Should I elope? | The top 5 reasons couples choose to elope in 2026

March 14, 2026

When couples get engaged, they almost immediately begin hinking about what their wedding day will look like. For some couples, the thought of a large, traaditional wedding can be dreadful. If you're on the fence about whether you should elope or not, here are the top 5 reasons why couples are choosing to elope instead of having a traditional wedding in 2026!

Table of contents:

Emily

Owner + Lead Elopement Planner, Photographer & Videographer

MEET THE
LOVE UNCHARTED

team!

Heyyy, I'm Emily! The founder of Love Uncharted and the OG elopement photographer of the crew!
When I'm not busy planning and documenting epic wedding days, you can find me exploring on two wheels, loving on my fur babies, or day-dreaming about my next adventure!

yASMINE

Elopement Planner & Photographer

Elopements have allowed me to bring my love for photography and adventure together in such an epic way!
When I'm not scouting for locations or taking photos of an awesome couple on their wedding day, you can find me hitting the trails!

First things first... what is eloping?

There are many different ways people would describe elopements. For us, however, it's quite simple- doing whatever your heart desires! Whether that's celebrating your closest friends and family in a place that is special to you, or seeking the wildest adventure in a destination you've always dreamed of visiting!
The number one thing you need to remember is that there are no rules, no expectations, and no limits when it comes to having a truly memorable elopement!

10 Reasons Couples Choose to Elope

The shift towards elopements has went up by an astounding 78% since 2020. When Covid-19 hit, a lot of couples were forced to cancel their large weddings and shift to more intimate and personal wedding celebrations. However, what was an adjustment to a pandemic has turned to a large shift in the wedding world, with eloping becoming an extremely favored way of tying the knot!

Reason #1: Cost

Let me keep it real- an epic elopement in a surreal destination that is packed full of fun and new experiences is not necessarily going to be cheap. Elopements, however, are a lot more affordable than the average traditional wedding!
The average cost for a 100-person wedding in 2026 costs anywhere from $25,000- $35,000 on average. While obviously the overall cost for a larger wedding can be higher or lower, there is still one major difference- the value.
While we have helped plan and document elopements that are easily comparable in cost to large, traditional weddings, couples have stated that the experience of eloping holds much more value and feels worth the money spent.
When having a large, traditional wedding- majority of your funds are poured into one day. While there can be costs such as parties before the wedding, lodging, and other miscellaneous costs included in the budget, the bulk of expenses are for the wedding day itself. Elopements, on the other hand, are more so like a vacation and a wedding combined. The average cost of elopements typically includes sevral nights of lodging, airefare, care rental, dining, and activities throughout the duration of the trip, not just for one day.

Reason #2: enjoying the experience

It's no shock that planning an elaborate, large wedding where there are 100 or more guests can be extremely stressful. There are so many vendors, you need a timeline of events, you have to get invites mailed out and determine who will attend, and so much more. With so many details that need to be figured out, the planning process can be extremely stressful. After several months of planning that can take a mental toll, couples have reported that the wedding day itself can feel very stressful. The pressure of family, friends, and guests, the fast-pace of the day, the worry of things going wrong- it can really take away from enjoing your wedding day and living in the moment.
Couples who have planned adventurous elopemens have found a lot more joy in the planning rpocess compared to planning a large wedding. From finding ideal lodging, checking out fun activities, and imagining themselves surrounded by surreal scenery- couples feel more like they're planning their dream vacation instead of an event designed to please those who are attending it.

Reason #3: The Photos

Obviously as elopement photographers, this is one of the big reasons we love elopements- the pictures are absolutely badass! From the scenery to the once-in-a-lifetime experiences, the photos are so unique comapred to large weddings! Instead of worrying about guests with their phone out, lighting inside of a venue, or having the same backdrop as hundreds of other couples- you get a wedding gallery that is fun, personal, and truly epic!

Reason #4: Authenticity

Couples have found that elopements allow them to have a wedding day that feels authentic, without the pressure of friends and family influencing their decisions. If you're an introvert, you don't have to stand in front of hundreds of people and have all eyes on you all day. If you love the outdoors, you can profess your love to your partner from the mountain tops or where theland meets the sea instead of in a venue. Your elopement can be full of experiences you have always dreamed of, include things that you love and enjoy, and give you the freedom of being yourself without any expectations.

Reason #5: Family Dynamics

A common reason that we hear from couples is that family dynamics heavily influenced their decision to elope. Whether it's living far from others, having no contact with their family, or being worried about how family/ friends may act towards other guests.
Elopements can be extremely intimate, personal, and memorable- even if it's just the two of you!

The Cons of Eloping

It wouldn't be right as an expert in the matter to talk about how amazing elopements are without being realistic and pointing out the cons of eloping. While I personally feel there are far fewer cons compared to a traditional elopement, these are important aspects that you need to consider when choosing between an elopement and a large, traditional wedding.

Eloping isn't for everyone, and we wouldn't recommend having an elopement over a traditional wedding to couples who:

  • Are people pleasers. Pushback from friends and family could severely impact your feelings about eloping.
  • Have always dreamed of following big wedding traditions.
  • Love parties and being surrounded by large groups of people.
  • Aren't comfortable being outdoors for extended periods of time.
  • Would be heavily impacted and upset by inclement weather or bumps in the road. Eloping in the great outdoors means being down for anything and still feeling fulfilled, even if you have to rely on your backup plan.

While we wish that every couple could feel and enjoy how epic elopements can be- realistically, we know that's not everyone's cup of tea. If you want that big, traditional wedding- that is still your dream wedding and you have every right to have a wedding day that pleases you.

You need a photographer who truly understands epic elopements

We have spent years mastering the art of elopements in some of the most surreal and epic destinations across the globe!
While we're pretty good at documenting the adventure (if i do say so myself,) we also do SO MUCH MORE for our adventurous couples.

Some things you can expect when booking your elopement with us is:
  • Experts who have spent years planning unique elopements.
  • A team of two hype girls who are honored to celebrate your big day with you.
  • Expert advice on locations, weather, and other logistics.
  • A timeline that is designed to keep your day running smoothly (as well as a backup plan!)
  • Help booking other vendors, such as HMUA's, florists, private chefs, etc.
  • Recommendations on local activities that can add some fun to your elopement.
  • Answers to all of your questions!
There are endless possibilities when it comes to planning a truly unique and epic elopement! While these are only a handful of adventurous ideas, there are no rules nor limits when it comes to what your wedding day can look like.
The most important thing is that your elopement makes your wildest dreams come true, and that the day truly aligns with you and your partner!

Not sure where to start when planning your epic elopement?
We are a team of adenture-loving elopement experts who have planned and photographed unique elopements across the world!
Click here to learn more about eloping with Love Uncharted!

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