Eloping 101- The Biggest Dos and Don’ts

Eloping has a reputation for being a quick way to get married—insert a booze-fueled trip to a Vegas chapel or a secretive visit to the courthouse. But elopements are no longer just an expedited way to say “I do.” While modern-day elopements are definitely less fuss than their traditional wedding counterparts, they still come with their own set of concerns and considerations. 

Whatever your reason for eloping, whether you and your partner are particularly adventurous or you’re just more concerned with saving money—we’ve got you covered. If you’re thinking of getting hitched on the sly, these are our top dos and don’ts of eloping.  

Do: Prepare Yourself for Unsolicited Feedback from Loved Ones

If you’ve decided to tie the knot elopement style, chances are you’ve already been faced with stress sweats thinking of breaking the news to your friends and family. One of the most difficult parts of eloping we’ve heard from our couples is the fear that your near and dear will be disappointed they won’t be a part of your big day. Simply knowing that not everyone is going to support your decision can be enough to set you free. But if you’re still fretting over the reactions of some family members, consider offering a few ways to include them. These can be sharing photos with them first or a post-elopement party. A little goes a long way if anyone’s feeling hurt or left out. 

Don’t: Forget the Legalities

At its most basic form, marriage requires three things: a couple, a marriage license, and someone who can legally marry you. Just because you’ve opted for an intimate affair doesn’t mean you get to escape from any of these requirements. Our guess is you’ve already got the first part down! But getting your marriage license comes with some government-issued paperwork, and, you guessed it, that doesn’t happen instantly. If you’re planning an adventurous getaway to seal the deal, make sure to check out all the legalities of your impending marriage before you go. Many countries have different legal requirements when it comes to saying “I do.”

Do: Hire Local Vendors

If you’re getting hitched in Nova Scotia, there are local vendors aplenty to document and enhance your big day. From photographers to videographers to florists and wedding planners, just because you’re having an elopement doesn’t mean you’re completely on your own. Planning an elopement has quite a few moving parts, and it never hurts to have a professional readily available to make it a smooth process.

Don’t: Settle for Less

When it comes to choosing an untraditional wedding day, researching and knowing your favourite eloping tips will make you your own unsung hero. Whether it’s a small or large celebration, never let that love go unnoticed. If eloping is your fantasy or your current reality, there are so many small things you can do to make it even more magical so scroll Pinterest for hours, save all your favourite posts and curate the vibe you truly want. Courthouses are only one option out of hundreds, so if it’s not your style, don’t settle (but if it is, totally go for it). 

Do: Choose Guests or Witnesses

Whether you want a handful of guests, family members only, or just a witness to make it legal, it can be a bit tricky to determine where to draw the line on the guest list. While there are some people that won’t agree with your decision to scale down, the most important thing to do is communicate clearly, so there are no surprises on the big day. If you’re having a kid-free ceremony or no plus ones rule, make sure your guests know what they can expect. This can be one of the toughest challenges when planning your intimate wedding, but your close friends and family should understand (and remember it’s your wedding, your way).

Don’t: Apologize

Whatever you choose and whatever reasons you have, they’re your reasons, and they don’t need to be justified or apologized for. You might have a prickly parent that’s upset they didn’t walk you down the aisle or a bestie that didn’t get to stand next to you at the alter, but in the end, your day isn’t about them. Be confident in the decision you’ve made with your partner by your side. When in doubt, be true to yourself, and your loved ones will come around. 

Do: Send a Marriage Announcement

After you’ve officially tied the knot, send out a formal announcement (in a similar fashion to the wedding invite you didn’t send). You can even send a link to online galleries or videos so your loved ones can share in the excitement of the epic day. This is also a great time to include details about your epic post-elopement party if you’re planning on having one. 

Don’t: Downplay Your Elopement

You are marrying your lifelong partner. That’s a huge cause for celebration, no matter if you’re having a traditional wedding or planning an intimate elopement. You deserve to make a big deal out of it, even if it’s a low-key celebration! So have your moments, get the bouquet, lock in your perfect outfit, and maybe even set up a table complete with your dream centrepiece and a bottle of champagne.