Did you regret eloping ?

[Imgettingmarried2025]

Just that really, my DP of 17yrs and I have decided to just elope, we’re done with trying to please everyone so we’ve booked Grenta Green for Feb with our 2 daughters aged 10 & 16
it was my idea but I’m just wondering if you regretted not having your family there and were your family/friends upset/mad when they found out ? We don’t want to tell a sole until it’s done. The plan after the wedding is to fly abroad as a family then have a reception in the summer for family and friends so we’d have that time to celebrate with everyone.
thanks in advance x

No regrets at all, it was great.

18 years ago DH and I went to Vegas and got hitched in one of the chapels. We didn't go for Elvis, just a simple ceremony and it was lovely plus we spent 5 nights in Vegas which was lots of fun. We both have complicated families and neither of us like the spotlight so the idea of standing up in front of a load of bickering people and trying to organise them so some would t have to deal with others just felt like it would be hellish and remove any joy from the day.

Cost us very little the service was about £500 once you added in a photo package and tips for everyone, and this was 18 yrs ago so flights and hotel were cheap too. Whole lot came in around £2k.

This is our issue, our family are horrible 😂 aww that’s sounds amazing congratulations on 18yrs x

Friends I've known who eloped have never expressed a regret. Either complicated or very small families. But I know their friends and relatives while respecting the choice, were disappointed....

Nope, although we didn't really elope, we did tell people but it was just the two of us that went away, we went to Gibraltar.
Wouldn't ever have done it any other way, it was perfect for us.

We eloped - no regrets!

It was a wonderfully romantic and special day.

DH and I went to Vegas and got hitched in one of the chapels. We didn't go for Elvis, just a simple ceremony and it was lovely

Same here. Just over 30 years ago and have zero regrets. Neither my husband nor I like being the center of attention and truthfully I couldn't be arsed with all the wedding planning faff.

Lovely memories and it was perfect for us. Our families knew beforehand and if anyone was angry or disappointed they didn't let on.

No regrets here! Again, complicated families compounded by a relatively recent and traumatic death. Registry office in a city we both love followed by afternoon tea and an escape room. One friend each as witnesses and 2 DDs (9 and 11 at the time). We communicated with families beforehand rather than springing it on them as a surprise and they were ok with it, which was lovely but unexpected. A great day, very happy memories and so small we could easily splurge on things like nice afternoon tea.

Never regretted it. City register Office, witnessed by two workmates he brought along on the day. Later, my Dad laughed and all was well.
Over 60years ago now, sadly he died 3years ago, lovely marriage.
I look back on it fondly, would not have done it any differently.

It worked out very well for us as it freed up funds to pay for the ivf that gave us our daughter.

Elopement was the best thing ever! We told both parents, when we got engaged, that was what we would like to do, hope they understood. Mixed response from them, mothers would like to attend, fathers not bothered. We just had a lovely weekend away in a country hotel with the wedding there. Lovely, romantic and special - no having to have any family we didn't want there. Would highly recommend.

I love a spotlight but DP really doesn’t and we both have complicated families. I’m also a tightwad and wouldn’t want to get fleeced by wedding obligations. If we tie the knot we will do Gretna too, and then have some sort of no fuss summer bbq or something at a later date to celebrate. DPs sister has already done something similar (civil service) and a few friends have had tiny weddings with a few to celebrating later but never got around to it. No one has expressed any regrets.

No regrets! Our families are lovely but it would have been logistically impossible to get everyone together, so we decided it was best to just get it done without any fuss. Just the two of us, and my daughters as witnesses. It was great.❤️

Wishing you a fantastic day! 💐

No regrets here either. We didn't technically elope as people knew but we went abroad, just the two of us. Really happy with the decision.

Ditto! we did exactly that - 15 yrs ago.

Yep, never told anyone. It was very little hassle and we made the cost back from the financial advantages within a couple of years. Result!

Top tip, Nevada and Scottish marriages can be searched for online, but English and Welsh ones you have to pay for a GRO search and have some idea of what you're looking for - PSA for anyone else just wanting to do it for the paper and not have anyone find out and kick off!