Wedding Photographer Scotland

Top 5 Reasons Why Eloping is Cool

What does elopement mean and why eloping is better for so many couples?

Why eloping is better than a traditional wedding? And is it? Nowadays, the term “elopement” has changed its original meaning from a secret runaway to a planned small, intimate wedding as a celebration of love. It’s a growing trend and can be appealing to many couples planning their wedding day. Elopement wedding is a growing trend, and more couples choose to get married in a more intimate and spontaneous setting. Often with just the two of them or a few close friends and family members.

Don’t get me wrong, I love big, fat weddings. I can see why the bride and groom are attracted to celebrate marriage traditionally. I get the idea you want to celebrate your wedding day with the whole family and friends. You are at the centre of attention, amongst happy wedding guests. But at the same time, I can see how much unnecessary stress is on the bride and groom’s shoulders, dealing with a tight schedule at a traditional wedding. So if you think about an alternative wedding day, here are my top 5 reasons why eloping is better for many couples.

why eloping is better

1. Focus on What Matters Most – You and your love

On the traditional wedding day, the only time the couple can rest and focus on themselves is a portrait session with the photographer – usually between reception and dinner. Party night after the reception usually helps freshly married couples to relax a bit and let the bride loosen her tight wedding dress. But even then, they are never alone.

On the other side of the spectrum, an elopement allows the couple to create a truly unique and personal wedding experience that is centred around their love and commitment to each other, allowing them to focus on what matters most. And from that point of view, that’s why eloping is better.

Mary Mark Glencoe 075

During an elopement wedding, there are fewer distractions, allowing the couple to concentrate on their vows, exchange of rings, and any other personal rituals they may choose to include. The focus is on the couple and their love, rather than on impressing guests or following traditional wedding norms. This intimacy and focus on the relationship can create a more meaningful and personal wedding experience.

Overall, an elopement wedding allows the couple to create a truly unique and personal wedding experience that is centered around their love and commitment to each other, allowing them to focus on what matters most.

2. Cost Savings – The real cost of elopement in Scotland

In general, elopement is cheaper than a wedding, which does not mean it cannot be fancy. The cost of an elopement wedding in Scotland can vary widely depending on a variety of factors, such as the location, time of year, and services included. Some potential expenses to consider when planning an elopement wedding in Scotland include:

  • Venue: The cost of a wedding venue can vary depending on the location and size of the venue. Some popular locations for elopement weddings in Scotland include castles, historic ruins, and scenic landscapes.
  • Celebrant: The cost of a wedding celebrant will depend on the individual officiant’s fees and any additional services they provide.
  • Transportation: If you plan on traveling to Scotland for your elopement wedding, you will need to factor in the cost of transportation, including flights and rental cars.
  • Accommodations: The cost of accommodations will depend on the location and type of lodging you choose.
  • Food and drinks: If you plan on having a small reception or celebratory meal, you will need to factor in the cost of food and drinks.
  • Wedding attire: The cost of wedding attire will depend on the type of clothing you choose
  • Last but not least, your elopement wedding photographer you like. Again, it depends on the time he’ll spend with you, planning and documenting your day.

It’s difficult to give an exact estimate for the cost of an elopement wedding in Scotland, but it’s safe to say that a budget of £7,000-£15,000 is a good starting point for a basic elopement wedding. However, this estimate is subject to change based on your specific needs and preferences. Elopement is five to ten times less than the costs of the traditional wedding. Simple mathematics, you save a lot on each wedding guest. That’s why eloping is better from the financial point of view.

3. Reduce stress

Let’s start from the planning stage. A big wedding usually needs for over a hundred guests is stressful enough and always was. You can hire a professional wedding planner but that generate even more costs. With a smaller and more intimate setting, elopement weddings are less stressful than traditional weddings, leading to a more relaxed and enjoyable wedding experience.

In contrast, traditional wedding day is a”blur”. What do I mean by that? Everything happen so quick, often couples feel overwhelmed with wedding commitments they have to fill in. That is not always the case but never happens on elopement day. That’s why eloping is better – for a peace of mind.

dunglass estate elopement wedding 162

4. Flexibility

You can elope only with your partner, but it doesn’t mean you have only option for the two of you. Why not take close family and friends to the elopement wedding ceremony? Like Rachel and Tom did on their Glencoe Lochan intimate wedding day. So what’s the difference in between an elopement and an intimate wedding? Not much if any to be honest. it’s more down to the terminology. Is an elopement simply a wedding for two? It doesn’t have to be!

Loch An Eilein Cairngorms Wedding

Let your family be a part of your elopement wedding day, a vital participant. After ceremony you can roaming in the wild Scottish outdoors with your wedding photographer and join with your family at the late dinner.

If you decide to elope, you are not minute after minute schedule must-do tasks like in a traditional wedding. Yes, you may consider what time of the day would be the best for your photo session. Discuss the schedule with your celebrant but is way less hectic and under your rules. You can take advantage to pick the perfect time for your photos. In other words, you can have your elopement as you like. You can take even two days option with extra activities but stretch over two days with no fuss and no rush.

Mary Mark Glencoe 078

It’s really down to your imagination. Another example: after a romantic, intimate elopement for two, your family and friends receive beautiful photos and incredible videos from the ceremony. Does it not sound great? And at the end of the day, you can throw a party week or two after your elopement. In more relaxed, informal manner if the traditional wedding is not your thing.

Elopement can be in the back of your garden, or the big city. Will be the same as beautiful as a day on the Isle of Skye or Glencoe. It’s your connection, that is what makes it special. Elopement is easy to understand when you flip the coin and re-define why getting married in the first place.

When you elope, you are not tight to traditions. You can think out of the box about how your day should look. Do you want to invite your family or prefer to be alone just with two witnesses? Do you love nature or prefer city elopement? Would you like to have a ceremony in the morning or later afternoon? Why eloping is better? You have the freedom in tailoring.

5. Elope for the stunning backdrop views

Last but not least, think about all those beautiful places Scotland has to offer. Wherever you go, you’ll be surprised by how breathtaking the scenery can be. Just to name few, from the west and south Scottish Borders to Edinburgh. Loch Lomond. Epic A82 road to Glencoe and Skyfall vibe of Glen Etive. Isle of Skye and Torridon. Another thing, I swear, you will look more relaxed on the photos. Simply because we’ll have more time.

Conclusion

Elopement weddings allow for a more intimate experience because they are smaller, more focused events that typically involve only the couple and a few close friends or family members. With a smaller guest list, the couple can spend more time with each person, creating a more personal and meaningful experience for everyone involved.

The intimacy of an elopement wedding also creates a more relaxed atmosphere, allowing the couple to enjoy the moment and each other’s company fully. There is less pressure to perform or entertain a large group, making the experience more enjoyable for the couple.

Additionally, an elopement wedding typically allows the couple to choose a location that is meaningful to them, further enhancing the intimacy of the experience. This could be a place where they first met, a special place from their relationship, or simply a location that has special significance to them.

Overall, an elopement wedding provides a more intimate and personal experience for the couple, allowing them to fully connect and enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed and meaningful setting. That’s why why eloping is better.

4 Comments

  1. I think thiѕ is one of the most impoгtant info for me.

    And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on few general tһings, The site style is wonderful,
    the articles is rеally nice : D. Good job, cheers

  2. Hello, greetings from Australia! I love your work! We are planning elopement or just a small intimate wedding in the Highlands with the closest ones (my fiancé is Scottish), could you share some more information?

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