What’s the Difference Between an Elopement and a Small Wedding?

Last updated on December 7th, 2025

The wedding world loves its labels, and sometimes it feels like you need a glossary just to decide how you want to get married. If you’ve been Googling “elopement vs. small wedding” or wondering how a small wedding vs. eloping actually plays out in real life, you’re definitely 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.

TL; DR: Elopement vs. Small Wedding

Here’s a quick side-by-side before we get into the details:

Factor	Elopement	Small Wedding
Guest Count	0-30 people (and often just the two of you)	20-50 guests
Vibe	Intimate, flexible, focused on your connection	Intimate but more centered around hosting and shared moments with loved ones
Planning Needs	Less traditional structure, more personal choices and freedom	Similar to a “wedding,” just on a smaller and more intentional scale
Locations	Mountains, beaches, forests, backyards, courthouses — literally anywhere	Typically, one venue for the ceremony + reception
Budget Allocations	More of your budget goes toward experiences, travel, and vendors	More of your budget goes toward vendors and guests (food, venue, rentals, etc.)
Best For…	Couples craving freedom, intimacy, adventure (whatever “adventure” means to you), or zero hosting responsibilities	Couples who want an intimate celebration with their people while still keeping things relaxed and meaningful

What is an Elopement?

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

I’d say this is the most concrete differentiator that’s easy for many couples to understand. Elopements typically stay on the smaller side. Sometimes it’s just the two of you, sometimes it’s a handful of your favorite humans. Think 0–30 people. Small weddings usually land in the 30-50 guest count range, which still feels more intimate than a huge wedding, but gives you room to include more of your community.

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

One of my favorite parts of elopements is the freedom to choose literally anywhere that feels meaningful. Depending on logistics and accessibility, you can say your vows under a waterfall, in a quiet forest clearing, on a mountaintop, or in your own backyard (or choose to bounce around between multiple locations).

Small weddings usually work best in designated venues, like micro-venues, small event spaces, cool Airbnbs, and little gardens. You still get creative freedom, just within a space that can comfortably host your people. Typically, small weddings will use one venue for both the ceremony and reception, but this is totally up to you.

4. Flexibility

Elopements are hands-down the most flexible option. You’re not tied to a venue schedule or a strict timeline, so your day can unfold however you want it to. You can go hiking, have a picnic, kayak, explore downtown, hop between locations—whatever feels like you.

Small weddings are more flexible than big weddings but tend to be less flexible than elopements. Since you’re hosting more guests and likely using a venue, they come with a few more moving parts. I always tell couples that they both offer freedom, but they provide this freedom in slightly different ways.

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 (like kayaking, going for a hike, having a picnic, or literally anything else under the sun).

You can absolutely weave activities into a small wedding, too, but they just tend to happen in or around a venue so your guests can join in. Think yard games, a shared meal, participating in a tradition, or sunset photos while everyone hangs out.

6. Planning

Planning is necessary for both elopements and small weddings. However, the things you plan for can differ. For example, when planning your 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 invite guests to your elopement, the “hosting” element is usually super minimal. You might have a few people join for the ceremony, tag along for part of the adventure, or meet up later for dinner or a campfire hang. It feels more like spending intentional time with people you love than managing an event.

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. The good news? With a small wedding, this still feels way more relaxed and personal than a traditional 150-person wedding.

8. Budget Allocations

When couples choose to elope, I usually see the budget go toward things that you two get to experience together:

• Exploring somewhere new
• Booking a beautiful Airbnb
• Photography that covers the adventures
• Activities (like kayaking, hiking, cooking a private dinner with a chef)

Because the guest count is small (or zero), you get to invest in the parts of the day that feel the most meaningful to you both.

On the other hand, small weddings tend to spread the budget out differently, simply because hosting guests comes with more pieces:

• Venues
• Meals
• Rentals or decor
• Entertainment
• Seating, ceremony setups, etc.

You still get the intimacy of a smaller celebration, but a bit more of the budget naturally shifts toward making sure your people are cared for.

9. Photography Considerations

From a photographer’s standpoint, elopements and small weddings come with totally different vibes—both amazing in their own way. Small weddings are often held at a single venue, so the backdrop stays consistent, and we move around the property to capture everything from candid moments to portraits to guest interactions.

Elopements, on the other hand, are usually more location-flexible. That means I get to help couples dream up creative spots, chase great light, and explore multiple areas. Because there are fewer people involved, we often have more time and space to play, breathe, and create images that feel deeply personal.

With that said, an elopement isn’t an all-day photoshoot. The extra flexibility just gives us room for creativity, spontaneity, and some truly stunning backdrops (on top of capturing the core moments, like getting ready and the vow exchange).

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!

Elopement vs. Small Wedding: FAQ

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.