Let's face it. A lot goes into planning a wedding.
From deciding on a venue, to planning the menu, decor and guest list (amongst other things), a lot of hard work and detailed preparation is required to ensure that everything will end up running beautifully and smoothly on your big day.
Not only that, but you'll have to spend hours on prepping and preening on the day you get married, spend at least half a day at the reception, and at the end of it all, end up being too exhausted to do anything even remotely steamy or romantic later that evening.
Which, if you're not one to make a big fuss about major events, is exactly why you should consider just running off to get married. It not only gives you the chance to be impulsive and spontaneous, but it's also an incredibly romantic way to get hitched.
Still not convinced? We've compiled our top 5 reasons why we think eloping is a good idea.
1. It's cost effective. It's the most obvious one on the list, but given our economic climate, saving money, if you ask me, is a pretty valid reason to opt for running off to tie the knot instead.
Just think of all the things you can do (and buy) with the money you don't have to spend on the venue, invitations, catering and everything else that will basically force you to take out a huge loan to pay for the wedding .
2. Broader honeymoon options. With the amount of money you'll be saving local destinations (as fabulous as they are) don't have to be your only option.
If you work carefully with your money (yes, you do still have to budget - it would be silly not to), you could have your dream honeymoon on some exotic island location. Even better - you can actually extend your stay because of all the money you've saved.
3. It's fuss-free. No wedding to plan? No dress fittings? No meetings with the caterers? You see where I'm going with this, don't you?
While there is an element of excitement to it all, not having to deal with any planning related issues is a win-win and stress-free situation for you. Ok, not entirely stress-free.
You're still going to have to deal with the best way to break the news to the rest of the family about you not planning a big wedding. That is, if you're going to.
4. No guest list drama. Oh this one is, without a doubt, the bane of every bride-and-groom-to-be's existence.
On the one hand, your mother wants you to invite Aunty Myrtle, who always has something critical to say about you and your partner, and on the other hand, your groom's divorced mother does not want his father and his new flooze to attend the wedding.
And while it is your choice, at the end of the day, It's still a difficult and nightmarish labyrinth to navigate isn't it? Eloping pretty much solves all that.
5. Preserving your sanity. Because sometimes you get too caught up in the planning, that you lose perspective and forget what the idea behind getting married is actually all about.
Have you eloped? What was your experience like? Share your stories with us below.