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We love everything about weddings here at Loverly: the gorgeous florals, the dresses, the bow ties and, most importantly, the gathering of friends and family. But sometimes we think a small wedding where only the vows and the couple matter might be just right. Considering a "just-for-us" wedding?

Top 10 Reasons to Elope

1. Cost. 

Yes, this one may seem obvious, but it bears repeating: The average U.S. wedding costs more than $28,000, so if you're not looking to shell out that much cash, head to City Hall and spend the $50 to $75 it costs to tie the knot, civil-style. 

2. Big weddings make you anxious. 

Do you have sympathy sweats every time you attend a friend's wedding? Does your stomach knot up at the idea of saying intimate vows in front of a room full of people? At an elopement, it's just you, your witness and an officiant -- what could be more intimate? 

3. You have a limited amount of time to get married.  

Is your spouse-to-be in the military or another role that requires lots of travel? Take a quick trip to the courthouse, say your "I dos," and have a kiss-and-cry goodbye at the airport. Your love will be home soon enough. 

4. You don't want to deal with everyone else's opinions. 

Though weddings should really only ever be about the marrying couple, it seems every guest and their dog has an opinion about what you should or shouldn't do. Skip the drama and have a wedding that's all about your love -- and nothing else. 

5. You have crazy relatives. 

Worried that your mother might get into a fist fight with Aunt Betty over that high-school boyfriend incident? What about your brother's tendency to drink too much and hit on your friends? There's no opportunity for crazy at an elopement. 

6. You're longing for an adventure. 

What better way to kick off a marriage full of fun than with a trip somewhere you've never been and a steeped-in-love wedding ceremony? Instead of a destination wedding in the Caribbean -- where guests will expect to be invited -- hop a plane to a city you've always dreamt of visiting and return as a married couple. Bonus: your faraway wedding doubles as a honeymoon! 

7. You don't have the "planning" gene. 

Planning a wedding can take months, even if it's not a 500-person blowout bash. If you hate the idea of spending hours choosing floral arrangements and attending tastings, skip it. 

8. Friends or family members have a problem with your relationship. 

Listen, there are plenty of legitimate reasons for people who love you to disapprove of your relationship (dating someone abusive, for example). But sometimes friends and family members might not like your beloved because they practice a different religion, or come from a different country. If that's the case, we say to heck with everyone -- marry who you love and don't worry what anyone else thinks. 

9. There would be way too many people on your guest list if you had a big wedding. 

Got a big family or parents who want to invite the whole community? Maybe you just have a huge group of friends, many of whom would be offended if they weren't invited to your wedding. Eloping allows you to focus on your partner -- and your partner alone -- without worrying you'll hurt someone's feelings. (Note that some friends and family members may still be offended if you don't have a big wedding, but they'll get over it knowing no one was invited to your ceremony). 

10. Weddings can be bad for the environment. 

Seriously. The average wedding produces 400 to 600 lbs of garbage. If you don't want to be part of the problem, skip the big wedding and tie the knot in a low-impact ceremony
Stephanie Hallett
About The Author
Stephanie is a lifestyle journalist based in Philadelphia.
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