How to Know If You Should Elope: 5 Signs You’re Ready to Ditch the Traditional Wedding
So, you're wondering... Should we elope?
You’re not alone. More and more couples are asking this same question — often quietly at first. Maybe it started as a joke. Maybe it bubbled up after yet another overwhelming family conversation. Or maybe it came from a moment of clarity: that your wedding day should feel like you.
If the traditional wedding mold doesn’t feel like a fit, this guide is for you. We're going to explore the top 5 signs you're ready to elope, the emotional and practical reasons couples are choosing intentional, non-traditional wedding days, and how to plan an elopement that reflects who you are.
And yes, there's a free downloadable guide at the end.
Let’s get into it.
What Does It Mean to Elope in 2025?
Eloping in 2025 isn’t about running off in secret (unless you want it to be). It’s about opting out of expectations and choosing a wedding experience that reflects your values, your relationship, and your vision.
Today’s modern elopement might mean:
Hiking to a mountaintop and exchanging vows at sunrise
Renting a cabin on Lake Superior and celebrating with a few close loved ones
Taking a road trip across Ireland and saying "I do" on windswept cliffs
Or simply having a cozy ceremony for two, followed by tacos and a dance in your living room
An elopement is not a lesser-than version of a wedding. It is a real wedding, just deeply personal and often more intentional.
Why More Couples Are Choosing to Elope
When you strip away the pressure of performing for others, what’s left is something real, romantic, and wildly freeing. That’s why elopements are growing in popularity: they remove the overwhelm and return the focus to the marriage itself.
Top reasons to elope:
The stress of wedding planning has become too much
You want a day that feels like a shared experience, not a production
You care more about marriage than a party
You want to honor your values and preferences without compromise
5 Signs You’re Ready to Elope
These signs are based on real stories from couples I’ve worked with over the years as a full-day elopement photographer and filmmaker. They knew the traditional route wasn’t right — even if they couldn’t fully articulate it at first.
1. You care more about your marriage than the party.
If you're more excited about writing your vows than planning a seating chart, that’s a clue. You’re here for the deep stuff — the promises, the connection, the lifetime you’re building. You don’t want to lose sight of that by getting caught in Pinterest boards and obligations.
2. The guest list gives you anxiety.
Every time you try to write one, you freeze. You’re trying not to offend anyone, but what you really want is something small, intimate, or even just the two of you. Eloping lets you escape the pressure to perform or include people who don’t feel aligned.
3. You want your day to feel like an experience, not a performance.
You want to wake up slow. Go on an adventure. Sip coffee, take a deep breath, and savor every minute. You don’t want to be ushered from event to event by a timeline that was built for someone else.
Eloping means you get to choose how the day unfolds. It can be just as full as a traditional wedding — or even more so. It's just curated by you.
4. You don’t fit the traditional mold (and never have).
You never saw yourself in the classic wedding image. The big dress. The big venue. The big cost. Maybe you’re introverted. Maybe you’re wildly creative. Maybe you just never dreamed of a ballroom.
An elopement is your permission slip to do something different, and to be unapologetically yourself.
5. You want your wedding to reflect your values.
Whether that means sustainability, simplicity, authenticity, or adventure, eloping gives you the space to infuse your day with meaning. This isn’t about skipping out — it’s about showing up fully.
Elopement vs Traditional Wedding: Which One Is Right for You?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But here are a few questions that might help:
Do you feel more energized by a crowd or one-on-one connection?
Is your budget going toward what matters most to you — or everyone else?
Are you excited about planning or just overwhelmed?
If you find yourself choosing intimacy, creativity, or peace of mind — you might already know the answer.
How to Plan an Elopement That Feels Like You
Planning an elopement doesn’t mean winging it. In fact, some of the most beautiful, cinematic, emotionally-rich elopements are the result of careful, thoughtful planning.
Step 1: Get Clear on the Vibe
Before you pick a date or destination, ask yourselves:
How do we want to feel on our wedding day?
What kind of locations make us feel most alive?
Do we want to be alone, or with a small group of people we love?
Step 2: Choose a Photographer Who Helps Plan
Some photographers (like me!) help couples plan every part of the experience — not just show up and shoot. From location scouting to timelines to activity ideas, your elopement photographer should be your creative guide.
Step 3: Make It an All-Day Story
Don’t limit yourself to a 30-minute ceremony. This is your wedding day. Fill it with things that light you up: a sunrise canoe ride, a mountaintop hike, a cozy brunch, a private dinner, a slow dance under the stars.
Elopements aren’t short. They’re intimate. And they deserve the full attention and documentation of your love story.
Step 4: Legally Elope (Wherever You Are)
The legal stuff is super doable. Different states and countries have different rules, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it work. Some couples even do the paperwork quietly at home and save the ceremony for the day that matters most.
Elopement Myths (That Aren’t True!)
Let’s break a few misconceptions:
Myth: Eloping is only for couples on a budget.
Truth: Eloping allows you to spend money on what matters most — whether that’s travel, photography, or the experience itself.
Myth: Elopements are rushed or casual.
Truth: Elopements can be slow, luxurious, adventurous, or emotional. The key is that you choose.
Myth: Eloping means excluding people.
Truth: Many couples include a few guests or do a celebration later. It’s not about exclusion — it’s about intention.
Free Resource: 5 Signs You’re Ready to Elope (Downloadable Guide)
If this blog post resonated, I made you something.
My free guide “5 Signs You’re Ready to Elope (Even If You’re Still on the Fence)” includes:
A self-check quiz
Real-life stories
Journal prompts to help you make your decision
Planning tips for elopements in Michigan, Colorado, Ireland + more
Bonus tips on how to plan a full-day elopement experience
→ [Download Coming Soon]
This guide is perfect for couples who are dreaming of a non-traditional wedding and just need clarity, language, and permission to choose what’s true.
Next Steps
Choosing to elope isn’t about running away. It’s about running toward the kind of love story that actually feels like yours. It’s about trusting your gut and crafting a day that reflects who you are and what you value most.
So if you’ve been googling things like:
"Should we elope?"
"How to plan an elopement"
"Elopement vs traditional wedding"
"Reasons to elope instead of a big wedding"
...this is your sign.
You’re not alone. You’re not selfish. You’re not doing it wrong.
You might just be ready to elope.
Let’s plan something unforgettable together.
Tiff Nutt
Elopement Photographer & Filmmaker
Based in Marquette, MI | Available worldwide
