Should You Elope?

By Michelle Lindsey

To elope means to run of and get married, and it is usually done in a very secretive and rushed fashion. It usually occurs away from one’s residence, and in most occasions is a surprise to both the bride and grooms family and friends. Individuals decide to elope for a number of different reasons, ranging from state laws that require waiting periods for marriage to being able to save a great deal of time and money on bridal jewelry,bridesmaids gifts and an expensive wedding reception.

Eloping dates back many years, and actually originated in England when soon to be married couples were trying to escape the strict marriage rules set out by their country. The legal prerequisite for marriage in England was the reading of the banns, which had to be done the three Sundays before the expected date of the wedding ceremony. It involved reading off the names of both the bride and groom by the priest for three Sundays straight, in order to prevent bigamy and unlawful marriages from occurring.

The reading of the banns was also intended for warning parents and those with legal right to object, by giving three weeks of warning to everyone who attended the church. The only way around this law was to receive a special license from the Archbishop of Canterbury, or to flee to a location where this law was not required. Scotland was the most popular location for couples to elope, since they could travel across the border and marry without any rules or regulations.

Elopement ceremonies were also popular in the United States when certain types of marriage were banned, such as interracial marriages or same sex marriages. Even though those types of marriage were not recognized in many states, couples would flee to other states that would allow this type of marriage to occur. Although their marriage would not be recognized in their home state, they would have the satisfaction of knowing they were married to someone they were truly in love with.

Avoiding specific laws is one of the main reasons couples decide to elope, since there are different rules set out by each individual state. Some states require background checks while others require blood tests, which usually means that there is a long waiting period before a couple can consider themselves married. Instead, fleeing to another state that does not have strict laws is usually the best option, and one of the most popular reasons that couples decide to elope.

Many couples also decide to elope to avoid having to plan a wedding, since it can be a very strenuous task. A typical wedding can take anywhere from six months to a year to plan, since there are hundreds of small details that all need to be figured out.. With everything from the wedding dress,bridal jewelry,bridesmaids gifts,flowers and even the meal options, planning a wedding can take a great deal of time and effort. When a couple decides to elope, they usually only have to dedicate a month or less of their time for planning. They only need to book a hotel, pick out their outfits and a location to hold the ceremony, and their wedding day plans are pretty much set.

Cost is another factor that makes many couples decide to elope, since a wedding ceremony can get very expensive. Every little detail that goes into a large wedding does cost money, so everything from the flower petals on the ground to the bridesmaid dresses must be accounted for. The average wedding can cost between $20,000 and $50,000 depending on the size, which is about the same price as a down payment on a new home. Couples opt to elope to save a great deal of money, since a typical elopement ceremony costs between $1000 and $2000 dollars.Simple Swarovski cystal earrings could serve as the bridal jewelry for less than $30.

Not everyone likes the whole white wedding dress and formal tuxedo idea, or having everyone they have ever known in or at their wedding. An elopement ceremony is much less formal than a typical wedding, since it is usually held in a small chapel or court house and only lasts for a few minutes. It is up to the bride and groom if they would like any family members or friends to attend, but it can be kept as a private event as well if the couple wishes. Many couples decide to elope because it is a much more intimate occasion, yet it is still much less formal than a typical wedding.

Deciding to elope is very spontaneous, especially if a couple decides to run off and get married without telling any of their friends or family. Even if their current home state doesn’t have any rules or waiting periods related to getting married, people still decide to leave town and elope for the excitement it brings. Many couples decide to elope because they are spontaneous and like to do things in the spur of the moment, and getting married on short notice is a very spontaneous thing to do. Couples can elope the same day they decide on it if they wish, especially in cities like Las Vegas where eloping is very popular.

Even though an elopement ceremony is very different from a typical wedding ceremony, there are many couples that would like to elope and start their married life. An elopement ceremony can save a couple a great deal of time and money from not having to plan a wedding ceremony, and is ideal for couples who like to do things spur of the moment. An elopement ceremony is also ideal for those who don’t want to wait for blood test results or background checks, since many states don’t require waiting periods before a marriage is finalized. No matter what the reason for each couple may be, there are many great benefits to eloping, and couples all over the world decide to elope practically every day of the year.