What is right for you—an elopement or a wedding?  The simple comparison is simple vs. extravagant.  But, let’s take a detailed look at the pros and cons of each to help you decide.

Back in the day, an elopement was usually frowned upon.  It meant that you sneaked off somewhere (Vegas comes to mind) to tie the knot with someone who probably did not meet your parents’ approval. On occasion, it also meant that you were with child.  No one knew about the wedding until you returned with a wedding band on your finger.  Today, elopements have lost most of the stigma and are usually enjoyed by people who are less traditional, have less financial resources, have no family or family that does not get along, want to make the moment a very private one or just do not want to spend the money on a fairy tale event.  Gone are the days of taboo!

More and more couples are considering an elopement, or private ceremony as they’re sometimes referred to.  Ceremonies can range from meeting your local judge at your county courthouse to an extravagant destination elopement in Tahiti.  You can still have the dress, the flowers, the cake,  the horse-drawn carriage, the photographer and EVEN the wedding planner.  You can have the sparklers too! You just don’t have 200 guests tagging along.  By not having guests attend the wedding, couples enjoy more financial freedom with what they can afford to do for their wedding—AND honeymoon!

If you’ve spent countless hours since you were seven-years-old, talking with your friends about the wedding you would one day have, eloping is probably not the answer for you.  If you’ve dreamed about walking down the aisle in front of all your friends and family to exchange personalized vows with the man of your dreams, you’d probably deeply regret an elopement.  If you believe that your wedding day is as much about your guests as it is about you, then an elopement is not an option.

But, if all you want to do is marry your lover, an elopement is certainly a reasonable option to consider!  And, in the technical/digital age where we share EVERYTHING (location, meals, calories burned), the images can be shared, pinned and tweeted with all the world!  So, it’s kind of like the guests were all there anyway!

**The images contained in this post were shot under the direction and for assignment of Philip Thomas Photography, LLC.  The images are copyrighted by Philip Thomas Photography, LLC, but are used herein with permission.

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I am a San Antonio-based wedding and senior photographer who started Ata-Girl Photography Co., LLC in 2010. As one of the up-and-coming San Antonio wedding photographers, I am also available to shoot in Austin, Houston and Dallas and the surrounding areas. I am also available for destination weddings worldwide. Ata-Girl Photography Co. offers an amazing wedding photography service that you won’t soon forget.  As professional photographer, my sole purpose is to provide you the absolute best photography experience.

I am a professional photographer who enjoys documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. When I’m not photographing a wedding, family or high school senior, I enjoy watching my daughter play softball, hiking, cycling, reading, and listening to Elvis!

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