How Much Does it Cost to Elope?

Are you wondering about the total cost to elope? Did you know, the average wedding in Arizona costs around $35,000? That’s for your standard cookie cutter married in a church with a banquet hall reception, kind of wedding day. Elopements? Those are a totally different ball game. According to Brides.com, the average cost to elope comes in around $15,000. However, we understand that particular publication can be a little, well, shortsighted. In fact, according to our estimations at Arizona Elopement Collective, it can cost an average of $5,000 to $15,000 to elope. That’s a pretty decent range, so we’ll give you an idea of what factors come into play when looking at the total cost to elope.

What are the biggest cost factors when eloping?

The number one biggest cost factor when it comes to eloping is surprise surprise, a wedding venue. By the way, we’ll tell you how to save on that in a moment. At this point in our estimations, we are going to consider that you may be trying to plan an elopement without the help of an elopement wedding planner or the purchase of an elopement package. If so, the next biggest cost to elope will be your photographer & videographer (for an awesome videographer in Chicago, check out Whole Heart Video). Finally, depending on where you decide to elope, the tail end of your total cost to elope will include travel, accommodations, and lodging.

How can I reduce my total cost to elope?

Your choice to elope probably had nothing to do with saving money, and everything to do with having a wedding day that feels like you. But you might still be wondering how you can reduce your total cost to elope. 

1. Save on the venue

Not feeling the vibe when it comes to venues? Contracts, timelines,  setup, breakdown, and all the other nonsense that is pre-determined for you?

Ditch the venue all together and get married in a beautiful national park. You will save hundreds, if not thousands on the total cost of your venue.

Plus, you’ll have an idyllic setting for your vows, and wedding photos. And, you can spend some time after your ceremony popping a bottle and exploring the area, no timeline required.

2. Weekday wedding

On average, weekday weddings spend a total of 30% LESS on lodging including hotels & Airbnb’s. Most “traditional” weddings take place on the weekend. But we can’t think of a better reason to take off work on a Tuesday morning than to get married at a national park, can you?

3. Prioritize

This is truly one of the best ways to save on the total cost to elope; if you’re asking ask us. Make a list of what is most important to you.

What do you feel is absolutely necessary, you know, the elements you can’t see yourself getting married without? Now, what is it that you’re ready to say “hard pass” to?

If you need more recommendations from us on how to match your cost to your experience, check out the list below.

4. Honeymoon

The easiest way to save on the cost of your elopement? Elope and honeymoon in the same location. This will help you avoid two different spending categories, a venue, and a honeymoon. It will also give you more time to be present in the location where you became officially married, so you can soak it all in.

5. Planners & Packages

Believe it or not, an elopement planner can actually help you save money. Unlike wedding venue coordinators, an elopement planner works for you, not the venue. Needless to say, they have your best interest in mind. Finding an elopement planner or an elopement package that fits your needs will help you save money as opposed to hiring and working with vendors on an individual basis.

What elements are most important when planning an experience-based elopement?

An elopement doesn’t mean you have to skip out on the fun, or the things you enjoy most about weddings. Actually, an elopement means you have the flexibility to pick and choose the elements that are most important to you. We like to call it modular, or even a la carte wedding planning. Point is, you get to leave behind the things you never really cared about when it comes to weddings. That’s because an elopement is all about honing in on the experiences you want to remember, and the memories you want to create. But, we get that you still have questions about what elements might make the most sense for creating an experience-based elopement.

Here are our top 7 recommendations.

1. Photography

Are you eloping because you want an intimate wedding day experience that feels like you? If you want to relive that experience for a lifetime, an elopement photographer is a solid choice. Elopement photographers get your vision. They know exactly why you chose to elope, and they are skilled at drawing out the details and candid emotions that matter the most on your day.

2. Officiant

No brainer right? You need an actual officiant to wed you. Furthermore, you need a wedding officiant who understands elopement weddings. Someone who actually cares about why you made the decision to elope. But also, you need someone that feels like an old friend. Someone who can “read the crowd”, and match the energy you plan on bringing to your wedding day. An officiant who can roll with it and go in for the laughs, or pause at all the right moments.

3. Hair & Make-Up

Getting wedding photos taken by a talented elopement wedding photographer? Professional hair and makeup are a must. A hair and makeup artist can bring your ideal wedding day look to life. But, they also know how to take that look and make it camera-ready and impeccable. No smudging, watery mascara, or fly-aways during your big moment. Plus, you’ll get a touch-up kit in case you need to refresh before taking photos with your guests.

4. Florals

Remember what we said about elopements being all about taking what you want and leaving the rest? Same applies to florals. You can go as minimal or as big as you want. Do you want a floral arch along with bouquets and boutonnieres for everyone? Done. Just want a small touch of florals to add to your hair or wedding day attire? Amazing. You have the flexibility to pick and choose. No overblown contracts, rigid pricing structures, and vases that have to be returned at the end of the night. 

5. Live Musicians

Is there anything better than live music at a wedding? You get to pick your favorite songs and have a musician reimagine them for your elopement wedding ceremony. Your favorite rock ballad or love song or on an acoustic guitar when you both make your entrance? Rad. An obscure indie tune after you are announced as married? Freaking amazing. A live musician adds that extra depth of “you” to your elopement, allowing you to reminisce for years to come.

6. Private transportation

You don’t have to forgo private transportation for an elopement wedding. In fact, we highly recommend it. For one thing, it’ll take away the stress of potentially fighting through any traffic on the way to your wedding. After all, who wants to start the day like that?! Second, it’ll give you both some more alone time together where you can be fully present in each other’s company.

7. Time 

You might be surprised to see this one on the list. After all, how often do you hear about time being valuable on your wedding day? Almost never, right? But here’s the deal, if you are planning to elope because you want an experience-based wedding that authentically feels like you, then why shouldn’t you schedule enough time in your day to actually enjoy it? An adventure elopement means getting to explore the area together, as newlyweds. Which is why booking enough time to actually enjoy the location where you’re getting married is number 7 on our list of recommended elements to add to your elopement experience.

An Elopement is an Experience

Look, anyone can plan a wedding. But you’ve chosen to elope. You are focused on the experience of getting married and you want a wedding that matches your personality. Cookie cutter and herd mentality has never been your thing and you are certainly not about to adapt it for your wedding. In fact, you might even want to check out the full definition of the modern elopement, right here.

You get that an elopement is an authentic celebration of your love story. You don’t need chafing dishes, churches, and a two-year wedding planning timeline to make your best day ever “feel real”. You envision an adventure elopement. But, above all, the idea of picking and choosing what matters to you most when it comes to planning your wedding is the perfect way for you to determine how much it will cost for you to elope.