Eloping isn’t right for everyone. Some people may see it as the easy way to obtain the rights afforded to married people. But before you take the plunge, here are some signs you probably won’t regret your decision to elope later.

1. You want to be married, but you can’t stand the idea of spending too much money on a wedding. The average U.S. wedding was over $33,000 in 2017, according to a study conducted by The Knot. If the idea of dropping that kind of cash makes you queasy, your options are to 1) elope or 2) have a less expensive wedding. Many couples who choose the latter option find that, what they thought would be an inexpensive soiree is anything but, and they’re not willing to compromise on certain things that will help keep costs down.
2. The same study claims that the average length of engagement is 14 months. If the idea of spending more than a year of your life organizing, planning, and making choices about the big day stresses you out, you might want to 1) hire a planner or 2) avoid the process altogether. Elopements take less time to plan and execute because there are so many fewer people and elements involved, and Elope NoVa can do most of the work for you so that all you have to show up!
3. You’re okay with the idea of not sharing your wedding with your friends and family. This is something to consider very carefully. It’s important to be aware that, even if you’re okay with it, your friends and family might not be, and you may have to deal with some hurt feelings. When my best friend and her fiancé decided to elope in Jamaica, I was sad to know I would miss her wedding. It was what she wanted and I couldn’t begrudge her that, but I did feel a tinge of jealousy toward the random resort employees who got to be there.
4. You need to get married quickly. Maybe it’s not that you might a long planning period, but that’s not an option because of you or your fiancé(e)’s health, immigration status, deployment, or other reason. Some people choose to elope to take care of the legal requirement of being married, but then plan a party and/or renewal ceremony so they still don’t miss out sharing with loved ones.
5. Your families don’t get along. This is a really tough one, because eloping may feel like the only option. If you truly feel like your wedding day will be full of disappointment because the people you love most won’t be there, don’t immediately elope… I mean, remember Romeo and Juliet? Take some time (and even try to seek professional help) to see if any of the inter- or intra-familial issues can be resolved first. If they truly can’t, consider an intimate wedding with fewer people… some couples even have two weddings!

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