Elopement vs Wedding: How to Pick the Right Ceremony for You
Congratulations, you're engaged! Before diving into all of your ceremony plans, it's time to decide the kind of ceremony you want to have: elopement vs wedding. This is going to be one of the most important decisions you will have to make, so it's important that you choose what is best for you and aligns with what you want as a couple.
There are tons of different questions you might have when choosing between an elopement vs wedding. What's the difference? What are the pros and cons? What's the best choice for us as a couple? To help answer all of these questions, we've created a guide with all the info you need to know about having an elopement vs wedding. And as Maui wedding photographers and Super 8 videographers, we've also added some extra insight into having an elopement or wedding on Maui!
What’s the Difference Between an Elopement and a Wedding?
Wedding
Weddings are a day-long ceremony with a timeline of events and 50 to hundreds of guests. Normally a wedding reception follows after the ceremony to celebrate the couple's marriage.
Elopement
The general idea most people have about eloping is a spontaneous ceremony where you run away to get married in secret but this isn't really the case anymore. Nowadays, elopements aren't secretive and many couples actually include their friends and family in their ceremony. Elopements are a more intimate ceremony, with no more than 20 guests.
Micro Wedding
When deciding to choose between an elopement vs wedding, you might see the term "micro wedding" too. Micro weddings are ceremonies that are bigger than an elopement but smaller than a wedding. They generally include no more than 50 guests.
Elopement vs Wedding: The Pros and Cons
Elopement Pro: Less Expensive
Because elopement have fewer guests and vendors, the overall cost is less when compared to a wedding. You'll still have a photographer and/or videographer, rings, an officiant and you might even include hair, make-up and florals into your elopement budget. But you'll save on a planner, venue, catering, decorations, entertainment and a wedding cake.
Elopement Pro: More Intimate
The focus of your elopement day will all be on you, which can make it more intimate. There will be no outside pressures, just the two of you (and maybe a few of your loved ones) celebrating your relationship and the next chapter of your lives together as a married couple.
Elopement Pro: Less Stressful
Don't get us wrong, planning an elopement won't be entirely stress free. But when compared to planning a wedding they're typically less stressful. Because elopements have smaller guests lists, you won't need to accommodate seats, catering and entertainment to hundreds of people. There's also the relief of family related stress when planning an elopement vs wedding. As elopements are more personal, you may feel less pressure from family to make decisions that don't align with the intimate vision you have for your ceremony.
Elopement Pro: You can combine your ceremony and honeymoon
The great thing about having an elopement vs wedding is that you can combine both your elopement ceremony and honeymoon. Maui is a dreamy elopement and honeymoon destination! Its beaches and amazing weather all year round make it a perfect location to combine your elopement and honeymoon.
Elopement Pro: Location
When choosing to have an elopement vs wedding, there are no restrictions to where your elopement can take place. Maui's landscapes are beautiful and will make a breathtaking backdrop for your elopement. Whether you choose to elope on Waihe'e Coastal Dunes or on the beach, just keep in mind that you may need a Right of Entry permit!
Elopement Con: Little to no family and friends
Your ceremony will be one of the most unforgettable days of your lives, so you might miss your family and friends if you decide to have an elopement vs wedding. They won't be able to share those memories of your ceremony with you.
But just because you decide to elope doesn't mean your family and friends will be completely excluded from your ceremony! There are tons of ways you can include them in your elopement. You can invite them to shop with you for your wedding attire, send them a video toast or have a post-elopement party after your ceremony!
Elopement Con: Family may be disappointed
Family and friends may feel offended or disappointed if you decide to elope. They may not take the news well and there's a possibility that their reactions could upset you. But to help soften the blow on the news, have a talk with them about your reasons for eloping and why it's the best decision for you as a couple. As we mentioned before, you can also include them in your elopement in many different and creative ways!
Elopement Con: You may miss out on some traditions
Not having a wedding can mean that you may miss out on some traditions like getting ready with your wedding party, the aisle walk or having a parent/child dance. However, there are some traditions that you can still include such as a first look with your partner (or close family/friends you may invite) and having a first dance. If there are some traditions that you've dreamed about doing for your ceremony but will miss out on if you're eloping, you may need to reconsider choosing to elope.
Wedding Pro: You’ll be surrounded by family and friends
Having a wedding may be one of the rare occasions where both of your family and friends will all be in one room together. You will all be there to celebrate your love and share the joys and memories of your ceremony, from when you walk down the aisle to tearing it up on the dancefloor at the reception!
Wedding Pro: Less restrictive guest list
Not having a restrictive guest list is a huge pro to having a wedding vs elopement especially if you have a big family. Depending on your venue capacity, your guest list can include all of your close family and friends as well as your extended family, family friends or even friends of friends that you want to invite!
Wedding Pro: You can include all the wedding traditions you dream of
Although there are some wedding traditions you can do for an elopement, some of them might not be able to apply to elopements in the same way. So if you love traditions, like having bridesmaids, groomsmen or attendants, the bouquet toss and a wedding exit, it's worth choosing to have a wedding vs an elopement.
Wedding Pro: You can get creative
Having a wedding at a venue gives you the space to express your creativity through themes, decorations, traditions and customs. All these decisions will be unique to you and will reflect your personality and style as a couple!
Wedding Con: Wedding Planning Stress
Planning a wedding is no joke. There are tons of things to prep for and it could be stressful doing it all. But you don't have to do it all alone! Wedding planners and coordinators can help ease the pressure of planning a wedding and help everything run smoothly.
Wedding Con: More Expensive
If you're having a wedding with lots of guests, this will mean that it will cost more compared to an elopement. You'll have to consider catering, entertainment and activities on top of decorations and vendors. It's very important to have a chat with each other and set an achievable budget so you're not overwhelmed with wedding costs.
Wedding Con: Stricter Timeline
Many weddings are a day-long ceremony filled with a timeline of events. Having many events can feel rushed and makes it difficult to take in those heartfelt moments. But if you're a couple that prefers having things organized and structured, then having a timeline would be great for knowing exactly how the day will run and getting important photos/videos taken for specific events.
Best Places to Elope on Maui
Maui's Many Beaches
Maui has a range of beautiful beaches to elope on. Some of our favorite spots are Secret Cove, Ironwoods and Kapalua Bay Beach!
Haleakala
Haleakala is a volcano on Maui which has the best sunset views for an elopement. You don't need a reservation if you decide to elope here at sunset and you don't have to go all the way to the peak either! There are great spots to pull over starting after you go through the National Park Gatehouse.
Best Wedding Venues on Maui
Pineapple Chapel
Pineapple Chapel is an amazing venue with both indoor and outdoor space for your wedding ceremony. We were honored to capture wedding ceremonies in both spaces, with an intimate chapel ceremony indoors and a traditional wedding ceremony outdoors.
Lona Ridge
Lona Ridge is a wonderful venue within the Maui mountains that overlooks Maui!
Elopement vs Wedding: Choosing What's Best For You
We hope that this guide helped your decision in choosing what's best for you between an elopement vs wedding. Talk about the pros and cons of each together and what will suit you both as a couple. There is no right or wrong answer to your decision. What's important is that you have a ceremony that truly reflects who you are and how you want to celebrate your love together.
If you're looking for a photographer or Super 8 videographer for your wedding or elopement, we would love to capture it all for you! Contact us through our contact form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. We can't wait to hear all about your wedding and elopement plans!
