Some people dream about their wedding day from the time they are small children. They may think they have every detail planned out from the beginning. However, perhaps you are not one of those people. Maybe the idea of planning a wedding seems overwhelming and unnecessary to you. If this is the case, then you might consider eloping. This is perfect for some couples, while not ideal for others. There are pros and cons, so you should consider your options before making your final decision. Here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages to eloping instead of having a high-budget wedding.
Save Money
Of course, perhaps the largest benefit to eloping is that you will save a lot of money. Weddings can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and not many people can afford that. You may be lucky and have a parent who is willing to pay for the whole thing, but if you don't, then you are likely on a pretty tight budget. There are many other things you can spend your money on, including:
- Bills
- Your honeymoon
- Down payment on a house
If you would rather use your money for these kinds of things, then you might consider eloping.
You Can Still Make a Memory
Some people think that when people elope, they don't tell anyone, do it in secret, and don't have many keepsakes to remember the event. You may be surprised to find out that many who elope still hire a photographer and/or videographer to capture the moment forever. If the only reason you want to have a wedding is so you can hire a photographer to photograph the day, then you will be pleased to know you can get just as many pictures when you elope.
Less Stress
For many people, planning a wedding is very stressful. There is a seemingly endless to-do list and so many decisions that you have to make. On top of that, you may be dealing with the unwanted opinions of your mother-in-law, your friend, or some distant relative. This can make things very overwhelming. When you elope, all of these problems are pretty much eliminated. You get to call all the shots, and you don't have to make nearly as many decisions. If you are looking for something simple, eloping is the way to go.
Hurt Feelings
Of course, eloping has its cons as well. If you elope, you may have some people who feel hurt at not being invited to the wedding. This can include family members and close friends. While you will probably have at least a couple of witnesses when you elope, there are probably many people who are expecting to get invited who won't. Be prepared to deal with these hurt feelings if you do plan to elope.
Fewer Gifts
Of course, getting married isn't about the gifts, but it can be a huge perk. When you elope, you won't get nearly as many gifts. Some people may mail you a check, but don't expect much. If you are planning on making a wedding registry and want to see a lot of gifts coming your way, then an elopement is probably not for you.
Fewer Memories
Sure, you will remember the day you eloped for the rest of your life, as will your spouse. But, when you are celebrating an anniversary or wanting to swap wedding stories, there aren't many people who are going to be engaged in the conversation. After all, most people you know were not at your wedding, so they will not be able to contribute stories.
Only you and your future spouse can decide whether or not an elopement is right for you. Weigh the pros and cons, and you should be able to make the right decision.
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