Should I Elope? - Bay City MI Downtown Elopement

Does the idea of planning a grand wedding stress you out? Not sure if you want to share this special moment with 300+ people? It is possible you are considering an elopement.

Ultimately the decision is up to you, but here are some pros and cons of elopements to help you make a decision.

Skip ahead and click to see pictures from the Bay City, Michigan downtown elopement session.

PROS: Elopements are becoming more common and more accepted. Elopements are a great way to escape the heavy planning so you can focus on your marriage and your special day.

1. Simplified Planning: Although some level of planning will still be required, the total amount needed to plan for an elopement is a lot less.

2. Go Where You Want: You can elope in your hometown or you elope far away. The flexibility of planning for an intimate wedding gives you the freedom to choose.

3. More Affordable: Without having to accommodate guests, you can allocate your resources to travel, lodging, and your elopement experiences.

4. Flexible Timeline: There is no pressure to stick to a planned timeline on your wedding day, like getting to dinner on time. Instead, it is much easier to go with the flow when only a few people are involved.

5. Longer Couple Portrait Sessions: An important aspect of your wedding day will be capturing in via photos (and possibly video). During and normal wedding, you may have 30-45 minutes allocated in the timeline for couple portrait photos. During an elopement, you could spend much more time getting the perfect photos, including going to several cool locations.

CONS: Eloping is certainly non-traditional, so considering the cons is important to do before committing.

1. Fewer Loved Ones: It is inevitable that some of your loved ones (if not all) will not be able to attend. Is the tradeoff worth it to you?

2. People May Feel Excluded: There will people that feel left out. You may say, "well it is my day!" and this is true! However, another way to think about your wedding is that it is a way to bring people into your celebration to thank them for the ways they have supported you or your future spouse. Finding this balance is something only you can ultimately decide.

3. Elopement for the Right Reasons: If your primary reason to elope is to get cool pictures, then you may want to reconsider eloping. You can always get cool pictures during your honeymoon or as an anniversary session. Your primary drive for an elopement should be the experience.

4. Values: Your wedding day is a memory that will last forever. Make sure your wedding reflects your values so you have no regrets!

Conclusion: Elopements can be an incredible experience! The focus can be more on your relationship instead of worrying if the "big day" will go right. However, consider what you value and if an elopement reflects your goals for this special commitment.