What is a hybrid elopement?

The wedding world is changing.

More and more people are choosing to elope, and intimate weddings are becoming super popular too. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I support whatever path you and bae choose. But if you’re torn between eloping on your own and planning a celebration with friends and family present, let me throw another option into the mix – a hybrid elopement.

What is a hybrid elopement?

First things first – what is a hybrid elopement? I’m not really sure if this is an actual term or just a Kenzie term, but I’m going to be like Gretchen in Mean Girls and make it happen. A hybrid elopement is having a two-part celebration to get the best of both worlds when getting married. Or at least that’s how I describe it to my couples. Choosing between an elopement alone or a wedding with family and friends can be freakin hard. I get it. Your friends and family are allowed to be important to you, which is why hybrid elopements are *chef’s kiss*.

Maybe you want your two-part celebration to happen all in one day – cool, let’s do it! Or maybe you want some breathing room in between and your two parts are going to be days or months apart – sick, I’m on board! Whatever you decide, a hybrid elopement can make your day exactly the way you want it.

How does a hybrid elopement work?

Again, it’s all about what you and bae want and what’s important to you. With my couples, I’ve seen hybrid elopements play out in a couple different ways.

If you’re doing an out-of-state elopement and bringing friends and family with you, it may work best for everyone’s schedules to have a hybrid elopement in one day. Realistically, this would be having a small, intimate ceremony with your loved ones, saying vows, sealing it with a kiss, and then going off on your own for some intentional time, just the two of you. Maybe we escape into the mountains for more private, personal versions of your vows. Or maybe we go get Taco Bell and take fun pictures with your Crunchwrap. Maybe you go back to a private Airbnb and celebrate with yummy dessert or hot tub hangs. It can be whatever you want, but it all happens on the same day.

If that sounds like too much for one day, we can plan something more spaced out. I’ve had couples fly out to Colorado with their friends and family for a simple ceremony and to share vows in front of the people who mean the most to them. Then later that same day, they all celebrate together with a catered meal or go out to a nice restaurant (I’ve got great recs for both, bestie). While spending all that time with friends and fam, I still make sure my couples have intentional time alone too, whether it’s getting ready in the same space or sneaking away for some photos. Once their family celebration day is over, the next day, or even the next month, it will just be me, you, and bae for your private elopement. The best of both worlds!

Why should I have a hybrid elopement?

You should have a hybrid elopement if:

You want to honor your family, but also want your own adventure

You value your intimate time together, but can’t picture getting married without your parents there

You’re torn between an elopement vs. a wedding

Can you elope and have a wedding? The answer is yes – it’s a hybrid elopement. Remember, getting married to the person who will be your bestie for life is a big decision. It’s YOUR decision. So do it how you want to do it. I’ll be there to capture the memories. It may seem like a super simple concept, but it’s not something I hear much about in the elopement industry. So let me shout it from the rooftops.