How to Elope Alone Without Hurting my parents’ Feelings
How to Elope Without Offending Your Family
Eloping in the mountains alone is one of the most incredible adventures you can have. It’s all about creating a “just us” experience that feels meaningful, intimate, and true to who you are as a couple. It’s a chance to let go of traditional wedding norms and focus on what really matters. But let’s be real—sometimes the thought of eloping can stir up a little guilt when it comes to family. You want to respect your relationship with them, but you also want a day that’s 100% yours.
It’s no secret that we are fans of “no guests, no stress” elopements! This post dives into the pros and cons of having family at your Telluride elopement, and I’ll share five ways to keep them feeling loved, even if they’re not there in person. Plus, I’ll share why so many of our couples love eloping without guests!
Why Couples Are Choosing Elopements
In the last several years, more couples have started rethinking the big wedding and shifting toward elopements. Some bring close family along for the ride, while others prefer to keep it just the two of them. Including family can be a beautiful way to share your day, but it does come with trade-offs that might make the elopement feel a little less carefree.
Let’s talk about the good and the not-so-good of inviting family to your elopement. Ultimately, every family is different, so you’ll need to figure out what feels right for you.
The Good:
Let’s start with the positives, because family always comes from a place of love (even if it doesn’t always feel that way).
You’ll feel supported. Having your family around as you say your vows can bring a sense of comfort and connection. Seeing their joy as they witness your love story unfold is a memory you’ll treasure.
They’ll feel included. Bringing family into such an intimate moment shows how much you value their presence in your life. It’s a way to share your happiness with the people who mean the most to you.
The Bad:
Even with the best intentions, having family at your elopement can introduce some challenges.
Opinions, opinions, opinions. Family members might have thoughts about everything—the location, your vows, your dress, where to eat, or even how you spend your time. It’s tough to avoid the pressure of keeping everyone happy.
Less flexibility. Eloping with just the two of you means you can pivot plans in a heartbeat. Want to chase the Telluride sunset or wait out a rainstorm? No problem. But when you add family, logistics can get tricky. Older relatives might struggle with altitude, or last-minute changes could be harder to manage.
Limited locations. The best elopement spots are often remote and a little adventurous. Some of the most breathtaking places only have space for a handful of people, or require a hike or 4x4 vehicle (especially a Ouray elopement). Including more people can mean compromising on the “wow” factor.
Family on your honeymoon. Let’s face it, if you bring family to your elopement, they will stick around for your honeymoon, too. That’s not exactly the “just us” vibe you were going for.
Higher costs. Traveling to Telluride or Ouray isn’t cheap, especially during peak season. Flights can range from $800-$1500, and larger groups mean more accommodations, rental cars, and permits.
How family works their way into your elopement: “I’ll pay my own way.”
We’ve seen it happen many times. Your family will say, “If I buy my own plane ticket and hotel, can I be there when you get married?” It sounds harmless, but once they are included in your ceremony, that’s when they start inviting other people and all of them are “paying their own way.” Before you know it, you have no longer have an elopement, but a micro wedding and you can no longer go to the place you dreamed of, because there are too many guests. Not to mention, they will all come to you and ask a hundred questions about where to stay, what to do, where to eat, where to be for the ceremony, what time to be there, some may be late, others will irritate you… it happens all the time unfortunately.
Why Eloping Without Guests Can Be Amazing:
There are so many benefits to eloping without guests! Here are a few that our couples have said made all the difference for them:
You can get married your way. You don’t have to stress over well-meaning but unwanted advice from others. Your day can be exactly what you’ve always dreamed of!
Anywhere is an option. Without guests, there are no extra cars or logistics to worry about. That means you can choose the most breathtaking, remote ceremony spot in the Colorado mountains.
You’ll have all the time in the world. With no timeline to manage or guests to accommodate, you can savor every moment of your day, from sunrise to stargazing.
It’s all about the two of you. Your day will be tailored to your love story and what matters most to you. Without guests, there’s no outside input influencing how things should go.
Telluride becomes your place. Your elopement spot becomes a location filled with personal meaning—a place you’ll always remember as uniquely yours.
Your elopement and honeymoon blend seamlessly. When it’s just the two of you, you can immediately shift into honeymoon mode without worrying about entertaining guests. The Ouray hot springs are especially romantic!
5 Ways to Involve Family Without Them Being There:
Throw a party later. Host a celebration after your elopement so you can share your joy with friends and family back home.
Stream the ceremony. Livestream your vows so your loved ones can watch in real-time. We can even help you choose a location that we know has service.
Write heartfelt notes. Write letters to your closest loved ones and have them open them on your wedding day. Or vice versa!
Send updates right away. Snap a selfie or record a short video after your ceremony and send it to your family to share the moment.
Bring back something special. Send Telluride postcards or bring home keepsakes from your elopement location to let your family feel connected to the experience.
Breaking the Stigma Around Elopements
Eloping isn’t what it used to be. These days, it’s less about running away and more about choosing a wedding experience that’s authentic to you. If your parents or loved ones are hesitant, take the time to explain why this matters to you. Show them how this day is about starting your marriage on your own terms. Once they see your photos and hear your stories, they’ll likely come around.
We’ve Got Your Back
We get it—deciding how to handle family and eloping can feel tricky. That’s why we’re here to help. Reach out anytime for advice or to chat about your plans. We’re here to make your day unforgettable.
Check out our blog for more elopement tips or learn about our adventure elopement packages. After years of shooting big weddings, I’ve seen it all—from family drama to logistics overload. That’s why I now focus on intimate elopements that center on what really matters: your love for each other. Contact us to something magical together!
Feedback from our brides & grooms about eloping alone in Telluride:
“We eloped just the two of us… and it was even better than we could have imagined!” - Kelly W.
“We did not have an ounce of stress leading up to our day or on our day because they had everything taken care of.” - Kelsey M.
“What you don't get from a picture is the way Joe expertly shapes the most wonderful day while also leaving you to your own devices and experiencing it all for yourself…. Elope Telluride just solidified that we'd made the right choice and we couldn't have been happier with the experience.” - Ben Z.
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