Is a Destination Wedding or Elopement Right for You?
If you’re newly engaged and feeling overwhelmed by wedding expectations, you’re not alone.
So many couples come to me saying:
“We didn’t know there were other options.”
“We want something meaningful, not performative.”
“We just want the day to feel like us.”
A destination wedding or elopement isn’t about escaping—it’s about choosing intention. But it’s not for everyone. Let’s talk honestly about whether it’s right for you.
A Destination Wedding or Elopement Might Be Right for You If…
You Care More About the Experience Than the Production
If the idea of a packed timeline, endless traditions, and being the center of attention feels exhausting, this might be your sign.
Destination weddings and elopements prioritize:
Presence over performance
Connection over spectacle
Meaning over expectations
Your day becomes something you experience, not something you manage.
You Want Your Wedding to Feel Personal and Intentional
Elopements and destination weddings are built around you.
Instead of fitting into a template, you get to decide:
Where you get married
How the day unfolds
Who (if anyone) is there
This kind of freedom allows your wedding to reflect your relationship—not a checklist.
You’re Drawn to Travel, Nature, or New Places
If exploring new places together feels like home, traveling to get married might feel natural.
Whether it’s:
Mountains
Desert landscapes
Coastal cliffs
A meaningful city
Your location becomes part of your story—not just a backdrop.
You Want Less Pressure and More Presence
Smaller weddings often mean:
Fewer opinions
Less stress
More breathing room
When there are fewer moving parts, it’s easier to stay grounded and connected.
It Might Not Be Right for You If…
Having All Your Loved Ones There Is Non-Negotiable
If you’ve always envisioned celebrating with a large group—and that feels deeply important to you—that matters. While some couples blend elopements with later celebrations, it’s okay to want everyone there on the actual day.
You Love Tradition and Structure
If traditional timelines, rituals, and expectations feel comforting rather than confining, a more conventional wedding might feel like a better fit. There’s no “better” option—just different ones.
Travel Feels Stressful, Not Exciting
Destination weddings require flexibility. If travel logistics cause anxiety rather than joy, staying closer to home may allow you to enjoy the day more fully.
Let’s Talk About the Emotional Side
One of the hardest parts of choosing a destination wedding or elopement isn’t planning—it’s navigating expectations.
You might feel:
Guilt
Pressure
Fear of disappointing others
Those feelings don’t mean you’re making the wrong choice. They mean you care. The right decision is the one that aligns with your values—not other people’s expectations.
What Couples Never Regret
In all my years photographing destination weddings and elopements, I’ve never heard a couple say:
“I wish we had made our day less meaningful.”
What they do say:
“It felt like us.”
“We were actually present.”
“We’d do it the same way again.”
A Photographer’s Perspective
I’ve watched couples arrive nervous and unsure—and leave grounded, emotional, and connected.
When couples choose a wedding day that aligns with who they are, it shows:
In their body language
In their photos
In how they remember the day
This isn’t about trends. It’s about intention.
How to Know for Sure
Ask yourselves:
What do we want to remember feeling?
What drains us—and what fills us up?
Who are we doing this for?
What would feel most honest to us?
Your answers will tell you more than any Pinterest board ever could.
A destination wedding or elopement isn’t about doing something different—it’s about doing something right for you. If you’re drawn to intimacy, meaning, and experience, this might be exactly what you’re looking for. And if you’re still unsure, that’s okay too.
If you want to talk through what kind of wedding day fits your values—and how to document it in a way that feels calm, intentional, and real—I’d love to help you explore what’s possible. Your wedding deserves to feel like home. Contact me here.