Traditional vs Elope

[cnelk]

I did both... hahaha

First was traditional, second was elope.

Elope or just go down to the local JP and get married, then have a reception if you want.

You'll be saving yourself a lot of money and you wont see your wife become a 'Bridezilla'

 

[huntsman22]

Run off to Vegas and have Elvis do the honors in the Chapel O' Love......

 

[CRJR45]

Don't waste the money on a big wedding .

 

[Ferrulewax]

If I had it to do over again I would "hybrid". Do a small cheap ceremony with close family and friends. DJ's are obsolete if you have spotify and know how to make a playlist, just rent some speakers if needed. Lots of times if you are a member of a church they will let you get married there for free, or find a community center or something inexpensive. Heck, you can have the reception in a field with folding tables and tablecloths if the weather is right. PIzza, a food truck, or just a small local business to cater and you are GTG.

We live in the middle of a very popular area for wedding venues and the prices some couples pay for their weddings are just astronomical. We probably spent more than we should have on ours as well, but no way I would pay 10k+ for just a venue.

Weddings are fun. If your bride has no expectations, then maybe eloping is a good option for you, but I think had we not had a wedding at all my wife would wish we did or at least wonder what it would have been like. Lot's of this is going to be dependant on your stage of life, your relationship, and your family.

 

[ReddingArcher]

Elope. Weddings are just a party for your guests to eat and get drunk on your dime. My wife and I got married on a frozen lake surrounded by snow covered mountains with just immediate family and a couple really close friends then went out to dinner. Way less stress and saved a pile of money.

 

[Ucsdryder]

The 2 of us, the dog, and a preacher on the top of a mountain.


I don't regret it at all, weddings turn into a show and that's not what it's supposed be about.

Done it twice. First time was a big party, what an effing waste. Second time was the same as above, except preacher was my dad. I still feel stupid for the big wedding…

 

[svivian]

We eloped and still agree it was the best decision we made.

We rented an Airbnb that slept 16 people. Had the ceremony in the back yard and still had the usual ceremony.

Two weeks later we had a party at the in-laws property and did a lot of it ourselves and saved a ton. We still have people telling us it was one of the most fun wedding parties they have been to.

 

[TaperPin]

Kids all love weird elaborate Pinterest weddings now - it’s exhausting. When we decided to get hitched the best thing we did is take off to Las Vegas and have Elvis marry us. Our wedding photos look just like these - this was fun and we still laugh looking at the pics. I bought a nice velvet suit, and the wife went all out on a really nice dress. Lol

These places have the system down - they pick you up in a limo, there’s a quick walk through, Elvis starts singing one of the three songs, the deed is done, and you’re returned in the same limo.

 

[Ferkinator]

Elope. Have a party (reception) after the fact and invite people the extended family. I did this with my wife. we married on the beach at sunset and had a party after with some food and cake. this cost us around $3000 while a buddy of mine got married the same year and had a traditional wedding. His cost was closer to $21,000.

 

[Rotnguns]

My wife and I got married by a magistrate judge in Canyon County, Idaho. A great guy - he joked that it was refreshing to see a couple close to his age for once (I was 54, my wife was 56). We'd been together for about 15 years before; neither of us wanted the commotion and expense of planning and implementing a formal rehersal and wedding. Our mothers and a few family members on both sides were mildly annoyed, as were our friends who would have declared Party On had they known. Looking back from the perspective provided by the passing years, we don't regret our decision.