5 reasons why eloping makes perfect sense

We love a good elopement story here at Studio Lester, so if you’re thinking of throwing caution to the wind and heading off for a super intimate, secluded ceremony, we’ve got more than a few reasons to stick in that ‘pros’ list. 

From saving money to arranging something that truly encapsulates you as a couple, check out our top 5 reasons to elope below. 

Your setting, your way

With an elopement, the world is your oyster. You’re free to choose the ideal location based on what’s important to you as a couple, which often means you’ve got the whole world to play with. 

For us, Scotland has to be one of our favourite places to shoot weddings. There’s breathtaking scenery, dramatic landscapes and more beautiful lochs than you can shake a stick at. But there’s much more to Scotland than meets the eye, especially when it comes to elopements. 

Because the laws for marriages work slightly differently in Scotland than here in England, you really do have a brilliant opportunity to make the most of the beautiful scenery. Unlike in England, it’s the celebrant that holds the wedding license as opposed to the venue, so if you want to get married loch-side, mountain-side or anywhere-you-like-side, you’re good to go (providing you have the land owner’s permission, of course). You can even say “I do” on a boat in Scottish waters should you wish. 

It’s all about you

While weddings are obviously joyous occasions, the road to the big day can sometimes seem like a long and winding one, with the odd pothole along the way. Not only do you have to factor in the needs and preferences of your guests, it’s not unheard of for the whole point of the day to get lost in opinions, crowd-pleasing and sometimes old fashioned traditions. 

The whole point of a wedding is it’s authentic to you as a couple, celebrating the commitment you’re making to one another. With an elopement, it’s easier to keep that front and centre, crafting an occasion that suits the pair of you down to a tee. It’s no surprise that organising a wedding party of two is way less stressful than a party of say, 80 - 100 guests. 

Money talks 

There’s a reason the wedding industry generates over £14bn a year. Yep, £14 billion! It’s a mammoth industry, and you may have been surprised at how much stuff actually costs when you first start looking into planning your big day. 

With the average cost of a UK wedding in 2021 set at £24,000 (according to bridebook.com), there’s another firm tick in the pro elopement box. With no large venue costs, no huge guestlist to feed and just the two of you to organise, your elopement is likely to cost just a fraction of the price of a typical wedding day. 

Your chance to be different 

There’s nothing quite like the beauty of an elopement story. They’re a rare and wonderful thing these days, and are particularly desirable if you love doing things that little bit differently. If you’ve never been fussed about all the attention and organising that comes with getting married these days, and the idea of giving a speech or having a first dance doesn’t get you excited, an elopement could just be the perfect solution. What’s more, you’ll always have a beautifully crafted video and photographs to relive the day, show your nearest and dearest, and generally treasure forever. 

Take your time

With an elopement, there’s much less pressure. You’ve got space and time to fill the day with exactly what you want - you can make the rules. There’ll still be the legal requirements such as having a couple of witnesses, but these needn’t be guests (a photographer + videographer makes two!). 

For us, sharing in an elopement is a privilege. Not only do we get to capture some of the most significantly beautiful moments, but we’re lucky enough to be a part of a day that’s truly, authentically you. 

Check out our Elopement Videography page for our latest rates.