8 Reasons Why Couples Say YES to Eloping
From an elopement photographer and wedding hairstylist who also eloped..
with no regrets.
One of my favorite things is documenting love stories in epic places, so it only made sense that my husband and I also eloped in the appalachian mountains in 2021.
I’ve combined my personal elopement journey with my professional experience as a photographer and wedding hairstylist to give you a glimpse into why people choose an elopement over big, traditional weddings.
First let’s clear something up.
Elopements are not quick, thoughtless things thrown together and just signing some documents.
Elopements are intentionally small, meaningful, thought out wedding experiences that allow couples to get married and celebrate the way they want to. It includes everything the couple wants, and nothing they don’t. It can be with or without a small number of guests, on a beach, in a backyard, at a national park, on a mountain, in the city, on a boat, at a sweet airbnb or almost anywhere you dream up.
What matters most is that elopements are focused on the couple and their love story, period. The day is then celebrated in a way that is authentic to the couple and can include anything they dream up.
Couples elope for many reasons, each unique to their love story.
Here are some common reasons why couples elope:
Valuing experiences over things: People that elope often don’t want to spend a lot of money on fickle decor, plates, party favors, food and other single use things. People that find value in the experience of eloping would rather spend their money on plane tickets, going to their favorite place or somewhere new. They want to invest in an experience of a lifetime and have a day filled with new experiences or doing their favorite things.
Intimacy and Privacy: Eloping offers a more personal, intimate experience without the expectations of a large wedding or pressure to perform. Couples can focus solely on celebrating their love story in a way that feels authentic to them.
Lower Cost: Elopements are often much more affordable than traditional weddings. By forgoing a big venue, catering, and extensive guest list, couples can save money or allocate funds to other experiences and investments they value.
Stress-Free Planning: Wedding planning can be overwhelming, but eloping allows couples to skip the stress of coordinating a big event that’s tailored to the guests. It’s often a simpler, more streamlined process that allows them to focus on what truly matters - their love story.
Adventure and Unique Locations: Many couples choose to elope in scenic or adventurous locations, such as national parks, remote beaches, or mountaintops, creating a memorable experience that reflects their love for adventure and nature.
Adventurous couples want their day to be just as fun, exciting and meaningful as their love story. For some couples, a big traditional wedding will never truly reflect their love story and they aren’t willing to compromise their love for travel, creativity, deep-connection, unique experiences and living life by their own rules. The adventure can be anything you want. You don’t have to go on a long hike or even leave your state to live your adventure or elope. It can be anything you want it to be, nothing you don’t and that’s the beauty of it.
Family dynamics: Eloping can help avoid family drama or the pressure to meet expectations for a large, traditional wedding. It allows couples to stay true to their vision and create a celebration that feels authentic to them. Some couples won’t chance losing their day to family drama, people pleasing, feeling stressed or anxious all day. The best part? You don’t have to, it’s YOUR day.
Breathtaking photos.
People that elope put so much intention, care and love into their wedding day and they want epic, stunning photos to help them remember their greatest adventure forever. Couples that elope want their photos to reflect who they truly are and capture their love story in an unforgettable way and elopements allow them the freedom to create the experience of their dreams.
A Fresh Start: For some, eloping represents a fresh start or a new chapter. It’s a way to leave behind the traditional expectations of weddings and create a celebration that feels more aligned with their values and style.
Ultimately, eloping is a deeply personal choice that allows couples to create a wedding experience that is true to who they are as a couple, without the pressure of tradition or large-scale events.
Your elopement is one of the most intimate and meaningful moments of your life—a day where it’s just the two of you, deeply connected, making promises that will last forever. Capturing those raw, unfiltered emotions through photography allows you to relive the joy, the laughter, and the tears for years to come. These images become more than just pictures; they’re the story of your love, told through every stolen glance, every heartfelt vow, and the beauty of the world around you as your backdrop. Elopement photos hold the power to transport you back to that sacred moment and let you share it with loved ones, bringing them into the magic of your day.
Don’t let such an extraordinary chapter of your story go undocumented—it deserves to be cherished forever.
Your story is bigger than words and deserves to be documented!
Hey, I’m Alyssa Lovdahl!
I’m a Minnesota based destination wedding photographer that focuses on capturing your authentic story so when you look back on your photos, the memory of your experience is as vivid and beautiful as the day it was first captured.
THIS IS YOUR STORY AND YOUR PHOTOS SHOULD AUTHENTICALLY REFLECT YOU. THE FACT THAT I GET TO CAPTURE THESE MOMENTS, STOP TIME AND HAND THEM ONTO YOU TO BE REMEMBERED FOREVER IS the sweetest tHING.