Trust me – I get it. The wedding jargon is something special and now you’ve found yourself smack in the middle of trying to learn all the words, phrases, and acronyms. Who knew planning a wedding required learning a second language?

To make things a bit more complicated, there are a few words and phrases that seem similar yet have different meanings. One such example would be intimate weddings and elopements! Isn’t an elopement an intimate wedding? Yes and no. Literally speaking, yes, an elopement is the most intimate of weddings in terms of size. Intimate wedding is simply a wedding with a much smaller guest list.

While the guest count is perhaps one of the most notable differences between intimate weddings and elopements, there are a few others worth taking into account when deciding which one would be best for you.

The Romance factor

 

 

Since what is considered romantic is relative to each person, any wedding can be romantic. If your idea of romance includes a bit more seclusion from the world, then you may lean more towards an elopement style. Elopements typically consist of just the bride and groom plus an officiant while forgoing many of the traditions of a conventional wedding, allowing a lot of room for creativity on the couple’s part.

Intimate weddings have a layout much similar to that of a traditional wedding with the defining difference being the smaller guest list. A few of the elements may be changed (Maybe you’ll pass on the first dance, or have just one large table for everyone to sit at for the reception), but they usually follow the same flow of traditional weddings, just on a smaller scale.

The guest list

 

 

As we just talked about, intimate weddings have a small guest list while elopements generally don’t have a guest list at all. The guest count for intimate weddings tends to linger between the 20 and 50 range, which is perfect if you and your future Mr. have small families to begin with or if you simply want to be more intentional about who is celebrating with you.

Couples who choose to elope much of the time choose to do so for the added intimacy of focusing solely on one another. There’s also the reasons of not feeling comfortable being the center of attention in crowds or not wanting to have to stress over a guest list (1000% relatable). That being said, it’s also not uncommon to have a few people, like two or three, tag along to witness your vows.

The Perfect Location

 

 

It’s true that the smaller your guest list, the more flexibility you have when it comes to deciding on a venue. You can have so much fun choosing a place to host your nuptials! Did you meet somewhere cozy for your first date? Look into renting out that spot for a day! Don’t forget about the sweetness of a church wedding as well. You can can say your vows at the alter and then have a warm reception area set up outside.

As for elopements, well, the world is truly your oyster! You can play it safe with a courthouse or the backyard of loved one’s home. If you’re the more adventurous type, then consider leaving town to explore the mountains or oceans or deserts – So many options!

The Least Stress

 

 

No matter what kind of wedding you decide to have, planning it should be an exciting and joy filled process – not an overwhelming one. Alas, the bigger the shindig and the more decisions to be made sometimes makes not stressing easier said than done. While there is definitely still planning to be done for intimate weddings and, yes, even elopements, there are fewer decisions to consider which leaves more time for you to enjoy the process and the true meaning behind your big day – Spending forever with your love!

Before you begin Googling the pros and cons of having an intimate wedding versus having an elopement, know that one isn’t better than the other and there is no one right way. Both of these wedding styles are a lot of fun though one may be better suited for your needs and wishes as a couple. It’s so important that you and your future hubs create a wedding that represents who you both are as people and your relationship together. Don’t give into any pressure to get married in a certain fashion for the sake of appeasing others. This is a lifelong commitment – Kick it off right!