Anna and Jarrod tied the knot in the historic garden venue, The Darlington House, on a bright springtime Thursday in La Jolla (ahem, Thursday weddings might be our new favorite thing!). Surrounded by their closest family and friends, they said vows in a bright flowery courtyard as the sun began to drop behind the building. Sleepy little butterflies were released as Anna and Jarrod were announced as husband and wife (making for the sweetest of moments and laughter as everyone tried to wake up their butterfly), and guests moved onto cocktail hour while we snuck away for some portraits on the beach.

An elopement, depending on what circle you run in and who you’ve talked to, can have a negative connotation following it around. Even just typing the word into Google get’s you an instance Wikipedia definition at the top using words like “sudden” and “secretive.” But this doesn’t always have to be the case.

In fact, it’s not the case in current trends.

As our cultures expand their mindsets and break free from stifling traditions of the past, things that were once looked down upon are finding their way into a more positive spotlight. Today, elopements can be a beautiful (not to mention budget friendly!) alternative to a traditional wedding. If you follow wedding vendors on social media, or have ever checked a wedding and/or events blog in the past year, chances are you may have seen the breath-taking images: two people, maybe accompanied by an officiant, standing on top of a mountain or in a vast landscape – and nothing or nobody else (ahem; except for that photographer who captured the images, of course). It’s intimate. It’s serene. It’s an elopement.

You put all of this hard work, sweat, and probably a few tears into planning one of the most epic celebrations of your lifetime – you deserve to enjoy it, ammiright?!

In order to avoid the moments of feeling like your wedding is more of a “to do” rather than what it should be (a “want” “joy” “blessing” “pleasure” “celebration” “opportunity” and more), take time to enjoy each aspect of the day, including the cocktail hour!