What Is Elopement and Is It Right for You?
Did you hear about Jessica Alba’s elopement?
Jessica Alba and her partner Cash Warren didn’t think much about marriage. However, as their family got ready to grow, they had a change of heart. A last-minute elopement took place at the courthouse, where the couple got a chance to commit their lives to each other.
If you’re thinking about it eloping, but aren’t sure if it’s the right choice for you, then you have to read this guide. Your wedding day should be everything you always wanted, even if it’s unconventional. Elopement could be the perfect way to make that happen.
What is elopement, and is it right for you? Read on to find out.
What Is Elopement?
The word elope has had a lot of meaning throughout the years. But what is elopement today? Simply put, it can be whatever your heart desires.
It’s up to you if that wedding will be secretive and take place in a secluded forest. Or perhaps you’ll have an impulsive elopement and hop on a flight to Las Vegas!
For some, it’ll mean that they don’t want to have any type of ceremony, reception, or celebration. Instead, they just want to focus on committing themselves to their one true love.
Everyone gets to decide what type of elopement they like to have. You don’t have to fall into the mold of a traditional elopement where you keep it a secret from everyone you know. Eloping is a unique way of getting married, where you do everything on your own terms.
Why Elope in Today’s World
Why elope? Because it can be a stress-free way to start your marriage.
Seating charts, invitations, securing venues, hiring vendors, the whole process of planning a wedding can be a significant headache. If you want to eliminate all of the stress, elopement might be the right choice for you. Instead of taking on all of the work that a traditional wedding requires, you’ll be able to focus on honoring your love.
Many couples who choose to elope make the decision because they want a wedding that reflects their relationship. They’re looking for an authentic experience that they can take with them year after year.
Instead of focusing on the things they could get on their wedding day, these couples want to focus on each other. If you’re going to show your partner that they’re truly the center of your world, then eloping is something you should consider.
Another reason to elope is if you’re a rule breaker. There are many rules when it comes to conducting a wedding day.
When you elope, you can throw all those rules out the window. It’s up to you how you want to honor your love as a couple.
Get Your Marriage License First
Depending on where you live, you may need to secure your marriage license before you elope. For instance, in Florida, you can elope almost anywhere you’d like as long as you have your marriage license in hand.
However, the permits have to be pulled from county to county and location to location. You can get more info here to plan accordingly.
In some situations, you might not need any witnesses. For instance, if you qualify for a confidential marriage license in California, you won’t need any witness signatures. You’ll be able to elope without anyone but the officiant.
Get Married During an All-Day Affair
We weren’t kidding when we said you could elope any way you want. The sky’s the limit when it comes to creating a special day for your wedding.
Instead of having the wedding only last for a couple of hours, why not make it in all day affair? You could even turn your elopement into a multi-day adventure!
If you and your partner are outdoor enthusiasts, consider renting a Jeep and riding it around through the forest. Then take a trip in a hot air balloon and hop on a boat after that. Pack your day with all sorts of fun outdoor adventures that will bring you closer together.
You could even tour remote areas in a helicopter or explore the depths of a cave. There are so many fun outdoor opportunities for you to check out.
If you have trouble fitting all the activities into one day, turn it into an elopement vacation. You can have one of the days where family members are allowed to join and another day that’s just for you and your partner. You deserve to have the most memorable wedding day or days if that’s what you prefer.
Elopement Mistakes to Avoid
Even though you’re eloping, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be cheap. Plan on creating a sizable budget for your big day. That way, you and your partner will be able to enjoy whatever activities and lodging accommodations you like.
You should also avoid cutting corners for your photographer or videographer. Being able to share photos of your elopement with friends and family, later on, can be so fun. You’ll also enjoy being able to look at the photos in your house every single day!
Don’t skip any wedding details that matter to you. If there’s something that you care about, add it to your elopement plan. Just because it’s not traditional doesn’t mean you can’t do it.
Remember, there are absolutely no rules when it comes to eloping! Talk to your partner and create a clear vision of what your elopement should look like. Then begin setting aside the money to make your special day a reality.
Should You Elope?
What is elopement? Now you know! Instead of worrying about having the perfect venue and food plan, the day can center around love. If you love the idea of a loping, go ahead and start looking at potential locations today.
Decide if you’d like to be outside in nature or relaxed and comfortable at an indoor venue. Since there are no rules to eloping, you can be as creative as you want.
As you work towards creating your special day, we’d love to offer more tips. So see if any of our other posts can answer your questions.