When my husband and I eloped, I don’t think it could have been any simplier. We booked the chapel and ordered our rings online, I bought a new dress from the sale rack at GAP, we took a cab to the Clark County government center to get our marriage license, and then showed up to the chapel the next day!
I know most people have more elaborate affairs than we did, and the fast wedding planning checklist can make even the biggest wedding bash as simple as eloping. The checklist not only includes booking the reception hall and finding a photographer, but little things that need to be purchased and can easily get overlooked like favors, a guest book, and cake topper.
A little checklist can save time, money, and frustration!
A big wedding is nice, but afterward I think there are always regrets about certain aspects. I think you guys definitely did it the right way. This year will be our 5th Anniversary and we talked about going to Vegas to renew vows. Maybe we should have done that in the first place too.
Laurie – My whole family is going to be in Vegas for our 2nd anniversary, and I’m going to try to surprise them by booking the chapel for a family photo!
My husband and I eloped as well. A very simple affair, just the two of us under a tree with a JP. I still want to have a wedding – church, tuxes, wedding dress, bridesmaids, receptions, etc… but I definitely want to do it on a tight budget. I’m not about going all out, but I still want the experience.
Jennifer – When we came back from eloping, we had a big party for our family, but it was very casual. Everyone met at my parents house for a champagne breakfast, then downtown for lunch at our favorite pizza restaurant, an architectural boat ride at Navy Pier, and then back to my parents house for presents and snacks. We went all out with decorations and favors, so I can see how easily a full-blown wedding could get out of hand.
I sometimes admire the simplicity of eloping, but on the other hand, I think that it is lovely to celebrate weddings with your family and friends. It’s nearly ten years again and I just want to celebrate with the same people all over again. And the same husband, of course!
I wouldn’t mind more celebrating…but with a different husband.
For my first wedding, we eloped. Total secrecy. No one even new what we were up to until we got back from a quick trip from New York.
Marriage didn’t work out, but it had nothing to do with eloping and in hindsight we saved each other a pile of money that so often is wasted on large weddings when the marriage doesn’t last, or at least it can be perceived that way.
Second time around was a small family wedding which was also a great decision.
I’m all for the more simple, less stress approach
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Taylor – Thanks for commenting (though I did remove the spam link). My marriage didn’t work out, either, but I don’t regret eloping!