OH and I are talking about eloping... any tips?

[Dani18]

My OH and I are considering eloping next year as our families are in different countries, I'm not close to my parents and we feel as though "a big white wedding" will cost a lot of money and stress.
I've downloaded a TUI brochure with holidays that offer a wedding service but am a bit dubious about it. We wouldn't want a bit thing, maybe a handful of guests on the beach then a dinner. Anyone done it? Would be grateful for some tips or pointers x

The whole point of eloping is that you don't tell anybody about it.

Isn't the point of eloping that it's meant to be secret?

Oops X post

Well the majority of people wouldn't know. We were just gonna have a couple witnesses...

Any actual helpful input?

Get married at a registry office or equivalent where you live, nice meal out with witnesses. Go on lovely holiday tell everyone else when you get back from honeymoon.

Random Mess' suggestion is the most straightforward. Registry office here, nice meal, then holiday. Also meals yuo won't pay the wedding premium on your holiday, but should be able to get honeymoon offers.

I agree you are talking about two separate things.
Elopement is just you two with two witnesses.

It sounds like you might be after a small wedding in which case Tui are fine. My friend got married with them this summer. The plane was obviously a charter flight just for the marriage packages. So full of wedding parties with the seats having heart head rest covers and other touches. Either your thing or not I guess.

Do you want people to know you are married or not is the question. I'm guessing it would cause less problems if you marry in a registry office and then have a small party to celebrate somewhere lovely later.

We eloped/married end of July, just the 2 of us, holiday for a week then had a dinner with our respective families (opposite ends of country). Was awesome, wouldn't change a thing. Biggest expense was photographer which we're really happy we did.

If you get married at Crear (Scotland) with Wee Weddings, the photographer and bagpipe player can be your witnesses, so you wouldn't have to tell anyone at all!

Mum4Fergus Can I ask what part you had a photographer for? As I’d love to elope abroad just the two of us then do meals with family, but am worried I’d miss out on photos! The way you did it sounds perfect by the way

I would say that people explaining to you what eloping means are actually being very helpful! What you're talking about is a small wedding abroad with a handful of guests. That's not eloping. So do you want advice on actual eloping, or advice on having a small wedding abroad?

We went off to Hawaii in December. Still warm weather, hotels were cheap, and there are many wedding services that are cheap! We got limo, video, photos, ukulele player and flowers for £800. Best decision we ever made.

Ignore the pedantic people. Most know what you mean.

Theresnodineyending It's not being pedantic!

Eloping is marrying without telling anyone. Yes, the Op can go abroad and do this. People ( as you have done,) can give advice on places this would work. If you don't invite anyone ,no one can be offended. My be relevant with their family situation.

Op then said she would like a " handful" of guests. , on a beach. That's a whole different set of issues. If you only want 6 people there it's got to be a date they can all do, will the Op be paying for them or give them time to save up. Then you have to factor in guest expectations rather than bride and groom pleasing themselves.

The Op needs to acknowledge they are different if she wants to pick the right wedding.

We eloped to Vegas last year, married in a suite in Bellagio, arranged celebrant ourselves.

Husbands brother and his wife flew over and were our witnesses.

Went for lunch at Guy Fieri's after it. So relaxed and perfect.

@pangur2 we eloped with wee weddings and it was the most amazing day ever.

I got married in Vegas, booked it direct with little white chapel online, they told us what to do otherwise (we had to get marriage licence day before)

Really easy and cheap