Elope?

Why can't you elope and have pictures? Plenty of people elope and actually a lot of bloggers suggest that the one thing that you actually not cut back on is pictures so that way you can show friends and family back home and you have a keepsake. I have seenplenty of people elope and take a ton of pictures where they are at. Especially if you are doing it in such a beautiful place you definitely want pictures. Do some research on Pinterest but there are a lot of people that talk about the benefits of eloping and how they made it special.

I had a cousin that did all inclusive in Jamaica for just parents, siblings, and grandparents then a backyard party for all other friends and family 2 months later. They loved it and saved lots of money, I think you will too if that's your style. It's totally a personal decision between you and your fiance. Maybe adding parents/siblings could be all you need to make the destination thing feel better to you.

I wanted the small destination thing at first. The thing that changed my mind was that both of our more extended families would have been very upset if they couldn't be involved in the day. The majority of my side and the majority of his live 4 hours apart, so we'd have to do a party in the middle anyways. If we were already going to the expense of hosting a party in the middle, we might as well do the whole thing. We're not going to be super traditional at least, our venue is a zoo.

You can have a photographer even if you elope.

Pictures with our families and friends is what I meant*

I’m eloping, just us. We have a photographer and videographer to capture it to look back on and share. We will have a reception/anniversary party so we’ll still have pictures and time with them.


It’s ideal to me; to have my moment with my man free from outside energies and the extra spectators but also still getting to celebrate and share our love with friends and family. So, do what works for you!

You can always elope and then have a “celebrate our I Dos” party/ brunch with close family and friends when you return and do photos with them then. You can also do a vow renewal 1,2,5,10 etc years down the line