Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Elopements: Easy, Inexpensive & Romantic

By Ella Hemmings


Let's face it. Weddings are expensive and stressful to plan, so these days some couples are simply opting to elope rather than expend time, energy and money on a lavish wedding. In addition, this option is attractive to many couples who already have been married. Of course, sometimes there are family-related issues that you don't want to have to deal with on your special day so you decide to enjoy a private and intimate ceremony. No matter why you choose to elope, here are some suggestions that will help make your day perfect.

As with just about any type of wedding, the first decisions you make include when to get married and where. When it comes to elopements, this is a fairly simple process, but you do need to know about the marriage license laws and requirements where you intend to be married. Many states have no waiting period between filling out a marriage license and getting hitched, but some do, so it is wise to do a little research about the local laws.

You will have to pay a fee for a marriage license as well as paying a fee to the officiant who carries out the ceremony, and this certainly varies widely from place to place. You also will need two witnesses in addition to the officiant, and these individuals must be legal adults. You can bring in friends or family as witnesses, although some wedding chapels do provide people to act as witnesses. Sometimes office staff at the courthouse can act as witnesses.

One cool thing about elopements is that they cost less, so you might be able to afford getting married someplace other than your hometown. For instance, a Vegas wedding is certainly an option and they make it very easy for couples to tie the knot. But truly you can be married almost anywhere as long as the legal requirements for your marriage are met. While it can be pricey to pay for airplane tickets and hotel rooms, it still can be far less pricey than paying for wedding clothes, wedding cakes, a reception and the millions of other expenses included in a full-scale wedding. If you pick a favorite destination, you can even honeymoon right there, which is yet another advantage.

A tropical location, such as Maui, is also a great idea for your elopement and the honeymoon. Imagine being surrounded by the beauty and serenity of Maui as you exchange your vows; there are few places in the world more conducive to romance. To make it easy, contact a company that focuses on helping couples elope in Maui. These companies can help you nail down every last detail, from scouting an idyllic location for the ceremony to finding someone who can officiate the ceremony and much more.

For example, at LoveMauiWeddings.com, there is a special package called "Simply in Love," which runs just under $600. This is an excellent option for anyone wanting to elope in Maui. The package includes a beach wedding ceremony, two handmade flower leis, the services of an officiate, a keepsake version of your wedding certificate and a copy of your vows. The staff also will help you obtain a marriage license.

The "So This Is Love," package, which runs about $1,250, is another great option for an elopement or intimate wedding. In addition to the leis and keepsakes from the "Simply in Love" package, this package includes a bridal bouquet, a groom boutonniere, engraved champagne flutes, a professional photographer and 30 4x6 wedding prints. In addition to these two packages, the staff can help you arrange transportation and lodging, as well as helping you plan excursions during your stay on Maui.




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