Should You Elope or Have a Wedding? | Under the Arbour
How to choose the kind of celebration that feels like “you.”
There’s no one “right” way to get married.
There’s only your way.
For some couples, that means a sun-soaked ceremony surrounded by friends and family.
For others, it’s a quiet moment on a clifftop, just the two of you and the sound of the ocean.
Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate elopement or a full wedding celebration, the most important thing is that your day feels true to you.
Here’s a gentle guide to help you decide which path might fit best.
1. Your Vision
Elopement: You picture something relaxed, heartfelt, and deeply personal. Maybe it’s at sunrise in the hinterland or tucked away at your favourite spot by the beach.
Wedding: You dream of a lively celebration - music, laughter, a full dance floor, and the joy of sharing the moment with everyone who’s been part of your story.
2. Your Guest List
Elopement: Intimate and simple. A handful of witnesses, or perhaps just your celebrant and photographer. You’re doing this for the connection, not the crowd.
Wedding: You want to look around the room and see every person who’s shaped your lives, the people who’ve cheered you on, watched you grow, and are ready to dance with you all night long.
3. Your Budget
Elopement: Generally smaller, but with the freedom to splurge on what matters most - your photographer, a luxury Airbnb, or a once-in-a-lifetime experience together.
Wedding: A bigger investment, but one that brings your community together. You’re paying for florals, catering, styling, and all those moments that make the day feel like an event, not just a ceremony.
4. Your Priorities
Elopement: Experience and emotion. Less logistics, more presence. You value intimacy, ease, and the space to be yourselves.
Wedding: Celebration and connection. You thrive on energy, atmosphere, and creating a day your guests will talk about for years.
5. Your Personality Match
Elopement: You love adventure, spontaneity, and doing things differently. You’d rather hike to your ceremony spot than sit through a seating plan.
Wedding: You’re sentimental, social, and love the idea of celebrating surrounded by your people.
Still Torn?
Here’s the truth: you don’t have to choose one or the other.
There are beautiful in-between options - like micro-weddings, destination elopements, or just-us ceremonies followed by a party later.
The right choice isn’t about size or spend. It’s about what feels like you.
Under the Arbour: Weddings That Feel Like You
At Under the Arbour, we help couples create days that feel calm, beautiful, and deeply personal - whether that’s a small elopement in the hinterland or a celebration under the stars.
From planning and styling to coordination and ceremony, we bring together every detail with warmth and intention, so your day unfolds effortlessly.
If you’re still deciding what kind of wedding feels right for you - we’d love to help you design it.
