The marriage identified with the term “elopement” is a particular ceremony that takes place in the presence of the spouses, the witnesses and very few close friends.
The elopement
It is a very particular choice that if up until a couple of years ago it was made by couples wishing to get married surrounded by only a few chosen ones, with the Covid-19 pandemic and the establishment of the red, orange and yellow zones (and the related restrictions) had become obligatory if you wanted to get married.
The fact is, however, that the elopement has remained and even today it is not uncommon to see couples who decide to get married in this way. Indeed, from my experience as a wedding photographer in Rome, there are more and more.
The elopement is the new frontier of the wedding day, a marriage that looks more like an “elopement” (as it is rightly called) than a real wedding.
Maximum 10 guests, an intimate location and only special people who really manage to share the greatness of that day.
A choice for the courageous few, capable of going against the most cumbersome traditions of our country and without fear of challenging criticism and prejudices. But also a means for newlyweds whose parents did not approve of the wedding to secretly say the fateful yes and thus start their life together.
But let’s go in order and discover all the secrets of the elopement.
Why Choose an Elopement
Elopement isn’t a rushed or budget-conscious choice, but a conscious decision to experience the wedding differently. More and more couples are choosing this option because they want to focus on the essence of marriage: the union of two people who love each other, without the social pressure of a big event.
Those who choose an elopement seek authenticity. They want to experience their wedding day without the stress of a guest list, table arrangements, or protocols to follow. It’s a particularly popular choice for those who work in very formal environments and want an intimate and spontaneous moment, for those with complicated families, or simply for those who prefer to invest in a travel experience rather than a traditional banquet.
An elopement allows you to celebrate wherever you truly desire: on a mountaintop, by the sea, in a medieval village, or in a Tuscan vineyard. The location becomes as much a focus as the couple, creating unique memories impossible to replicate in a traditional reception hall.
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What does Elopement mean
The term elopement comes from the English “to elope” which translates into “escape without looking back“, just like it happens in elopements: you decide to stay together forever, running away from the past and habits without thinking too much about it.
The diffusion of the elopement finds various reasons and has its roots in America a few centuries ago, precisely in the United States.
The idea comes from the conception of marriage as an intimate choice that shouldn’t involve too many people, sometimes dispersive and disinterested, but only very close relatives and trusted friends.
In Italy, on the other hand, it has become a real fashion that has spread quickly thanks to the pandemic caused by Covid-19 and the consequent need to avoid gatherings. A social need that then turned into a trend, which welcomes more and more followers.
All the pros and cons of the elopement
Those who choose to marry elopement style must be aware of the criticisms they will receive and the discontent of more traditional parents. But also of the fact that your budget can only be allocated to the best to realize your wedding in the way you had always dreamed of. Let’s take a good look at these points in favor and against the elopement.
Against Elopement
In fact, we know how proud a mother is to see her “little girl” get married and to show everyone the fruit of her sacrifices in a white dress and on a decorated altar.
After the ceremony, even the parents will probably appreciate the intimacy and serenity of the wedding day experienced in this way, but to get them used to the idea, you will probably have to face some very small discussions and a few days of sulking.
There will also be the disappointment of those friends who expected to be invited or cousins who you will not choose and so on, up to the last relative, who you will hear complaining when you meet him again.
Pros of Elopement
But despite the negative aspects, the elopement can become a wonderful experience that allows the bride and groom to organize their entire wedding in an absolutely personal way.
This involves tailor-made organization and without having to please all the guests: absence of baby sitters, many tables to “honour” during the banquet and no smiles or “concern” words.
Experiencing a wedding with 10 guests means spending a day in total relaxation, spending less on quantity for the benefit of quality and, why not, giving your loved ones a night as a gift, to spend an entire weekend with them in total intimacy.
Elopement: fewer guests less organization? It is not true!
Some mistakenly think that fewer guests mean fewer organizational costs: unfortunately this is not true and wedding planners know it well.
On the contrary, being few allows you to organize every single moment down to the smallest detail, without neglecting anything or anyone.
From the flowers that decorate the church to the booklets to follow the religious rite, passing through the rice at the end of the ceremony and then straight to the location where the banquet will be held.
The fact of being able to save on the number of guests will also allow you to allocate your budget only to the best. Dream locations, excellent courses, wine paired with each dish and an exclusive cuisine that is able to truly satisfy all the palates of those present, wonderful flowers and bouquets, excellent musicians and photographers.
This is precisely one of the characteristics of this way of getting married: a getaway with a few close friends in a luxury location far from home.
An elopement-style wedding is an experience that touches the emotional sphere because it involves the most authentic affection and passes through the beauty and exclusivity of each choice. A dream wedding together with the people who really love us and no one else.
Ideal locations for an elopement in Italy
Italy offers the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable elopement. Rome, with its historic monuments and hidden gardens, offers the perfect setting for a wedding in exclusive locations, such as historic villas on Lake Bracciano or in the heart of the historic center. A civil elopement wedding in Rome can take place in period residences overlooking the city’s rooftops.
Tuscany is the most popular destination for international elopements: rolling hills with vineyards, medieval villages, and farmhouses surrounded by greenery. The Dolomites attract those seeking breathtaking mountain scenery, with the option of celebrating in scenic mountain huts or Alpine chalets. The Amalfi Coast and islands like Capri offer picture-perfect Mediterranean scenery.
For an elopement, you need a venue that doesn’t require large minimum numbers: boutique hotels, private villas, family-run farmhouses. Many of these venues offer specific packages for intimate weddings with 10-20 people, including a celebrant, minimal decor, and a small reception. The key is to choose a venue that reflects your personality and tells a story, not just a beautiful setting.
The Elopement Photographer
The professional in charge of photographing an elopement must be very good at knowing how to move with discretion and interpreting the needs and desires of the bride and groom. The need to create, even more than other times, an empathy with them is absolutely necessary. The fact that there are a maximum of 10 guests does not mean that the elopement photographer has to invade the field at all times. Indeed, a good dose of discretion and knowing how to capture the shots without ruining the intimate atmosphere of the ceremony is required.
Furthermore, to give the best and satisfy the bride and groom, it must possibly be a photographer with experience in elopements, because the atmosphere that is created and the consequent working conditions are particular and completely different from those of a normal wedding with hundreds of guests .
Finally, he must be a professional able to move around the world, precisely because the elopement represents a romantic escape in a location far from home.
To see an example of an elopement in the Castelli Romani area of Rome, click here!
Let’s Plan Your Elopement
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FRANCESCO RUSSOTTO
Voted among the top 10 Italian wedding photographers in the world by Prowed Award 2025
My name is Francesco Russotto and I have always been involved in photography and images. I had the pleasure of collaborating in the creation of many productions for national and international clients, in the field of video clips, commercials and cinema. Today, I’m primarily a reportage-style wedding photographer, working in Rome, Rieti, Viterbo, Umbria, and Abruzzo, but I’m also comfortable traveling throughout the province, throughout Italy, and even abroad. I’ve worked on several elopements, and this gives me the experience to bring out the best in the images for this type of wedding. I like being a wedding photographer because I love to tell, from my point of view, the emotions of a unique day full of special moments. Stay close to people, faces, without forced poses, participating in the emotion itself. Marriage is a party, a happy day and as such it must be told with the right amount of emotion and participation. If you are looking for a wedding photographer in Rome, Lazio or throughout Italy, do not hesitate to contact me to arrange a free, no-obligation appointment. We’ll have a nice chat, you’ll get to know me and decide if I’m the right photographer to capture all the emotions of your wedding.
