Once upon a time, when a couple eloped, they did so in secret. They went away in the middle of the night, and came back a few days later as a married couple. The only people who knew about the impending marriage was the couple themselves. The definition of elopement and elope is to “run away secretly in order to get married, especially without parental consent.” The word itself comes from the Anglo-French words “aloper” and “esloper” meaning “to abduct, run away.” Keeping their elopement plans to themselves, the couple would go a nearby courthouse or maybe a romantic destination to get married, only telling their friends and family about it afterwards.
Why do couples elope?
There are many reasons why couples chose to elope, the most common being that their parents didn’t approve of their union. Monetary reasons is a close second, where the couple and/or their families can’t take on the finances of a wedding. Also, there was a time when being pregnant before marriage was taboo, so couples in this situation often eloped.
The “New” way to elope
These days, eloping has taken on a different meaning. Gone are the days of sneaking out of a bedroom window in the middle of the night. Instead of secretively, running-away-without-telling-anyone, eloping now refers to a few different types of smaller weddings. It can be just the couple going to the courthouse or other wedding officiant, without anyone else present. It can be just a small mini-mony with only 10 or so people attending, or just a small destination wedding.
By the nature of its size, a small wedding is much more intimate as the couple is able to spend the time celebrating with their absolute closest family and friends, (instead of going around giving everyone a cursory “Thanks for coming!” with the hopes that they haven’t missed anyone). Some of the fancier, more elaborate elopements include wedding events throughout the weekend, including a welcome party, rehearsal dinner, and next-day brunch.
Essentially, today’s type of elopements are scaled-down weddings. They have wedding planners, florists and other decor specialists, scrumptious catering, a professional photographer and videographer, and celebrate with music and dancing.
Can we elope, then have a reception sometime afterwards?
Absolutely! In fact, couples have been doing something quite similar for years. Although, back then, no one called the original wedding ceremony an “elopement.” Instead, they had a small ceremony, often going out of town (Vegas and Gatlinburg are popular locales) or out of the country, and then had a reception sometime after they returned. Make sure to word the invitations accordingly. You aren’t requesting their presence at the marriage of. . ., but inviting them to the celebration in honor of their marriage.”
What aftereffect will Covid-19 have?
After experiencing the lockdown of the country (and the world), with the social-distancing policies and restrictions that have been in place, we are going to see a change in weddings.
Due to the necessity for couples to postpone their spring/summer 2020 nuptials, many chose to revamp their events to a smaller version. Again, there are many reasons why, including monetary reasons (lower budgets due to lost deposits, and lower incomes from being out of work), the desire to avoid stress that often accompanies planning a wedding, as well as any travel fears or concerns for out-of-town guests, or having a destination wedding which is popular with an elopement. Many may forgo a destination wedding, and choose a venue closer to home.
Also, for those planning weddings for 2021 and later, trying to predict what policies and restrictions may be in place a year or more from now is tricky. Although the severity of restrictions has lessened, it’s impossible to know when, or if, they will be completely lifted, allowing couples (and venues) to go back to hosting large events with dancing and congregating like those before the pandemic hit.
Even with many of the restrictions being lifted, unless a vaccine has been found, and Covid completely eradicated, couples planning weddings for late 2021 and beyond may still continue to plan for smaller events. This way, they will avoid having to make radical changes to their wedding plans should there be another wave of Covid. Or maybe they are now seeing that they don’t have to have a large event if they really don’t want one.
What do you think? Did you (or someone you know) elope? Let me know in the comments below!
Photo Credits:
Bride and Groom – Parekh Cards via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The Elopement – by Lewis Carroll via Wikimedia (Public Domain)
Las Vegas Chapel – Pony Rojo via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean
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