We know, we know. The stress of planning a wedding can be extremely overwhelming. Don't you sometimes just want to throw your wedding plans away and elope? That might be a good option for some couples, but definitely not all. To know whether eloping is actually a good idea for you and your partner or it's just the wedding planning stress talking, let's take a look at some of the pros and cons.
PRO: Time and Energy.
Let's be honest: planning a wedding takes a lot of time and energy. If you want to forgo the hassle, eloping might be a better option for you. You no longer have to stress about who will sit next to whom at the reception or who should or shouldn't be in your wedding party.
PRO: Costs.
Weddings are also expensive. Very expensive. You can cut costs immensely by choosing to elope. Forget about the down payment on your DJ/band, the flowers, and the caterer. Instead, you can probably buy a beautiful promise ring, take an even more extravagant honeymoon and still end up saving!
PRO: All about you as a couple.
Even though a wedding is supposed to be a celebration of you and your sweetheart as a couple, a lot of time is spent worrying about guests, the wedding party, family members, and so on. When you elope, you have the opportunity to truly make the day about you and your fiancé. You no longer have to stress about Uncle Joe drinking too much or the friends who didn't make the guest list.
CON: Gifts, showers, and parties.
More often than not, when you make the decision to elope, you're forgoing the "right" to any parties, showers, or wedding gifts. Don't expect any crazy bachelor or bachelorette parties, bridal showers, or brand new toaster ovens. Of course, this might be a minimal price to pay for those who have their hearts set on eloping.
CON: Hurt Feelings.
Yes, when you elope you can make the ceremony more about you and your partner and avoid the drama of planning an extravagant wedding. However, most of your family, friends, and loved ones probably aren't going to be too happy when they've found out you've gotten married without them present. Be prepared to deal with the backlash, especially from parents, siblings, close friends, and others who felt like they should have been invited or involved.
CON: Could feel anticlimactic.
Have you spent your whole life dreaming of your perfect wedding ceremony and that perfect moment after you and your partner exchange matching wedding bands and kiss as a married couple? If so, you might be disappointed if you decide to elope, and you might feel that your union was anticlimactic. If you've always wanted a big wedding, don't let the stress and costs discourage you. Countless people have planned weddings and seen them through. Don't just elope on a whim. You might find yourself regretting not having your dream ceremony and reception.
If you want to elope, but also want a celebration, a growing trend is to throw a party for friends and family after you elope. It might be the best of both worlds-- a private ceremony for you and your fiancé and then a chance to celebrate it with your loved ones.
Whatever your perfect wedding is, make sure to check out our selection of promise rings and matching wedding bands!