For couples who love the outdoors, eloping in nature is a no-brainer. You prefer bird song to organ music. You prefer fresh air to HVAC. And you favor intimate moments over public performances. You find magic in nature and want that same magic present on your special day. 

Here are seven reasons why elopements are the perfect choice for nature lovers, like you:

1) Intimate and private – 

Eloping in nature, surrounded by the beauty of the natural world, allows for a more intimate experience. You can exchange vows in a secluded location without any distractions. Saying such personal things in front of a big audience can be daunting, and maybe you don’t want that pressure. Imagine saying your vows at the edge of a cliff with a stunning view of the ocean or under a canopy of trees in a lush forest… without 400 eyeballs watching you.

2) Unique and personalized – 

With an elopement, you have the freedom to choose a location that is truly special and meaningful to you and your partner. Whether it’s a mountaintop, a beach, or a forest, you can create a unique and personalized ceremony that reflects your personality and your love. For example, you could choose to elope in a location that holds special meaning for you as a couple, such as the park where you had your first date. Or, you might decide you want to exchange swords instead of rings, dressed as elves from Middle Earth… You can do whatever the heck you want. Wherever the heck you wanna do it.

3) Eco-friendly – 

Eloping in nature is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Having less guests automatically reduces the impact of your wedding on the environment. There’s lots of reasons, but a couple big ones are: food waste and travel emissions. Having no guests, even more! 

4) Embrace the elements – 

You don’t want your mind to be wandering, or to be stressed about timelines and seating charts. You shouldn’t be distracted in any way on your wedding day. You want to be present. You want to remember. There’s nothing that keeps you more in the moment than embracing the elements. Connecting to the natural world, and whatever she throws at you, be it rain, wind, thunder or sunshine, will ground you. (It also results in better photos and better stories!)

5) Less Stress – 

Planning an elopement in nature is often much simpler and less stressful than planning a traditional wedding. You can focus on what truly matters – your love and connection – without getting bogged down in the myriad of details of a large wedding. Additionally, hiring an elopement photographer that helps with logistics will reduce the stress even further. Adventure elopement photographers are usually familiar with things like park permit systems, the terrain and the climate. They can also recommend memorable locations that suit your needs and your style.

6) Adventure and exploration – 

Eloping in nature is synonymous with adventure. There’s an element of the unknown that’s kind of exciting. If you’re planning a hiking elopement, there are no rules. You can take the side trail up into a fern-y canyon… or catch snails in a tidepool… or climb that cool tree over there…  Traditional weddings don’t typically leave much time or wiggle room for things like this. You should celebrate your marriage with an itinerary that feels like you. Do the things you like to do. Do the things you did when you were falling in love.

7) Slow Down – 

Eloping in nature means that you have more time to truly soak in the significance of the day. There’s no rushing from thing to thing. No worrying about whether your guests are entertained. You can just take your time. And do the things that feel right. Just enjoy the peace and tranquility that nature has to offer. And enjoy each other’s company.

Slowing the pace and reducing the stress and personalization may not have anything directly to do with nature. But if you’re like me, a practicing Nature Lover, then this is probably the vibe you aspire to. They are the reasons that I’ll be eloping when the time comes. 

The structure of an elopement day (or lack thereof) just leaves more room for your love of nature. You’ve got time and freedom to smell the flowers, listen to the birds, find cool rocks, splash in the river, or whatever you want.

In conclusion, elopements are a perfect choice for nature lovers who want to embrace the beauty of the natural world and create a truly unique and unforgettable wedding experience. With the freedom to choose a location, reduce your carbon footprint, and create a stress-free ceremony, eloping in nature is a beautiful way to celebrate your love and connection. 

If you’re ready to start planning your adventure elopement, get in touch here.