Quote Originally Posted by SheFly View Post
We "eloped" and I loved it!

This was a second marriage for both of us, and we didn't want all of the hoopla that went with a wedding [again]. We didn't tell anyone we were getting married, but went and got the license and blood work early in the month, and planned a date and time at town hall. No witnesses required.

Funny story - I did plan on a new outfit (purchased specially for our 5 minute ceremony), grew my hair, and had a hair appt for an updo. Funnier? When I donned my new outfit, FDH said, in all seriousness, "You didn't buy that to get married in did you?" He hated it. So, five minutes before the ceremony at town hall, I was rifling in the closet and wore a burgundy silk suit I had there (DH wore khakis, sport coat and tie).

We went to the town hall where we were married by the town clerk - no friends, no relatives, no staff, just the three of us. Afterwards, we came home, changed clothes, packed the truck and drove to the Cape for the weekend (we got married on a Friday). When we returned home on Sunday, we called both sets of parents to tell them. I actually announced to all of our friends by email!

My in-laws did have a SMALL (immediate family only) party with cake for us, and my parents celebrated with us when they came for their next visit.

Would I do it this way again? Hopefully I never have to, but ABSOLUTELY YES! It is a very special memory to me - a day shared by my DH and I alone, focused on our marriage, and not on the wedding.

Good luck!

SheFly
That all sounds great. There is definitely some appeal to getting hitched here and then "running off" to our honeymoon. Between my boss and my former boss (both judges), City Hall, and any number of attorney friends who can become judge pro tems for the day, there are a lot of options.

When I look at places, say in California or Utah, that cater to destination weddings, whether elopement or otherwise, I start to sweat. Granted, I really do lack the bride gene, but it feels oddly contrived, but I like the idea of a romantic setting. We spent some time this spring in Tennessee. It would be nice to go back there (though not to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg) for the ceremony.

Clearly, BF and I need to talk in depth about what we want. I'm the planner as between the two of us, but all of these decisions need to be made jointly. I'd like to at least present him with the most viable options, however.

Thanks for all the stories. I'd nice to see that so many of you don't have regrets and were able to fashion something that felt right for you. And congrats to Trek and Knotted!

And if TrekJeni is out there.....let me know what you decided to do about your own wedding. I haven't seen an update in a while.