Thinking about Eloping? Read my top 5 reasons to elope!

Hi guys!

Today’s blog is so special to me because it’s all about eloping. Let me say first though, I am all about whatever YOU want to do. Whether that is a large traditional wedding or a small intimate one, I am here to photograph and document it for you. However, elopements hold a special place in my heart so that’s what we’re talking about today. These are my top 5 reasons to elope!

1. Save money

Did you know that the average cost of a wedding in California is $39,000? Yup. You read that right. I love large weddings that are full of beautiful and personalized details as much as the next person! But either way you cut it, eloping saves you money. That doesn’t mean you can’t have those dream details though! You can decide on a budget and focus on what’s truly important to you. Maybe you spend money on your dream dress but don’t have to worry about bridesmaids bouquets. Or you buy round trip plane tickets to Ireland but you don’t have to spend money on a caterer. That’s a huge bonus to eloping, is that it really does cost less.

2. You get to focus on what feels right to YOU

We’re all different and that’s the beauty of the world! For some brides, it is 100% authentic to them to have a large wedding, with a ball gown and a reception in a mansion. For other brides it’s authentic to wear a sundress and have a backyard ceremony. There is no right or wrong answer! What I love about elopements is that it lets you find what feels right to you. Did you get engaged in Yosemite and you would love to get married there? You can elope there. Have you always dreamed of hiking on your wedding day and cracking a cold one at the top of a trail together? You can do that during your elopement. You can make your elopement fit what feels right to you!

3. Wedding planning stresses you out

This is a huge bonus of eloping. Wedding planning can be stressful for some brides. You might not care to pick out table linens, the type of silverware you’ll have, and whether to feed steak or salmon to the guests. No worries! With eloping, there is minimal planning. A HUGE bonus of hiring me as your elopement photographer, is I help take on even that minimal planning. I help you figure out any permits you may need for your elopement, look at plane tickets with you, and give you my best recommendations for dress shops and florists to make a bridal bouquet. Eloping really does take that planning stress away.

4. You want an adventure

Doesn’t eloping on a cliff in the Grand Canyon just sound like an amazing story to tell your grandchildren? Or flying to Alaska to say “I Do” on a glacier? Marriage is an adventure in itself but pair it with an elopement in breathtaking scenery or in the middle of your favorite National Park? It takes that adventure to the next level.

5. You crave intimacy

My final reason for eloping is the intimacy of elopements. Oftentimes, elopements are just the two people getting married, the photographer and videographer, and someone to marry you. Or maybe 1 or 2 close family members or friends. They are small and intimate! If the thought of being around a large group of people all day doesn’t sound like your ideal way to get married, eloping could be the best way for you to go! You get to spend the entire day focused on each other and your new adventure. There are no rules. You can get ready together at a trailhead or wake up at dawn to say your vows over sunset. It doesn’t get much more intimate than that.

So now you know a few of my top favorite reasons to elope! At the end of the day, I want all of my couples to get married in a way that feels 100% authentic to them. Whatever makes you happy I am here to support it. If you have any questions about eloping please contact me! That is my specialty and I’d love to help you plan yours!

Warmly,

Hilary Kao