Wedding vs Eloping: Pros and Cons

Ouijoliebride • July 18, 2023

You and your fiancé are ready to get married but don’t know what to do for the ceremony. There are so many options these days and all have pros and cons. Wedding ceremonies are the most traditional of them all but elopement has become very popular in the last few years. How can you know which is right for you? In today’s post we’ll go over the pros and cons of each so you can choose what’s best for the big day.

Ah the excitement has arrived, it’s time to get married to the love of your life. While the engagement is such an intimate and special time, the most special part of this all is the day you two join together and say “I do”. Without a doubt, this is the most memorable day of both of your lives and you guys want to make sure it’s exactly what y’all ever dreamed of…and more! 

Don’t forget this is a special today to honor the love between the two of you. If you are wanting something untraditional such as an elopement, that is totally ok. A lot of people live off of tradition and will say anything other than your “traditional” wedding is not right or ideal. I’m here to reassure you, this is your day, don’t let the opinion of others sway you in one direction if you don’t feel a peace about it. Choose what’s best for you two and know it will be great. This is one day you get to choose every detail for and you will be able to look back knowing it was perfect!

Elopement Pros and Cons

Elopement is a ceremony planned in a sudden and secretive way at a specific location. Many choose to elope in a different state with only a few family members and close friends. Truly the couple’s favorite people, making the guest count fairly small. While other couples choose to travel and get married alone in a breathtaking place. Eloping makes for a more intimate wedding. Most will chose this route if they don’t like being the center of attention, want a small budget, want to get married soon , or just simply like the simplicity. 

Pros of Elopement:

Fewer Guests

This isn’t always the case with eloping but most of the time it is. Eloping is very intimate and the couple usually likes to keep the guest list very small. In return, it ends up costing way less to have a smaller amount of guests. This is a pro for those who don’t like the idea of a big wedding. Maybe the bride and groom are more private and like to keep things small. Or it was simply a last minute thing and they only had time to invite a few people. 

Very Cost Effective

Eloping allows for a pretty affordable budget. This is a great way to save a lot of money, most elopements cost anywhere from $600-$900. We know that is not the case with your average cost of a wedding, those can cost up to $33k! The exact cost will also depend on if you have more of a destination wedding or maybe more of an adventurous elopement. The biggest difference in the two is the amount of guest and where you would get married at. If at a venue, of course it will cost more. If you get married at a random location outside, like some choose national parks, then you may save some cash!

Flexibility 

While planning an elopement wedding you have so much flexibility. You can choose to have an intimate elopement, destination elopement, or elope with friends and family. Many elopements involve the couple getting married alone and the couple being celebrated with a reception upon them arriving back home. This allows for so much flexibly. With a traditional wedding, you pretty much already have everything set and nothing can change since you have to book vendors, venues, etc. a while before the big day. A couple that chooses to elope can plan it within 15-30 days. It allows for a lot of wiggle room to choose what you want to do. Pretty wild!

Cons Of Eloping 

Missing Family & Friends 

Some couples like the idea of eloping for the different scenery because there are so many beautiful places to get married. However, they dislike the idea that not every single family member or friend may be able tom make it. This is a big turning point on whether or not a couple will elope. Those who have a large number of close family and friends find it easier to plan a traditional wedding in their home town.

Hurt Feelings

Not that it’s about others, but we all know everyone has that one aunt or uncle who would truly be hurt if you eloped. Sometimes when couples choose to elope it can cause unwanted family drama, unfortunately. A lot of the time, this is why couples will elope without telling friends and family. They share the intimate ceremony together and tell everyone once they arrive home. It saves a lot of second guessing and your family would have no choice but to be happy at that point! When you elope, you really get to make your own rules, which is nice. 

Not Familiar with Vendors

This can be a problem but thankfully now a day you can easily find good vendors online. It is hard eloping with the unknown though. Reviews for an elopement photographer for instance can be phenomenal but you won’t truly know until you meet them in person and see their work. The experience with the photographer and other vendors are just as important as the work they do. It can get tricky trying to book with people you don’t know!

