Ten Tips for Planning the Perfect Elopement
Couples often tell me that they started to plan a big traditional wedding at home, but soon realized that it was not for them. For some couples, they did not want to spend all of their time making wedding plans while others were not interested in spending a lot of money on what seemed like just a big party. Others just decided that they wanted to do something special and unique to mark their wedding day. If this sounds like you, then check out my top ten tips and suggestions on what steps to take to have a perfect elopement, whether you choose to hold it in Central Park or at one of the other fantastic locations listed here at WheretoElope.com.
- Set a budget. Many couples choose to elope in order to save money. If this is one of the reasons that you are considering an elopement, then budget the costs in advance and be careful not to spend too much otherwise you may very well defeat the object of eloping.
- Think about yourself on your wedding day. After getting engaged, many people rush into wedding planning, ticking off all the boxes of things that most people do. Stop for a moment and think about how it will be on your wedding day and how you will feel. Be sure that you are planning the day that suits you and your partner.
- Choose the right location. Sit down with your partner and discuss all the places you might like to have your wedding. Think about the weather, the hotels, restaurants and other tourist attractions in each location. Consider if you want to have a vacation at the same time. Many couples combine an elopement and a honeymoon into an elopacation.
- Do something memorable on the day. If it is just the two of you in a fantastic new place then why not make the most of it and do something truly memorable on your wedding day? Some of the couples I have worked with in New York have taken a helicopter flight, or a cruise around the island of Manhattan, gone to the top of the Empire State Building, or just splurged on a really special restaurant.
- Talk to your friends and family about your reasons for eloping. The main reason that couples give for not eloping to get married is they are worried about what their friends and family might think. Your wedding day is about the two of you, so if an elopement is what you really want to do, then do it, but be prepared to discuss your choices with the people who matter to you.
- Keep the traditions you like. Think about what wedding traditions you want to keep in, and which to throw out. It is your wedding day, and by eloping you can ignore all that wedding stuff you don’t like so much and make a big deal of the stuff you do like.
- Borrow some local traditions. If you have chosen a foreign country for your wedding day, then find out what wedding traditions they observe there and maybe incorporate a few of them in your ceremony. It will make the day more unique to you and your choice of location.
- Make sure you have a great photographer. If you have no guests, then this is the best way for you to relive your memories. Even if you don’t feel that you need an audience for your ceremony, it will be nice to share the memories of the day with others with pictures.
- Consider having a party when you get home. This way you get the best of both worlds – a private ceremony with just the two of you in a location of your choice and you also get to celebrate your union with your loved ones.
- Relax. That’s the whole point of eloping, right? So, chill out and enjoy your special day.
This guest blog was contributed by Claire Ady of WedInCentralPark.com. For more information on planning your own Central Park Wedding, visit her website, or “like” them on Facebook for photos and more inspiring stories of couples marrying in Central Park New York City.
By Claire Ady, Central Park Wedding Planner