Should you have a wedding or just elope?

Back in the day it was fairly common for couples to elope together instead of having the big white wedding, however these days it seems eloping is off the table for most couples. Eloping is a secret, unplanned wedding without anyone’s consent and couples elope for a variety of reasons, the main one being that weddings cost so much and it’s much cheaper to simply elope. 

Other reasons include ease of planning, need for intimacy, dislike attention, marrying again and last but not least, parents don’t approve. The parental approval was probably the main reason so many young couples used to elope but these days it seems that cost and planning are the two major reasons. 

The average wedding in the United Kingdom costs around £11 000 whereas an elopement is far more simple and will only set you back at most a couple of thousand pounds. Obviously this figure would rise if you wanted to fly first class to an exotic private island for your ceremony! Some couples retreat to the countryside or favourite beaches and some are still doing the Vegas quickie wedding.

An idea for a private elopment is to bring some wedding lanterns with you to release at the end of your ceremony. You only need a couple, one for you and one for your partner. You can both release a lantern each and stand together as it floats up into the sky along with your wishes for the future. It will be a very special moment for the two of you to enjoy privately.

Elopements don’t have to annoy your friends and family either, you can always have a reception to celebrate your nuptials with them when you get back from your adventure. Your father will probably be thanking you down the track for saving him so much money!