Wedding Alternative: Plan an Elopement

A popular alternative for some couples is having an elopement versus a traditional wedding. Wedding planners are still usually involved, so our wedding and event planning students don't have to worry about getting cut out of the picture.

Elopements usually have some kind of venue, albeit more informal, there are lodging accommodations for the couple and a small number of witnesses, arrangements to be made with the officiant performing the ceremony, and - drum roll, please - usually a large-scale reception for family, friends, and invited guests after the couple is formally married (that's when gifts are given, the registry is set up, and planners get involved to coordinate the catering, photography, venue, and so on).

Elopements suit couples who are less formal, want to dial down formal ceremonies, want to be less formal about dress and decor and protocol, and want their guests to focus on the reception food and party. Click on each photo to see inside different elopements, thanks to coverage from 100 Layer Cake.

Katie Berger, our Wedding and Event Planning student advisor, had these observations about elopements.

Don't let the laid back feel of the elopement fool you. While they are often more intimate in feel than a large affair, for the planner they can mean an increase in the amount of work leading up to the event. Planners become the go-to person for all vendors, the couple, friends, and family - even more so than in a regular wedding. The guest count may be small, but the workload is not! But with that being said, elopements are a wonderfully intimate way to say 'I do.'

Thanks to 100 Layer Cake for their beautiful photographs, posts, and wedding inspiration. 100 Layer Cake is a unique, comprehensive wedding planning resource for and by thoughtful, crafty modern women. Their vendors, projects, weddings, resources, sponsors, and marketplace are hand-picked and thoroughly researched with the hope that every single one is a truly unique addition to both your wedding and your planning process. Visit the 100 Layer Cake website today.

If you're interested in learning more about wedding planning, we encourage you to explore the Sheffield School, New York, NY. Sheffield began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui, Wedding and Event Planning, and Jewelry Design. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

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Comments

[Dentist Newbury]

Such kind of wedding ceremonies are unplanned, but that moment most memorable moment not because we with our loved one but the time we remember that much problem we face and how tackle that problem.

[Ken]

If I were to get married one day, I would definitely consider elopement as well. It just takes me and girl to make the day happen.

[Betty]

I eloped to Las Vegas when getting married to avoid the stress of planning a wedding. I think a true elopement though would be just you and your spouse so it does take some of the fun out of it not being able to share with family and friends

[Marsha]

Nice Blog! I've married 2 weeks ago and lost 20 pounds for it. It was the best day of my life! Thanks for this blog.

[Wedding cards]

I haven't heard much about Elopement weddings but today got an idea about it by reading your blog. I believe weddings should be free of customs and formalities. It should be just for fun and happiness.

[Firenze Jewels]

Very sweet and beautiful!!

[promotional items suppliers]

I really appreciate your post and you explain each and every point very well.

[rick]

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