6 Signs That You Should Consider Eloping | North Carolina Elopement Photographer

What does it mean to elope?

When you hear the word “elopement”, images of Vegas, Elvis impersonators, stodgy courtrooms, and grandma’s horrified face probably come to mind. Elopements used to be talked about in hushed tones when people were gossiping about marriages that happened in secret or that people were ashamed of. But that just isn’t the case anymore. Elopements are a truly epic way of celebrating your love and commitment. They are a way of having an intentional, meaningful experience on your wedding day. Think this might be for you? Here are a few signs that you should consider eloping.

1) You feel more “yourself” when it’s just you and your partner

It’s okay if standing in a room with 200 pairs of eyes fixed on you doesn’t fill you with excitement. Most of the time, when I am surrounded by people, I feel like I have to put on a show and act a certain way. Parties make me uncomfortable because I never feel like I can be 100% me. So many people feel that way. You deserve to be confident and authentically, wholly you on your wedding day. You can laugh loudly, dance badly, snort a lot, trip over yourself, kiss with abandon, and just be free. If that means that it is just you and your partner (and a few trusted members of your friends and family, if you want) standing on the side of a mountain, saying your vows, then that’s what it should be.

2) Thinking about your big wedding stresses you out

If you are finding yourself on the verge of a panic attack anytime that someone mentions your wedding, something is not right. Your wedding should not be something that causes you stress or that you feel any type of obligation towards. This is the day that you are choosing to commit yourself to the person that you love. It should fill you with joy every time that you think about it.   

When you choose to elope, so much of that stress just melts away. Instead of thinking about seating charts and which family members can’t be near each other, you get to daydream about the most epic adventure that you will ever have. 

3) You want your wedding day to be about your relationship

When you choose to elope you are consciously deciding to let go of the obligations and performance that often comes with traditional weddings and instead focusing on you and your partner. When you elope, you don’t have to worry about making sure that you thank everyone for coming or worry that you may be offending someone by not talking with them for long enough. You are choosing to be fully present with your partner on your wedding day. 

Every amazing moment and detail of your wedding day deserves to be remembered and cherished but, sadly, that is not the case with most big weddings. So many people describe their traditional wedding day by saying things like “it all went by in a blur” or “I barely even got to see my partner”. Eloping allows you to soak in every single, intentional, authentic second of your day. 

4) You both love a good adventure

Something pretty common amongst couples that choose to elope is that they are not content to go through the same motions of what others do simply because it is what is expected of them. They want to break the mold, experience new things, and follow their own path. They are always down for a new adventure. 

This is what your elopement day can be. It is the best, most exhilarating adventure that you will ever have.

Check out this Rocky Mountain Elopement for some inspiration.

5) You are jonesing to discover something new

Maybe you and your partner have always dreamed of hiking the Inca Trail in Peru and hanging out with alpacas. Or maybe you have always wanted to roast s’mores on the coals of a volcano. Why not have one of these amazing adventures be how you start your marriage? 

6) You value experiences over things

Let’s be honest. Big weddings come with a lot of stuff. Decorations, flatware, cups, single use plastics, favors, programs, menus, beer bottles, dresses that will never be worn again, shoes too uncomfortable to put back on your feet, cheesy picture props. The list can go on and on. Not only does eloping allow you to save money by foregoing all of those things, but, for those of you trying to limit your footprint, you can pat yourself on the back for being a little greener and a little more earth-conscious. 

If trading in all of that stuff for another stamp on your passport sounds like something you want to do, eloping could be right up your alley. 

Thinking about eloping North Carolina? Check out How To Elope in North Carolina!