10 Reasons Why Eloping Is Better

Recently, I got married.

It was not the "wedding" I expected as a young lady. I eloped, after having a brief ceremony that involved a handful of our closest friends by our side. Despite there being no dress, no church setting, no limo, and no first dance, it was perfect.

The more I think about it, the more I realized that this was the perfect ceremony for me. I'm not alone in this decision, either. More people than ever before are deciding that eloping is better for them than a traditional wedding.

Honestly, I think most people should take a look at eloping in today's day and age. Weddings are not all they're cracked up to be. Here's what makes me think elopements are the new wedding, and why you might agree with me.

The average price of a wedding tops off at $45,000 these days.

There is absolutely, positively no way to ignore that eloping is better for your wallet. I'm sorry, but even a "cheap" wedding costs thousands of dollars. That's more than my car cost!

This is one of the most common reasons why people choose to elope these days. One survey said that the average cost of a wedding in 2018 was $45,000 when all was accounted for.

During a time when the average person earns about $35,000 to $50,000 a year, it doesn't make sense to blow it all on a single party. That money could be used to buy a house, and the stress of finding ways to save on your wedding can be avoided altogether!

A lot of wedding traditions are pretty contrived, or just plain outdated.

Tradition may be important to some, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a good thing to keep up. Certain traditions, such as the father of the bride giving away his daughter, is kind of misogynistic. So is the whole concept of a bridal veil—a throwback to the hymen.

There's also the fact that DeBeer's created the diamond ring tradition. Some other companies, including David's Bridal, have other traditions that jack up the price tag.

Sometimes, too much tradition can be a bad thing. I think we're getting to that point in society now, and we just really need to cut the crap.

It's easier to show off your personality when you elope.

Wedding planning has turned into a three-ring circus in the United States. It seems like every single year involves more fees, more little ceremonies, more tchotchkes, and more little details that somehow make the wedding better.

Let me ask you something. Is the wedding really a reflection of who you two are? Are you really "Turks and Caicos wedding with a choreographed wedding party dance?" Are you seriously the couple that needs a $45,000 fairy tale wedding, only to return to a two bedroom house in Arkansas?

Eloping is better for most couples who just want it to be about them, and not the chiffon. There's no reason to splurge on something that really doesn't reflect you and your lifestyle, right?

Weddings put too much pressure on the bride and groom.

For the record, I did try to have a wedding. However, my wedding plans kept getting flak from everyone about where to hold it, who to invite, how to afford it, and more.

Eventually, I got fed up with hearing everyone's input. Everyone seemed to forget it was the big day for myself and my groom. So, we decided to elope after realizing that trying to please others wasn't happening.

There's also the issue of planning all the little details.

I'm sorry, but I can't honestly care about stupid, little details like the color of a sash or a ribbon. I can't get excited about bridesmaids dresses. Even getting my ass into a white dress feels like going to the dentist!

It's just not my thing, and I honestly view a lot of those hours spent planning a Pinterest worthy wedding in just a few months. All those little ticky-tacky things are a colossal waste of time.

You might guess that, if the bride was as nonchalant about this stuff as I was, my husband couldn't have been more apathetic either. If you're like us and really can't dig the whole "getting gussied up" vibe, eloping is better for you and your beloved.

Dealing with guests that aren't living up to their RSVP becomes a breeze.

If you've deal with modern dating culture, you've dealt with the phenomenon known as ghosting, or just bailing because you find something better to do.

As much as I hate to say it, our culture really is that shallow, and people don't take commitment to events very seriously. These days, there's a common issue where people will RSVP to a wedding and then not attend.

If you're concerned about wedding no-shows, I don't blame you. People are pretty terrible, and frankly, it's incredibly selfish of them to behave that way.

Rather than get stuck with a bill for people who didn't bother to show up, it's better to just elope. After all, you'll be able to find other ways to cut ties with those ghosty jerks later on.

Weddings are too full of drama.

Did you ever notice how many wedding moments seem to have drama involved? There's always a bridal blowout, there's awkward seating issues with family members who don't get along, and if you're really unlucky, you'll also deal with wedding guests who try to steal the show.

Weddings seem to attract drama, and part of the reason is because of how many people insist on being invited. Showcasing your special day shouldn't have to be a nightmare. Eloping is better for a couple that doesn't want drama, and just want to get married.

Your friends will appreciate it.

As much as you may want to think that your friends are thrilled to be part of the wedding party, I'll be honest, they're dreading it. Most people can't afford the extra $1,000 or so needed for the tux, the bridal goodies, and travel fees.

When you elope, you can dress up in whatever you want, and just have fun. It's more affordable for everyone involved.

It's not a competition.

If you're like a lot of women out there, one of the things you hate about weddings is how much of a competition it can become. You want to be the one in your friendship circle to say that you had the perfect wedding day. Soon, all the planning spirals out of control—and you end up stressed, broke, and miserable.

One of the reasons why a lot of people decide to elope is because it's a good way to quash competition over shallow things. I'm sorry; in 10 years, no one will care about your Versace gown. What they will care about, though, is your marriage.

Eloping lets you focus on what's important.

A major mistake I've noticed friends make is their desire for a wedding rather than a marriage. They conflate the two. A fancy party does not guarantee that you'll have a happy marriage.

In fact, some studies suggest that a wedding that's too pricey could be a sign of an impending divorce. A wedding does not equate to a happy marriage, people!

Eloping is better when making sure the focus is on your marriage, rather than your wedding. That alone should be reason enough to consider it.