To Elope or Not to Elope?

You and your fiancée may joke about it, but have you actually considered eloping? What is good for one person is not always good for everyone. The idea of running away to a place like Vegas to elope is not appealing to everyone. For some, running away to a beautiful tropical island isn’t even appealing. […]

You and your fiancée may joke about it, but have you actually considered eloping? What is good for one person is not always good for everyone.

The idea of running away to a place like Vegas to elope is not appealing to everyone. For some, running away to a beautiful tropical island isn’t even appealing. Most brides and grooms prefer to have a traditional wedding or at least a small, casual wedding ceremony to share their union with family and friends. The option to elope has been around for years, and many couples have taken this route instead of a traditional wedding for a number of different reasons. Maybe you and your fiancée have joked about it, or you’ve heard your friends joke about it, but have you ever really considered taking the plunge? Have you ever known someone who has? While there are plenty or pros and cons to eloping, the pros are worthy of pondering— especially for the die-hard romantic.

Throughout history, many obstacles such as war and arranged marriages have gotten in the way of couples who were madly in love and wanted to spend their lives together. Even today, there are certain circumstances that present themselves in our society and cultures around the globe that make eloping seem like the only option, and many times the best option. Aside from drastic circumstances however, why else do some couples choose to elope today? Sadly, one of the biggest motivators can be family. It is not uncommon for brides and grooms to want to escape the drama of having to put families together who may fight, especially if they think it will take away from the joy of their big day.

Not only can the pressures of various family issues be a motivator, but so can the general stresses of planning a wedding altogether. Many couples dread planning a large wedding and do not enjoy the formality of it. Most couples that decide to elope simply feel that it is more exciting because it is spontaneous. They feel that their marriage should be about just that– their marriage. They want to focus on their union without all of the fuss and formality of traditional wedding practices. In many ways, this is the biggest advantage of choosing to elope. Bypassing all of the planning of a big fancy wedding to sneak away to be with one another causes you to focus on you and your spouse, and nothing else. It’s mysterious, it’s private, and it’s oh-so-romantic.

While choosing not to share your marriage with your family and friends may not be for everyone, it certainly has its advantages. It all really boils down to what is important to you and your fiancée. If you think you have it in you to elope, you probably do. Consider your motivations, the pros and cons that are specific to your circumstances, and if you see nothing holding you back, then hop on the next flight to Paris (or wherever your heart desires) and seize the day!

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