Issue 50

FUNCTION VENUES
is that the couples will be choosing
for themselves rather than thinking
of looking after their guests. Couples
planning to elope will often still
have significant budgets. This is
an important day and they want it
to be memorable. What they save
on catering for a large crowd they
may choose to spend on making
their elopement an extra special
experience just for them.
For seasoned wedding planners,
elopements delight us. Keeping
a small group of guests very
happy is far easier than managing
the experience of a large group.
You become more of a personal
butler rather than a maître d’.
Your attention will be absolutely
focused on the couple’s needs
without the distraction of their
family and friends. Time becomes
less pressured. Less guests means
more time for degustation, time for
a memorable experience, time for
the photographer to capture those
intimate moments, time with each
other. Small weddings also mean
no unruly partygoers at the end of
the evening reluctant to go home to
their beds.
ELOPEMENT DESTINATIONS
Elopements may mean travel
further afield. Couples will likely
be looking for destination venues
that can offer escapism away from
their everyday lives, where they
can extend their wedding into a
minimoon. Intimate venues that
can offer accommodation for an
extended stay in a destination which
offers other nearby attractions
are popular with eloping couples.
This also creates an opportunity
for repeat business for venues as
couples are more likely to revisit
their elopement destination on
their anniversary to remember their
wedding day.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR VENUES
I have spoken to venue owners who
view elopements as less financially
rewarding. Of course they do
need a different pricing strategy
to larger weddings however there
are still financial opportunities for
venues that can attract elopement
weddings.
Elopements are more likely
to happen on weekdays and
in low season, which are often
times harder to sell for larger
weddings. They are also likely to
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have shorter lead times. With less
financial pressure, less guests to
accommodate and less to plan,
couples can be more spontaneous.
With less time to plan, couples
may be looking for exciting venue
elopement packages that offer all
the essential elements needed for
their wedding but perhaps with
the flexibility to add a few of their
own personal touches. An outdoor
wedding ceremony followed by a
fine dining experience in a dramatic
setting. A photographer on hand to
capture all those intimate moments,
a stunning bouquet and buttonhole
to complement the couple’s outfits,
flowers for the dining table, live
music for the first dance and a cake
to cut. Work with hand-picked
suppliers who you know and trust
to pull out all the stops to make the
experience extra special.
Upsell additional adventurous
experiences that add value to the
elopement and revenue for you.
A morning surf, a mountain walk,
a river swim or a moorland horse
ride. Animal lovers love a furry or
feathery encounter. Foodies might
like to watch their banquet being
prepared by a top-class chef. Drink
connoisseurs might enjoy a cocktail
masterclass. On-site or nearby
overnight accommodation for the
happy couple is also ideal. Think a
well-appointed honeymoon suite
with breakfast in bed, an exceptional
“UPSELL ADDITIONAL ADVENTUROUS
EXPERIENCES THAT ADD VALUE TO THE
ELOPEMENT AND REVENUE FOR YOU. A
MORNING SURF, A MOUNTAIN WALK, A
RIVER SWIM OR A MOORLAND
HORSE RIDE”
glamping experience or luxury
transport to a local boutique hotel.
SUSTAINABLE ELOPEMENTS
Of course smaller means greener
too. Less consumption of food,
energy and materials makes for
a much more affordable and
sustainable wedding and something
which educated couples are
becoming increasingly mindful
of when planning. Elopement
weddings are therefore definitely
something to be considered by all
venue owners when planning their
future business strategy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Charlotte Winship has over 20 years’ experience
transforming good wedding and events venues
into great ones. She is an expert in helping
venues reach their ideal customers, maximise
sales opportunities, increase profitability,
establish effective teams and streamline
venue operations. 07493 350303 / charlotte@
charlottewinship.com / www.charlottewinship.com
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