One of my favorite things about elopements is the freedom they give you to have your day exactly how you want it. Mainstream wedding trends and pressures have no place in this world of intimate vows, tiny weddings, and elopements. We're just over halfway through the wedding season, and these are a few things I absolutely love seeing:
Groom's suits & elopement fits...
I absolutely love the variety we're seeing in menswear. More than any other year before I keep hearing, "He picked what he's wearing"! I love that grooms are adventuring out from under traditional looks and wearing things that make them feel comfortable and confident. I have absolutely loved the relaxed attitude towards grooms who decide to not wear flowers, grooms who choose a monochromatic look, guys in skipped the tie, or grooms who choose extra with accenting ties and vests.
The Variety in Gowns...
I distantly remember a year, in the beginning of my career, where I had multiple brides wearing the exact same gown. The trends were strong in the mid-20 teens, and the pressure to not wander outside the lines of Pinterest was unreal. I'm obsessed that every neckline is in, every texture is in, every tone is in. I feel like these brides are finally getting the opportunity to pick a dress that looks incredible on them, regardless of everything else.
Emphasis on Your Time Together, Your Priorities, and a Leisurely Timeline...
I love hearing couples express their desire to have the day be about them and their marriage, whether family is invited or not. Occasionally family is present for the ceremony, but I always for photos at a new location immediately following the ceremony, to create a divide between the part of the day the family is welcomed in, and the part of the day reserved for just the bride & groom. Working in a park like Grand Teton or Rocky Mountain allows up to have unlimited views and locations within a short distance. When the day is all about you two, nothing else matters, and you get to prioritize what you want, without any limitations. We can spend as much time or as little time in a place, always making sure to end out day with the view you love most.
Every flower under the sun...
Dried, fresh, blues, corals, whites, tight, loose, small, large, trailing, neat. All of the florals are in. I love that the more natural wildflower look is being embraced, especially since the landscape around you is so wild and untamed. I think this look is here to stay.
Less Focus on the Details, More Focus on the Day...
When you're traveling to your destination, you're usually limited by bags, space in the car, etc. to what you can bring. I love that couples are including only a few, and the most significant, details for their elopement. This puts the focus on the most important people, instead of the most important things. Small detailed shots are still such a fun things to have, but I absolutely love how elopements allow the day to be about you two, your marriage, and the beautiful things happening - instead of the beautiful things we have staged.
