Eloping isn’t sneaking off to some random chapel or courthouse anymore.

Picture just you + your favorite human having your version of a perfect adventure. Do you see it?
Whether that looks like wandering through a forest in the PNW or walking around New York City, saying your vows on a mountain or a rooftop, that could be your wedding story.

Eloping is creating an intentional, unique wedding experience that truly represents you, your forever person, + the unity of marriage.

Not sure if it’s right for you? Read the top 5 reasons to elope below, and see for yourself! Got any questions? Talk to me + I’d love to help you figure out what your dream wedding experience looks like!

1. A Big Wedding Doesn’t Feel Right

Your wedding day should be 100% about you, and nothing else. So if you’re not the type to throw a big party, get really fancy, and invite every single person you know to a grand performance, an elopement is definitely for you. Choosing a way to get married that is most authentic to you and your person is super important. This is a day that you’ll remember forever, so doing something you don’t enjoy isn’t going to be a happy memory. So hike a mountain. Run around the streets of your favorite city. Stargaze until the sun comes back up. DO WHATEVER YOU WANT. Eloping is about creating a day that encapsulates your relationship and makes you as happy as can be.

2. You’d Rather Spend Your Money on an Experience.

If you’re anything like me, spending money isn’t very fun. Obviously, it’s almost always necessary, but it’s so much better to spend money on things that really matter and experiences you’ll never forget. When planning a big wedding it’s super easy to see your money go down the drain for things that you probably won’t even remember like decor, food, and the venue. When you elope all your money goes into super intentional, meaningful things that make your day the best it can. You’re paying more for the experience and not for the frivolous things that you feel like you have to in a traditional wedding.

3. You’d Prefer an “Only Us” Day

Cue Dear Evan Hansen… If you’re not into putting on performances, or having a bunch of people watch you say your vows, eloping could definitely be for you. When you elope, you get to embark on a truly incredible “only us” experience. Spending your wedding day without having to worry about what you look like, what you say, or who you greet is so freeing. You can make your vows incredibly personal since the only one that will hear them is the one person they were written for. (Ooh, I just got goosebumps…) Isn’t that so freakin’ magical?? 

4. Wedding Planning is Stressing You Out

I don’t know about you, but I have never really heard anyone say that they enjoyed planning their wedding. From the amount of invites and checklists and money and all the stress of crafting this perfect day for other people, it doesn’t sound fun. When you elope, the only thing that is mandatory is, well, nothing. You get to specifically craft your day, however the heck you want. Wanna picnic at your favorite park and say your vows at sunset? Great. Want to run around the streets of Paris in wedding clothes and not care about what people think? Cool. Want to hike a new trail and have a first look at sunrise? I’m in. Your elopement is YOURS. There are no rules and no limitations. 

5. There is a Ton of Family Tension

If you don’t have a normal family (who does?), inviting people to a wedding can be a tough situation. Whether there’s family drama, not great people that “have to be there,” or you just aren’t having the best relationship with some of your immediate family members, traditional weddings can be super tense. When you elope, you can bring whoever you want, or you can just bring no one at all. That way you can have an intentional, meaningful experience without having to worry about whose feelings are hurting or any drama of family traditions during a normal wedding. If you still want to include people, read this blog post about how to incorporate your family into your elopement. 

HEY THERE, FRIEND!

I’m Crystal Shaw, a modern wedding + elopement photographer based in Oklahoma City and traveling worldwide to capture your love story. I strongly believe in crafting an intentional, love-filled day for each of my couples, so they can feel truly like them on the best day of their lives. If this speaks to you, let’s chat! I would love to help you create your perfect wedding day that will be 100% about you + your love, nothing else.