The Magic of Elopement

While it may not fit all definitions of “magic,” elopement can be a fun, exciting way to get married!

Many couples contact me to assist with intimate weddings. Some may be considered last minute, while others took more time to plan. Either way, they won’t be as work intensive as a large, detailed, extravagant affair.

The beauty of a smaller, less elaborate wedding is less stress, less time needed, and less money spent. Lots of less is more situations! I’m sure there are more benefits, those mentioned are just a few. So, if you want to get married, and are okay with a smaller guest list, less gifts, 🙂 and not having some of the traditional aspects, you may want to consider this potentially less expensive option.

Marriage, in the legal sense, is between two people. Some feel married, long before signing their license. Some may decide that to them “it is just a piece of paper.” I understand all of those things. When you take the step to marry, however, it is different. You now have a new title of spouse, husband, or wife. This brings up different reactions for you and others when compared to partner, significant other, boyfriend, girlfriend, etc. While it is not necessary, I do think it is important to acknowledge the difference, and validate the new step and that it will bring a new growth process. It is not for everyone, but I am so happy that any adult couple that wishes, can now do it, regardless of background, beliefs, birth assigned sex, gender, nationality, race, religion, or sexual identity.

But really, isn’t the most important thing the couple? Some choose this option due to lack of funds. They may prefer to save their money for a honeymoon, to buy a house, baby on the way, or just because! Money is money. How any individual or couple chooses to spend theirs is up to them. Whether tens of thousands of dollars or more, to acknowledge one day and one monumental experience of their life, or spread it over many days with diverse experiences, and everything in between. It’s your day. Create it the way you want. This is a great motto for every day of your life. Not just your wedding day!

Although not an absolute, 50 guests and under is generally considered a small wedding. Obviously, the less there are, the more intimate the occasion becomes. The less people that are attending means the less preparation is required. Of course, us humans are skilled at complicating things, so even a wedding of 2 plus witnesses could be filled with unmanageable stress. However, it is less likely, and easier to avoid common pitfalls that can actually take the joy out of a wedding.

If you want to take your savings of money, time and pleasing others to the next level, consider an elopement. While it may be fair to argue that any wedding is about the couple, that sentiment can get lost with the more people that are involved in the wedding. Family members, friends and even professionals may add to the stress of a wedding. The more tight knit your family and group of friends are, the less you may be able to exclude any of them without potential hurt feelings or some kind of backlash. It may feel that there comes a point that it isn’t even your day anymore. I once had a bride come up to me during the reception and said, “Sindi, I can’t wait for this to be over!” While I hope the couple’s life after that was less stressful, and more joyous, that is an instance I have always remembered. It taught me something very important. Regardless of the size of the wedding, the day should be for the couple. Not the parents, siblings, and other relatives, or friends, co-workers, acquaintances, and especially not vendors. The couple is getting married. It is the couple that should have the space to enjoy the day. Their day. As previously stated, and as I always say, “It’s your day! Create it the way you want it!” The operative word is “your!” It’s yours!

You never know how or when you’re going to meet your person. Perhaps they have been in your life for years, and you never thought of them like “that.” Maybe you were grocery shopping, at a coffee shop, on a blind date, or walking your dog. After meeting a number of “nos,” maybe you decide to try that app, just one more time, and then it’s a “yes!” Whatever we want to create in our life, we can. Desire it, believe it, and then you can have it.

In actuality all you need to get married is:

Couple – that’s YOU! It’s YOUR day!
License – get it early, but not too early!
Officiant – that’s ME! Officiants make it legal!
Witnesses – one or two 18+, depending on the state.
Pen – black ink, for couple, officiant, and witnesses to sign the license.
Stamp – to mail the completed license. You may be able to hand deliver it.

Everything else is frosting on the cake, haha! So, you see how simple it is to get married?! You’ve already done the hard part! You found your person, and you got through whatever you needed to get through to be ready to say your “I dos!”

Have questions about other ways to simplify your wedding? Requirements in your state? Or how to obtain witnesses if you don’t have them? Feel free to contact me! Call or text 360-601-4358 or email me!

Thanks for reading! Happy Wedding!

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