an elopement in 2025

WHAT DOES "ELOPEMENT" MEAN?

Elopement. I elope. We elope. 

Say it out loud. Where does your conscience take you?
Do you see a couple running to the first chapel in Las Vegas to get married? Two humans getting married quietly without anyone knowing because their family doesn’t approve of their union?
If you’ve thought just one of these things—even if it’s close—you’re not alone, I promise. Most people think that an elopement is something that’s done last minute, in secret, filled with shame, judgment, or discomfort.

The truth is… that’s not the definition of an elopement anymore.

Elopements are for the brave people who love their partner so much that they’re willing to step away from the norm of traditional marriage and choose something different, meaningful, and most importantly, intentional.

I know this continues to be a topic with a lot of misunderstanding; the misconceptions are hard to shake off, but let’s break them down together!

The Modern Definition of Elopement

An elopement is a small, intimate, authentic and intentional wedding where the experience is a true reflection of your romantic relationship where on the big day we focus on the essence of the love that binds you.

What you do is up to you. Where you choose to go is up to you. Who you have with you that day is up to you.
An elopement is a way to remove all the pressure, anxiety, or traditional obligations of marriage that can weigh you down. An elopement guarantees absolute freedom with your partner to choose how, when and where to do it.
As an elopement photographer, I am passionate about this way of seeing things and passing it on to people who want to know what a real elopement is.

The difference between an elopement and a traditional wedding

If deep down, what you want is a day filled with tenderness, intimacy, meaning, and for your union to be the center of attention, you're already thinking about an elopement—you just haven't been able to put any terms on it.

Because in truth, an elopement is not about endless details, or bridesmaids, favors, or table runners. It's not a performance or a Hollywood production.
Elopements are about bringing the spotlight back to what's important: you, your love, and how the moment when the vows are exchanged is beyond all imagining.
It's a courageous choice to intentionally choose this intimate wedding experience.
Most couples feel the need to create a huge wedding. However, it's important to know that this is not the case; I believe in the idea that your D-day is yours, and it is your choice how it happens.

What is it like to elope?

Taking the first step towards eloping is to deliberately choose not to follow a tradition that makes no sense to me. But rather to say I choose you to your partner. To say I choose us.

As said before, eloping is a focus on your choice to take all the love you have for your significant other (how & where you want to celebrate the vows) instead of things that don’t necessarily have a strong connection to you: a big party where you are the center of attention.
In contrast, you resolve to focus on the priorities that you feel are essential.
An eloping is simple: there are no rules! It’s about creating your most incredible big day for the two of you – and getting married on it, of course.
This is one of my favorite things about eloping. The question remains: what would your big day look like; if you had no limits, what would you do?
There are no wrong answers, no limits, no impossibilities. Just think of that day you would like to see again your whole life, that day when everything was authentic, honest.

That could be your wedding.

LET'S BREAK THE MYTHS

MYTH NUMBER 1: ELOPEMENTS ARE FOR LONELY, ISOLATED COUPLES WITHOUT FAMILY.

There is this preconceived notion that if a couple elopes and doesn’t throw a huge party surrounded by their friends, family – then they don’t have that kind of support in their lives.
This is clearly not the case.
Many clients have unbreakable friendships, strong relationships with their families, but choose to take a different route with their wedding.

Why?

Because these couples have decided that even though they have a lot of people around them, the moment they commit to each other matters more than anything else.
Couples who have all their friends with them can still choose to elope because when they look back on their wedding day for the rest of their lives, they will want to remember a day that was purely for the two of them – a day without a single regret, or a single compromise.
Don’t get me wrong, it is totally possible to have an elopement and still have guests there! Which brings us to our next myth!

MYTH NUMBER 2: ELOPEMENTS ARE SECRETS THAT INCLUDE ONLY THE TWO OF YOU

In the past, elopements were considered secret, clandestine affairs that no one else was allowed to attend because it would break the rules of elopement.

But you know what? There are no rules. You can totally elope with your family, friends, loved ones – anyone who wants to be there with you.
Bring your mom, your officiant, your kids, your best friends. Your dog (please bring him!).
The planning of your elopement is in your hands.
There is no set number of guests that would differentiate a wedding from an elopement. It all comes down to what you want and how your guests respect that.

Quite often, couples arrive with a maximum of 15 guests.
So, if you want to include your loved ones without sacrificing that privacy, you can split your day into two, or have a two-day elope!

