Intimate Wedding vs. Elopement

There are differences between an elopement and an intimate wedding and, understanding the difference can make the planning process easier for everyone. 

Both types of ceremonies are small weddings and more simple than a “traditional” wedding, and can be even more romantic. Both involve few, or even no guests. 

Intimate Destination Weddings

By standard definition, a destination wedding is a ceremony and reception that's held someplace other than where the bride and groom live.

An Intimate Destination Wedding is for the couple who wants a small wedding and to really focus on the details and create an intimate experience for each guest that might be difficult to achieve for a large number of guests.

At Coastal Cliffs, we offer small, Intimate Destination weddings for you, your soon-to-be spouse and up to 25 of your close family and friends and up to 5 pre-teen children.

Elopements

Elopements have evolved over the years. Originally, eloping had a specific old-world romance connotation since they were often done in secret or in a whirlwind of passion without much planning.

Elopements require less planning and considerably less expense than a “traditional” wedding.  In an elopement the ceremony is the key focus of the celebration, and it is typically much shorter than a traditional wedding ceremony.

An elopement is typically just the wedding couple and two or three members of their immediate family, if that, and/or their witnesses. This can be great if you get overwhelmed with decisions and just want to skip to the part where you say, "I do."

An elopement can be super intimate, where it’s just you and your lover in a beautiful place.

An elopement can also be you, your lover, your vendors, and a few special guests. At Coastal Cliffs, we still consider it an elopement if you have 10 or fewer guests.