Ten Reasons to Elope
to the Amazing Lake District
Ten reasons why a Lake District elopement might be right for you
Are you engaged to be married but unsure what style of wedding you want? Are you hoping for a relaxed, stress-free wedding in an idyllic setting? Perhaps you still haven’t found that somewhere special where it is private, with exclusive use, and the focus is on the two of you and the love you share.
Why not think about a Lake District Elopement Wedding?
Here are ten reasons to elope to the Lake District – an idyllic destination wedding for just the two of you.
Why Elope?
Traditionally, when we think of eloping, we imagine a bride scrambling from her bedroom window, escaping the family home to elope with her sweetheart in the dead of night.
Modern elopements tend to be less about running away in secret and more about a slimmed-down wedding focused on you as a couple. Many elopements don’t include close family or friends. The emphasis is on a more relaxed, informal, and private wedding, perhaps in a more unusual destination wedding location.
1. Simplicity - It’s more about the TWO of YOU
It’s so easy to get carried away on the ‘wedding train’ and lose focus on why you wanted to get married in the first place. Keeping it simple, it’s more about the love that you hold for each other, and how you want to make those life-affirming commitments.
Elopements, by being smaller and shorter, are more focused on the wedding ceremony itself and the sentiment behind the vows, rather than the party you feel you need to throw to keep your guests entertained. Designed just for yourselves, you can be selfish, indulgent, and exclusive, by not feeling obliged to anyone else.
2. You get to Choose When and Where
You may start with ideas of a destination wedding somewhere special to the two of you, but as the wedding train gathers speed, the needs of your guests become a major consideration. Are they able and willing to make the journey? How will they get there? Where will they stay? Can they get babysitters or time off from school?
This is particularly important if a mid-week wedding is an attractive option for you. Many wedding venues offer generous savings midweek, and dates are more readily available compared to weekends.
Having fewer guests naturally increases your options when finding your perfect wedding venue. Plus, opting for a midweek wedding can save you waiting time and money.
You may like the idea of your wedding as an adventure, and with less strain on your budget, you can splash out and combine your destination wedding with an epic honeymoon.
3. Short on Time Or don't want a long engagement?
Traditionally, elopements were arranged in secret… there’s a lot to be said for this! But if you don’t want to keep it a secret, why wait?
Short notice weddings are popular, and let’s not overcomplicate it – the smaller and simpler the wedding, the easier it is to arrange.
You need a date, the two of you, two witnesses, and a registrar. Legal notices are required, but this can take only 30 days (or less if there are special circumstances).
The Cote How team is more than happy to witness your ceremony – so we’ve got you covered.
Take a look at our “Short Notice Weddings.” Not having to wait months or years to marry each other is up there with our ten reasons to elope!
4. do you want to Minimise Stress?
Beware the experts. It’s great to receive advice, or dos and don’ts – but keep sight of your original vision. They are your wedding dreams, based around your style and budget.
When you announce your engagement, everyone becomes an expert wedding planner, and it’s hard not to be swayed or confused.
Eloping eliminates the obligation often felt in trying to keep everyone appeased. It’s so easy to get caught up in wedding planning hype, but does it matter if your shoes are not quite the right shade of ivory? The more you allow others to influence your thinking, the higher your stress levels will be. A good tip is to sit down and make a list of all the reasons for and against eloping. You can share your list with loved ones once you make your decision. They are more likely to be supportive if they understand your reasoning.
5. Is the guest list getting out of hand?
So many times, I hear from couples who have chosen a guest list and found a venue. Then, they are pressured into accommodating guests they may never have met! I recall one distressed bride exclaiming that she “never even knew he had an Auntie Eileen!”
Distant cousins, work colleagues, and ‘plus ones’ are often the topic of heated debate. A smaller guest list requires a smaller budget, less financial pressure, and possibly no need for additional financial support. This gives you the freedom and flexibility to remain in control.
Only have a guest list if it’s what you want. You can still have your (wedding) cake and eat it by eloping and then having a party with family and friends at a later date. Who doesn’t want to wear their wedding outfit again, and disappointed guests almost always understand your reasons for eloping. Some may appreciate avoiding the cost – being a wedding guest away from home is not cheap!
6. do you have other plans for your budget?
According to Hitched and Bridebook, the average cost of a UK wedding back in 2026 is between £20 and £22K. And the costs keep rising.
Think about the important key elements. Consider ditching the wedding favours, the wedding car, the wedding singer, or the cake of many colours and flavours. There’s no rule to say you have to have them.
However, it’s my advice to have a photographer if your budget allows. Many photographers specialise in elopement wedding photography. The memories they capture are priceless, and a Lake District elopement will have stunning backdrops – whatever the weather!
7. spending more time on everyone ELSE'S needs?
When the menus are sent out to your extensive guest list with the statutory request for any special diets, you may need to brace yourselves. There is an ever-growing list of food allergies and dietary intolerances to accommodate.
This often results in altering your preferred menu choices for other, more suitable options, but not what you would really love to eat on your wedding day. If it’s a compromise too far on your big day, then reconsider a traditional reception.
8. worried about The Politics of the Seating Plan?
The strategic placement of wedding guests is an art form. Formal seating plans with top tables are not for everyone. There’s also no need for a first dance performance or cutting the cake ceremony to please the guests. Elopements, by definition, are for the rule breakers and those who defy tradition, so have some fun and think creatively.
9. Is it really about the wedding, or do you simply want to be married?
Planning a traditional wedding involves tricky decisions, and choosing your entourage isn’t always straightforward. Deciding on outfits to suit everyone is a challenge in itself! When eloping, there’s no need to ‘dress to impress’ – just wow yourselves and each other! With a big wedding reception, before you know it, there are several speeches, interactive quizzes, and embarrassing slideshows to contend with. Keeping things simple and eloping can be appealing if you’re starting to feel overwhelmed.
10. Friends and Family Elopements
A modern elopement means you don’t have to run away in secret, although it can keep wedding stress in check!
But if you can’t contemplate your wedding without special people being present, consider a small, intimate celebration instead – 10 rather than 100 is less daunting.
Having considered all ten reasons to elope, if it still feels like a step too far, why not consider our smaller, more intimate weddings Or, if eloping sounds like the answer to your wedding prayers, read up on our Elopement Wedding Options
Thank you
Thank you to all our fabulous elopement photographers for sharing their Cote How elopement wedding portraits, including Tiree Dawson, Jenna Carpenter, Simon Hughes, Chris Freer and Jo Greenfield. To find out more about the practicalities of planning a wedding in the Lake District, contact the Westmorland and Furness Registrar Team for details. If you’d like our help, we’d love to chat – click the link below to get in touch. When you’re convinced eloping is right for you, but still need to ask the all-important question, the Lake District is definitely a romantic place to propose!
If you have enjoyed this blog check out our Lake District Elopement Wedding Packages here
And how easy it is to plan your wedding here at Cote How wedding with Caroline
