Should I Elope? 10 Reasons Couples are Eloping in 2026
Elopements have undergone a big change in the last decade. What was once synonymous with running off to Vegas is now becoming a meaningful way for couples to get married. In 2020, elopements exploded since big weddings were not allowed for much of the following two years, and couples were forced to elope instead.
But now that the pandemic is over, we are still seeing elopements continue to grow in popularity, not shrink. Elopements have become their own genre in the wedding industry, and it doesn’t look like they will be disappearing anytime soon.
As an elopement photographer, I hear from couples all over the world about their reasons to elope. Today, I’m going to deep-dive into the most common reasons couples are choosing elopements over big, traditional weddings.
Why do people elope?
Elopements today often look like getting married outdoors in places like National Parks with scenic natural backdrops. Sometimes couples bring a handful of their closest friends and family members with them, while others celebrate on their own in true elopement fashion.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with so many incredible couples to help them plan and remember personalized elopement experiences. Each couple had their own reason for eloping, and their wedding day was uniquely tailored to them for a personal experience.
You could ask a thousand eloping couples for their reasons for eloping and get a thousand different answers. However, there are a handful of the same reasons drawing countless couples to elope instead, and I’ve gathered them below.
Reason to Elope #1: A personal wedding experience
Traditional weddings have become cookie-cutter with a few personalizations here and there. This has left couples to feel disconnected from the “picture-perfect” wedding day. Instead, they are pursuing a unique celebration, custom-tailored to them.
With elopements, there’s freedom to celebrate in an untraditional place that has meaning, to wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable, and to include things you actually love doing together, like hiking or playing card games.
Reason to Elope #2: Less family drama
Not everyone has a family that is fun or safe to celebrate with, and a traditional wedding can make things awkward. Family often feels entitled to have a say in how the day looks, which can easily add more stress to the experience. And it doesn’t take long for family drama to take center stage.
With elopements, family drama can be left behind without disrupting the wedding day.
You may still have to deal with some family dynamics when you announce your elopement, or if you choose to have a reception later, but at least your wedding day is free to be celebrated drama-free.
Reason to Elope #3: Not wanting to host a big party
The one thing I hear from every couple I know that had a big wedding is that they were so busy being “hosts” that they didn’t get to enjoy their own wedding day. Wanting to actually enjoy the wedding day is a major reason couples choose to elope.
Big, traditional weddings rarely allow the couple to actually enjoy the celebrations. Instead, they’re busy greeting guests, keeping to a tight timeline of non-stop events, and trying to get a bite to eat in between. This creates a high-strung day with little time to actually enjoy the celebrations.
With an elopement, the entire day can be relaxed, with time to live in the moment and actually enjoy it. Whether you decide to visit a local brewery, rent a canoe to get out on the water, or have a picnic dessert as the sunsets. Those are all things I’ve seen on real elopement days.
Reason to Elope #4: To save money
Did you know that in 2025, the average wedding cost was $35,000? With many couples spending well over $50,000. Yes. For one day.
Elopements, on the other hand, tend to cost between $8,000-$16,000, with many couples celebrating over the course of 2-3 days for that cost.
When you elope, you have full control over where your money is invested for your day. Many elopement locations cost a few hundred dollars or less, which is one of the biggest money-saving perks to getting married this way.
Reason to Elope #5: A love of nature
Many couples decide to elope because they want a personal wedding experience in a place that makes them feel relaxed and most like themselves. The outdoors is that place for many. Adventure elopements take place outdoors, often in National Parks or other public land.
Many couples choose to include their favorite outdoor hobbies, like hiking or horseback riding, on their elopement day to reflect their love of nature.
Reason to Elope #6: A lot less stress
Big weddings come with a lot of stress, and it’s one of the biggest reasons I hear from couples who decide to elope instead. From guest list decisions to going over budget to catering to everyone’s needs. Planning a big wedding can quickly become overwhelming.
I can’t tell you how many brides seen who were originally planning a traditional wedding and decided to elope instead because of the stress. Even more sad is that I’ve seen so many couples planning traditional weddings who couldn’t wait for it to be over because there was nothing but stress leading up to their big day.
