentional
Pros and Cons of Traditional Weddings
Pros
Celebrate with everyone. You can hug every aunt, uncle, and college roommate.
Big party energy. If you want dancing, toasts, and a packed dance floor a wedding is perfect.
Family involvement. Great if you have a close-knit family who want to be part of your day.
Formal traditions. First dances, speeches, bouquet toss these can be really meaningful.
Cons
Higher cost. Venue, catering, rentals, florals it all adds up quickly.
Less flexibility. Your timeline is often dictated by your venue and vendor contracts.
More stress. Managing RSVPs, seating charts, and coordinating a large group can feel overwhelming.
Pros and Cons of Elopements
Pros
Freedom to do whatever you want. Want to exchange vows at sunrise and then hop in a canoe? Go for it.
Lower cost (or spend on what matters). You can invest in photography, travel, or a private chef instead of feeding 150 people.
Intimate and meaningful. Every word, every look, every moment feels intentional.
Less stress. Fewer logistics mean you can actually enjoy the day.
Cons
Smaller guest list. If having everyone you love there is a priority, an elopement might feel too small.
Less traditional. If you’ve always dreamed of walking down a long aisle with music playing, you may miss that moment.
Family expectations. Some families struggle with the idea of not being present, though there are creative ways to involve them.
How Photography Differs Between Weddings and Elopements
As a photographer, here’s where my heart lights up: both weddings and elopements are amazing to capture but the approach is very different.
Weddings are about telling the story of your entire day with all the people you love. My galleries are usually full of candids, detail shots, family formals, and dance floor moments.
Elopements let us slow down. We might hike together, chase golden light, and take the time for those quiet, emotional portraits you’ll treasure forever.
When you look through your gallery years later, you’ll see the difference. Wedding galleries feel like a scrapbook of a big event; elopement galleries feel like stepping into a personal love story.
Cost Breakdown: Wedding vs. Elopement
One of the biggest deciding factors for couples is budget. Here’s a rough breakdown:
Traditional Wedding Costs:
Venue: $5,000–$10,000+
Catering: $50–$150 per person
Rentals/Decor: $3,000+
Photography: $3,000–$6,000
Dress/Tux, Hair & Makeup, DJ, etc.: $5,000+
Elopement Costs:
Permit/Fee for Location: $0–$500
Photographer (full-day elopement coverage): $2,500–$6,000
Travel & Lodging: $1,000+
Dress/Suit, Bouquet, Picnic, Experiences: Flexible
In many cases, you can have a beautiful elopement for a fraction of the cost of a wedding and invest more into the things you actually want.
Questions to Help You Decide
Still on the fence? Ask yourselves:
Do we want to be surrounded by everyone we love or have a private, intimate experience?
Are we excited about planning a big event, or would that stress us out?
Where do we imagine exchanging our vows a venue, a chapel, or outdoors somewhere epic?
What moments do we want captured in photos? (Dance floor? Hiking boots?)
What will make us feel most at peace and present on the day?
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Final Thoughts
Whether you choose a wedding with 200 guests or a sunrise elopement with just the two of you, the most important thing is that the day reflects your love story.
If you’re still torn, I’d love to help. As your photographer, I can guide you through location ideas, timelines, and help you figure out what will make your day unforgettable no matter what size it is.
Ready to Start Planning?
If this post has you excited about your possibilities, let’s chat! Whether you’re planning a wedding, an elopement, or something in between, I’m here to capture every moment so you can relive it for years to come. Contact me here and let’s dream up the perfect day together.
