WEDDING VS. ELOPEMENT COSTS
Anthony Bourdain
SPENDING CATEGORIES
Your spending limit is the total amount of money you have to spend on your nuptials; your budget is the manner in which you allocate those funds by category -- invitations, flowers, food, drink, etc. An elopement, even a luxury one, renders many of the spending categories associated with a traditional wedding obsolete, dramatically affecting how your money is spent. See how spending limits are broken down by category for a wedding and a luxury elopement below.
WEDDING
Pre-Wedding
Rehearsal Dinner
Legal Fees
Wedding
Attire
Beauty
Ceremony
Favors + Gifts
Flowers + Decor
Music + Entertainment
Photography + Video
Reception
Wedding Rings
Invitations + Stationery
Transportation
Post-Wedding
Honeymoon
ELOPEMENT
Attire
Beauty
Bridal Bouquet
Ceremony
Legal Fees
Photography
Wedding Rings
Travel + Accommodations
Post-Elopement (optional)
Announcements
Champagne + Cake Reception
50%
of your spending limit can be saved or redistributed by switching from a wedding to a luxury elopement.
A NEW WAY TO LOOK AT WEDDING SPENDING
According to unbiased nationwide research*, 43% of American brides and grooms spend between $11,000 and $30,000 on their weddings -- not inlcuding the honeymoon. What most don't realize is that more than half of that spending goes towards elements that enhance the guests' experience, not the bridal couple's. A luxury elopement allows you to take the funds that are typically devoted to guests and reallocate them towards your own wedding experience, complete with an amazing destination and lavish honeymoon.
SAMPLE BUDGET FOR A LUXURY ELOPEMENT
The below is an example of how you can allocate your spending limit by category for a luxury elopement. Simply divide your spending limit by the percentages below to calculate how much we recommend devoting to each elopement category.
CATEGORY
PERCENTAGE
Attire
Beauty
Ceremony
Flowers
Legal Fees
Photography
Travel + Accommodations
Wedding Rings
​
20%
2%
5%
5%
3%
15%
40%
10%
​
*Research provided by Splendid Insights