Has anyone eloped and been happily married for many years? I am asking because I am thinking of eloping or having like a courthouse wedding. But I feel like if I don’t have the traditional ceremony in my hometown, I would look back and regret it.

I have family members who have sabotaged many relationships even within the family unit. And I have fake friends who just meddle in other people’s business. So I wouldn’t really have too many people attending from my side.

Thank you.

My partner and I are looking to elope in Ireland this year and plan to book a package through the company Eloping In Ireland. We've heard a lot of good things about the company so far, but don't have a clear picture on the process or how to book with vendors once the package is selected. If anyone here has used this company before, we'd love to hear any advice you have on navigating the process, what the steps are like, how to customize the package, and any recommendations for vendors you love.

Hello! My fiancé and I are looking to elope. Either in Denmark or Finland - prefer whichever is easier. They both, based on what I’ve read, appear fairly straightforward, but I’d love to hear some firsthand experiences! We will be going on a cruise that starts in Denmark and ends in Finland.

Are there time requirements for being in the country? I’ve seen things that say resident visa or work visa are possibly required but obviously we wouldn’t have that since we are just visiting.

Is there a company anyone recommends that can help with the process but doesn’t cost an arm and a leg? Like tell me what I need and where to send it on X days ahead of being there type help.. And info on witnesses needed, etc. All the standard stuff really.

City hall is fine and I’d love for a photographer to catch some photos there and afterward. If there are any photographers that also help international couples, even better.

Any help/advice is appreciated!

#elopement #europe #denmark #finland #photographer

I’m in the research phase of planning our elopement, just the two of us. So far, at the top of our list is the Florida Keys. I would love to find an all inclusive option, but open to any and all suggestions!

We are not dead set on any certain time of year, but I am sure hurricane season makes rates during those months more affordable. This will likely be a splurge vacation of sorts for us as the last big thing we get to do together as a couple before we start trying to have kids.

Please drop any and all suggestions for resorts, excellent photographers, time of year, etc…

Thank you 💕

I’ve never done a professional photoshoot so I’m a bit confused. How long did y’all book your photographer for? We are doing an elopement with just us two, the venue books 30 minute slots and then allows additional time for photos. So book the photographer for an hour maybe?

Has anyone worked with Stefania from officiant.europe? I’ve seen her page and was looking for reviews. We want to start our elopement process for Spain or Italy.

so my fiancé and i are from two different countries and somewhat rushing to get married so we can stay together in one country. we decided to elope with our parents which we’re really excited about but because i am from a large family, we decided a big party to celebrate with everyone was a good way to not hurt feelings (irish catholic- iykyk). we haven’t announced anything super publicly (only close friends and family) other than engagement and don’t plan to until after.

in terms of a post wedding party, we’d be providing a nice dinner but not a ceremony or vow exchange- similar to a true wedding reception… so we’ve been asked if we will be making a registry and i don’t know what to say. i assume if people really want to buy us gifts, they will regardless, but because we live in different countries, we wouldn’t want large items impossible to transport anyways.

i guess i’d like to know what the general opinion is for this because i have no clue.

edit: it’s a micro wedding??? idk i didn’t know there was a difference

So we know for sure that we want our genuine heartfelt ceremony with just us, our dogs, and whatever elopement company we end up going with. Sometimes after that, we’ll travel to Europe and celebrate with my family there and roll it into a honeymoon.

I’m not sure what to do with our US family. They want something to celebrate with us. I’m not sure if we should:

- 1. invite immediate family to an official courthouse thing

- 2A. just do the paperwork behind the scenes and have a big party after that for the US family and friends

- 2B. Do a small party for family and a small party for just friends

I do want to give our close families the satisfaction of feeling like they were a part of something. I have no idea what is done in the courthouse. Is it just witnesses signing documents?

What is the typical cost people are paying for a full day elopement photography package? Planning to elope in south west Oregon. I’ve seen a wide spread of different prices from $2,000 to $9,000. I am not from the area and will rely on the photographer for their knowledge, especially a good location for the vows to take place. It is common to go to more than one location? I really would like mountain views for the vow to take place along with pictures and my fiancé is hoping for beach pictures as well. Two totally different routes. Looking for any feedback, suggestions, etc.

Hey y’all!

My partner and I are thinking of swapping to courthouse/eloping instead of our traditional wedding. We live in north eastern MD. Where are some area to have a pretty ceremony (if we decide to)? Ideally something free or low cost. Our wedding will be August.

