What Is an Elopement? Everything You Need to Know About Eloping
If you’ve been Googling “What does eloping mean?” or “Is eloping right for us?”, you’re in the right place. Maybe you’re knee-deep in wedding planning and getting overwhelmed with all the possibilities. Maybe you never wanted the big event in the first place, and you’re just now realizing there’s another option. Or maybe you and your partner just looked at each other and said: “What if we just… didn’t do all of this?”
Whatever brought you here — welcome. You’re in the right place.
The meaning of elopement has evolved far beyond the idea of running away in secret. Today, eloping is all about intention, intimacy, and celebrating your love in a way that feels authentic to you.
In this guide, I’ll break down what an elopement is, how it differs from a traditional wedding, and why more couples are choosing this adventurous, stress-free way to say ‘I do.’
What Does Eloping Mean? The Modern Definition of an Elopement
Traditionally, eloping meant running away to get married in secret, often without telling family or friends. But today, eloping is about freedom, intimacy, and crafting a wedding day that’s 100% focused on your love story. You’re deliberately choosing a wedding day that centers around you, your relationship, values, and idea of what a really good day looks like, instead of focusing on everyone else’s expectations.
Modern elopements are planned. They’re meaningful. They’re often drop-dead gorgeous. They can be just the two of you exchanging vows at sunrise on a granite cliff, or they can include a small circle of your favorite humans watching from a hillside. What makes it an elopement isn’t secrecy or spontaneity — it’s the conscious choice to do something real instead of something performative.
And honestly? After photographing hundreds of weddings and elopements, I can tell you that the couples who elope are some of the most present, most joyful people I’ve ever had the privilege of documenting. There’s something that happens when you strip away all the noise.
Eloping vs. a Traditional Wedding: What’s the Difference?
If you’re considering eloping, you might be wondering how it compares to a traditional wedding. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Elopement | Traditional Wedding |
|---|---|
| Small & Intimate (Just the two of you or a few guests) | Large & Formal (50-200+ guests) |
| Focuses on the Couple | Focuses on the Event |
| Adventure & Flexibility (Hike, sail, or exchange vows anywhere) | Venue-Based & Scheduled |
| Lower Cost, Less Stress | Higher Cost, More Logistics |
| Authentic & Personal | More Family & Social Expectations |
Elopements don’t mean “less” of a wedding—they mean more of what truly matters.
A way to get married in an intentional way
Eloping is more than just a spontaneous decision; it’s a deliberate choice to get married in an intentional way. Unlike traditional weddings, elopements are carefully planned in advance, ensuring that every detail reflects the couple’s desires and values. While elopements aren’t necessarily cheap, they offer an unparalleled experience that transcends the constraints of tradition.
Privacy is another significant benefit of eloping. Unlike traditional weddings, which often involve large crowds of family and friends, elopements allow couples to exchange vows in a more intimate setting, free from outside distractions. This privacy creates a sense of intimacy and closeness, allowing couples to share this special moment without feeling self-conscious or overwhelmed.
Experience > tradition
One of the most significant advantages of eloping is the emphasis on the couple’s experience over adhering to traditional norms. Rather than conforming to societal expectations, eloping allows couples the freedom to design a ceremony that truly reflects their relationship and personalities. This focus on experience over tradition can lead to a more meaningful and memorable wedding day.
Furthermore, eloping is often less stressful than planning a traditional wedding. Without the pressure of coordinating with vendors, managing guest lists, and navigating family expectations, couples can enjoy a more relaxed and intimate celebration. This reduced stress allows couples to fully savor the moment and focus on each other, creating a more authentic and enjoyable experience.
Freedom to do whatever the heck you want!
Additionally, elopements offer the freedom to choose any location for the ceremony. Whether it’s a secluded beach, a majestic mountaintop, or a cozy cabin in the woods, couples can get married just about anywhere their hearts desire. This flexibility allows couples to create a wedding that reflects their unique personalities and interests, making the day truly their own.
Contrary to popular belief, eloping is not selfish!! Instead, it’s a celebration of love and commitment that prioritizes the couple’s happiness above all else. By choosing to elope, couples affirm their freedom to be themselves and express their love in a way that feels authentic and meaningful to them.
Why More Couples Are Choosing to Elope
Eloping isn’t a trend. It’s a genuine shift in how couples are thinking about marriage — and what they want their wedding day to actually feel like. Here’s what I hear most often from people who reach out to me:
- “We just want it to be about us.” Not the family politics, not the traditions they feel meh about, not the performance of it. Just them, their vows, and a day that feels true.
- “We’re adventure people.” They want to hike to a summit, sail at sunset, or wander a foreign city on their wedding day. That’s not really possible when you have 100 guests waiting on you.
