Don’t Cancel….Elope instead!
As lockdown extends and the Covid-19 effects continue to be felt across the world, your wedding plans may feel further away than they ever have.
It’s no secret that so many couples have faced the decision of postponing, or even cancelling, their 2020 wedding. For some, neither of these options are suitable in which case a preferable choice may just be to consider an elopement, or even intimate wedding with just a handful of guests.
I genuinely think elopements are super special, so much so that I have previously written a blog on ‘Why You Should Consider Eloping’ which you can check out here: https://www.weddingsbyemilycharlotte.co.uk/blog/2018/10/22/why-you-should-consider-eloping This now feels even more relevant, so it seems worth discussing in light of everything we’re facing at the moment.
“We don’t want to delay our life even more”
Most people have post-wedding plans; whether it’s moving house, having babies, going on that dream honeymoon or starting a new job. Postponing a wedding by even a year can seem like a very long time (trust me, having to do that whole year countdown all over again feels like such a drag, even though we know time goes by so fast!) to put these plans on hold, so for some people postponing just isn’t an option.
We’re still facing a lot of uncertainty, so moving your wedding to later in 2020 may feel too risky still, especially when you’re asking all your guests to change their plans too…flights, accommodation, time off work etc. It can feel like a big ask.
Elopements can be arranged on a much shorter time-frame, with smaller ripple effects if they need further movement, so if you’re priority is tying to knot as soon as possible then an elopement may be the way to go.
Photo Credit: Cecelina Photography
“We have a totally different perspective now”
One conversation I have had with several brides and grooms to be is how recent events have shifted their priorities. The small details that previously felt so important, like what plates to have, or whether there would be other guests onsite at your venue, no longer seem relevant.
I believe this is one of the (few!) blessings to come from this horrible situation. It’s forced us all to take a step back and focus on what actually matters.Whilst there are so many plus points to having your friends and family celebrate with you, ultimately a wedding comes down to the two of you making a lifelong commitment to one another.An elopement is the ultimate way to do just that, so with a shift in perspective, maybe this is the best option for you if you’ve had to change your original plans.
“We can no longer afford the wedding we wanted, but we don’t want to wait either”
Photo credit: Cecelina Photography
If you’re still in the early stages of your planning then you may be in a good position to change direction. For many, the impact of Coronavirus goes beyond lockdown (and god-forbid, illness), it’s also financial. Job losses, furlough and pay cuts are more common than not at the moment so the budget you originally planned for your special day may have changed.
If you’ve already committed to certain suppliers, then changing this way, without penalty, may not be a possibility, but if you were just getting started then why not consider eloping instead? An elopement doesn’t have to be just to two of you, it can also include a handful of very close family or friends if you prefer.
You can have a beautiful, intimate wedding that doesn’t cost anywhere near as much.
“We don’t want to give up our dream of getting married abroad, but can’t ask our guests to change plans”
Then don’t. Quite simply, do what you want to do. If your heart is set on having a destination wedding but you feel the postponement is too big an ask for your guests then you could elope instead, and perhaps have a party at home on your return?
You still get to celebrate in your preferred location without the worry of the upheaval to your guests. Best of both worlds?
“We still want that special, wedding feeling”
Elopements can sometimes be perceived as a bit of a non-event, but I disagree completely. Just because your wedding is small, doesn’t mean it can’t be special, beautiful and everything that you want it to be.
This is exactly why I offer wedding planning services for elopements. Couples that choose to elope still deserve to have that wedding feeling if that is what they want. Often we still arrange all the suppliers a larger wedding would have….photographer, florist, musician, bridal hair and make-up, an amazing dinner etc….just on a smaller scale.
What you loose in guests, you gain in intimacy. Having an elopement does not mean you have to miss out.
If you would like to discuss eloping, to Italy or Spain, then get in touch on weddings@emilycharlotte.co.uk or +447732 267316 to and we can chat through your options!
