Once thought to be a formality used only by troublesome teen couples, eloping has now become a legitimate event for many lovers. It includes not only the traditional form of eloping, where you head down to the local justice of the peace, but now, many couples are tying their knots in many exciting, out-of-the-ordinary ways.
No longer are elopement ceremonies only for the couple lurking off in the night where they find themselves standing alone in a dark hall saying their vows. Elopement ceremonies are now glories affairs, with a few special friends and family, and really just a miniature wedding as opposed to a grand affair with guests who the couple might not even know.
What drives this need for something different? Most couples start with exciting plans of a romantic, enjoyable traditional wedding. They dream up wild ideas for creating a memorable event to start their lives together. And then... reality hits.
Estimates put the average American wedding in the $25,000 to $35,000 range. And since 45% of couples end up paying for their own wedding, this can often mean the difference between having a memorable one day event and having a down payment on a home. Plus, coordinating everything... from photographer, to location, to dates, to relatives, becomes an increasingly painful experience.
In fact, a large portion of elopers, some independent statistics show up to 75%, actually plan their weddings months in advance. This is much different from the common perception of an instant, spontaneous wedding... which is often how we see elopers portrayed on TV and in the media.
If you have hit that point, where you are tired of all the stressful planning, all the schedule juggling, and all the money draining from your account, then maybe it's time to stop. Relax! And think about the other wedding option... eloping.
Whatever you do when you elope, have an amazing day, in a great location, and announce it in style!
