Eloping is the New Black

According to recent wedding statistics, the elopement rate has increased by 5%. While some couples are drawn to the adventure and intimacy of an elopement, others choose to elope to save money or because of anxiety surrounding large social gatherings. But what if there was another reason to elope? What if eloping was the perfect way to embrace a slow-living, slow-wedding philosophy? What is eloping is the new black?

Part 1: What is Slow Living?

Slow living is a lifestyle movement that encourages people to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life. The goal is to live a more deliberate life, unhurried by the frantic pace of the world around us. To do this, proponents of the slow living movement advocate for simplifying one's life, spending time outdoors, connecting with nature, and slowing down the mind.

Slow living can be applied to every aspect of life, including work, relationships, and how we spend our free time. Regarding work, slow-livers believe in finding joy in what we do and working fewer hours. In terms of relationships, slow-livers focus on quality over quantity. They would rather have a few close friends than a large group of acquaintances. And when it comes to leisure time, slow livers believe in savoring experiences instead of trying to pack as many as possible into a single day.  

Part 2: What is a Slow Wedding?

"Slow wedding" is a relatively new concept that applies the principles of slow living to the wedding industry. Slow weddings emphasize intentionality, simplicity, and sustainability. Like slow living, the goal of slow weddings is not just about saving money (although that is often a welcomed side effect). Rather, couples who embrace a slow wedding philosophy want their wedding day to reflect their values and who they are as a couple.

Sustainable-Minded – When it comes to sustainability, there are many things couples can do to make their wedding more eco-friendly. One way is to choose local vendors who use sustainable practices. Another way is to reduce waste by using reusable or compostable items instead of disposable ones. For example, couples could get married outdoors with only nature as decoration or incorporate potted plants into their centerpieces which guests can take home with them after the reception.

Embrace Minimalism – A minimalist approach can be applied to every aspect of your wedding day, from attire to decor. For example, you could wear a simple white dress or even rent your gown instead of buying one you will only wear once. When decorating for your big day, less is more. Repurpose items you already have or borrow items from friends and family instead of buying brand-new decorations.

Focus on What Matters Most – One-way couples can make sure their wedding day is intentional and reflective of their relationship by focusing on what matters most. If the family is important to you, make sure they play a role in your ceremony, whether that’s through readings or speeches. If you love adventure, consider going on a hike together after you exchange vows or include personal touches like photos from your favorite trips in your guest book table decor. When you focus on what matters most, everything else will fall into place.

Eloping may not be for everyone, but if you’re looking for an intimate and sustainable way to celebrate your marriage, it might be perfect! Before you write off eloping as selfish or unromantic, think about how much meaning and intentionality you can infuse into your day when there’s no pressure to please anyone but yourselves!