Tag: weddings

Pros and Cons of Eloping

Published on by Bridgett King, Wedding OfficiantLeave a comment

Are you overwhelmed by the idea of hosting hundreds of people at a grand wedding? Eloping is a romantic alternative that can save you time and lower your stress. Of course, there are still pros and cons to consider before making your final decision about how you want to get married. As a couple contemplating elopement, you’ll find this guide invaluable in navigating the complexities of such a choice.

Pro # 1: Intimacy and Romance

Eloping offers a level of intimacy and romance that is hard to replicate in a traditional wedding setting. There’s a unique sense of closeness when it’s just the two of you exchanging vows in a secluded spot far from the crowd. 

When you’re away from everyone else, you can create a ceremony that is personal and meaningful. You can choose whether or not to include religious and spiritual elements or simply honor your love by reading each other a letter.

Pro #2: Reduced Stress and Costs

Planning a traditional wedding can be a logistical nightmare and a financial strain. Eloping eliminates much of this stress. There are no guest lists to manage, no seating charts to agonize over, and no need to break the bank on a lavish reception. The money saved can be used for other important life goals, such as buying a home or embarking on a dream honeymoon.

Pro #3: Flexibility and Freedom

If you plan to elope, you will enjoy far more flexibility and freedom than you would planning a large wedding. You won’t have to worry about choosing a venue or church that can hold your guests, which will give you many location options.

The same freedom applies to your choice for the time of day and time of year. There are no rules to follow except those you set for yourselves. You could get married at sunrise on a tiny beach in Thailand or exchange vows on the Cliffs of Dover in early spring. The options are endless.

Con #1: Missing Family and Friends

A significant downside of eloping is that you may miss having your friends and family by your side. Getting married is a big deal, and sharing that milestone with those you love makes it more special.

You always have the option of inviting a few people to your elopement. You could include your parents, a mentor, or a handful of close friends. Just because you want to elope doesn’t mean you can’t have a couple of your loved ones with you.

Con #2: Lack of Wedding Traditions

Most elopements lack many of the wedding traditions you might be used to. If you have always dreamed of making a grand entrance, walking down the aisle, having a first dance, cutting a cake, and more, then you might feel disappointed when you elope. This is even more true if you want to honor your religious, spiritual, or cultural background.

Con #3: Working Through Legal Issues

You might have to work through challenging legal issues and other logistical concerns to elope.  If you want to elope outside of your home country, research the marriage laws and regulations of your ideal destination. Many countries still don’t allow legal same-sex marriages, so that may limit your options if you’re a queer couple.

Finding Your Path to Happily Ever After

The decision to elope or have a traditional wedding is deeply personal. It doesn’t mean you have to exclude your loved ones or forgo your favorite wedding traditions. What matters most is that your wedding day reflects your love story and creates lasting memories that you both cherish.

Whether you choose to elope or not, make sure it’s a decision that resonates with you and your partner because it will set the stage for your new life together.

Avoid These Common Mistakes When Selecting Your Wedding Favors

Published on by Bridgett King, Wedding OfficiantLeave a comment

While it is not a required part of your wedding, many couples find that giving out favors to guests is a wonderful way to make their special days even more memorable. Naturally, selecting the right favors is far from a simple or straightforward task. If you’re struggling to find the right presents for your family and friends, take a moment to look at these tips. By avoiding some common favor mistakes, you will have an easier time picking out favors that will impress guests and make you feel content. 

Go for Something Special

If you Google “wedding favor ideas,” you will undoubtedly come across list after list of the same ideas. While there is nothing wrong with giving something commonplace to your guests, you may want to stand out. The whole concept of the favor is to give out gifts that thank them for taking part in this important milestone in your lives. By handing out something generic, you are letting go of an opportunity to really shine. 

Try not to gravitate towards basic items that have been personalized with your names. While it might be cute, your guests likely aren’t going to be impressed by custom pens, koozies, shot glasses, or other items that can be found at a job fair.

Make It Practical for Travel

Next, you must consider the size of the favor itself. While it might be a cute idea to give your guests custom throw pillows, these might be too cumbersome for your friends and family to travel with. Since plenty of your guests will be coming from places near and far, you need to think about items that are easy to toss in the car or take on public transportation. Anything too bulky should be avoided for the convenience of your loved ones. 

It is also important to avoid anything fragile. Materials like glass are not great for travel and greatly increase the odds of the items breaking while in transit. 

Consider the Level of Work

In the last decade or so, DIY favors have grown in popularity. While this can be a fantastic way to save money, many people forget how much work is involved when it comes to making favors by hand. If you are scouring Pinterest for ideas and seeing some DIY gifts that you think would be perfect, be sure to sit down and look at how much work will be involved before you settle on your final option. 

When considering this option, be sure to think over the amount of effort you will need to put in. Take to heart factors like how much the materials will cost, how much time is involved in assembly, and how many guests you will need to make favors for. 

Make It Accessible

A lot of couples assume that their favors need to be customized with details about the wedding. While this is cute, it actually is much less practical than many people realize. If you give your guests monogrammed handkerchiefs with your initials, it makes it less likely that the person will use the item. Having someone else’s name or wedding date printed on an item makes it feel more like a “collectible,” meaning it will be tossed on a shelf, in a box, or in the trash.

If you want guests to use the gifts you give them, then you need to make them appealing. Keep the designs simple and avoid too much customization and it can go a long way.

Select What Works Best

There are several ways you can go about selecting appropriate favors for your wedding. As long as the gifts capture your gratitude, you will be able to impress your family and friends while simultaneously adding to the overall aesthetic of your big day.