I'm so torn and confused

soontobemrshamilton

Any one on here elope or came seriously close to? FI and are getting married next summer, 7/31/15 and we recently booked our venue and photographer. It's a small wedding, family and close friends, 46 people. As for as weddings go it's a good priced wedding but for us it's a LOT of money!!!

We are seriously considering elopement. We obviously have pros and cons for each and I know only we can make the decision but we thought maybe some people have some stories that could help us. Maybe you started planning like us, then ended up eloping? Regrets? Or you almost eloped but ended up with a wedding? How did that work out?

Please share your stories.

[Deleted User]

Are you considering elopement because of money?  I don't have personal experience to share, but I know most of my friends had that elopement thought because they felt overwhelmed by wedding planning/writing checks but after stepping away from it for a while, they were relaxed and didn't regret moving forward with their plans.

soontobemrshamilton

yes, because of money. We could use all that money for such better things. If we have the wedding we won't be able to afford a honeymoon. I'm just thinking it may be nice to have a private ceremony with our son and parents and then a nice dinner after. then we could afford a really nice vacation and save a ton of money. I just don't know what is more important to us! It's so hard to decide, that's why I wanted to ear some stories.

[Deleted User]

That idea sounds lovely.  Whatever you decide to do, whether it's a private ceremony and a fun dinner out later or a big wedding will be fine.

My suggestion is take a step back from wedding planning, take a breather and then re-evaluate what you and your FI want.  If you do choose to elope, you may want to check in with vendors about cancellations, deposits and so forth. 

cupcake985

This is a little different from other comments, but I think that there is something to be said for the fact that you HAVE committed to a date, venue, and a photographer.  In my case, I just can't make that decision...I get so close to making a venue choice and then freak out because I don't know what I want to do.  I believe you committed to that because that is what you wanted to do (unless you felt pressured in some way?).  I think that you are just getting overwhelmed with the planning and expense, and eloping seems so easy.  I feel like a LOT of my friends have gone through the stage where they say this.  But in the end, they did not regret going through with the wedding.  I think you have to know 100% that eloping is what you want to do.  You can always reconfigure your plans to cut costs if that is an option...Maybe try to go more towards something in the middle, such as the close family and really close friends dinner (not the 46), but still have an official wedding celebration.  You will only have one wedding you can take a very nice vacation anytime for the rest of your life once you save some more money up.  Good luck!