Thinking about ditching the guest list?
Let’s be honest—planning a big wedding can feel a little… overwhelming. The guest list keeps growing, the budget stretches thin, and suddenly you’re more focused on seating charts than celebrating your love. But what if you ditched the big guest list altogether? That’s where the magic of elopements and micro weddings comes in.
Whether you crave a small intimate wedding with just your closest circle or a bold, romantic elopement in a jaw-dropping location, scaling back can lead to a more meaningful “I do.” Read on to find 7 reasons why eloping or having a small wedding might just be the best decision ever.
It’s All About You (As It Should Be!)
With a micro wedding or elopement, you get to toss the script and design a day that's completely centered around you and your partner’s vibe. No seating charts, no family politics, no awkward plus-ones. Just the two of you (and maybe your closest crew), celebrating your love in a way that feels authentic.
Try This:
- Write your own vows
- Plan a first look with just the two of you
- Ditch traditions that don’t resonate (looking at you, garter toss)
- Start with a guest list of just your must-haves.
- Be intentional: If you bumped into this person at the grocery store, would you want them at your ceremony?
Ask yourself: What makes you feel most connected as a couple? What wedding traditions feel meaningful—and which ones feel like a performance?
Go Big (Just Not on Guests)
One of the best parts about planning a small wedding or choosing to elope? You can skip the $10k chicken dinner and put that money toward something unforgettable—like a dream honeymoon or epic adventure.
How to Do It:
- Pick a destination that makes your hearts race (like Iceland, a coastal Airbnb, or your favorite national park)
- Book that photographer you’ve stalked on Instagram for months
- Treat yourselves to a luxurious dinner or private chef experience
Tip: With a small wedding, your venue budget goes further. Say yes to the dream location!
Ask yourself: What’s going to matter more 10 years from now—centerpieces or a once-in-a-lifetime experience?
Deepen the Emotional Connection
Big weddings can sometimes feel like a performance. But when you elope or plan a small intimate wedding, you create space for real, present, tear-up-during-your-vows kind of moments.
How to Do It:
- Plan intentional private time into your day- like a first look or post-ceremony champagne toast for two.
- Keep your ceremony guest list minimal (or zero!)
- Share personal vows and soak it all in
Tip: Don’t rush through your ceremony—slow down and be present
Ask yourself: What moments during your day do you want to remember forever? How can you make space for quiet connection?
You Get to Break All the Rules
Eloping means you're free to do it your way—no traditions required. Want to wear a pink jumpsuit? Do it. Want your dog to be your best man? Love it!
How to Do It:
- Personalize every detail, from your outfits to your ceremony
- Celebrate in a place that feels meaningful to you
- Throw in a surprise element just because
Reminder: This is your love story. Make it wildly, beautifully, unapologetically yours.
Ask yourself: If there were no rules, what would your wedding day look like?What quirky, fun, or nontraditional detail would make your day yours?
Less Stress, More Presence
Between seating charts and timelines, big weddings can feel like a logistical nightmare. Elopements and micro weddings? Much simpler, way more relaxed, and 100% more enjoyable.
Try This:
- Choose a laid-back venue (like a backyard, forest, or Airbnb)
- Limit your guest list to only those who truly matter
- Build your schedule around joy, not pressure
Tip: Opt for a timeline that gives you breathing room
Ask yourself: What would your dream relaxed wedding day look like? How do you want to feel during your wedding?
Make It Your Greatest Adventure Yet
Your wedding day should feel like a once-in-a-lifetime moment—and what better way than to turn it into an epic adventure? Eloping or planning a small wedding gives you the freedom to do just that.
Adventure Ideas:
- Hike to a remote ceremony spot
- Travel to a bucket-list destination
- Bundle your elopement and honeymoon into one dreamy getaway
Tip: Eloping opens the door to bucket-list destinations—without guest logistics holding you back.
Ask yourself: What kind of scenery takes your breath away?
Save Big (and Spend on What Matters)
When you elope or plan a small wedding, you free up your budget to splurge on what actually matters to you. That could mean a longer honeymoon, a down payment on a home, or just starting your marriage debt-free.
Smart Swaps:
- Replace a reception with a dinner at your favorite local spot
- Choose a weekday for better rates
- Use your savings to create memories that last
- Elope in a national park or state forest. Most parks have permit fees but at a fraction of the cost of a big wedding venue.
Tips: Track your budget to see where you can cut fluff and boost fun. Be intentional about what you're choosing to invest in
Ask Yourselves: What matters more—a picture-perfect venue or building your future? How can we spend our money in a way that adds value to our life together?
Ready to Ditch the Drama?
Why choose small weddings or elopements? For starters, you get to focus on what truly matters—each other. With fewer distractions, every moment feels more meaningful. Imagine hearing each laugh, seeing each smile, and feeling the genuine joy of everyone present.
Smaller, intimate weddings and elopements allow your love to take center stage—as it should be on your wedding day. You can choose a location that holds sentimental value, wear that unconventional outfit you’ve always dreamed of, and savor every word of your heartfelt vows without interruption.
So what do you think? Ready to ditch the guest list, the pressure, and the production—and plan a day that’s as bold, beautiful, and unforgettable as your love story? Let’s make some magic together. Tap here to inquire!