Pros and Cons of Traditional Weddings

Pros of traditional wedding:

It’s Traditional

Yes, I know state the obvious, but many couples love tradition. Not only that, but family and guests also enjoy a large traditional wedding as well. It takes away the surprise factor and gives everyone a peace of mind knowing this is your traditional wedding day. Eloping has become more common over the past 10 years or so but for the most part traditional weddings have been going on for years! Many couples also find they love celebrating classic wedding traditions (engagement shower, bridal brunches, dinner rehearsal, reception etc.).

Large guest count

With a traditional wedding you can have a fairly large wedding, depending on your budget of course. Down here in the south, people love large gatherings especially for weddings. Doing a traditional wedding in your local hometown allows for a wide number of people. 

You’re Familiar with Vendors

Planning a traditional wedding, you’ll know the scoop on all of the local vendors. Wedding photographer, wedding planner, dj, wedding venues, and everything else in between. You more than likely heard of these vendors through friends or family members who got married in the past. 

Cons of Traditional Wedding

Usually a higher budget 

Typically when you choose a traditional wedding you will spend more money than you anticipated. The average cost of a wedding for 2023 is $29k, yes you read that correctly! It is possible to have a smaller budget but you may find it difficult to get all of the things you hoped for with your traditional wedding. With an elopement there are a lot of factors you don’t have to worry about. Traditional elements such as, dj, reception costs, wedding party cost, cocktail hour costs, party favors, etc. 

Guest feeling left out if they aren’t invited

This is a con for both eloping and having a traditional wedding ceremony. No matter what, there will always be someone who feels like they should have been invited. Maybe your traditional wedding was kept small for budget reasons or you just prefer a smaller wedding. Have a wedding in town automatically makes people think they are invited. This should pursued your decision though, this is you and your fiancé’s day invite who you want and don’t stress it!

Big Production 

Planning a traditional wedding can be a huge production. The planning process itself can get stressful at times because there are so many things to schedule and choose from. This may be the perfect time to think about hiring a wedding planner if you feel the planning is getting too stressful to handle. They will make sure the whole experience is stress free so that you can enjoy your amazing day. 

Choosing What’s Best For You

Ultimately, the decision is between you and your fiancé’. It’s y’alls big day and you get to decide exactly what you two want. There are so many differences in the two but truly it’s about you getting married and sharing your love for one another on the big day. Remember, this is the one day you can’t re-do, choose what you are most comfortable with and have fun. Lots of couples choose to do things differently, and that’s ok. Many like tradition and that’s ok too! It will be the best day of your entire life, enjoy the planning process and your special day. 

From all of here at Oui Jolie Bride, congratulations! Let us know in the comments below which you prefer, traditntal wedding or elopement? 

