Elope?

[Aggie_Ama]

We had a relatively large wedding mostly because I wanted to include our large families. We got married May 24 but on May 4 my dear Pawpaw died right before I graduated college May 9. So instead of having the most important man (behind my Dad) in my life there I was dealing with depression. His widow (my Nanny) has severe depression and could barely keep it together so I spent much of the wedding worrying about her. My Mammaw got ill and couldn't come. On the way to the wedding I would later find out my sister-in-law told my brother she wanted a divorce. The pastor gave a sermon that included a shout out to lingere which was bizarre. So to me the magic has never been in the day. My dress was gorgeous, the church I had wanted since I was a child, my flowers and cake perfect but the summer following a mess.

The marriage has been more than the wedding ever could be. My husband loved our wedding, it was an amazing day for him. For me, I am just glad I had the choice and married my best friend. We planned everything about our wedding, it completely had our personalities, right down to the purple beading on my dress. But was a big wedding all it is cracked up to be? Not in my case. The honeymoon was a blast though we stayed in state, even went to the zoo and stayed in less expensive hotels we already knew we loved. It was the best part of getting married!

Do what makes you happy and you will never regret it.

[sgtiger]

We eloped during spring break twelve years ago. The local county courthouse was booked two months out. So we ended up in Oregon City, two days before Dh's birthday, being married by the judge that presided over Tonya Harding's indictment. It was all very funny in a cosmic sort of way for us. BIAK went to Oregon City H.S. and his hoodlum friends were tried by this judge. Tonya Harding went to my high school for a while with his ex. Anyhow, I wore a long spaghetti strap summer dress with a print on it and Dh wore slacks and button down shirt. I don't think he wore a tie, but I could be wrong. I forgot to ask the witnesses (court employees) to take our picture even though I had my camera with me. Nerves and excitement, I guess, so we don't even have a picture of our day. We spent our honeymoon in San Francisco visiting Golden Gate Park, the Exploratorium, and Ghirardelli Square. I have no regrets about not having a formal wedding. For us, it's always been about our marriage and helping each other thrive. Well... after those first few tempestuous years, anyway.

[Mr. SR500]

Congrats!

Can't help much, we had the big wedding, but had a blast!

Do exactly what you want: dress, place, size, everything, it's your day - your memories. Have a blast. I think it is worth sharing with a few close friends.