This is undoubtedly the most common question from brides: How much does an Elopement Wedding cost?
When couples begin considering a traditional wedding, the joy of the proposal is often quickly replaced by financial worries. The stress of disastrous negotiations, relatives who need to be invited out of obligation, and other hassles can steal the happiness from such a special moment.
Now, discover the ideal cost for your Elopement Wedding.
An Elopement Wedding is an option for couples seeking an intimate and personalized celebration without spending a fortune. However, there’s no fixed price for this type of wedding. In fact, you can officially tie the knot at the registry office for an affordable fee, but without the photos and experience that an Elopement provides.
But if you’re looking for a special moment to celebrate your union with your love, it’s important to understand that the cost of an Elopement can vary based on a few choices. The location, decoration, photography, and even the hiring of additional services all play a role in optimizing costs.
Couples who opt for this style of celebration deserve full attention to ensure they have a unique and unforgettable experience. After all, every couple is unique and deserves a personalized and unforgettable Elopement Wedding.
So, how much does an Elopement cost?
In our experience, we’ve had couples invest an average of 5,000 euros, while others have spent over 15,000 euros.
So, to discover the cost of an Elopement, you need to ask yourself: What vendor can I not do without? Where will my Elopement take place—is it a public or private location? Will it be half a day or the entire day? Will it just be the two of us, or will we have a few guests?
Here are some other determining factors in the cost:
1. Wedding Dress and Suit
The cost of the bride’s dress and the groom’s suit can vary significantly, as you have the option to buy or rent.
2. Celebrant
The budget for the celebrant depends on the type of ceremony you want. Whether it’s an official or symbolic wedding, some couples decide to do it with a celebrant, while others just exchange vows.
3. Makeup
Makeup is one of the key elements for me. If the bride isn’t well made-up, or if someone who doesn’t have experience with makeup for photography is chosen, it can significantly impact the final result.
4. Decoration
The cost of flowers and decor for your Elopement will be significantly less than for a traditional wedding. Instead of centerpieces for a dozen tables, you will often only need a single bouquet, and depending on the chosen location, maybe a floral arch.
5. Photography and Planning
Photography is usually the most expensive item in a couple’s Elopement budget. Why? Well, we’re definitely biased, but photographs are one of the most important aspects of your experience! Especially if it’s just the two of you, the collection of images we document on your day will be the only record of this moment. And although you may want to remember everything, over time, memories fade. Years from now, you’ll look at your photos and relive one of the best days of your life, sharing that experience visually with your loved ones.
Elopement photographers are also often planners and guides. We are with you from the beginning, helping you choose a location, obtain permits, and assist with every step of your wedding day to ensure you have an unforgettable wedding.
In summary, an Elopement can cost as little or as much as you want. Imagine what you can do with that extra money you saved by not opting for a traditional wedding. You could extend your honeymoon, buy a new car, make a down payment on an apartment, or simply invest.
Most of our couples have told us that they chose an Elopement because they value unique experiences over material things.
For them, a traditional wedding didn’t represent who they were, and some even had traditional weddings but later wanted to have an Elopement experience on their anniversaries for something truly special.
Discover the Value of an Elopement Wedding: Never Miss Doing What Truly Represents You
Now, if having a traditional wedding surrounded by many friends and family is part of your dream, then that’s exactly what you should do! But if that’s not the ideal wedding day for you, and you’re overwhelmed by the amount of waste produced in a traditional wedding (mostly food waste and disposable plastics), please, steer clear of all that.
If you’re one of those couples who are budgeting and complaining about prices, undervaluing professionals, and trying to figure out what to cut to save money, remember that quality is more important than quantity. Your goal shouldn’t be to fit as many people as possible at the wedding tables, but to provide the best experience possible for those with whom you truly want to celebrate!
Whether it’s just the two of you or a small group of close friends and family, the time spent with these specially chosen people is far more valuable than trying to please distant relatives you hardly ever see. The larger the guest list, the less time you’ll get to spend with everyone. Instead, invest in the day with the most special person, the real reason you’re there. After all, a wedding should be primarily about the love between two people.
Traditional Wedding Costs vs. Elopement
Average cost of a Traditional Wedding: 70,000 euros
- A venue for 150 guests
- Buffet for 100 guests
- Photography
- Videography
- Attire for the bride and groom
- Makeup
- Celebrant
- Decor for ceremony and reception
- Live music or DJ
- A planner to manage everything
- A rushed timeline with little to no time spent with your partner, and in many cases, an experience saturated in tradition, whether you connect with it or not.
Average cost of an Elopement Wedding: 10,000 euros
- Travel to a special location
- Photography
- Makeup
- Video
- Attire for the bride and groom
- Celebrant
- A bouquet and other personal details that matter to you
- An authentic and aligned celebration where the couple doesn’t have to be worn out trying to attend to so many people. The wedding day is one of those days you don’t want to rush through—you want and deserve to feel the emotion and commitment you’re making.
Choosing an Elopement over a traditional wedding gives you and your partner the opportunity to plan the day how you want, to make declarations of love without an audience, and to create a unique and exclusive moment just for you, without worrying about approval or disapproval of the decision you’ve made.
Should I really invest in an Elopement Wedding?
Investing in an Elopement Wedding means listening to your heart and being honest with yourselves.
We believe you should never spend more than you’re comfortable with. Usually, Elopements cost less than traditional weddings.
A wedding day where you don’t feel the pressure to invite out of obligation—priceless.
How can we put a financial value on happiness? Never underestimate the importance of being authentic as you begin planning your wedding.
A celebration true to who you are will be far more satisfying than one where you prioritize the expectations of others.
And let’s be honest, someone will always be disappointed with the wedding—it’s impossible to satisfy everyone’s expectations. So make sure that, in the end, you’re not the ones disappointed with your own celebration.
Ask yourself: “If I weren’t trying to meet anyone else’s expectations, what kind of wedding would I plan?”
Your answer to that question is more important than the venue, the buffet, the dress, the decor, the favors, or anything else.
The cost of an Elopement is not just about where you spend the money you earned with your hard work. The value lies in creating a wedding experience that’s true to you, one you’ll be proud of in the future!
So, to know exactly how much an Elopement Wedding costs? It depends on where you want to get married and which vendors you hire. Choosing an Elopement is about prioritizing your feelings and spending more time with those who truly matter on your day.
Ready to trade a wedding that doesn’t represent you for something unique just for you?