Welcome to Ask Emilie, here you can ask any question to our wedding planner Emilie. Emilie will answer your question no matter the topic. It can be about anything from styling, general wedding questions, cultural customs, planning, wedding budget and more. Today’s topic is about the age old question ‘to elope or not to elope’.

Today’s question is from Samantha M who asks:

Hi Emilie, what are your views on eloping? I have been planning my wedding for the past 6 months and feeling overwhelmed. Some of my friends have suggested eloping and I have started considering to elope. The only other thing weighing on my mind is that both our sides have rather large families. Everyone on both sides is expecting to come. What do I do?

Almost every bride has considered eloping as an option. If you think about it its cheap, easy and the wedding is DONE. In the chaos of planning your wedding, it seems like such a simple solution. All you need to do is go down to the Birth Deaths and Marriages (NSW) pay $412 and you are done. You can even fly to the USA and pay $600USD ($780AUD) for a wedding at Taco Bell in Vegas which even comes with a Taco Bell meal (so catering is also covered).

On the outset it appears that eloping seems so simple and easy, then why isn’t everyone doing it. While your friends (who have never eloped) or bloggers who are looking for content and not eloped themselves are not giving you the full picture. Unfortunately with everything considered eloping can have its own consequences. The fact is that while it is glamorised as the simple solution, there are a few things to consider. So sit back and lets take a look at all the options before eloping, although now I have a craving for tacos :/ (thanks Taco Bell).

Speak To People Who Have Eloped

Consequences Of Eloping

Compromises Instead Of Elope

Believe it or not, there are some solutions to compromise if you are considering to elope. The main issue with eloping that many couples face is not inviting close family and friends. Sure you can be ok with cutting out your 3rd cousin Johno (who you have not seen in 10 years) but what about your mum, dad, best friend and so on?

Some solution are to have a small intimate wedding and invite only your closest family and friends. That way you can still have people that matter the most to you without going to that extra logistical planning. The wedding will be more cost effective. This is because there are literally less people attending.

Another option is to have a destination wedding. It could be in the Hunter Valley, New Zealand or wherever you wish. This way you can invite EVERYONE but only those who are willing to travel the distance will be at your wedding.

To Elope Or Not Elope?

While you may read this and think we are anti elopements, the truth is we are not. I wanted to cover the positive and negative aspects of an elopement and not glamorise it. In the end the wedding is about you and your significant other but it is also a community/ family event. So if you have looked at all the pros and cons, spoken to people who have eloped and believe its the right decision for you then go for it! If however you are still not sure you can speak to one of our wedding planners or  a solution as easy as using a wedding coordinator to help take the stress away.

Are you planning or elope? If so what were your main reasons for doing so? Join the discussion and let us know in the comment section below 🙂

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