Elopements have evolved so much over the years, and in 2025 they’re more popular than ever. Couples are redefining what it means to get married, moving away from traditions that don’t serve them and creating celebrations that feel personal, intentional, and true to who they are.

Whether it’s exchanging vows on a cliffside in Big Sur, saying “I do” at San Francisco City Hall, or planning a once-in-a-lifetime adventure like a safari wedding in Tanzania, elopements are proving that your wedding day can be exactly what you want it to be.

1. Personal Over Traditional

Couples today are prioritizing intimacy and authenticity over long guest lists and cookie-cutter traditions. An elopement allows you to create a day that reflects your relationship rather than external expectations.

I see this often in places like Yosemite National Park, where couples design days full of adventure, emotion, and completely personal touches. Many even choose natural, candid photography to reflect their love story — I wrote more about why natural wedding photography matters.

2. The Flexibility to Include (or Exclude) Guests

Eloping doesn’t have to mean cutting out your family and friends. In fact, many couples choose to bring a small group along, making the day both intimate and communal.

If you’re curious how to weave loved ones into your day without losing the intimacy of an elopement, check out my blog on how to include your family in your elopement.

3. Adventure is the New Luxury

For many, adventure has become the ultimate luxury. Whether that’s hiking through the red rocks of Utah, planning an intimate Yosemite elopement, or jetting off for a safari in Tanzania, couples are trading ballrooms for unforgettable landscapes.

Adventure doesn’t always mean rugged, it could also mean relaxing on a beach in Greece or strolling through San Francisco’s golden hour light.

4. Relaxed Timelines

With an elopement, you’re free from the rigid timelines of traditional weddings. Couples often choose to spread their celebration across a full day or even multiple days, like this two-day Yosemite elopement with family.

Instead of cramming everything into a single afternoon, you can slow down and savor the experience, whether that’s watching the sunrise at Schwabacher’s Landing in the Grand Tetons or stargazing in Olympic National Park.

5. Budget Control

The average wedding in the U.S. costs $30,000–$50,000. By contrast, an elopement can cost significantly less while still feeling luxurious. Also, just imagine the kind of incredible trip you could go on with that kind of budget!

Elopements let you put your budget where it matters most: photography, travel, or unique experiences. Instead of spending thousands on a large venue or catering for 150 guests, you can invest in a helicopter ride to a mountaintop, a private chef dinner, or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Elopements can be as extravagant or as simple as you want them to be. Some couples invest in once-in-a-lifetime destinations like an African safari, while others choose meaningful but budget-friendly options like a San Francisco City Hall wedding.

The beauty is that you’re in control, you decide where to put your resources to make the day feel right for you.

6. Creative Freedom

Elopements give you the space to design a day that feels authentic to your relationship. From writing personal vows in a quiet meadow to incorporating cultural traditions, there are endless possibilities.

I’ve even photographed couples who brought elements of their heritage into a City Hall wedding, blending modern and traditional in such a meaningful way..

7. Destination Friendly

One of the most exciting parts of eloping is that the entire world becomes your wedding venue. Without the logistics of transporting and hosting hundreds of guests, you can dream bigger and choose locations that feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

One of my favorite examples was a couple who chose to elope in Africa on safari. They combined their wedding and honeymoon into one grand adventure, checking off a bucket-list trip they had always dreamed of. Imagine saying your vows at sunrise while elephants graze nearby, then spending the rest of your days exploring the Serengeti together. Their safari wedding in Tanzania was the perfect reminder that elopements can truly take you anywhere.

8. Focus on Each Other

Without the distractions of a big crowd, elopements allow couples to focus completely on each other. It’s about the moments that matter most.

Some couples even choose to combine both worlds — starting with a quiet, intimate elopement and later hosting a bigger celebration.

9. Authentic Storytelling Through Photography

Elopements naturally lend themselves to storytelling. Without strict timelines or forced moments, the day unfolds organically. This is why I focus on natural, candid photography that lets your story shine.

If you want to see more about my philosophy, I wrote a full blog on why natural wedding photography matters.

10. Anything Goes

The beauty of eloping is that it can look however you want. It can be an epic adventure in the Tetons, a relaxed San Francisco City Hall elopement, or a barefoot ceremony on a beach in Greece. You can bring your family, your pets, or keep it completely private.

In 2025, elopements are more popular than ever because they allow couples to break free of tradition and design a wedding day that actually feels like them.

At the end of the day, elopements are about freedom. They can be as adventurous as summiting a peak in Yosemite, as relaxed as a golden-hour walk along the coast in Big Sur, or as unique as weaving in your own cultural traditions.

There are no rules — only the story you want to tell.

✨ Ready to Plan Your Own Elopement?
Whether you’re dreaming of a San Francisco City Hall elopement, a Yosemite adventure, or a destination wedding abroad, I’d love to help you bring your vision to life.

📷 Get in touch here and let’s start planning your dream elopement.