Eloping is a great way to start off your marriage! You save money, your wedding is an adventure, there’s no drama or stress of planning a huge wedding, you can take your time and get the most epic pictures you’ve always dreamed of, and you’ll have the most amazing story to tell everyone when you get back!

Here are my top reasons why eloping is more popular than ever!

More info: joehendricks.com

1. Just the two of you

Your wedding is about you and your spouse, what you love, who you are, and how you want your life to start out together. Eloping in the mountains of Colorado allows you to be completely alone with your spouse as you can whisper your vows to one another. There’s no one to tell you how you should do things or who you need to invite. You can take your time and have an intimate ceremony that you will remember the rest of your life…. it’s truly magical. At a traditional wedding, the only time you’ll ever be alone with your new spouse is if you have a first look or a private dinner. Everyone there loves you so much and just wants to say congratulations and hug you, but it means you will have zero time alone.

2. Epic Pictures

Yes, an amazing photographer can take beautiful pictures at a regular wedding, but that same photographer can take truly epic pictures at a mountain elopement! Seriously, you can take your time and get the pictures you’ve always dreamed of! No one is in a hurry and your photographer can concentrate on the two of you without worrying about getting you to a reception, or what to do with 10 groomsmen and bridesmaids. As a photographer myself, I can tell you that shooting elopements in the mountains is what every photographer dreams of and here I am doing it and telling you that it’s amazing!

3. Save money!

Here’s something to think about: If I gave you $26,000, would you spend it on a big party with all of your friends and family in attendance, drinking and dancing all night? That’s basically what you are doing with a wedding (average U.S. wedding is $26K). I know that’s dramatic, but now think of it this way: For 1/4 of the cost you can travel to an inspiring destination, say your vows in a breathtaking outdoor location, and hire me to take epic pictures that you’ll cherish for the rest of your life! Not to mention, you’ll probably be the envy of all your friends because you had the guts to elope! Then, if you still want a party when you get back, spend a few hundred dollars on drinks and blow everyone’s minds as you share the adventure you just had, and show off your ridiculously awesome elopement pictures! Mic drop.

4. Start your marriage off right

It’s no secret that if you’re paying for your own wedding, you’re probably going to be paying for it for a long time. Weddings are costly and money is the number one stress on a marriage! Do you really want to let debt be the first thing you have to battle as a newly married couple? Instead, take an elopement vacation together that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Enjoy the calming time alone, because life is going to be back in full swing when you get home. Be romantic, be selfless, and be in love.

5. Avoid Drama

I shoot weddings for a living, so trust me… there is always some kind of drama at a wedding! Sometimes, it’s because of something a family member is doing. Other times it’s because the flowers are wrong, the bride hates her makeup, your groomsmen get drunk, the venue makes you pay for something last second, the food turns out bad, the DJ doesn’t play the right songs, someone forgets the rings, the list goes on and on. I should seriously write a book about the things that happen at weddings! Elopements have none of that… they’re peaceful and intimate. Worse case scenario, the weather is bad and we reschedule for tomorrow or the day after. Because there’s no one else involved except you two, the photographer and maybe a planner, it’s easy to be flexible!

6. Take Your Time

Take your time, enjoy nature, and be in the moment together. The only time crunch you will encounter with an elopement is what time to do your hair and make up, and what time you have to start hiking to have your ceremony at sunrise or sunset! Beyond that, just take your time. Weddings are scheduled meticulously. 10:15 the bridesmaids arrive, 10:30 hair and make up, 11:30 the Groomsmen arrive (drink beer and play pool). 12:00 first look, 12:10 Bride and groom pictures, 12:35 bridal party pictures, 1:05 family pictures, 1:40 hide the bride, 2:00 ceremony starts… you get the idea (and this is only the photographers schedule!) You get pushed and pulled in so many different directions on your wedding day, and you’re seriously lucky to find alone time with your spouse!

7. Little Planning Needed

Every single detail is planned out at a traditional wedding. Whether you DIY it or you hire a planner, you will be spending an enormous amount of time planning things to please other people. What venue will accommodate your guests? Chicken, steak or veggie plate? What kind of chairs for your ceremony? Who to invite? What invitation colors describe who you are? Are those flowers in season right now? Haha… there’s a lot more! When you elope, the only other person you have to please is the person standing right in front of you. You agree on a few decision like an inspiring location, the date, and should we hire Joe Hendricks to photograph it, and go for it!!

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8. Have a Great Story to Tell

Who doesn’t love showing off their wedding pictures? But what would you rather show? A wedding that pretty much every one else on earth has, or a story about you chasing after a passionate adventure together as a couple, climbing mountains while your dress blows in the wind as you say your vows! Every one will gawk at your images and wish they had the courage to do the same.

9. Family support!

Believe it or not, families are starting to support eloping more and more these days! Parents save a ton of money by not paying for a huge wedding! They also are starting to understand that eloping has changed. It’s no longer about a last minute, rebellious decision to marry in Vegas; it’s about beginning your lifelong commitment in a way that you love. What parents want is to see pictures of you HAPPY and video of the magic moment. I can’t stress how important this is! If you’re not going to let Mom see you get married and Dad walk you down the aisle, you can at least let them share in the romantic experience so they can see and understand why you decided to elope. You all can watch it over and over together for the rest of your lives!

You can learn more at www.joehendricks.com

Joe Hendricks is an elopement photographer in Colorado that sold everything and bought an Airstream to travel America in!

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