The short answer? Absolutely yes.

You can one hundred percent have both a wedding and an elopement, and honestly, it can be the best of both worlds. So many couples think they have to choose between a big celebration and an intimate day just for the two of them, but you really don’t. It’s your wedding, and you get to create it in a way that feels most true to you.

Why You Might Want Both

A traditional wedding gives you the chance to celebrate with friends and family, dance all night, and make memories surrounded by the people you love. An elopement lets you slow down, breathe, and focus on just the two of you. It’s quiet, meaningful, and often in a place that feels special or adventurous.

Having both means you don’t have to give up either experience. You can have your big celebration and still carve out time for something private and personal. For some couples, that means doing an elopement before their wedding day, while for others it’s a mini adventure after. For other couples this looks like adding on an elopement adventure onto their honeymoon. There’s no right or wrong order, just whatever feels best for you.

How Couples Combine the Two

There are so many creative ways to plan both a wedding and an elopement. Here are a few ideas I love seeing couples do:

1. The Two Part Celebration
Start with an elopement somewhere beautiful, like Big Sur, Yosemite, or Olympic National Park. Then come home and celebrate with your loved ones at a reception or backyard wedding. You’ll get to experience both the adventure and the joy of sharing it with everyone afterward. This gives you a chance to maybe say those more personal and intimate vows to one another instead of saying everything in front of all your guests.

2. The Destination Combo
Some couples choose to elope while they are already abroad. You can say your vows privately on a mountain or beach, then celebrate a few days later with family at a nearby venue. I had a couple who did something like this in the Serengeti in Tanzania, and it was so special because it gave them time to focus on each other before celebrating with loved ones later.

3. The Anniversary Elopement
If you’ve already had a wedding but still want that quiet, meaningful “just us” experience, plan an elopement for your anniversary. It’s a beautiful way to reconnect, explore somewhere new, and celebrate how far you’ve come together.

How to Include Loved Ones Without a Big Wedding

If the idea of an elopement tugs at your heart but you still want to include your people, there are plenty of ways to do that. You can:

Invite a few family members or close friends to join for part of the day
Have a post elopement reception or dinner celebration
Include letters, videos, or phone calls from loved ones on your day
Bring meaningful heirlooms or mementos to honor family traditions

Your elopement doesn’t have to be completely private to be personal. It just needs to feel true to you.

Check out my blog for more ideas on how to include your loved ones:

How to Elopement Without Leaving Your Family Out: Meaningful Ways to Include Loved Ones

Why I Love Helping Couples Plan Both

One of my favorite parts of what I do is helping couples figure out what they actually want their wedding experience to look like. I’ve had a few couples reach out, not being sure if they wanted a nature elopement or something in a city or with guests or without. We talked through everything together until we found what fit them best. That’s the magic of doing things your own way. There are no rules.

Whether you’re dreaming of a small ceremony on a cliff, a reception with all your family, or both, I can help you design a timeline and experience that feels balanced and intentional.

Final Thoughts

If you’re asking yourself whether you can have both a wedding and an elopement, the answer is yes. You deserve to celebrate your love in every way that feels right to you. It could be two days, two places, or two completely different experiences, but it’s all still one love story.

Want to learn more about elopements and how they are more popular now then ever before? Check out my blog 10 Reasons Why Elopements are More Popular Than Ever in 2025

Ready to Plan Both

If you’re dreaming about having both a wedding and an elopement, I’d love to help you plan every part of it. From timelines and travel to photography and location ideas, I’ve got you covered. Reach out here and let’s create something that feels perfectly you.