- “We can’t afford the big wedding.” Or they could, but they’d rather put that money toward a house, going traveling, building a life together. Which is a completely valid and actually very wise choice.
- “The idea of being the center of attention sounds like a nightmare.” Not everyone wants 200 eyes on them at once. Eloping gives introverts (and anyone who just prefers privacy) permission to get married on their own terms.
- “We’ve both been married before.” Second-marriage couples especially gravitate toward elopements — they already know what matters, and the big event isn’t it.
“But Won’t People Be Upset?” Let’s Talk About the Guilt Thing.
This is the part most elopement guides skip over, and I think that’s a disservice. Because the guilt is real. The worry about disappointing parents, about seeming selfish, about missing out on a moment your family pictured — that stuff is worth acknowledging.
Here’s what I’ve seen after years of doing this: most people come around. When they see the photos, hear how present and happy you were, and understand that this wasn’t about excluding them but about doing something honest, the reaction is almost always warmth.
That said, communication matters a lot. Telling people in advance (rather than surprising them after the fact) tends to go over better. And planning some kind of celebration with family — a dinner, a party, even a nice meal — gives everyone a moment to show up and toast you. You don’t have to choose between an intimate ceremony and including the people you love. You can do both, just separately.
Eloping is not selfish. It’s a decision to put your relationship at the center of your wedding day. That’s actually kind of the whole point of getting married.
And if you need more guidance on this topic, take a look at my guide on helpful ways to tell your family you’re eloping.
How to Plan an Elopement: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Planning an elopement is genuinely less overwhelming than planning a big, traditional wedding. If you’re ready to start planning, here’s what you need to do:
1. Choose a Meaningful Location
Not just somewhere that looks good in photos (though that’s a bonus). Think about what landscapes move you. Are you mountain people? Coast people? Do you want to be in a country you’ve always dreamed of visiting? Your location becomes part of your story — choose it intentionally.
Pro Tip: If you love epic scenery, check out my guides to eloping in Acadia, the Dolomites, or the White Mountains.
2. Set a Realistic Budget
Elopements can range from “just a marriage license and nice attire” to a full destination adventure, and everything in between. Before you start booking anything, sit down and figure out what you’re actually working with. Here’s what to factor in:
- Travel & accommodation. Flights, hotels, rental cars, and any extra nights for the honeymoon portion of your trip.
- Permits. Many national parks and public lands require permits for wedding ceremonies — some are cheap, some book up months in advance..
- Photography & planning. This is where I’d encourage you to invest. Your photos are the one tangible thing you’ll have from this day forever. A good elopement photographer isn’t just there to take pictures — they’re helping you plan the timeline, scout the location, handle logistics, and make sure the whole day flows. That expertise is worth it.
- Experiences & extras. The private chef dinner, officiant, florals, the horseback ride, the helicopter tour — whatever makes the day feel full and celebratory.
3. Pick a Date & Check Legalities
Every state and country has different marriage license requirements — waiting periods, residency rules, permit requirements for certain locations. This is not the thing to figure out the week before. Get your paperwork sorted early, or work with someone (like me!) who knows the logistics for your destination.
If you’re eloping abroad or in another state, you may want to consider getting legally married at home and having a symbolic ceremony in your destination!
4. Decide Who’s Coming
Do you want a just-us experience or a micro wedding with a few loved ones? Elopements can include family & friends if that feels right for you.
Here’s a helpful guide on how to include your family in your elopement!
5. Hire an Elopement Photographer Who Gets It
Elopements deserve to be documented just as beautifully as big weddings—so choosing the right photographer is key. I specialize in capturing adventurous elopements, helping with planning, and making sure your day is stress-free and magical. Not to mention, I include film + Super 8 film, plus an officiant during the summer and school break holidays!
6. Decide What Your Day Actually Looks Like
This is the fun part (and the part I’d help you plan from A to Z as your photographer!). Your elopement isn’t just a ceremony — it’s a whole day (or multiple days) to design however you want. Some questions to ask yourselves:
- Sunrise or sunset? (Both have different energy and different light — I have opinions on this.)
- Just the two of you, or a small group of people?
- What do you want to do AFTER the ceremony? Hike? Fancy dinner? Picnic at a mountain top?
- Is this part of a bigger trip? (Combining your elopement and honeymoon is one of the best ideas ever, by the way.)
7. Build Your Elopement Timeline
One of my favorite parts of working with my couples is mapping out the whole day so it feels intentional and unhurried. Here are a few things to consider when building your elopement timeline:
- Light. Sunrise and golden hour (the hour before sunset) are the most magical for photos. I’ll help you figure out exactly when those happen at your location on your date.
- Travel time. If you’re hiking to a remote spot or driving to a scenic overlook, build in a buffer time.
