“Eloping” used to mean sneaking off to Vegas and getting married in secret by an Elvis impersonator. But now, elopements are an increasingly popular way for couples to tie the knot. With a growing shift toward authenticity, flexibility, and financial mindfulness, more couples in 2025 are choosing to ditch the big wedding in favor of something more intimate. Here’s why elopements have gone from taboo to trendsetting.
Elopements Are Budget-Friendly (Without Feeling Cheap)
One of the biggest reasons couples are choosing to elope? Cost. The average wedding costs around $30,000, and that tab can easily run higher and higher as weddings get more extravagant. That is a huge chunk of change for most couples, just for one day.
Elopements allow couples to:
- Spend more intentionally on what matters, like photography and travel expenses
- Avoid the costs of a wedding ceremony, like decor, catering, and venue rentals
- Have a non-traditional wedding day
- Start married life with less financial stress
Eloping is all about choosing experience over expense.
Destination Elopements Are In
From mountaintops to coastlines, couples are choosing incredible locations that reflect their personalities and love stories.
Elopements give couples the freedom to:
- Get married anywhere (a national park, a forest, a beach, a mountain range)
- Make the ceremony feel like an adventure
- Combine the wedding with a honeymoon
And with the rise of elopement-dedicated photographers and planners, couples can still have beautiful, cinematic documentation, just without the crowd.
Elopements Are Personal And Intimate
Wedding days are all about celebrating the love a couple has for each other, and their dedication to spend their lives together. Traditional weddings can sometimes feel like a performance, and elopements allow the couples to focus on what matters most: each other.
Many couples are drawn to elopements because:
- They want to share personal vows in a private setting
- They don’t want the pressure of being the center of attention
- They value intimacy over spectacle
It’s less about saying no to others, and more about saying yes to yourselves.
Less Stress, More Freedom
Planning a wedding is months, or even years, worth of stress. Elopements can be planned in just weeks, and easier to manage.
Without the long guest list, seating charts, or vendor negotiations, couples can:
- Plan in weeks, not months
- Avoid family drama and logistical headaches
- Be spontaneous and flexible
Eloping means freedom from timelines, expectations, and pressure.
You Can Still Celebrate Later
Many couples choose to elope now and party later, having a casual reception or a full celebration with friends and family
It’s the best of both worlds:
- A private, stress-free, meaningful elopement
- A fun, no-pressure celebration with loved ones
- The option to party on your anniversary (hello, second wedding day!)
Eloping doesn’t mean skipping the celebration — it just lets you do it on your own terms.
Eloping Vs. The Traditional Wedding
There’s no wrong choice, only the one that feels most aligned with your values, lifestyle, and love story.
- Choose a traditional wedding if you love the idea of celebrating with a big crowd, dancing the night away, and hosting a once-in-a-lifetime event.
- Choose an elopement if you crave intimacy, flexibility, and a stress-free celebration that’s all about the two of you.
Your wedding day is just that—it’s yours. You should choose to celebrate your love in a way that feels best for you. Is eloping the right choice for you?