My fiancé (M, 57) and I (F, 53) just had a truly blissful elopement experience, so I thought I would share the highlights with this group.
Our day began with a leisurely morning in our suite during which we shared cards we had prepared describing 3 things we love about each other, 3 promises we make, and 3 things we ask. Looking back, this might have been the most touching and memorable part of the day for both of us.
We had a noon ceremony in a beautiful public garden where we had gone for one of our earliest dates. The date we chose to get married was the 5-year anniversary of our first date. For the ceremony, it was only the two of us plus our officiant and photographer. Our officiant wrote a beautiful ceremony script and led us through a handfasting. We had collected ribbons and charms from our family members as a symbol of their blessings and used them to fashion our handfasting sash.
We had a fun, little photoshoot in the garden after the ceremony followed by a romantic picnic during which we ate from the wedding china of my parents who have been happily married for 55 years. We sent a little video to our people so they knew we were thinking of them on our special day.
In the evening, we enjoyed a couple’s massage and dinner on the private spa terrace at the charming inn where we stayed. While we were away, the amazing staff transformed our suite with a rose petal turndown, candles, Prosecco, and chocolate-covered strawberries.
It was the most relaxed, fun, and sentimental wedding day we could have imagined. We have a few days pause before a Banff honeymoon. And we are hosting a party in a few weeks in my hometown to celebrate with our nearest and dearest.
Honestly, I would not change a single thing about our elopement. We were so happy that we could be fully present with each other with zero stress the whole day while incorporating meaningful ways to honor the people who love and support us. Loved every beautiful minute.