5 of the best reasons to elope instead of having a big, traditional wedding
Elopements are no longer relegated to the oddly eccentric drive-thru chapels and Elvis-lookalike celebrants of Las Vegas. Today, it’s trending to say you’re eloping, with more and more couples opting to skip the bigger, more traditional wedding days of the past in favour of something smaller, quicker and easier.
(Side note: We much prefer a volcanic elopement in South Australia over one in Vegas — if you’re the same, check out our Wedding Weekend offering.)
So, why is it all the rage to elope these days? Let us count the ways!
Leave the parental drama to your mama. Skip all the fireworks with your in-laws, outlaws, and all other relations by planning an elopement. Don’t give your mum or dad the chance to turn your wedding day into the family reunion. Don’t worry about how your divorced parents will interact on your special day, and don’t stress about having to keep them apart. This is your day, after all.
Bring your inner circle only. The small-scale of elopements force you to cull your guest list, and give you a great excuse to pass along to everyone who isn’t on the guest list: There simply wasn’t space! At our venue in regional South Australia, for example, we currently accommodate up to 8 guests per night in our unique geodesic glamping domes as well as up to 80 guests seated in our wedding ceremony venue. (But if you want it to be just the two of you, we won’t tell!)
Don’t sweat it. No, really — don’t lift a finger if you don’t want to. We’ve all been a part of those weddings when the bridal party turns into a full-scale event set-up crew the morning of the wedding, setting up tables, arranging chairs, finalising decor, and doing everything else the stressed-out, time-strapped couple asks for. Of course, we’re all happy to help friends, but there’s something to be said for a wedding day that actually chill … meaning no work. The most exertion you’ll be forced to undertake is a walk down the aisle.
Spend your money on what’s important. No one really wants to spend the cost of a new car or a mortgage deposit on one day. And really, who’s going to remember napkin rings or the number of guests in 50 years time? Personally, we’re more likely to remember how we felt: Totally in love, distracted by nothing but nature (preferably a gorgeous South Australian landscape), focused on your partner and why you’re making this beautiful commitment to them.
Give the middle finger to the pressure society puts on a single day. It’s ok to not build up your wedding day as the best day of your life. (Hopefully, life gets even better from here!) Instead, you could take a more relaxed approach. Enjoy a whole weekend away immersed in nature with our Wedding Weekend package, for example. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a truly chilled out wedding day that’s just as memorable and beautiful as the ones that cost 10 times as much.
There you have it — the top 5 reasons an elopement might be right for you. Did we forget any? Let us know by sending us a message on our socials or an email to mountainpathmeadows@gmail.com.