Given the high cost of a wedding and the pressure to follow the latest wedding trends and traditions this might be an option worth considering.
There are heaps of pros and cons to eloping for your wedding, make sure that you consider all of these before making your decision.
Reasons to Elope
Save Money - The cost of organising a wedding can be astronomical if you are not careful with your planning where as the price of ‘running away’ will more than likely save you thousands of dollars!
Stress Free - Some brides will thrive under the pressures and excitement of planning a wedding, however, there are those that would prefer to avoid the months of preparations and organising the fine details.
Estranged Family – It can be difficult arranging a guest list or planning your seating arrangements if the bride or groom’s parents are divorced or separated or even if you have family members that are unable to be around each other. If you are looking to avoid family arguments and awkward moments the eloping might be the best option.
For The Fun – There is certainly something spontaneous and thrilling about running away to get married, whether it be to the local town hall or as far as Las Vegas, you can’t get any more romantic than just the two of you!
The After Party – Some may choose to elope and have a secluded wedding, but on their return can have a casual party or BBQ to celebrate with their family and friends, that way they get the best of both worlds.
Reasons Not to Elope
Family & Friends – one of the biggest reasons not to elope would be for your closest family and friends, it would be a shame to miss out on the wedding celebration and some will be sad that they didn’t get to share this occasion with you!
Parents – there is something very special about a father giving his daughter away and walking her down the aisle. Plus a mother’s joy of seeing her son or daughter marry can be priceless! It may also be considered poor show to elope if the parents are disapproving of the marriage, at least with them present they can begin to be accepting.
Wedding Dreams – It may be the dream of the bride or groom to have a traditional wedding and perhaps one would sacrifice this for the other. Ideally not the best way to begin a marriage, may a compromise of a small wedding should be considered.
Reunion – Weddings are the perfect excuse for families to reunite and come together, if you elope then you may be missing a golden opportunity to bring people to the same place to reconnect.
Picture Perfect Memories – When you look back on your wedding day and through your photograph album you may think it a shame if you do not have any family and friends around you?!
Decision Made
If you do decide to go for it and elope, be sure to not act too hastily – even though this way will be much simpler it may take a little bit of planning too. Think about where and when you will get married, if you are going abroad consider local marriage laws and restrictions before just hopping on a plane.
Who will you invite?
Unless you want to be completely alone, you might like to think about inviting a few guests - perhaps just the Best Man and Maid of Honor, or only your parents. Some destination wedding packages may have restrictions on the number of guests you are allowed to bring with you. Of course you don't have to invite anyone; and most venues or town halls will provide a witness for your marriage.
Destination Weddings are becoming increasingly popular, whether you plan to go overseas or interstate it can still take a lot of organisation, not only for the couple and the wedding day itself but in making it fabulous for the guests that have gone that extra mile to share in your special day!
Once the location and details have been finalised, there may be some finishing touches that you will need to take with you. Depending on the formality of your big day, you may have seating arrangements to think about, with place name cards, wedding favors and bonbonniere gifts to consider – after all, your guests have gone a long way to celebrate with you.
Choose items for your thank you gifts that are small and easy to transport, that way you don’t have to sacrifice the extra kilos and room in your suitcase. Some lightweight ideas to consider would be magnets, coasters, stubby holders and koozies, all items that you can personalise and double up as place name cards.
Top ten destination suggestions for your wedding getaway, within Australia:
- Hayman Islands
- Whitsundays
- Uluru
- Broome, Cable Beach.
- Thredbo [Winter Wedding]
- Mornington Peninsula
- Margaret River
- Port Douglas
- Hunter Valley
- Byron bay
Top ten international suggestions for your destination wedding:
- Las Vegas
- Hawaii
- Vanuatu
- Thailand
- New York
- Fiji
- Bali
- New Zealand
- Maldives
- Paris
Wedding Stubby Holders
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