Eloping? Consider how far, duration and state marriage law requirements
Dear Joy, My future husband and I have both been married before. We are in our early 40’s and we don’t want to have a big fussy wedding and since we don’t have any children and our parents are quite elderly, we think we might sneak away and elope.
We really don’t want to go the Vegas route so I was wondering if you have any suggestions for elopement destinations. Thanks. Theresa and George.
Dear Theresa and George,
Your elopement plans are really quite dependent on how far you wish to travel from home and how long you intend to stay at the destination.
A quick search on the internet will reveal quite a few elopement destinations. In the past, I have mentioned Niagara Falls; the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas; and the Little Chapel in the Woods at Graceland (Elvis’s home) in Memphis, Tenn., as possible elopement destinations.
I found many travel packages to accommodate eloping couples in the Napa Valley of California. Tours of local wineries, beautiful scenery, and mild weather combine to make it a perfect vacation and elopement destination.
Before you jump on a plane, train or automobile and rush to elope, you need to clarify some local rules regarding marriages. Each state has different requirements for obtaining marriage licenses and some states require blood work, too. You will need to check out potential waiting periods, licensing and fees, and officiant requirements before you travel.
Many resorts in popular tourist locales have wedding/elopement packages. For an all-inclusive price, they will provide an officiant, flowers, music, and photography. The resort’s wedding representative will coordinate the details and provide you with local marriage licensing requirements.
Your local travel agency can help suggest elopement destinations beyond Vegas and their professional input can give you valuable insight that cannot be found on the internet.
Dear Joy,
I would like to have my niece’s bridal shower at my home. I just heard that her future sister-in-law is planning on having a large shower at a local restaurant. I am now hesitant to have a shower at my home, since I do not want the guests to have to buy two presents. I am really disappointed. Should I cancel my shower? Diane
Dear Diane,
Go ahead and plan your shower. Since you are having the shower in your home, I suggest that you plan a smaller, more intimate shower with your immediate family. Consider using a theme approach, such as a Pamper Shower.
Your guests can buy small presents to pamper your niece. With this approach, your guests will probably not be upset about having to attend two showers.
Joy’s Bridal Tip: Your whirlwind elopement is now over and the dust has settled on your suitcase-now you have to announce your marriage to the world. Spread the good news with a wedding announcement.
Please note: recipients of your good news are not obligated to send you a gift.
Use the following format to announce your marriage:
Tammy Lynn Smith and
Mark Thomas Fisher
announce their marriage
Saturday, the fifth of January
Two thousand and three
Memphis, Tennessee
K. Joy Schaeffer is a bridal consultant. You can e-mail her your bridal questions at bridejoy@yahoo.com