Have you considered eloping?
I’m here to tell you that more and more couples are eloping these days-and loving it! I’m going to tell you about some of the advantages of eloping over the traditional wedding….and let you make the decision! While you’re making plans to spend the rest of your lives together, don’t let the wedding get in the way.
There is absolutely no shame in eloping, or even thinking about eloping! Couples today are incredibly independent. In many ways couples are looking for a non-traditional way to marry. No longer tied to many of the traditions that are outdated, eloping has become one of the most popular ways to tie the knot. The advantages of choosing eloping over a traditional wedding are many. Eloping is an adventure, whereas a traditional wedding can quickly become a stress filled, out of control event. Eloping can be a spontaneous, very romantic decision. Think of the time and stress you’ll save yourself. You won’t need months of planning, or even a wedding planner when you elope. There are many services that specialize in elopements and small weddings set in the most beautiful of locations. A quick check online under elopement packages, beach wedding elopements and you could be set. Think about how you can combine a wedding, a honeymoon and a fabulous vacation all at once.
For example, destination weddings on beaches are beautiful, simple and truly give you a day to remember. When you elope, making your commitment to each other official can be a lot more fun than you might think. Again, it’s so very easy to combine the marriage ceremony with a beautiful destination and honeymoon. Avoiding the staggering costs of a chapel, church, reception site and the stress of it all.
Planning an elopement can be really very simple, you need an officiant, he or she, is a person allowed by law to marry you. A marriage license and usually a witness. Many elopement packages can provide the little extras- such as flower petals for the sand if you choose to have a beach wedding, a bridal bouquet and photography.
The planning of a traditional wedding, it can quickly become so complicated you need to hire a wedding planner just to navigate the process and a bank loan to finance it. Perhaps the traditional wedding comes about as a result of a couples parent’s wishes. Independent couples, or couples who are marrying for a second time won’t have to factor this into their decision making process. They may find the idea of a no fuss elopement very enticing! It’s a practical, affordable, and relaxing way to wed these days. In short, when you elope, you make all the decisions, not your parents, not your friends…or your children, your guest list is your own. As small as you wish. Couples today can decide that paying for an elopement package makes complete sense to them. A little more fancy than the court house, without the cost… it makes great financial sense. With the current economy, many couples opt out of the traditional wedding and the debt they may be saddled with for years.
Many of the beach elopement packages can be purchased for the price of a nice wedding gown or the amount that you might spend on floral arrangements for a church. If you elope, just think about what you can do with the money you have left over- purchase a nice car, a fancy honeymoon or maybe a down payment on your first home together!
So once you’ve made the decision to tie the knot, consider eloping, it’s really a wonderful, fun, low stress alternative. If you want a terrific destination elopement to begin your life together, think about a destination beach wedding. You’ll be able to spend a fund day on the beach with the one you love… know that you’ll be creating a celebration you’ll always cherish!
Make a Wedding Plan
Immediately Upon Engagement Decide on a Wedding Date
There are people you really want at your wedding. Give them as much notice as possible that they should set aside the date for you. If the wedding will involve travel and an over-night stay for guests, it’s important to let them know that as soon as possible. It will be helpful for you to get early feedback on who may not be able to attend the wedding.
Set your budget
Your budget is the single biggest wedding decision to make after the decision to get married itself. Consider the range of projects you need or want to take on during your first year of marriage: honeymoon, buy a house, start a family, start or continue post-secondary education, buy a car, travel. Calculate the cost of these projects. The wedding costs will compete with these other projects. Calculate the money you will have from all sources for the wedding and your other projects. This will help establish the maximum amount of money you can spend on the wedding. From this calculation, all other spending decisions about the wedding will follow. It’s a terrible idea to borrow any money from any source for your wedding.
Select your bridal party.
There are hundreds of details involved in planning the wedding and in getting through the wedding day.Your bridal party can be a huge help in handling these. Everything from RSVP tracking to picking up the flowers can and should be delegated. Can every member of the bridal party afford a bridesmaid’s dress or a tuxedo? Is every member of the bridal party physically fit and mature enough to shoulder the responsibilities involved? Be objective.
Choose your theme. [modern, vintage, classic, rural, contemporary, etc.]
It’s your wedding. Within reason and the bounds of good taste you should have what you want regardless of who will pay some of the expenses. Have faith in your own judgment and taste.
First Review & Planning Session
All the above should happen almost immediately. Once you square away these 4 foundations of your wedding, what follows are estimated time frames for everything to follow. Buy a binder, a hole punch and index tabs to collect & organize these details. Start a spread sheet to track all expenses. This is your wedding plan. Check it & update it often.
