Should I elope? The Guide to find out if Eloping is Right for You.
Should I Elope?
Should I Elope….
Planning your wedding and feeling pulled in two totally different directions? You’re not alone, I was there too, as were many others. With Pinterest-perfect ballroom weddings on one side and epic mountaintop elopements on the other, it can be overwhelming to decide what fits you best. Whether you’re dreaming of a guest list of 150, just the two of you sharing vows at sunrise, or a more intimate gathering with 65 of your closest friends and family – this blog is here to help you weigh your options and find what truly fits your love story. If you’re wondering, should I elope? Have an intimate wedding? Go all out with a big traditional wedding?— you’re in the right place.
Should I Elope
Planning your wedding and feeling pulled in two totally different directions? You’re not alone, I was there too, as were many others. With Pinterest-perfect ballroom weddings on one side and epic mountaintop elopements on the other, it can be overwhelming to decide what fits you best. Whether you’re dreaming of a guest list of 150, just the two of you sharing vows at sunrise, or a more intimate gathering with 65 of your closest friends and family – this blog is here to help you weigh your options and find what truly fits your love story. If you’re wondering, should I elope? Have an intimate wedding? Go all out with a big traditional wedding?— you’re in the right place.
NEED TO KNOW
the elopement
Should I Elope?
What Is an Elopement? An elopement is an intentional, intimate wedding experience centered around you two. It can be just the couple, or include a handful of your favorite humans (usually under 20). You can elope in your backyard, in a national park, on skis, or halfway across the world. Adventure elopements is an avenue I adore and often includes hiking, skiing, canoeing, biking, or exploring somewhere epic.
If you’ve been asking yourself, should I elope?, this option is all about ditching expectations and doing what feels most aligned with your relationship.
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You get to celebrate with everyone you love in one place – imagine all of your friends spanning the different stages of your life and your family coming together with the love of your life’s favorite people
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More opportunities for family traditions – speeches, first dances, a walk down the aisle, sharing your vows with everyone in attendance, breaking it down on the dance floor with all your favorite people
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A structured timeline and flow
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Not everyone you love can be there
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the traditional wedding
Should I have a wedding?
What Is a Traditional Wedding? A traditional wedding usually includes a venue, a guest list (often 60+ people), a ceremony, reception, sit-down meal, speeches, a dance floor, and all the classic wedding elements like florals, cake, and a DJ. These events often follow a timeline and require significant planning, coordination, and budget.
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Fully personalized and flexible – travel to your favorite or a brand new location, incorporate your favorite activities, have a lazy morning with coffee and pancakes, slow dance under the stars, truly the day or days can be whatever you want them to be
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Less stress and planning – craft a day around you and your love only, if we work together I also provide a full 60+ page guide chock full of ideas to help you plan your dream day. In addition, I will help coordinate and provide packing lists to a custom timeline.
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Budget-friendly or focused on experience – given the uniqueness of each elopement, you can truly design it around your budget and your passions
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Ideal for introverts or those wanting something unique – want to intimately share your vows? Have a day full of romantic little moments?
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Not everyone you love can be there
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Can feel more about entertaining others than enjoying the moment
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the intimate wedding
Should I have an intimate wedding?
An intimate wedding is a beautiful middle ground. It’s a smaller celebration—often with 20 to 60 guests—that still includes some traditional elements like a ceremony, dinner, and dancing, but in a more laid-back, intentional way. This option allows you to be surrounded by your people while keeping the vibe personal and less overwhelming.
You can book out a cozy mountain lodge, rent a lakeside Airbnb, or host your crew at a winery or in a ski town. With around 60 guests, it’s small enough to be meaningful and big enough to celebrate fully.
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More space for connection and intentionality – intentional quality time with your loved ones, imagine waking up and getting ready with a few of your closest friends, heading out skiing, to a winery, on a hike, or to the beautiful waterfront deck of your airbnb, to say “I Do” , then sitting down under twinkle lights with flowered filled tables for dinner, heading to apres, or hosting a relaxing bbq to celebrate.
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Less stressful than a large wedding – more flexibility
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You can still incorporate unique or adventure-forward elements – hiking, skiing, traveling to a new destination, boating, surfing, the day can be whatever you want it to be.
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A great balance of celebration and intimacy
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Still requires some logistics and planning
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Can be harder to find venues that fit 40–60 guests perfectly
The CHoice
elopement | intimate wedding | traditional wedding
Which is right for me?
How to know if you should elope, have an intimate wedding, or a big traditional wedding? Take time to talk through what matters most. If you find yourself leaning toward adventure, intimacy, and meaningful connection over tradition and spectacle—you might already have your answer to should I elope.
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Do I want to be surrounded by a large group or just my inner circle?
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Am I more excited about a party or an experience?
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What kind of memories do I want from this day?
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Does the idea of planning a big event sound fun or exhausting?
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What aligns with our values and lifestyle?
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Should I elope to reduce stress and focus more on our relationship?
Still Undecided
Can’t decide? Good news: you don’t have to pick one or the other. Some couples elope first and then throw a party later. Others plan an intimate wedding that combines elements of both—like hiking to a ceremony spot with 15 guests, then having a catered dinner at an Airbnb or lodge.
If you’re still mulling over should I elope or have a bigger gathering, a hybrid option can offer the best of both worlds.
In Conclusion
There’s no right or wrong answer—only what feels right to you. Whether you’re throwing a big bash or exchanging vows under a waterfall, your day should be a reflection of your love, not a checklist of traditions.
Still stuck? Let’s chat! As a Colorado-based adventure elopement and intimate wedding photographer, I help couples craft wedding days that are true to them—whatever that looks like. And if you’re still wondering should I elope, I’d love to help you talk it through!
