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What is an Elopement Ceremony?
Have you ever heard a couple tell you that they are eloping without telling anyone or just going to get married at the registry or a court house? Sometimes people think that the only way to get married is with lavish and expensive wedding ceremonies. These days the trend of smaller, more intimate ceremonies is becoming more common. This can give you the chance to get married in a small ceremony with minimal guests in a special location such as a secluded beach or a stunning lookout etc. The outcome is a very close-knit ceremony that's often a lower cost.
According to Wikipedia, Elopement, colloquially speaking, is often used to refer to a marriage conducted in sudden and secretive fashion, usually involving a hurried flight away from one's place of residence together with one's beloved with the intention of getting married.
While the technical definition of eloping is "running away," it has a slightly different significance in the current wedding climate. Eloping means getting married without telling everyone. To elope may also suggest that you don't want a formal wedding and elope for the ceremony instead. In modern times, eloping does not necessarily mean running away, and some couples who choose to elope will inform their families before their ceremony (though not always invite them to attend).
Why Elope?
There are lots of reasons why couples decide to elope. Sometimes, this can be because the parents or families don't approve of the union. Usually, weddings are an occasion when family and friends come together. If that approval isn't received from friends or family, a couple may decide not to have a large wedding and elope instead.
Another reason could be that the couple may not have enough money for a large traditional wedding, or simply may not want to invest their hard earned cash in a large ceremony, and would prefer to spend money on a honeymoon or other investment.
Ceremony and Reception
Best of luck planning your elopement!t always mean that you can't have a ceremony or reception to celebrate. An elopement gives the couple a chance to have a more intimate wedding with only a small number of guests. The same items of ceremony or tradition are often included in an elopement ceremony, so it can be just as meaningful and significant as a larger ceremony.
The couple may also want to have a small, intimate destination wedding with just immediate family, and then have their reception somewhere closer to home so they can invite extended family and friends. There's always the opportunity to have another celebrant (or the same one!) officiate a commitment ceremony or a mock wedding at the reception so everyone can see.
Personal Reasons
Everyone has their own reasons for marriage or what an elopement means to them. Sometimes a picturesque location like a beach or tropical island might be what they choose, or at other times just a basic location to perform the legal requirements may be appropriate. You can even get married in your own backyard or even your lounge room, if you so choose! Elopements should not be viewed in a negative way, it's up to the couple and whatever makes them happy.
Planning an Elopement
The Legal Bits
Despite the ceremony being smaller than usual, the couple still need to observe certain legal requirements. For example, their Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) still needs to be submitted to their celebrant no less than one month before their ceremony, and it is valid for 18 months. They still need to satisfy the requirements of proving their conjugal status, i.e "Never Validly Married", "Divorced" or "Widowed" by providing relevant documentation as requested by their celebrant. They also need to satisfy identification requirements so that the celebrant can be sure as to their identities. Lastly there must be at least two witnesses who are over the age of 18 who are present at the wedding ceremony. This makes 5 people the minimum amount to be there - the celebrant, the couple, and two witnesses.
Venue and Permits
It sounds simple enough to have an elopement ceremony at a local park or beach venue, however some local councils or cultural groups may require you to obtain a permit to host any event at their venue. Obtaining a council permit will ensure that the venue is booked and dedicated to your ceremony, and often that the area and its surrounds are tidy, free from rubbish or unsightly overgrowth.
There are some areas that may be protected or owned by indigenous or cultural groups. While these locations might be picturesque, there may be a requirement to either obtain a permit to use the area, or observe a particular tradition. For example, a venue significant to the Aboriginal community may have a requirement to use Acknowledgement of Country in the ceremony.
Benefits of Eloping
There are several benefits to having an elopement ceremony. As discussed above, they can be a wonderful opportunity to have an intimate ceremony with minimal guests, they can be a perfect chance to get married in a destination of your choice without paying for large numbers of guests to attend (or expecting your guests to pay to transport themselves), and also just for personal reasons.
It is highly likely that your celebrant will reduce their fee due to your ceremony being smaller, not requiring the use of their PA, and being simpler to create and present.
Whatever your reasons are for choosing to elope, it is entirely your preference and your celebrant can still work with you to make sure your day is exactly what you want it to be.
Best of luck planning your elopment!
Christopher McLean - Authorised Marriage Celebrant
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