Elopements: they’re all the rage right now. But what is an Elopement? And how is an Elopement different from a traditional wedding Ceremony? We’ve seen Elopements range from expensive and long-planned destination events to micro-ceremonies of 4 people at the courthouse. Let’s dive into what we call an “Elopement” here at the Revel Center, and what kind of couple an Elopement is the right fit for.
Image captured by Christina Vera Creative
What is an Elopement?
At Revel, when we say “Elopement,” we are describing a small event with 50 guests or fewer, which includes just an Elopement Ceremony, conducted by an officiant. These events are quick to perform and quick to plan, being planned in just 6 months or less. Some couples elect to bring a photographer. In all, the event from setup to teardown is 3 hours, and does not include food or drinks. The marriage is the main event! Elopements at Revel carry all the elegance and grandeur of our standard Wedding Day package, slimmed down to be simple to plan and speedy to execute. Why wait? Let’s tie the knot now!
Should I Elope?
When we think of couples who chose an Elopement over a traditional wedding Ceremony, here’s who we are envisioning… They are cost-conscious, but don’t want to miss out on the elegance of a wedding day with all the bells and whistles. They are eager to get married and would like a low-stress event they can plan in just a few months, with minimal decorations and only a few core vendors needed. They have a small group of friends and family who they want to have present for their simple Ceremony. For them, getting married is all that matters. They may hire a photographer, or bring in a special Officiant who they have researched and spoken to before the event. They may elect just to bring a few witnesses and an officiant. Either way, they’re ready to host their elegant event and move on to whatever comes next! 3 hours on-site for a simple Ceremony is more than enough for these non-traditional couples, who don’t want a vendor list that reaches the floor and a bill to match. They’re in love and ready to make it official; they’re happy to skip the chaos and keep it simple: just the two of us, a minister, and a few good friends 💒
How is an Elopement Different from a Ceremony?
A traditional wedding Ceremony, particularly in recent years, has grown from a quick 20-minute sermon to an all-day affair, with unique elements and vendors for each event. Guest counts for a traditional Ceremony can be small, as few as 25 or 50, or may balloon to 200 or more! These Ceremonies typically involve a wedding dress and/or tuxedo, a wedding party in formal attire, a long vendor list, and lots of unique elements. Even the most basic traditional Ceremony has begun to include unique Unity Ceremonies, from a cord of three sands to a tea ceremony to a branding ceremony—the possibilities are endless. Decoration for most traditional Ceremonies are extensive, including a decorative altarpiece, a neon sign, and decoration for every row of seats. Bouquets and matching boutonniers are a must. Some Ceremonies include pets, photo ops with dressed up Llamas (no kidding), live music, a boisterous sendoff, and even a live painter! These Ceremonies take a year or even two to plan, and often correspond with a long reception, with complementary catering, music, and unlimited drinks for guests to enjoy.
An Elopement, on the other hand, is simple. There’s no vendor list hitting double-digits, or extensive floral decor to orchestrate. Just a handful of vendors and a small PA system will do. These events can be completed in just a few hours, not requiring a full day’s worth of prep and feeding for the party and guests. Dress can be as formal or informal as the couple desires. In the past, these slimmed down events were only available at a county park or courthouse, and typically lacked some of the finesse of a modern Elopement. Elopements are now available for an affordable rate, but don’t compromise on the intimate elegance of a wedding Ceremony. For couples who want to keep it simple and focus on their marriage ceremony without breaking the bank, a modern Elopement is perfect.
At What Point Does an Elopement Become a Standard Wedding?
This is one of the toughest points for folks in our experience! Once you start using the word “wedding,” vendors galore come knocking. Relatives and friends have well-meaning suggestions that don’t quite fit what you envisioned. If you’d like to elope, but don’t quite know where to draw the boundary, here’s our rule of thumb: If you need more than a guest list, a photographer, a venue, and an officiant, it is no longer an elopement. Once you start adding long lists of prep teams, decorators, and catering, you’re looking at a wedding! To try to stack it all into an Elopement package would be tough. If this is your vibe, we suggest considering a traditional wedding package! It may even save you some money in the end.
Is a Destination Wedding the same as an Elopement?
We would say that a destination wedding and elopement have a lot in common. Destination weddings are more flexible, and may involve costs like booking hotel blocks or villas for guests, plane tickets for key family members, and reserving a restaurant or caterer for folks to make that trip worth it. In our opinion, an Elopement should be done as affordably as possible! However, If you’re planning a destination wedding in Grand Rapids, we’d be happy to help! A traditional wedding package may or may not be a better fit for you.
How Much Does an Elopement Cost?
We have unique pricing here at the Revel Center for events that match our Elopement standards. If this article has you saying “yes, that’s me!” reach out! We’ll get you started with our pricing, including some referrals for vendor partners who offer unique Elopement rates. If you’re looking to tie the knot simply in six months or less, give us a call.
If a larger event seems right for you, don’t fret! We have an all-inclusive wedding day package that might just be the right fit for you.