Elopement

An elopement is like any other wedding, only simpler. Regardless of wedding size, you can choose to wear a wedding dress, or not. You can do your own hair and make-up, have them professionally done, or skip them. You can have just the two of you plus witnesses (or even skip the witnesses if not required in your state), or you can invite a few guests. About the only rule is that if you have any guests at all, you need to feed them, but that can mean just taking them to a nice restaurant or having them to dinner at your place after the ceremony.

As far as arrangements go, you can often find "elopement packages" that take care of at least most of the details for you. Or if you want something more personal, you can plan it yourself. A lot of people will rent a bed and breakfast for an elopement, although you have to make sure the rules permit you to have a ceremony/party there.

But you start the way you would start with any other wedding: sitting down and working out a budget, a guest list if any, and some idea of what style of wedding you want (e.g., beach, chapel, home, etc.).

I'm sure it's different per state, but I heavily looked into this as well. My fiancé and I were interested in a destination elopement - Flying out to Seattle and eloping on a rooftop with just his parents invited. All in all, it would have cost 3rd or less of our current wedding we're planning. But like others have stated, places have elopement packages that are great and take care of everything from the "ceremony" to the marriage license - and all you have to worry about is your details like makeup, flowers if you want any, and a photographer if that didn't come with the package. (Some do) It's a GREAT idea - I highly suggest to do something fun like this, if your guest list (if you have one) will allow it

Some hotels have Elopement packages - I saw one at a Hawaii hotel website today! I would look and see where you want to get married and check around at hotels you like to see if they offer this service.

Oh my gosh, those options! How wonderful! But no ma'am, we ended up going traditional, but intimate for our wedding. We're actually from Florida so we're having it here - and that was one of the things we said. It'll seem like a destination wedding to everyone else, so we decided to take advantage of that. But Oh my goodness is Seattle beautiful! And I'm a huge fan of the Ireland idea!!! Huge fan - That would be a great honeymoon destination too!