Wedding Traditions to Include in Your Elopement Planning
If you are like so many other brides this year who were originally planning a big, traditional wedding but are now switching to elopement planning, you may feel a little sad. Maybe you feel like you are going to have to miss out on all of those traditions people get excited about. If this sounds familiar then I have some excellent news for you! Eloping does not mean having to miss out on anything. This is still your wedding and you can have it your way! Let’s take a look at some of the wedding traditions that will easily carry over to your elopement planning!
1 – Exchanging Vows
For some reason, one of the things that often surprises those new to elopement planning is that you can still exchange personalized vows! If you opt for a courthouse or city hall elopement, then the judge will have a standard set of vows to legalize your marriage, but that doesn’t mean you cannot also ask to exchange your own vows. If you are using an officiant who will come to your venue, or who works in the venue then the same applies. They likely have a bank of vows to pull from, but most will be happy to include your own personalized elements to help make your ceremony unique to you. It is just a case of speaking to your judge or officiant ahead of time during your elopement planning.
2 – Walking Down The Aisle
For many brides, the big entrance is one of the most important elements of the wedding. Choosing to elope doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to miss out on this tradition. Like the vows, this all comes down to good communication with your vendor during your elopement planning. Ask your venue if there is a way to create an aisle for you to walk down. If there isn’t, think about alternative options such as entering the room or space with a special song playing. Modern elopements often include a small number of guests so you can still uphold the tradition of a father figure ‘giving away’ the bride as well if that is something that is important to you.
3 – The First Dance
Just because you only have a handful of guests in attendance doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the first dance! Even if you elope with just the two of you you can still plan the first dance. All you need is a relatively flat surface and a smartphone to play your favorite song! Someone from the venue may even film the moment for you if you ask!