The Hard Choice: Elope or Have A Wedding?


THEMES & COLORS Wedding Planning | By:cocomelody

A traditional wedding is a very public affair. It is premeditated and involves a lot of activities and preparations. The pressure of wedding preparations can make a couple consider the simplistic and less complicated option of eloping. Eloping marriage is different from the traditional marriage type. It is an extremely private celebration where the guest count is limited to none or a handful.

Elopement has its share of advantages- no venues, no exorbitant cheques, no guest list to draft; but do you want to give up on the jubilant ceremony of the most important day of your life to avoid a few hassles? Are you ready to make that sacrifice of excluding your loved ones from sharing in the excitement and happiness of your marriage

If you’re confused between the two, we’ve put together a few points to consider while making your decision.

Style: #LD4317; Image Credit: Abby Fowles Photography

Wedding Bash

Firstly, let us take a look at some of the important points to consider in a traditional wedding bash:

1. Sharing The Joy

Weddings are a time of celebration and no matter how small, it calls for the involvement of your family and loved ones. Sharing this important milestone with family and friends as you start a new chapter in your life is what makes it all the more special!

2. Merging of Two Families

The process of organizing a wedding and sharing the wedding day together poses a great opportunity for your families to come together. It creates a bond and a sense of togetherness as you embark on a shared life with your families. It’s a heartwarming experience for families on both ends!

3. It Provides A Backing Ground For Your Marriage

With traditional weddings, the presence of family and loved ones serve as a support system for the couple. The act of being witnessed helps a couple feel like they have the support to get through the ups and downs of marriage over the long haul.

4. Living The Fairytale

A wedding is one of the events you won’t do very often in life, so if there was ever a reason to pull out the stops, a grand wedding is the premier choice. If you’re a bride or a groom who has dreamed of their wedding day their entire lives then you’re at the heart of it. A beautiful, fantasy wedding can fulfill your lifelong dream of a fairytale wedding.

5. Treasured Moments

There will be so many happy moments with your loved ones during the wedding to reminisce later about this amazing day. These one-in-a-million moments are golden memories that you will forgo, and possibly regret if you elope.

best day ever

Style: #CWXT14061; Image Credit: Aly Shamiller Photography

Why Elope?

Some brides dream of having the day where they walk down the aisle with all eyes on them, but not all women are like that. Is the idea of a big wedding just not your thing? Here are some of the advantages of eloping:

1. There Is Ample Privacy

Weddings are supposedly meant to be about the couple but that rarely happens. Elopement is like a secret wedding where you can truly celebrate you and your partner and let that one special moment take place without an audience.

2. Lighter on Your Pocket

This is the most obvious benefit. You will not have to pay for dozens or even hundreds of guests to be entertained. With just the two of you, you don’t have to worry about fixing a wedding budget or breaking the bank. Instead, you can solely focus on you and your fiancé.

3. It’s Plain Easy

A healthy elopement is pragmatic; perfect for couples focused on the commitment without the costs and the circus. When you decide to elope, literally all that matters is what the two of you want. You don’t have to stress about the venue, guests, reception, party, dresses, management or any of the hassle involved in traditional weddings.

Style: #LD4317; Image Credit: Iceland Wedding Photography

4. You Can Marry Anywhere in The World

Another benefit of eloping is that you can exchange vows anywhere around the world. With all that money you’re saving from not throwing a wedding, you could plan a trip to your dream destination, halfway around the world to say ‘I do’. How romantic!

5. It’s More Personal

An elopement is much more personal and intimate than a wedding. For some couples, it is more about the relationship than the wedding. Elopement is perfect for them to celebrate their unique bond and spend every moment of the day together. You can consider inviting a few close friends and family, the ones who matter most to you and your spouse.

6. Consider The Drawbacks

The benefits of eloping are plenty, but what about the drawbacks? Eloping can cause you to deal with some annoyed friends and family and breed resentment, either with other family members or between the two of you. Moreover, if you decide to elope, be prepared to be involved in as little extravaganza as possible. On the other hand, weddings are a whimsical affair and it can get a little chaotic- not to forget a whole lot of family drama, disagreements, and commotion. That’s a lot of time, effort, and stress for planning one day.

 

Style: #LD4317

Deciding whether to elope or have a big bash is a personal and an emotional decision. It should be weighed with understanding and wisdom by you and your fiance. If you’re considering to elope simply due to the costs involves, try planning a smaller wedding or postpone it until you can meet the expenses involved.

However, both options are equally meaningful and beautiful. No matter what you choose, make sure your wedding is created for you, by you. Buy the wedding dress you always wanted, dance like never before, celebrate your love and have the time of your life on your big day. If you’re confident in your decisions from the beginning, your day will feel just right from beginning to end.