Here are our Top 10 Elopement Tips
1 – Don’t Just Choose The Cheapest Elopement Package
A big part of choosing elopement is making substantial savings on the cost of a wedding. As discussed in our WhereToElope.com ebook, it is possible to save as much as 90% on the cost of a wedding. However, that does not mean just looking for the cheapest elopement package available! Think about what you want from your wedding and set a budget. You can still save a great deal of money without having to sacrifice some of those options that will make your day special!
2 – Consider Including a Couple of Guests
Lots of people still think of an elopement as two people running off to a secret wedding. However, a growing number of people are including a small number of guests in their elopement. You could ask your parents, your siblings or your closest friends along and that way you still get to share your special day with those closest to you.
3 – Do Not Get Hung Up On Wedding Traditions
Weddings are steeped in traditions, but choosing to elope does not mean having to leave them all behind. Do not get hung up on missing out on traditional aspects like having a bridal shower or choosing a wedding dress. This is your day and you can pick and choose which traditions to include. We have previously discussed choosing elopement attire and there is no reason why you should not get together with friends for a bridal shower just becasue you are eloping. It is also important to think about whether or not you really want one, or if you just feel like you should!
4 – Create Your Own Wedding Style
Once again, let us reiterate that this is YOUR wedding, so do not be afraid to create a wedding style that suits you. Here at WhereToElope.com we have listings for all sorts of weddings and elopements from the stereotypical wedding chapel in Las Vegas to a romantic sunset ceremony on the beach and everything in between. You can create a wedding that suits you – elopements are certainly not cookie cutter affairs!
5 – Arrange a Family Celebration
One of the most difficult aspects of elopement can be telling the family. If your loved ones are upset at not being involved in the wedding, then why not arrange a low key celebration after the wedding? Something like a family BBQ or picnic can be a lovely way to mark the occasion without having to plan a traditional reception!
6 – Decide What You Can or Cannot Compromise on
When it comes to planning your elopement you need to sit down and decide what your wedding must haves are. What is important to you? Do you need to have a wedding cake? Will you feel cheated if you do not have a wedding dress? Is photography important? Once you know what you want you will find it easier to narrow down a short list of elopement packages!
7 – Don’t Expect Everyone to be Excited About The Wedding
One thing that we try to tell all of our brides to bed is that they need to understand that their girlfriends may not be super excited about the wedding and won’t want to spend hours discussing it! This might sound a little selfish, but put yourself in their shoes. Would you want to pore over every detail of a wedding you won’t be invited to? Probably not! One of the reasons for choosing elopement is to avoid the fuss and that means that you cannot expect everyone to catch your wedding fever!
8 – Take Time to Research Your Options
As we have already mentioned, there are thousands of different elopement packages available, so it is important to take some time to research your choices. Once you have an idea of where to elope you are going to need to check out any legal requirements for marrying in that particular location. This is especially important if you are thinking about getting married outside of the USA. It is not always easy to get married in another country, so you will want to make sure that you are well informed. Even withing the United States, some areas will require a waiting period or for you to submit a blood test before they will issue you a marriage license. If you do your research you will not be disappointed.
9 – Enjoy It!
This might seem like a no brainer, but one of the biggest elopement tips that we can offer is to relax and enjoy it! This is one of the most important days of your entire life, so relax and enjoy every minute of it! After all, one of the reasons you are choosing to elope is probably to avoid all of the stress and drama that comes with a big traditional wedding!
10 – Make Sure You Are Committed To Eloping
One of the most important things that you need to remember when you are considering elopement is that you need to be sure that it is what you really want. We believe in complete honesty, and as much as we believe that eloping is the best choice for many couples, we know that it is not without its challenges. Family and friends may not be totally on board, so if you are not 100% certain that elopement is for you then you need to spend some more time thinking about it before making any concrete plans. You and your partner both need to be fully committed to elopement.