Congratulations on deciding to forego the pomp and circumstance of a typical wedding by eloping instead. Having a small, intimate ceremony and celebrating it with just the two of you is a beautiful and unique way to get married, and it will change the way you think about weddings forever. It is common for eloping couples to wish to share their joy with friends and family, and you can easily make this happen by organizing an elopement reception.
Table of Contents
Some Reasons Why Lovers Go Away Together
Some couples’ decision to elope is as unique as their love story.
Massive, old-fashioned weddings are notoriously pricey.
Sometimes, money is the deciding factor in an elopement. Modern couples would rather buy a house or go on a dream vacation than throw a party for 150+ guests that includes food, cocktails, and the Cha Cha Slide. Even if you only invite a few guests to your elopement, you can still make it a memorable and special occasion by planning and hosting a high-end affair.
You feel a visceral aversion to being the focus of any kind of attention.
At the wedding, this was the single most stressful thing for me. To avoid having to utter them in front of guests at my wedding, I didn’t start drafting my vows until the morning of the big day. It is fine to keep your connection a secret if you like.
It’s possible that you or your partner is dealing with a difficult or upsetting familial situation.
When it comes to conforming to social norms, many people have convoluted memories and emotions. Some families may not approve of an engaged pair if they have cultural, religious, or (unfortunately) discriminatory reasons for doing so.
Wedding planning isn’t exactly a blast, okay?
As anyone who has ever planned a wedding will attest, some couples get as far as starting the process before realizing how terrible it is and giving up. No one can really blame them.
Everyone has the right to a wedding day that is free of pointless expectations and to a marriage that makes them feel loved and secure. An elopement can be a deeply personal and meaningful way for a couple to marry in a way that is true to who they are and what they value.
And now that you’ve decided to run away and get married, what do you do? Arguments in favor of throwing a party to celebrate a secret wedding.
Accessibility
You and your significant other have always wanted to get married outside, but you know your grandmother won’t be able to make the 5-mile journey to the elopement ceremony site before daybreak. Convenience plays a major role in why some “intrepid elopers” opt to additionally host a celebration after their ceremony.
You still plan on having a party with your loved ones.
Many couples who want to elope also have close friends and family members that they would like to share their joy with, and for them, the option of hosting an elopement celebration is the best of both worlds.
In other words, you’re running away together to another country.
If you’re planning on eloping across international borders, it’s possible that your guests won’t be able to join you at your chosen destination. A home party is a great way to make everyone in your immediate circle feel welcome and involved.
A celebration of a couple’s decision to elope is less stressful than a traditional wedding reception.
Even though your elopement reception is identical to a regular wedding reception, having it on a separate day will relieve a lot of stress and allow you to enjoy both celebrations more.
When planning an elopement celebration, it’s easy for the bride and groom to fall back into the trap of wondering, “What are we meant to do?” even if they’ve already broken free of the burden of typical wedding planning.
It’s possible that before you know it, you’ll be right back where you started: dreading the thought of preparing another huge, stressful, and costly party.
That being said, I’ve compiled a short checklist of things to keep in mind while organizing the celebration following your elopement. It’s really important to keep in mind, first and foremost, that what works for you may not work for someone else. Have the best elopement reception ever by giving yourself the freedom to make everything just the way you want it.
