Elopement

Yep 🙋🏼‍♀️ We aren’t technically eloping, because we are having our parents, siblings and wedding party come with us… but our “glorified elopement/micro destination wedding” is costing us over $40k.
I thought we’d save money not having the local 150+ guest wedding…. But nope! LOL On the plus side however, we are able to be more extravagant with our choices (ie, more expensive florals, food, rings, attire, etc.)

View Quoted Comment It’s so refreshing to know I’m not the only one, because I started to feel like I was crazy for spending this much. My parents are attending, but that’s it. Can I ask where you’re having yours? Ours will be in Cabo. I agree though, I’ve been able to spend more money on the little details that make such a big difference. Thanks for sharing your experience!

View Quoted Comment You’re definitely not alone! We are going to New Orleans, which also contributed to the higher costs (U.S. costs, instead of the lower exchange rates in a lot of tropical countries/islands).

My fiancé and I decided to get eloped prior to the big wedding. We’re having a judge marry us at the park, a photographer, flowers and the only guests will be my maid of honor, her partner and their two kids.


I’m only spending about $1,550 in total.

Wow!!! My fiance and I are eloping as well....second marriage and don't want the expense. We're not having a destination wedding per se, but are going to the City where we plan to move to once I retire. Outdoors in the mountains, no venue cost. Officiant and photographer are husband wife team and the cost is $500. I'll be purchasing silk flowers from Etsy which will only be about $200. The AirBNB we're staying at is only about $600. Cutting cake is $60. My budget for a dress is no more than $200; since I may actually just wear something non traditional. I have to get some other small things, such as accessories for the cake, maybe jewelry, new shoes. I plan to do my own hair and makeup as well. Our largest expense will be our wedding bands, but less than $5000. It all adds up and I'm right behind you but hey, we're getting married. 😊

🙋🏼‍♀️We are eloping and getting married out of state in the mountains but splurged on florals, makeup, hair, photographer, dress, suit, flights etc it definitely added up to over 15k! I still find it well worth it over a traditional wedding with 100+ people watching us all day!

View Quoted Comment That’s an awesome budget. When’s the big wedding?

View Quoted Comment 5k for all of that is awesome! Even though we’re spending more than what we wanted to, I agree with you, at least we’re getting married. 💗

View Quoted Comment I agree! I need to think of the alternative, it could’ve been a lot more expensive & stressful. 😬

View Quoted Comment Absolutely!! Enjoy your day and may you experience an abundance of joy in and through your marriage.

View Quoted Comment Big wedding is 8.16.24. But the elopement is only 6 days away!!

We got married a couple days ago ahead of our wedding day/party next weekend and I would say costs came to approx £360 but our only costs were: rings, my dress (a regular non-white dress), my underwear (I needed a strapless bra for the dress lol) and the cost of the registry office itself. My mum provided a bouquet so I didn't have to pay for that. My husband (omg, so weird calling him that!) wore shirt & trousers he already had and we only had 2 witnesses so no travel costs beyond driving half an hour.

I imagine if you are doing a destination elopement and having proper florals etc it would add up very quickly with hotels etc!

I think its just a matter of taste. I am planning to elope to Alaska (I used to live there) at an outdoor location (free) and want an amazing photographer ($4k), videographer ($4k), fine dining restaurant reception for 10 guests which includes bride and groom ($2k), bouquet and boutonniere ($300), dress ($2.5k? still deciding on this), tux ($300), officiant ($400), makeup & hair (? still approximating cost), and reception invitations and marriage announcements ($150). I'm sure there are things I haven't thought of yet but its still more than I expected (approx $15k) for an elopement but what can I say...girl's got taste. lol