actualised for 2026

elopement, fine. but how much does it cost ?

According to recent studies, a traditional wedding costs around $33,000. This may differ in relation to the number of guests, the venue, and most importantly your finances. Is elopement a sure way to be able to create a high-quality wedding without being able to break the bank? It's not that simple, but I'll help you see more clearly in the next chapters. 

In this world, everything has a price and an adventure elopement is no different from that.
It all depends on how much you're willing to spend on what's valuable to you. Whether you're paying astronomical or limited sums, the overall cost won't change the way you are or the values you're committed to. So, what's the point to invest in an destination wedding – whether for the intrepid or the more cautious?

Let's start with the basics: What is an elopement, and does it cost as much as a traditional wedding? 

Eloping is very different from having a traditional wedding; elopement focuses on YOU and your EXPERIENCE, not on marital trivialities that will stress you out throughout the organization.
Maybe it's going to the Philippines, and finding yourself diving and swimming with fish and sharks; book a helicopter flight to announce your wishes at the top of a summit in the Alps (possibly ski / snowboard for the more adventurous); travel to Mongolia, and go on horseback for a few days to say yes on the top of a mountain, the shores of Lake Khyargas or in the immense Mongolian meadows...; taking off for Sri Lanka, taking off in kitesurfing after the ceremony on the beach...; glide during the winter periods towards the north of Norway to find yourself in front of the Northern Lights and then fall asleep in a typical Norwegian chalet.
Because you get married once, you might as well have an experience elopement personalized to your values and memories that will be unique to you.

Average cost of an adventure elopement: 

Average cost of a traditional wedding: 

Have you ever wondered if you really want to have a bachelor/bachelorette party? Talking with guests you haven't seen in years; Or why should your significant other take off your garter with his teeth in front of everyone?
Some "traditions" are not to the liking of all couples. By choosing elopement, you are parting with traditions that you did not want at a traditional wedding; Which doesn't mean that you have to get rid of all traditions, but just keep the ones that make you vibrate deep inside.

I) WHAT IS AN ELOPEMENT ?

- Ceremony venue + room rental: $8,000
- Caterer: $6,000
- Wedding dress + accessories: $3,000
- Costume & accessories: $1,500
- Decorations: $600
- Flowers: $200
- Entertainment / DJ : $1,200
- Photographer : $3,000
- Wedding rings: $1,400
- Cake: $400
- Make-up / Styling: $300

TOTAL: $25,600

II) Comparison between traditional marriage and elopement

- Visa + Marriage Permit: $200 approx.
- Caterer: $300 (alone) or $1,200 (120 / person)
- Wedding dress + accessories: $3,000
- Costume & accessories: $1,500
- Decorations: $300
- Flowers: $200
- Elopement Photographer : $4,500 to $7,500
- Wedding rings: $1,400
- Cake: $250
- Make-up / Styling: $300
- Officiant: $500
- Travel & accommodation: between $1,000 and $4,000
- A Homeric adventure & memories that will be anchored for life for you and your partner: Priceless $$$$
- A personalized and authentic experience just for you: Priceless $$$$

TOTAL: $12,450 / $20,350

IV What do you really pay for with an destination wedding? How much can you expect to save? 

If you have analyzed the comparison carefully, the price difference between a traditional wedding photographer and an elopement is quite high. In an elopement, the photographer not only photographs, he is also the planner, the coordinator, the point of contact for all your questions.

A good elopement photographer will search for hours for the best places to elope, the AirBNBs, the best time for the light of the photos, the right providers...
In terms of photography, it will depend mainly on the service provider you choose, their artistic uniqueness...

And for all the other things, you save on: room rental, catering, stress... But you reinvest it for your experience that you decided to create by merging adventure, art, love, and honeymoon; and me! :)

A full page about elopement help awaits you if any questions arise.

The easiest way is to compare, right? Below these few sentences, you will see the average cost of a traditional wedding and then that of an elopement. Of course, these are only averages, and prices can vary depending on the venue, the number of guests, but also the exact price of each provider.