As I said, there is nothing you can't do, as long as you follow your heart and desires, and your guests are aware of your intentions.

MYTH NUMBER 3: COUPLES ELOP BECAUSE THEY DON’T WANT TO INVEST IN THEIR MARRIAGE

Traditionally, people tend to think that an elopement costs less than a wedding; in itself, this is more of an advantage of the elopement than a force that pushes you to go for it.

You will certainly save money, knowing that a traditional wedding costs on average 30,000€, an elopement will cost between 10,000€ and 20,000€ on average. You can have a traditional wedding on a low budget as well as an elopement with a very large budget.

Organizing an elopement instead of a traditional wedding is not about saving money or not investing in the most beautiful day of your life. It is about choosing to invest in your day in a different way.
Many couples decide to elope because they want a day that is entirely focused on them with the activities they want. For some people, it is not about having a big party. More like a day surrounded by nature, doing something they love (hiking in the mountains, booking a sailboat and diving in the Indian Ocean) with the human being in their life.

An elopement is about you, your partner and what really matters to you. And money has nothing to do with it.

MYTH NUMBER 4: ELOPEMENTS ARE FOR UNAPPROVED OR UNSAYSABLE MARRIAGES 

People think of elopements as these secret ceremonies that couples choose because they are ashamed, embarrassed, or because their loved ones won’t accept their decision.
In the past, that may have been true; however, that’s not what elopements are anymore.
Couples have chosen to have surprise elopements, but the surprise was tied to the way they chose to get married; not the wedding itself.
Having an elopement doesn’t mean you’re doomed to face disapproval or shame—it just means you’re choosing to let go of some of the pressure, anxiety, and expectations that can sometimes come with the traditional route of marriage.
When you choose to elope, you’re choosing the path of non-compromise. You’re choosing the moments that are meaningful to you. There’s nothing shameful about that.

MYTH NUMBER 5: ELOPEMENTS ARE QUICK & RUSHED CEREMONIES 

Back in the day, elopements were considered a watered-down version of a traditional wedding, where you took a few pictures, signed the contract, and celebrated for an hour or two.
In my experience, I find elopements to be vast, meaningful experiences that are filled with hundreds and hundreds of intentional, loving moments—and there’s no way an hour or two can do it justice. I think your wedding day deserves more than that.
Most couples prefer to take the elopement packages around the world that start at a day, or even two!

An elopement is…
• A road trip through Patagonia, exploring the wilderness you’ve always wanted to go.
• Hiking to the top of a mountain in the Himalayas or the Alps.
• Waking up at dawn, walking along a beach in the Philippines, diving into the clear waters of a mountain lake, or flying in a helicopter over a glacier.

Whatever you want, and however long it lasts; that's all your day should be!

MYTH NUMBER 6: ELOPEMENTS ARE ALWAYS LAST-MINUTE AND POORLY PLANNED

Sometimes it can seem like elopements are just last-minute, under-planned ceremonies. But that’s not the case with modern-day elopements anymore.
In fact, many couples plan their elopement at least a year in advance, if not more.
In the past, elopements were thought of as last-minute, effortless weddings. In reality, they are pure, intentional moments that focus on the intentionality and meaning of the wedding.
No matter what type of wedding you’re looking for, I always encourage you to have the experience that will make you and your partner the happiest. Your elopement can be as planned or as laid-back as you want it to be.

IN CONCLUSION, AN ELOPEMENT IS...

An elopement is for couples who want nothing more than to spend a day, two days – however long – basking in that intimate, meaningful moment where they choose to dedicate their lives to each other. An elopement is for couples

who look into their partner’s eyes and know that this day is about them, and them alone. It’s for couples who remember that this day is about their respective vows, promising each other forever; wherever, whenever, and however they choose.

Elopements are anti-pressure, anti-obligation, anti-I-have-to-do-what-I-am-told.

 Intentional. Brave. Challenging. Adventurous.

That’s what an elopement is all about.

I like to think of an elopement as the core value of a pure and intense marriage – an intimate ceremony celebrating the love each of you has for each other. In my mind, it is the true form of what commitment to one another is.
Elopement has always been a non-traditional style of celebration, and I understand that there are still misunderstandings or misconceptions about what a true elopement is.
Let’s explore some of these myths!