Colorado Elopements | Katrina S. Joseph Photography
Why elope?
I am a total introvert. That’s not to say I’m quiet all the time – I have my people that make me feel completely at ease and allow me to come alive. But when I’m in a crowded room, I naturally start to fade into the background – totally content to be a listener and let someone else have the spotlight.
But on my wedding day, I don’t want to reach my social capacity halfway through, and I definitely don’t want to feel like I’m fading into the background. I want to feel completely myself, focused on my partner, and actually present in every single moment of our day. I want an experience that’s intimate, exciting, adventurous, and completely representative of our relationship and who we both are.
And I’d imagine you’re here because you feel the same way.
Why Elope Reason #1:
You Don’t Want a Traditional Wedding
The simplest and most common reason for choosing to elope is that a big, traditional wedding doesn’t feel right. A wedding venue, cocktail hour, formal reception, catering for hundreds of guests, and all that usually comes with the big wedding structure feels outdated to many couples.
Maybe you feel like the traditional wedding industry simply doesn’t represent your relationship, and you’re ready to ditch all the structure, pressure, and expectations that come along with planning a big wedding. Maybe you align with more “untraditional” values and customs, and eloping just feels like a better way to stick to who you are.
Either way, you know you’re ready to reject the traditional.
Why Elope Reason #2:
Flexibility
You don’t want to be tied down to a rigid timeline: 4pm ceremony, followed by cocktail hour at 5pm, and a strict reception end time at 10pm. You want the freedom to say your vows as the sun rises behind you. You want to watch the sunset from a scenic overlook and have your first dance as the sky turns dark blue and millions of stars appear. You want to try out 4×4 off-roading or canoeing. There’s a million possibilities of what your wedding day can be when you elope. But most importantly, you want your day to be on your terms and no-one else’s.
why elope reason #3:
Personalization
You want a wedding day that’s perfectly crafted for you. You want to spend your wedding day doing things you actually love. Being in nature, exploring stunning trails, and sharing goofy, intimate moments with your person without hundreds of people watching – those are just a few of the things that light your soul. Getting rushed around, trying to live up to family expectations, and worrying about talking to all your guests – not so much.
You can even include your favorite board games, arcade bars, books, breweries & tea houses, and special date night spots. You can cook a celebratory meal together, relax in a hot tub, and star gaze. You can hike, swim, bike, ride horses, and just about anything else you can dream up!
Why Elope Reason #4:
Budget
In 2022, couples spent on average $30,000 on their traditional wedding in Denver – the highest costs including $11,000 on a venue and $75/person for catering.
In comparison, the average cost of a Colorado elopement ranges from $5000-$15000.
If having a venue, catering, hundreds of guests, and the traditional wedding experience is important to you, those costs are worth it. But if you’re already thinking about ditching the venue and eloping in the mountains, the lower budget is a huge plus.
Why Elope Reason #5:
Privacy
When you elope, you get to choose who you bring along for the adventure. You can choose to spend the entire experience with just your partner. You can open up the celebration to include your closest family and friends. Either way, you get to decide who witnesses the most special and intimate moments of your day.
Some of the most intimate and emotionally-charged moments of your wedding day are your first look and when you read your vows. Eloping gives you the freedom to have those moments be private and just for you and your love.
Why Elope Reason #6:
Less Stress
A common theme I see throughout the entire traditional wedding planning process is stress. From the moment couples get engaged, the stress of booking venues and vendors arrives almost immediately. Often times there can be plenty of stress coming from family expectations (sometimes even unhelpful interference). There’s pressure to make your wedding fun to entertain all your guests, not to mention the logistical nightmares that can come along with coordinating a large event.
And finally, on the day of, you’ll likely be stressed trying to stick to a rigid timeline and shuffling around trying to talk to all your guests.
Elopements are all about you. Your timeline, your activities, and all the details you include are exactly as you want them. There’s no stress to “perform” for all your guests. There’s no obligation to stick to any specific timeline. Elopements are all about going-with-the-flow and actually enjoying your day.
Why elope reason #7:
You Want to Travel
Many of my couples travel to Colorado from out of state to elope, and I’ve even had couples who have never been to Colorado before their elopement! Colorado is a beautiful state with so much variety in landscape, activities, and vibes (small town, bustling city, art corridors, quiet trails and mountain cabins, etc.) – it’s the perfect place to explore with your spouse-to-be!
Even if you don’t choose to elope in Colorado, there are so many gorgeous locations around the world to plan a trip around. You and your partner can choose to explore a bucket-list location for the first time or re-visit a meaningful place to celebrate your commitment.
why elope reason #8:
The Experience
If you’re the couple that values experiences over things, eloping might be the perfect option for you. Aesthetics normally play a large part in traditional weddings – choosing the perfect venue, coordinating wedding party attire, decorations, table settings, etc. While they can still be a big part of your elopement, the material things and “looks” of it all generally aren’t one of the main focuses.
Elopements are more focused on the experience of your day. What details would make you most happy? How do you and your partner connect best? Are there certain locations, activities, or settings that feel meaningful?
And lastly, the most important reason:
It Just Feels Right For You
Your wedding day is yours.
You’re committing to forever with your favorite person, and that deserves to be celebrated in a big and authentic way!
Eloping is your chance to have a “just us” experience that feels completely representative of who you and your partner are.
