The Rise of the Elopement

Elopements are on the rise, and I love them!

Did you know that the UK wedding industry is valued at over £10 billion per year?! As life feels like it becomes more and more expensive as the years pass by and the pressure applied predominantly from social media for weddings to look perfect its no surprise that there’s a steadily growing trend starting to gain momentum

To add further credibility to this, Pinterest recently reported a 128 per cent increase in searches on their site for ‘elopement photography ideas‘.

So why would you elope and what does it mean?

“Eloping completely takes off the pressure of planning the ‘perfect wedding,'” said Harper’s Bazaar social media editor and newly-engaged Natalie Salmon.

“Weddings – thanks in part to social media, and Instagram certainly comes to mind here – are so much more visible then they were in the past. It’s not just your friends and family who will see it; even people you haven’t even invited might be watching.”

Whilst the ceremony, traditions and larger celebrations of more traditional weddings are perfect for so many people (Mr NKP and I included – ours was mega!), for others its just not what they want. And I for one applaud those standing up and saying that they want something different. The world would be a very dull place if everything was the same!

So why get married?

A marriage certificate legalises your commitment to each other and that is a very special thing indeed. For me being married does make a difference. I can’t explain it, I don’t feel different but I do!

You might not picture having a big white wedding to celebrate your union or following more traditional styles of weddings.

You might not want anyone there but each other.

You might want it to be a surprise and not tell your guests they are coming to a wedding.

You might just want a few family members there.

Being in the spotlight might fill you with horror!

But you want to get married. And this is why elopements are so great!

Swerving formalities

Its exactly this, swerving formalities, that lies at the crux of the rise in elopements.

Hamish Shephard who is the founder of Bridebook.co.uk says that “Elopements historically took place if a couple needed to marry in secret because approval was unlikely to be granted,” .

“The modern couple are less likely to be dependent on securing permission in the same way nowadays, but the romantic idea of escaping hand-in-hand to exchange vows in secret still holds appeal.”

And with the cost of an average UK wedding in 2018 coming in at £30,355 according to Bridebook.co.uk the added financial attraction is obvious!

Part of a broader trend?

Photographer: Nikki Kirk

Venue: Glenfall House

Hair: Charlotte Holder

Venue Styling: Cotswold Vintage Party Hire

Suit: Country Master

Wedding Dress: Dress from Boho Bride, Over skirt from Tailor Made Bridal

Make Up: Frankly Beautiful

Flowers: Lilyfee Floral Designs

Models: Emily & Steve