What Does ‘Elope’ Mean? - Redefining Elopements
When thinking of an elopement what immediately comes to your mind?
Do you see a couple hopping on a plane to Vegas to get hitched by Elvis impersonator in a rhinestone-studded chapel? A bride and groom running off in total secrecy, because their family doesn’t approve? Two people quickly hopping over to the courthouse to sign a piece of paper?
If you thought one of these things, or even anything similar, I promise you are not alone.
Elopements continue to be a misunderstood topic. There are so many preconceived notions and misconceptions about what an elopement is. People often think elopement are last minute, no-frill secret events that are shrouded in shame, judgement, or embarrassment.
I’m here to tell you one thing—this isn’t what elopements are anymore. Although those ideas and conceptions may have been true at one time, they no longer define what an elopement is.
So…what exactly is a present day elopement? I’ve struggled to find one definition that truly embodies what an elopement is, so I solved the problem. I wrote my own definition.
Elope Definition
To elope means to get married in an intentionally, intimate, authentic way that represents your relationship as a whole. The focus of the day is truly on you two as a couple, rather than putting on a production.
It doesn't matter what you’re doing.
It doesn’t matter who is there.
It doesn’t matter where you are.
Eloping allows you to experience your wedding day in the most authentic way possible, stripping away expectations and stress. It can truly be your most perfect day. An elopement grants you absolute freedom, with no set of rules or traditions to follow.
As an elopement photographer & guide, I’m passionate about what I do. I’m also passionate about helping people understand what elopements truly are.
Why?
Because I’ve seen the magic & continue to see the magic that happens on elopement days.
Elopements are about the moment you look into your partner’s eyes while reading your vows without any fear or embarrassment. They’re about the moment the newly-married couple looks up at the night sky & knows that it is now truly them taking on the world together. They’re about hiking through the forest hand-in-hand with the love of your life.
The overwhelming majority of people feel that the day they get engaged, they are stuck with hosting a big traditional wedding. If a big wedding is something you want, there is nothing wrong with that & you should have it. I’m here to let couples know it doesn’t have to be like that.
Your wedding day is your day & it is your choice on how that happens. If that is a big traditional wedding, wonderful. If it is something else entirely, people should know that is okay too.
If all you truly want is an intentional day that is full of meaning and intimacy, you are probably wanting an elopement & didn’t know how to put it into words quite yet.
Because when you really boil it down, an elopement is truly not about the tangible details. Not about the table settings, the bridesmaid dresses, or linens. It’s not about a production or performance.
Elopements are about brining the focus of the day back onto the two of you and how special the moment of saying your vows to each other really is. It’s a brave choice to intentionally have a truly intimate, authentic wedding day experience.
In conclusion, elopements aren’t for people who want to skimp or breeze through the most important day of their lives. Elopements are for the brave people that care so deeply for the person they love that they’re willing to take a drastic change from the norm and choose something different, meaningful, and authentic.
An elopement is for the people who want to spend a day, two days, or however long basking in the meaningful moment they choose to commit their lives to each other.
It’s for the people who look their partner in the eyes and know that their wedding day is truly about them and them only. It’s for the couple that knows they want total freedom to say, do, think, and feel what they want on the day they commit their life to the love of their life.
Elopements aren’t cop-outs. They’re not a few portraits, license signing, and it’s over.
Elopements are anti-pressure, anti-obligation, anti-anything-that-is-not-what-you-want
Elopements are taking your partner’s hand and jumping into a huge adventure in exactly the way you want to.
An elopement is truly intentional, brave, and empowering.
XOXO,
Sally Grieshaber
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