Redefining the definition of “elope”
Elope verb
To run away secretly with the intention of getting married usually without parental consent.*
What comes to your mind when you think of the word elope? I bet it’s one of a few different scenarios:
1 – A young couple runs away to the courthouse to legally wed in spite of their parents or because, heaven forbid, they got pregnant out of wedlock. Shock and awe. (What decade is this?)
2 – A couple runs off to Vegas to get married in a quickie ceremony led by fake Elvis. (BTW – this can actually be a really cool way to get married and doesn’t have to be a last resort. Vegas is awesome.)
3 – A couple gets married in an awe-inspiring location doing exactly what they want to do on their wedding day, either just the two of them or with their very closest friends and family. (Wait, that sounds totally dope… oh wait, that’s cause it is!)
If number three is what comes to mind, then you are on the right track to helping the world redefine what an elopement can be. I’ve spent some time thinking about what an elopement means to me and I’ve come up with the following definition of what it means to elope.
AN ELOPEMENT IS AN INTIMATE, LAID-BACK WAY TO COMMIT YOUR LIVES TO EACH OTHER IN A WAY THAT IS AUTHENTIC TO YOU.
Every couple deserves to have the wedding day they want, no matter what that looks like. No one should be made to feel like they have to fit into a box just to get married. I’ve met so many people who felt like they couldn’t have the wedding they wanted because their family doesn’t agree or society deems big weddings “the right way”. Sure, that’s the right way for a lot of people, but not for everyone.
Check out my post on “What is an elopement?” to see what your elopement day could look like. You deserve to get married in whatever way feels right to you.