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White magnolia flower with text
September 2, 2025
Welcome to Oui Jolie Bride! We are located in a small but quaint French town known as Broussard, Louisiana. At Oui Jolie Bride (yes, pretty bride) we are dedicated to sharing our French charm and southern hospitality during your stay. It is our goal that you come and feel at home while saying Jai dit oui (I said yes) to your dream dress. Broussard is a tiny town but don’t let that fool you. We can promise there are many beautiful places to visit and see during your time here with us! If you know anything about Louisiana, it’s that we have phenomenal food, character, and good times. We hold nothing back when it comes to cajun cooking with our gumbo, jambalaya, boiled crawfish, étouffée, and so much more. During your stay here you can expect to go home full, maybe a little too full but totally worth it! There are so many interesting places, historic homes, local artists, and family fun tours in southern Louisiana. We promise you will have the best time exploring the natural beauty of the boot state. Depending on the time of the year that you come, there is always something to do here. During Feb or beginning of March we have Mardi Gras parades, which is what we are most known for. Usually in April we have festival international where people travel from around the world/country to come experience our culture and many others at the same time. In December Acadiana Village has a beautiful light display with old acadian style home, rides, live music, and food. Thankfully, if you come any other times of the year, there’s always beautiful sites to see and wonderful places to visit. Places to Visit in Louisiana near Broussard Louisiana Since we are in the small town of Broussard, some of the places listed below may be a bit of a drive. We recommend scheduling your reservation with us and planning out your days according to which sites you would like to visit the most! This can either be a great day trip or you can turn it into a weekend getaway. Downtown Lafayette Located 20 minutes away from Oui Jolie bride in the city of Lafayette. The downtown area offers many unique restraints and coffee shops. Our favorite coffee shop downtown is Reve, it’s locally owned and they harvest/roast their own coffee. Acadian Village Located 30-45 minutes away from our boutique, a little hidden gem awaits. During your time at Acadian Village you will get to experience what it was like in the 19th century cajun village. There is also a Native American museum for your viewing. Truly a great place to learn about cajun culture. Vermillion Ville 30 minutes away. Very similar to Acadian village but will a little more to see and do. You can enjoy true cajun cooking and experience beautiful vintage 18th century acadian homes just like they were back then. The staff dresses for the experience as well and demonstrates how people lived during the 18th century in South Louisiana. It’s the perfect place to experience Louisiana’s culture and food. Cajun Food Tours 30 minutes away. Explore some of the best restaurants Lafayette has to offer by taking a food tour ! This will ensure a great time and a full belly. Lafayette Farmers market Available every Saturday with local farmers and businesses who share their talents and handmade goods. A community and time like no other, you will also want to visit the brand new city park. Moncus park is located on the same grounds as our farmer’s market and is absolutely beautiful. This makes for one of the best day trips. Hillard Museum Located on University of Lafayette Louisiana’s campus. This beautiful home is an art museum that houses unique art from locals and all around the country. New Orleans 2-3 hours away- New Orleans AKA big easy is a big trip since it is a little further away. We do think you will enjoy the scenic ride there exploring swamp land. This is usually the most favorite day trips people from far look forward to. There’s a lot to see and do in New Orleans. It’s a place like no other with beignets at Cafe’ Du Monde, cajun cooking, and trolly rides to tour the city. The French quarter is one of the most popular places in New Orleans with historical sites and gift shops. New Orleans also has a fantastic national World War II museum if history is your thing and it’s great for the whole family. Honey Island Swamp Tour Located in Slidell, La near New Orleans. Take a ride on gator territory in a flat bottom boat. You’ll hear all about the swamp and learn about its natural inhabitants from expert captains and tour guides. You’ll get to see many of the wildlife reptiles and birds South Louisiana has to offer. Alligators, great blue heron, cranes, brown pelicans and so much more. They offer VIP tours, daily tours, and kayak swap tours. One of the most popular sites for New Orleans day trips. Whitney Plantation If history is your thing, this is the museum to visit. Located in Edgar, La and full of historical information about slavery in southeast Louisiana from 1752-1975. This historic plantation is housed on beautiful historic grounds where you get to take a self guided tour with and audio tour. This museum has historic structures that take you back in time and are truly breathtaking. Bogue Chitto State Park Located in Franklinton, La- If you are a nature lover and enjoy visiting state parks, this one is for you. Bogue Chitto is a beautiful state park located in South Louisiana with small streams, rolling landscapes, and upland forests. This beautiful state park has a beautiful nature trail and offers horse riding, mountain biking, camping, fishing, and hiking. There’s also the option to go tubing, kayaking, and canoeing in the river. Louisiana Cajun Mansion Bed Located in Youngsville 15 minutes away- Located in the middle of Cajun Country this bed and breakfast is the perfect getaway spot. If you’re not a hotel person, this is the place to stay. You’ll experience Louisiana and southern hospitality like it should be. The property is gated so you can feel secure during your stay at cajun mansion bed. These are few of the many wonderful places and attractions you can visit during your time here. If you have any questions or may be looking to do something specific, please reach out to us 337-330-2424. We are glad to help you plan your stay with us. Oui Jolie Bride’s team cannot wait to you and your family as you can find the dress of your dreams and enjoy an experience like no other.
