Why Not Just Elope?

It kills me that the average cost of a SoCal wedding is $20k...... WTF? I mean yes, I want a nice wedding, and yes I want to spend some money on my reception, but not a down payment worth of money that I could put down on a house in a semi- good neighborhood here in central coast.

We been engaged 4 months and I've already spent 2k in deposits and those were for the ceremony site and venue. We have come up with a 12k budget that I hope to stick with. But after browsing through countless websites and blogs where people are dropping benjamins like crazy for their one day in this craptastic economy I wonder to myself why not elope? It would be so much easier and most definitely cheaper.

Vendor Rates I've been Quoted:
Ceremony: $250- $4500
Reception Venue: $2500-$12,000
Rentals: $1275
Officiant: Free - $150- $500
Caterer $3000- $17,000
Cake: $275- $850
Photographer: Free- $8000
Florist: $1500- $4500
Wedding Planner: Various prices but as low as $350

Some of these vendors I definitely had to laugh at. Are you fracking serious about charging me $4000 for some freaking chicken? GTFOH! Yeah, If I could I would elope, but for those who can with those prices above being thrown out there..... Why not?