Eloping...?

Question

So my boyfriend & i want to elope. We want it outdoors in like a forest area. We plan on staying in state and getting dressed up. My question is how exactly does this work? Can we each have a groomsman/bridesmaid? Who should witness? Do i need a cordinator/planner? Do you simply hire a judge/minister to go out there with us? Has onyone out there done this and want to share your story?

Answer 1

First, select an officiant who thinks that small outdoor weddings are brilliant, then the rest will fall into place.

If you want the ceremony to be legally binding, you'll need to apply for a marriage license and pick it up. (My own small outdoor wedding wasn't legal, so I skipped this step)

You can invite anyone you'd like. Just make sure you have two people willing to sign the license as witnesses. You *can* hire a coordinator, but if the wedding party is really small, it's probably a waste of money better spent on something else.

Like any other wedding, you'd choose a date and a location, invite those you want to come and show up in your wedding clothes at the appointed time.

To find a local officiant who will happily perform your ceremony, I think you can access this page without being a member of the group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/weddingofficiants/links
If there's no one there who catches your fancy, try checking the officiant registries at http://www.theknot.com or http://www.weddingministers.com

If you're looking for something REALLY simple and intimate, you might consider asking a friend to look into becoming ordained and performing a ceremony for you. You'd need to make sure it was legal in your area though. Check out http://www.spiritualhumanism.org or
http://www.ulc.net

Good Luck!!

Answer 2

Well, typically eloping means you are going to the Justice of Peace at the court house and most of the times nobody knows about it.

So, it sounds like you are just having a small wedding. You can have the the weddding wherever you choose. You need to have a witness. No, you don't need a coordinator because you don't have alot to plan.

I have not done the small wedding but we did the large wedding. Planning a wedding is a lot of fun but can be stressful if you let it. I didn't let the stress get to me.

For wedding help visit http://www.weddingchannel.com/

Answer 3

I think that eloping usually means you don't have all the frills of a wedding. I think you need a minister or judge, a witness, and that's about it. You can dress any way you want, of course. It just sounds like you are planning an actual wedding.

Answer 4

You can just hire a judge to go out there with you. No you don't need a coordinator you are eloping, how much planning can be involved. You each need to have a witness.

Answer 5

I have never eloped but you can take whoever you want...i think the whole point of eloping is to be very small and quick thing. I know that in the state of Florida a Notary Public can marry you, so as long as you find someone who is certified you will be okay. good luck

Answer 6

We eloped too las vegas,It was easy you can get married anywhere you want indoors outdoors on a plane in a car a hot air balloon they have it all.Plus you can rent a dress if you dont want to buy one.You can bring a friend to be witness or they will provide them.Plus they have all price ranges.

Answer 7

I just wanted a small wedding and it turned out to be this huge event. My wedding was a total of 4,000 and I did not even have it at a fancy place. my mom brought my wedding dress and that was 1200 but i got it for 400 bucks. everything for the wedding including flowers were all brought on ebay. day after day midnight seraching. the decorations went to a party store and had my reception in the american legion hubby is a veteran and i got it for check for three hours. uncle paid for the limo, did my hair, and makeup(pays to have a hairstylist in the family), grandpa sent me 400 dollars plus he is a photographer and did my wedding photos, aunt sent me 400 bucks which was used towards the stuff on ebay, had my sil as abrides maid told her to get something fuschia or pink she did her own stuff(i don't like her and still dont) my daughters i got there dress off of ebay resonable price, i got my invites and thank you together for 10 bucks and they were elegant looking. So basically everyone chipped in. Oh the food everyone on his side of the family brought a dish and we did it like a cater yourself type thing. The wedding cake was 30 bucks and myhubbys aunt paid for that. All went well and worked out. Its all up to how you want it. if you have the mega cash for an elegant wedding at a nice hotel go for it. Depends on your pocket. goodluck.