- The moments in between. Getting ready together, the drive to your location, a quiet breakfast before the ceremony — these in-between moments are often the ones that end up meaning the most.
- What comes after. Plan something to celebrate once the ceremony is done. A picnic, a fancy dinner, a spontaneous adventure. The day shouldn’t just end at “I do.”
When you book with me, we build your timeline together, ensuring your day flows beautifully and leaves plenty of room to breathe and enjoy moments in the wild.
8. Celebrate Your Day, Your Way
There is no rulebook for your elopement day. You do not have to have a first dance. You do not have to throw a bouquet. You do not have to do anything that doesn’t feel like you.
Want to celebrate with a private chef dinner on a clifftop? Want to mark the moment with a bottle of wine and a good view? Want to spend the rest of the day hiking in your elopement attire because that’s genuinely your idea of a great time? I will be right there, photographing every moment of it.
The only thing your elopement needs to be is yours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eloping
Is eloping legally binding?
Yes! As long as you obtain the proper marriage license and have an officiant (or self-solemnize in some states), your elopement is 100% legal.
Do we need an officiant?
You do need someone to legally marry you in most states (a handful allow self-solemnization — worth looking up for your location).
My husband George is my partner in life and often in work. During the school year, he’s a teacher, but in the summer, he becomes The Traveling Officiant — particularly in Grand Teton and Acadia, where he weds many of our couples.
If you prefer something ultra-private, I’m also ordained and can sign your marriage license after you exchange vows on your own. Either way, you’re taken care of!
Can we have guests at our elopement?
Absolutely! While elopements are often just the couple, you can invite a small group of loved ones if that’s important to you.
Can we bring our kids?
Yes, and it can be really beautiful when it’s done thoughtfully. Kids — especially younger ones — add a whole layer of joy and realness to an elopement. I’d just encourage you to think about the logistics: Is the location child-friendly? Is there another adult who can help wrangle them so you can actually be present? For more on including kids (especially in blended family situations), check out my guide to eloping for second marriages.
Can we bring our dogs?
Honestly, some of my favorite elopement photos involve a dog! Just double-check the rules for your location — some national parks have restrictions on where pets are allowed on trails. If your pup is part of your family, they can absolutely be part of your day.
Where are the best places to elope?
Some of my favorite places include:
- Acadia National Park – Rugged coastline, magical woodlands and epic mountain views
- The Dolomites, Italy – Dramatic peaks + breathtaking landscapes
- Grand Teton National Park – Mountains, valleys, wildlife and stunning summits, cowboy country
- Patagonia–Where the sky meets the earth, granite peaks + aqua lakes
- Best Places to Elope in the U.S.
Want location ideas? Check out my elopement destination guides!
How much does an elopement cost?
It really depends on what you want. A local elopement with minimal extras can be done on a modest budget. A destination elopement with travel, accommodation, photography, and experiences will cost more — but it’s still typically a fraction of what a traditional wedding runs. The key difference is that your money goes toward things you’ll actually remember. Reach out, and I’m happy to talk through package options that fit your vision.
How do we announce our elopement?
However you want! Some couples send a beautiful photo with a handwritten note. Some post on Instagram the same day. Some wait until they’re home and host a celebration dinner where they share their photos and story in person.
Final Thoughts: Is Eloping Right for You?
If you’ve made it to the end of this post, something in here probably resonated. Maybe it was the idea of a day without a seating chart. Or maybe it was the image of saying your vows somewhere breathtaking, just the two of you. Perhaps it was just the relief of knowing there’s another option.
Here’s what I know after years of doing this work: the couples who elope don’t regret it. Not a single one has ever told me they wished they’d had a bigger wedding instead. They tell me it was the best day of their lives, and they were fully present. They tell me it felt like them.
That’s what I want for you.
If a stress-free, intimate, and adventure-filled wedding day sounds like your dream, eloping might be the perfect choice. Whether you want to say your vows on a mountain, sail into the sunset, or hike through the forest hand-in-hand—this day is about YOU.
If you’re ready to start planning your dream elopement, let’s chat! Reach out here, and let’s create something unforgettable together.
Some examples of unique elopements I’ve photographed!
I hope this helps you decide if eloping is for you. I’m rooting for you! You will never regret being true to yourselves, but I can guarantee, you will never be happy if you are worried about pleasing other people.
If you are ready to take the leap, I cannot wait to provide you with all the resources you will need to have your dream wedding anywhere in the world. I’ve got you! Contact me to begin planning for your adventure!
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I’m Corey
Your elopement photographer, guide, and steady presence
If the big-traditional-wedding thing never quite fit, you’re in the right place.
I help couples strip away pressure and expectation and build wedding days rooted in intention, connection, and the land.
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