The possibility of elopement is one that most couples, at some point or another, consider (especially once they get into the actual planning phase for the wedding). But it isn’t for everyone. In fact, it isn’t for most people, who prefer to have their family and friends present as witnesses when they pledge their eternal love and devotion to each other. Of course, the pressure of a big wedding often seems like it’s not worth the effort. And for what you’d pay for the ceremony and reception, you could easily spend a couple of weeks in Paris. So if you’re seriously considering hopping a plane and getting hitched somewhere else, here are a few things you might want to consider first.
1. Your family’s feelings. The mothers will almost certainly be upset if they’re not present for your nuptials (while dad might be thanking his lucky stars that he doesn’t have to pay for a 200-person wedding). While a marriage is really about two people, the wedding is something else entirely. So take the feelings of your family into consideration, and decide if the fallout from an elopement might not be worse than submitting to a wedding.
2. Cost. There’s no denying that an elopement could save you a lot of money. But this shouldn’t be your only reason for choosing it (since you can go just as cheap by descending on city hall with your immediate family and a few close friends in tow). Plus, depending on where you go, your wedding away could end up costing quite a bit.
3. Tradition. Most couples these days don’t give a hoot about tradition, and yet, there are still plenty of girls who want the big dress and all the attention, and a fair number of guys who expect a bachelor party and a best-man speech. Think about what you might miss before you get on the plane and give it up forever.
4. Spontaneity. There’s definitely something romantic about whisking yourselves away for an impromptu wedding, but you should take a moment to think about whether you’re eloping to avoid something (like questions about whether you should even be getting married in the first place) or to have the adventure of a lifetime with the person you’ll be with for the rest of your life.
5. Regret. This is something you absolutely must consider. If you go ahead and elope, do you think you’ll look back and wish you’d had your big white wedding? If it’s even a possibility, hold off on making a hasty decision.