Woman in strapless, embellished gown with tiara, posing in a grand, light-filled hall.
September 2, 2025
Every bride has a style when it comes to their wedding dress. When referring to a boho bride we like to think of them as care-free, easy going, with a unique personality, and truly a natural beauty. If this sounds like you, stick around because we have some gorgeous boho gowns you will love! One of the best parts about owning a bridal boutique is meeting all of our amazing brides. We’ve been in the bridal industry for over 25 years and each bride is so unique and lovely in their own way. We have fostered some beautiful friendships through helping brides find their perfect dress. During the process of helping our brides, we get to know the style of the bride. Boho has been an increasingly popular style over the last 5 years and it’s neat to see how this style has evolved. What Makes A Wedding Dress Boho? Many boho brides love the bohemian romance and the unique style of these dresses. Most will have very unique & bold lace, illusion necklines, bell sleeves, floral details, puff sleeves, and most importantly a comfortable fit. This effortless gown style is usually perfect for a beach wedding, romantic elopements, and any outdoor wedding really. Of course, this dress style can be worn for inside ceremonies as well. Most brides wear their boho style dress barefoot, with cowboy boots, or with strappy sandals. To top off the look brides will usually add either flower crowns, dramatic sleeves, or intricate embroidery. There are many variations to a boho style wedding gown and we will go over the differences below. It’s usually fairly easy to tell the difference between a traditional wedding gown vs. a boho style dress. Who Are Boho Wedding Dresses For? If you are a bride who tends to go barefoot any chance you get, pretty easy going, love adventure, love being outside, or tend to do your own thing rather than following tradition. It sounds like boho may be your style. Not always of course, we understand it’s difficult to put one person into one category since every personality is so unique. We have just seen a more adventurous bride gravitate towards a bohemian style dress. It’s usually the perfect match to go with their personal style for the special day. If that personality doesn’t match you and you love the bohemian look, that’s ok too! We are here for any and all types of bridal styles. Whatever makes you feel most confident and beautiful on your wedding day is what we go for when helping our brides. Boho Wedding Dress Styles Boho Wedding Dress Sleeve Styles In terms on sleeves on a boho styled wedding dress, there are several options. Some will have delicate flutter sleeves while others will have dramatic sleeves. This all depends on the unique style of the bride. Some other options would be: sheer long sleeves, bell sleeves, and puff sleeves. While most have sleeves there are boho style dresses that don’t have sleeves. So if a strapless dress is your style, boho is not out of the picture for you yet. The neat thing with boho styled dresses is that they vary and there are so many variations. Boho Wedding Dress Neckline Styles When talking about the neckline it really can vary. Most will have illusion necklines, subtle v neck, deep v, and even sweetheart. Most necklines will have unique scalloped edging or delicate lace details along the edges. Some bohemian style dresses will be completely free of lace and tend to be more minimalistic. That tends to be for a modern bride who loves the bohemian look without the floral lace. Boho Wedding Dress Fit Typically most boho style dresses will have flowy silhouettes, frothy skirts, flowing skirts or an A-line silhouette. Some may even lean more towards a dramatic mermaid fit. This is all dependent on what the bride likes and what her body type is. The perfect way to find your right fit is by trying on the many different style boho dresses that are out there. When talking about the dress style, bohemian wedding gowns usually have low cut open backs, soft fabrics, a comfortable cut, and simple silhouettes Designer Wedding Dresses That Are Boho Style The designer’s and dresses listed below can all be found in our bridal boutique, Oui Jolie Bride . Where we cater to brides who have a budget from $2,500-$12,000 and desire to have a unique designer wedding dress. We have carefully selected our designers based off of the quality and uniqueness of their gowns. We are proud to share our collection with you and would love to help you choose your dream dress for your special day. Pronovias Privée – Lucrezia This beautiful strapless wedding gown offers a unique boho style with so many gorgeous details by designer Pronovias. A semi-cathedral train, rich embellishment, and a floral embroidery design to compliment any boho bride. This dress is one of a kind and will compliment your dream day. Adi Shlomo – Gia We love how customizable Adi’s handmade wedding dresses are. This gown is from Adi Shlomo’s floral collection and can have a flare skirt (shown in the picture) or a more fitted skirt if that’s your style. Sleeves for this dress can either be worn or taken off easily. Depending on which boho look you are going for on your wedding day. Truly a unique and beautiful gown as the sleeves are removable too. Calla Blanche- This Calla Blanche gown is on the fitted boho side of the spectrum and is absolutely breathtaking. We love the fine details and how it will hug your curves in all of the right places. With a deep “v” neckline and corset bodice, you will wow your husband. The puffed, removable sleeves add a special touch to this gorgeous gown as well. Do you have a favorite designer? We’d love to hear which designer you love the most!