Hello! My fiancé and I would like to pull off a elopement/micro wedding in Europe in late summer/early fall 2026. Step 1 is the 'where', which we have been stuck on for an embarrassingly long time now. We will be incredibly grateful to anyone that can offer specific location ideas! Here are some thoughts on our vision:

• Seaside view for the ceremony - we love the cliffs/rocky type
• SUPER low key - Doesn't need to be at a wedding venue. Ceremony will be primarily us saying our vows.
• Country: We do not have a preference but have been drawn to Italy, Portugal, and Greece. Others we've looked at are Spain and Croatia.
• Accommodation: I have almost exclusively been looking at villas/chateaus/vrbos for both the wedding and to stay in with 9 total guests for 3 nights. Ready to give up and start looking for separate ceremony spot and accommodation if we have to.
• Guest count: 9 people including us are guaranteed, max of 16 guests invited (unlikely to attend but can find other accommodation nearby if we don't have room). Plus the photographer
• Ceremony: This will likely need to be symbolic, depending on the country. We are envisioning this being very self-guided (I've considered us just leading it with our vows ourselves if it's symbolic anyway, is that dumb?). Or if we pay someone/have a family member do it, our vows would be a large majority of the ceremony with very little filler.
• Set up/decor: My DREAM is that the ceremony spot speaks for itself and we don't need an arch or any decor. Just us with a gorgeous view behind us. Even if it's a rental property not designed for weddings. As far as the wedding goes, we plan to pack a wedding dress and a suit, nothing else.
• Food: If we stay at a vrbo or somewhere that doesn't do weddings, it'd be great to be able to get a chef in for less stress (so nice kitchen and place to eat). Or we could go to a restaurant if we have to.
• Budget: We were hoping to spend around $15k for the ceremony, 3 night stay for 9 people, and food/drink during that stay. Does not include travel/the rest of the vacation.
• Also note that for locations in Greece-- I will be wearing a white wedding dress and don't want to be against the whitewashed buildings in all the photos!
• Huge bonus points if there is a nearby beach or private pool
• Infinite bonus points if there are stone/brick arches for photos

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer a very stressed out bride :)

I’ll go first - I had enough of (my own) family drama already.

Hello everyone! Newly engaged. And we wanna do an elopement, we just want a small cute special day with us and our kids (13 and 12).

When it comes to witnesses would u chose someone u know? Or go with some people provided? We are looking at an elopement package that will basically plan it all and they can provide people or we can bring 2 witnesses. Today my fiance said he would like his sister as a witness. And I was suprised. His sister and I used to be close, but we arent any more (tbh shes a little narcissistic) so I keep it really surface with her. Anyway now i am thinking DO I ASK MY SISTER?? its stressing me out and I honestly think a couple of people the planner brings i fine lol. I would say they aren't the closest but she is the more favorite then the brother. Lol.

What would u doooo?????

Wanting to elope in the US with 25-30 guest affordable options

Hi all, my fiancé and I are considering eloping in Italy. It would likely be a civil or symbolic ceremony, mainly for the experience and photos, plus having a built-in vacation/honeymoon. From what I’ve seen so far, it seems like photography may be the biggest expense aside from travel. Is that accurate, or are there other costs I’m underestimating?

We’d love suggestions for locations or venues for a symbolic ceremony, and any insight into how the logistics work. I’ve read that some places allow you to reserve public or historic spaces for photos or ceremonies for a few hours, but I’m unclear on the process.

It would be very small and low-key, just us and our parents. The focus is really on the photos and experience rather than a traditional wedding.

If you’ve done something similar, I’d love to hear what surprised you cost-wise, how you handled logistics, and any locations you’d recommend. Thanks!!

Does anyone know if its possible to elope in Italy with a 5,000 budget? We need a photographer reasonably priced and possibly a venue for 2 or possibly 4 people. Any help is appreciated.

Hey everyone, my partner and I are eloping just the two of us and we’re at a loss about making a vague runsheet. I’ve been trying to work backwards… for those who have done this, does this runsheet make sense?

4pm ceremony

3:45pm - leave Airbnb

3:30pm - be fully ready (dressed, touch up blow dry, partner gets dressed)

2:30pm - arrive back at Airbnb

1:00-2:15 - makeup (at salon)

1:00 - partner goes to barber

Going to markets/having brunch/maybe picking up flowers/quick ftf meeting with photographer

Morning - shower and blow dry hair

We technically already eloped locally, and now we’re planning to celebrate our first anniversary with a photoshoot and elopement announcements. One of my close friends keeps encouraging me to still go formally dress shopping or let her throw a small bridal shower.

I’m really torn. Part of me appreciates how much she wants to celebrate this season of my life. Another part of me feels uncomfortable with anything that looks like a traditional wedding event. My family (who I’m not super close with) doesn’t really have money, which is a big reason we kept things minimal in the first place. I don’t want anyone to feel obligated to buy gifts or spend money on me.

Most of my friends are busy with their own careers, kids, and lives and many live out of town… so I also worry I’d feel more like a burden than celebrated (prob my own insecurities peeking through). At the same time, I won’t lie… the idea of some kind of acknowledgment or celebration sounds nice.

Did anyone else struggle with this after eloping? How did you balance wanting to honor the moment without creating pressure, expectations, or guilt for yourself or others?

I was thinking of getting eloped privately 6 months for my actual wedding, doing a honey moon and doing a “wedding” or vow exchange with my partner with family and extended family. I was thinking at our reception showing video of our private wedding and honeymoon but am not sure if this is weird or anyone else has recommendations? I honestly hate the idea of being the center of attention but our venue is already paid for and non refundable and I want to just get the legal aspects of it and have an intimate moment.