What is an elopement and is it for me?

I’m an elopement photographer & planner based in glorious Wales and for the last 6 years, I’ve been offering couples an alternative way to get married and have the wedding day of their dreams here in glorious Wales.

If you’re a couple wondering what an elopement is and is it for us – I’d describe an elopement (or a Just Us wedding) as a small, slightly wild, wholesome, meaningful & intimate wedding day that is less traditional than a big wedding (which sometimes can involve staged elements of performance or a large group setting). Elopements or micro weddings often involve just the couple (and perhaps only a few close friends or family members), with a beautiful ceremony in a scenic outdoor spot with lots of scope for adventure and epic photos.

Maybe you’re feeling slightly anxious (or a bit showy) about walking down the aisle in front of a large crowd, or you’d rather spend your money on a wedding experience that focuses more on you than others, or you only want to get married surrounded by your dog(s) or kid(s) – a slightly less planned, small but equally meaningful wedding (elopement) day could be for you.

What you’ll be focussing on if you elope in Wales.

Stress-free & fun wedding planning: Trust me when I say this – eloping is waayy less stressful than being a performer in a traditional wedding! There’s less planning and fewer logistical details to manage (if the thought of having to decide on who’s on the guest list – and who’s not – is making you feel nauseous then eloping is 100% for you). Getting rid of all the annoying and time-consuming admin tasks that bring you zero joy allows you to focus only on your relationship and the significance of the commitment you’re about to make.

Spending your money only on the things that truly matter. Elopements are typically less expensive than traditional weddings simply because there are fewer guests, fewer mouths to feed, no venue costs or pointless items to include in your spreadsheet. That doesn’t mean eloping is cheap (both figuratively and literally) – far from it! Instead of splashing it all on others, imagine how far your money would go if you spent it on an incredibly romantic experience – I’m thinking hidden cabin in the woods, star gazing at night in an outdoor hot tub, Michelin-starred dining (or takeaway pizza) and long slow (dog) walks with a picture-perfect picnic on a wild beach. Why not milk it and turn it into a multi-day once-in-a-lifetime wedding adventure?

Flexibility: Because elopements are smaller, you can be much more flexible in terms of location, timing, and budget. Just imagine how it would feel to exchange your wedding rings and/or vows in a breathtakingly stunning location such as a waterfall, mountaintop, beach or enchanted forest. With an experienced elopement photographer by your side, you can plan your personal elopement day timeline around the best times for sunrise or sunset and move elements around if needed – total peace of mind and the BEST times guaranteed.

Smaller circle of family/friends: Elopements usually involve a much smaller guest list than a traditional wedding (IF you have any guests at all). Some elopements include just the couple (with an exchange of rings in a breathtakingly stunning spot) or a symbolic ceremony by a celebrant/humanist (depending on your religious/spiritual preference), while others might share their elopement day with a handful of close friends or family members. If you want to elope legally in Wales you’ll also need 2 witnesses and, depending on your budget or personal preference, pick a local registry office or a stunning ceremony-only venue (such as Llyn Gwynant Barns or Penarth Fawr).

So how do you know if an elopement is for you?

Whether an elopement is right for you depends on several factors:

You need to be fully on board with keeping it small. Just you and maybe 2 witnesses or only a handful of family & friends. You can always celebrate with everyone else afterwards – meet them in a pub and let them buy you a drink while sharing your elopement photographs around;

You must love an adventure & be able to adapt quickly. If you’re someone who loves adventure or has a specific place in mind that’s meaningful to you both, an elopement can give you the flexibility to have a super unique wedding experience. If you’re worried about keeping your outfits or hair and make-up pristine or can’t cope with the thought of having to change things on the day – eloping may not be for you;

A super traditional wedding just isn’t for you. If the traditional, more performative aspects of a wedding (large guest list, the need to decorate everything or have lots of pointless things and also formal venues that may dictate how and when to do things) don’t appeal to you, an elopement can offer you a way to celebrate your wedding day in a way that feels more like ‘you’ and not like a performance;

Tricky family and/or social dynamics: If navigating family expectations and social obligations feels overwhelming, eloping to Wales can simplify your wedding experience so that you can solely focus on your relationship with each other without external pressures.

A couple of other things to consider if you want to elope.

Communicate your plans with loved ones: If you do decide to elope to Wales, consider how you’ll communicate this decision to close family and friends who may expect to be part of your wedding day. They usually understand if you explain how important this decision is to you or if you’d like them to be with you for the ceremony – previous couples have shared a fun weekend with their parents & siblings on a farm or in a large Air BnB and some relatives have even done an 8-hour round trip just to be with them (because they love you!)

Legal Requirements: Although you can get legally married anywhere outside in Scotland & Ireland, England & Wales have different rules but there are multiple ways to have a legal ceremony and an incredible adventure in the wild on the same day. I can help you navigate through the options if you choose to elope legally in Wales.

If the idea of a low-key, meaningful and fully personalised outdoor celebration focused on the two of you appeals to you, an elopement in Wales could be your perfect choice – let’s have a super chill chat about all the options available to you.

You may also find this interesting:

Elope, just the two of you in Eryri | Snowdonia;

Seaside Romance: the magic of a coastal elopement in North Wales;

How to include your kids in your wedding day – elope to Wales with your children;

Eloping with your dog in Wales – 2024 Guide;

How much does an elopement cost in Wales – understanding the real cost of eloping;

The best places to elope in Wales;

Seasonal changes and the best time for you to elope in Eryri (Snowdonia).

INSTAGRAM @babsboardwellphotography