The words of the wedding and elopement world are constantly changing. So, if you’re confused about the difference between a small wedding and elopement, you’re not alone! I’ve worked in both of these spaces as a photographer for a while, and throughout this time, I’ve pinpointed some key differences between the two types of celebrations. In this article, I share my insights with you to help you decide how to celebrate your love best. Spoiler: It all comes down to your needs, wants, and who you are.

What is an Elopement?

When people hear the word “elope,” they often think about running away secretly. This notion was once the dominant understanding. But today, eloping carries a different meaning.

An elopement is a unique, intimate celebration of your love. It usually has fewer than 30 guests (or no guests at all). Elopements provide you the freedom to do whatever you want, and because of their intimate nature, you can focus more on your love instead of catering to hundreds of guests.

The ceremony happens anywhere—on top of a mountain, in your backyard, at a national park, at the courthouse, or in an Airbnb. There is generally no reception after the ceremony; however, many couples throw a casual party with their loved ones to keep the celebration going.

What is a Small Wedding?

A small wedding, sometimes known as a micro wedding, can be seen as a mix of traditional weddings and elopements. Most small weddings include fewer than 30 guests but may stretch up to 50 people, depending on the couple.

Small weddings are known to emulate the intimate feel of an elopement while still including elements of traditional weddings, like wedding planning, formal ceremonies, and receptions—just with fewer guests involved.

Differences Between Elopements and Small Weddings

Here are some of the main differences between small weddings and elopements:

1. Guests and Size

The number of guests can depend on the couple. However, generally, elopements have fewer guests than small weddings. Elopements typically range from 0 to 30 guests, while small weddings host around 30 to 50. Both ceremonies tend to be selective with who gets an invite—it’s your chance to surround yourself with only those who bring you joy and happiness.

2. Intimacy

Both elopements and small weddings are intimate in nature. However, elopements tend to be more intimate because there are fewer guests (if any), and you usually plan the entire day around you as a couple instead of catering to other people. This allows you to focus more on your connection.

3. Location

With proper planning and thoughtful consideration of logistics, elopements can often happen wherever you want. This means you can elope in the middle of a forest, in front of a waterfall, in your backyard, or anywhere else that might be meaningful for you. On the other hand, small weddings usually require a small venue to host your guests for your ceremony and reception. The location of this venue is up to you.

4. Flexibility

Elopements tend to be more flexible than small weddings because you aren’t confined to one venue for the day. You can sprinkle some unique activities throughout the day and structure your day however you want. Because small weddings are also intimate, there tends to be more flexibility than traditional big weddings (but not as much as an elopement).

5. Activities

Infusing activities into your day tends to be more common with elopements. This is because you can plan your time however you want. You can start in one location and move on to different activities throughout the day. While activities may still be possible in a small wedding setting, they likely need to be worked into the venue environment for all your guests to enjoy.

6. Planning

Planning is necessary for both elopements and small weddings. However, the things you plan for can differ. For example, when planning your ultimate elopement experience, you’ll need to consider things like:

• Photographers
• Location
• Officiant
• Other vendors (like a videographer, hair and makeup artist, or planner)
• Permits
• Accommodations
• Activities to sprinkle into your itinerary

When planning your small wedding, you’ll need to think about:

• Venues (location and size)
• Photographers
• Officiant
• Accommodations
• Itinerary for the wedding day (considerate of guests)
• Food, games, or other activities for hosting guests
• Other vendors (catering, floral, or DJs)

7. Hosting 

If you decide to have guests at your elopement, the hosting expectations may differ slightly from a small wedding. During an elopement, you may have a few people present at the ceremony. The day may end there, or these guests may come along for certain activities or join you for a party afterwards. In these cases, the expectation for you to host is minimal—think of these activities as a fun way to hang out and celebrate with those you love.

With small weddings, you have to consider your guests a bit more. For example, you might need to hire a caterer, plan a menu, and come up with games or other fun activities that will keep everyone entertained. Keep in mind, however, that since small weddings are more intimate, you’ll likely be less overwhelmed when hosting than if you had a large wedding with hundreds of guests.

8. Photography Considerations

Small weddings and elopements offer different photography environments: Small weddings often happen in set venues, while elopements are more flexible in location. So, if you choose to elope, hiring a photographer who understands the more unpredictable nature of this kind of celebration is crucial. Usually, this means finding someone with lots of experience helping couples plan their big day.

Generally, elopement photography leaves more room to highlight the couple and their unique love story than small weddings with guests. This is because small wedding photography usually includes capturing moments that include both the couple and their friends and family. Since elopements often include fewer people (or even no guests), there’s more time to spend capturing your intimate moments during the day.

With that said, an elopement isn’t an all-day photoshoot. There’s just more opportunity to capture creative shots because there’s more time to be flexible. Such shots can include everything from fun and silly moments to more artistic photos.

Additionally, the world is your oyster when it comes to eloping. Since you can travel to multiple locations instead of sticking to one, like with a small wedding, your photos can come out with all different kinds of cool backdrops!

Important Note: Differences Aren’t Set in Stone

I want to make clear that the definitions of elopements and small weddings are ever-changing. While I’ve highlighted some general differences, it doesn’t mean you have to follow that logic when planning your special day. You can do whatever you want!

For example, you can invite ten people to your ceremony and still call it a small wedding. Or, you can host 35 guests in a small venue and still call it an elopement. While some folks find it helpful to understand the differences between elopements and small weddings, others are happy calling it whatever they want to. And that’s totally cool!

Pros and Cons of Elopements and Small Weddings

If you’re still deciding which ceremony is best for you, here’s a list of pros and cons to keep in mind: 

Elopement Pros

• It can include just the two of you or a small group of your closest friends and family.
• You get to prioritize you and your love—and what’s important to you!
• It can be planned in a shorter timeframe than small weddings (but planning well in advance is always recommended!)
• More flexibility when planning your day (location changes, activities, etc.)

Elopement Cons

• It may ruffle some feathers if you do not include guests on the day.
• Flexibility means it can also be less structured—which some people may find unsettling.
• There are many options to choose from, which can be overwhelming.

Small Wedding Pros

• You get to celebrate your love with all the important people in your life.
• Staying in one venue means you don’t need to account for different stops or locations throughout the day.
• You’ll likely have more options for venues with a smaller list of guests than a large wedding.
• It can be customized to fit your unique styles and dreams.

Small Wedding Cons 

• You have to accommodate your guests.
• You likely need to stay in one place (the venue).
• Less intimate compared to elopements—you have to balance your focus between celebrating your love and catering to your guests.

Small Wedding or Elopement? Which is Best For You?

Choosing between a small wedding and elopement depends on your unique needs as a couple. First, sit down and brainstorm your wants and needs. Through this session, you’ll be able to pick out specific themes that are important for both of you, whether it’s intimacy, guests, or adventure. Here are some questions to ask yourselves to help you come to a decision:

1. When you imagine your big day, who is there? Is it just you and your partner? Or are your loved ones there too?
2. What sorts of activities do you want to do on this day? Do you want to hop around between different locations, or do you want to do something fun with guests?
3. How do you feel about hosting other people?
4. Do you value flexibility and freedom?

Generally, if you prioritize things like intimacy, freedom, and uniqueness, an elopement may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you value spending time with loved ones and a bit more structure without losing an intimate feel, then a small wedding could be the right fit for you!

Need Some More Advice?

As a photographer who works in the elopement and small wedding space, I can help point you in the right direction when deciding between the two types of celebrations. Our time together isn’t just about capturing beautiful photos but also embracing the entire elopement or small wedding planning process! I can’t wait to meet you and hear your story.