Is eloping the right choice for us?

Many couples grapple with the decision between eloping and having a traditional wedding. It’s a choice that deserves careful consideration because, fundamentally, it reflects who you are as a couple and how you want to celebrate your marriage.

Let’s be clear: there’s no wrong answer here. Some couples thrive in the spotlight of a traditional wedding, while others find their perfect moment in the intimate setting of an elopement. The key is understanding what resonates with you both.

What exactly is an elopement today?

First, let’s clear something up. The modern elopement bears little resemblance to its historical predecessor of running away secretly to get married. Today’s elopement is an intentional, intimate celebration focused solely on the couple and their experience.

Modern elopements typically involve:

• Just the couple (or with a handful of closest people)
• A meaningful location that speaks to your relationship
• An authentic, personalised ceremony
• An experience that genuinely reflects who you are
• Far less planning and coordination than traditional weddings
• Often combined with a honeymoon or adventure

The planning difference

Perhaps the most striking difference between elopements and traditional weddings is the planning process.

Traditional wedding planning generally involves:

• 12-18 months of preparation
• Coordinating 50-150+ guests
• Multiple vendors to book and manage
• Venue limitations and availability constraints
• Family opinions and expectations to navigate
• Seating charts, catering requirements, and countless details
• A structured timeline that needs to accommodate many people

Elopement planning typically involves:

• A 3-6 month timeline (though you can plan one in as little as a few weeks)
• Focusing on what experiences you want to have together
• Selecting locations that speak to your hearts
• Fewer vendors (typically celebrant, photographer, perhaps florals)
• Freedom to change plans quickly if needed
• A flexible timeline built around light, weather and your wishes
• Making decisions based solely on what you two want

Couples who choose to elope often comment on how much more relaxed the planning conversations are. Rather than discussing complex family dynamics or agonising over buffet choices, they talk about sunrise ceremonies, remote beaches, or mountain peaks. The focus stays on what matters to them as a couple, not what’s expected by others.

What will it be like on the day?

When you elope, you wake up without the whirlwind of bridesmaids, groomsmen, hairstylists, makeup artists, and the low-grade panic that comes with orchestrating dozens of moving parts. Instead, it’s calm. Perhaps you’re in a stunning Airbnb overlooking the Tasmanian coastline or a boutique hotel in the wilderness. You might share a leisurely breakfast together, get ready in the same space (or not—your choice entirely), and take your time.

There’s no rigid schedule—if the perfect light for your ceremony happens at 4pm instead of 2pm, you simply adjust. If it rains, you wait it out or embrace it. Your day revolves around experiences rather than timetables.

Tasmania offers countless breathtaking locations for elopements—from the rugged beauty of Bruny Island to the serene forests of the Huon Valley, the dramatic coastlines of the East Coast, or the majestic backdrop of Cradle Mountain. These natural settings provide a stunning canvas for your intimate ceremony.

Compare this to a traditional wedding day: a precisely choreographed series of events, coordinating dozens (sometimes hundreds) of people, with a timeline that must be adhered to because the caterer, venue, band, and other vendors are all working on specific schedules. It’s beautiful chaos—meaningful and joyful, but undeniably more complex.

The difference isn’t about which is better—it’s about which experience will allow you to be most present, most yourselves, and most connected on one of the most significant days of your lives.

How to know if you’re an elopement couple

You might be an elopement couple if:

• The thought of being the centre of attention makes you uncomfortable
• You value experiences over things
• You’re independent decision-makers who don’t feel bound by tradition
• You’re adventurous or love nature
• You have a limited budget and prefer to spend it on experiences rather than a big party
• You want to avoid family drama or complex family situations
• The environmental impact of a big wedding concerns you
• You want your wedding day to truly reflect who you are as a couple

Many celebrants in Tasmania note that couples who choose to elope often comment on how present they felt during their ceremony. Without the pressure of performing for an audience, couples can fully immerse themselves in the significance of their commitment.

The middle ground

It’s worth noting that there’s also a middle path gaining popularity: the intimate wedding or “micro-wedding.” These celebrations typically include 5-20 guests—just your absolute nearest and dearest—and combine the intimacy of an elopement with the celebration aspect of a traditional wedding.

Intimate weddings in Tasmania might involve exchanging vows with just immediate family present, followed by a spectacular meal at one of the state’s renowned restaurants. The feeling provides all the authenticity of an elopement but shared with those who matter most.

Making your decision

Ultimately, the right choice comes down to what feels authentic to you as a couple. Ask yourselves:

• What would our perfect day actually look like if there were no expectations?
• Whose opinions are we considering in our decision, and do they matter more than our own?
• What will we remember most in 20 years—the experience or the production?
• What can we realistically afford without financial stress?

Tasmania offers the perfect backdrop for both traditional weddings and intimate elopements. With its diverse landscapes, from pristine beaches to ancient rainforests, alpine regions to historic buildings, the island provides endless possibilities for whatever style of celebration you choose.

Whether you opt for a lavish celebration with everyone you know or an intimate moment with just the two of you, what matters most is that your wedding reflects who you are and what marriage means to you.

After all, the ceremony itself—that moment when you commit your lives to each other—should be the most meaningful part of your wedding day, regardless of how many people are there to witness it.