I will always stand by the opinion that your wedding day should be something you are anxiously counting down the days to, celebrating, not waiting for it to be over.
Elopements still have some stress involved. It’s a big occasion, and there are going to be big decisions, and even some deadlines during the planning process. But overall, elopements come with way less stress than a big wedding. Especially if you work with someone who specializes in helping plan stress-free elopements, like I do!
Reason to Elope #7: Travel & exploring new places is a passion
A destination elopement can combine your wedding with your honeymoon. For many couples, it’s the excuse they need to finally book that trip they’ve been dreaming of to a dream destination. Or, they already love to travel, and getting married in a unique destination is the perfect reflection of their love for travel.
And frankly? I think that’s the way to do it! If you’re going to spend a ton of money on your wedding, you may as well make a weekend out of it and turn it into a trip you’re going to be talking about for the rest of your life.
Reason to Elope #8: Freedom to celebrate outside of the box of tradition
Tradition can feel suffocating to many couples, which is why so many are choosing to elope, where they can have total control over how they celebrate. For some, that means wearing a dress in a color other than white, or choosing a non-traditional spot to share vows, like an Airbnb.
Eloping is all about freedom. When you say “no” to tradition, you are free to keep the parts that actually hold meaning to you, while letting go of the ones that don’t.
Check out my guide to wedding tradition origins and how to plan a meaningful wedding instead!
Reason to Elope #9: Unique wedding photos
For many couples, the photos alone are worth eloping. Because come on, you can’t get photos with volcanic activity at any normal wedding venue!
Eloping outdoors offers jaw-dropping landscapes for some pretty unique wedding photos. In addition to incredible scenery, elopements tend to have more relaxed timelines, which allows for more candid photos. This is especially ideal for couples who don’t want to pose for a camera all day and want the most natural photos to document their memories.
Reason to Elope #10: Being the center of attention is uncomfortable
A lot of people get nervous at the idea of standing in front of a huge audience to share their most raw emotions during their vows. For many, their vows are intimate, and the idea of sharing them in front of 100+ people isn’t something they’re comfortable with.
Eloping provides space to be real and raw with your partner without the pressure of an audience. This takes a lot of pressure away, while also giving you a chance to be fully present in the moment together.
The Reasons Not to Elope
I know, I know, how could there possibly be any reason not elope after all that? While I personally believe eloping is the best way to have a personal and stress-free wedding experience, I’ll admit, it’s not for everyone.
Here are a few reasons an elopement might not be the best fit for your wedding celebrations:
- You love to be surrounded by people
- You enjoy being the center of attention at large gatherings
- You’ve always dreamed about a big, traditional wedding
Elopements come with a lot of benefits, but they aren’t for everyone. While I’m obviously a big supporter of elopements and intimate weddings, I will never shame anyone for having a traditional wedding.
I just want everyone to know that that’s not the only option.
Common Misconceptions About Elopements
Eloping means getting married alone
In the modern day, eloping doesn’t necessarily mean getting married without your family or friends by your side. Modern elopements often include a dozen or two relatives or close friends in the celebrations. But many couples also decide to elope just the two of them.
Elopements are rushed and planned at the last minute
Some couples decide to elope last minute, while others take just as much time to plan as couples who plan a traditional wedding. On average, most eloping couples take 6-18 months to plan their elopements.
Elopements are done in secret
Not always! Even if a couple decides to elope without bringing any guests along, they often will announce to their family and friends ahead of time. Though some do wait until after they’ve eloped to share with their loved ones that they got married.
Are you considering eloping?
Maybe you started planning a big wedding and have begun to feel overwhelmed. Or maybe you haven’t even begun planning, but needed to better understand your own hesitation to commit to a traditional wedding.
No matter where you’re at, I’m so glad you’ve come this far! I would be thrilled to help you along in your journey.
You can get started with some elopement planning guides that cover topics like how to elope and the best forest elopement locations. Plus, check out these real elopements to get inspired!
Of course, I’m always here to help you dream, plan, and photograph your memories! If you’re ready to get personalized planning assistance, send me a message about your elopement, and let’s work together!
Happy eloping!
