Lifting the Veil on Elopements: An Explanation and Inspiration
- Claire Evans
- Oct 19
- 5 min read
Most of us will have first discovered the word "elope" in the pages of a gothic romance novel. Historically, to elope is to run away in secret and marry one's sweetheart, often without parental consent or to avoid family or social opposition.
These days, it's still a wildly romantic concept that true free spirits might want to consider, as it allows a couple total freedom of choice without any external pressures or obligations. A brief explanation to lift the veil so to speak. Elopements tend to be more intimate affairs, where couples' mutual connections are prioritised over the expectations of others.
Now, I'm here to make the case for the "no rules" approach to attaining marital status for modern couples. Elopements can be as big or small, budget busting or cost conscious as you like. They can take place literally anywhere and at any time, depending on your specific requirements. You could do it in an afternoon or incorporate it into a holiday or "mini moon."
The main thing to note is that outside of a Registry Office or Local Authority approved venue, elopement weddings conducted by celebrants are not legal. But don't let that put you off! The legal part can be done in its most basic form, with two witnesses, at your local registry office at a time of your choosing for around £60.00, so you can treat your elopement as the main event!
While we're on the subject, let's also de-mystify celebrants. Celebrants come in various forms.
Humanist celebrants = secular/non religious ceremonies.
Independent celebrants = a tailored blend of religious and non religious elements, the a la carte celebrant if you like.
Civil/registrar celebrants are the ones who work for the local authority and operate within legal restrictions. These celebrants will only work at Registry Offices or local authority approved wedding venues and outside spaces.
I've popped a couple of my recommended celebrants below for those who are interested.
So, back to elopements. Let's count the ways. Here's a summary of the options.
Going It Alone
An elopement in it's purest form. Escaping is intimate and simple, usually involving the couple or the couple plus two witnesses (friends, individuals catered for by your chosen venue (see below) - or - for the edgiest of elopers - friendly and willing strangers). The simplest and "free-est" way to elope would be to head to your favourite beauty spot and exchange vows at a time of day of your choosing; be it a mountainside, an early morning beach ceremony followed by a dip in the sea, or in a woodland glade after a morning of pampering. For this kind of ceremony, you can truly go it alone and simply read aloud your vows to each other - alone or in the presence of a few witnesses if you so choose.
Kylie and Matt, The Firs Weddings and Events, Worcestershire Individual Ceremonies
Hiring a celebrant or asking a trusted friend to officiate. This option still offers an enormous amount of flexibility and freedom. The only real additional considerations are the celebrant's fee and the fact that the more people you include, the more diaries you have to synchronise. You might have a confident friend who is a great storyteller or orator. Alternatively, celebrants, in my experience, use their love of language and people skills to great effect to deliver a highly personalised ceremony which includes, (but is not limited to) ancient traditions like hand-fasting, ring warming and jumping the broom. They usually go the extra mile and by the end of your time together, they will know your love story off by heart and feel like more of a friend.
Your location options remain wide open, from your own back garden to an early morning stroll to your favourite tree.
Coopers Farm Tipis, Alvechurch, Worcestershire - guests heading to the woodland glade Outdoor Venues
Whilst elopements are usually intentionally small affairs, many couples still require the presence of their immediate family and friends. There are numerous outdoor venues which can assist with party planning; catering, festival games etc and provide a tipi or marquee for shelter from the elements when you're dancing into the night.
So, if you're determined to do your day your way and are wondering how to inject some elopement intimacy energy into the day you exchange your vows, here are my top 10 suggestions.
Weekenders
Escape for the weekend to your favourite scenic spot or city. You could take an open top bus tour, make your vows to each other over dinner in your favourite restaurant, on a bandstand at midnight, the back row of the cinema or at the summit of a mountain.
Elopement Picnic Woodland Picnic.
Invest in a picnic basket and head to your local deli to stock up on goodies and then head to the forest!
Take to the skies!
How about booking a flight in a light aircraft to celebrate? West Midlands couples could consider Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport, which is particularly quaint with a cool cafe and antiques centre to boot. https://www.wolverhamptonairport.co.uk/
Book your favourite AirBnB and a private chef.
A quick Google search throws up various websites vying for your trade and offering chefs to suit all budgets.
Plant a tree to commemorate the occasion.
This is one for nature lovers wanting to give back and might work for back garden ceremonies. Maybe consider planting a tree that beautifully reflects the season when you first met, e.g. evergreen trees such as Ilex (Holly) or Eucalyptus for winter couples, flowering Cherry Tree for Spring couples, Magnolia Sieboldii for Summer, Japanese Maple for Autumn colour.
Find a wild swimming spot.
Wild swimming is becoming increasingly popular. If you're particularly brave, many coastal towns, including Saundersfoot, South Wales and Readymoney Cove near Fowey in Cornwall create events around New Year's Day dips, so you could consider a New Year break and kick start your year with a bracing dip after your vow exchange. Alternatively, there are some beautiful spots along the River Lyn between Lynmouth and Water's Meet in North Devon and Hexworthy in Dartmoor for summer dippers - and I speak from personal experience here.
7. See the city sights....on foot or on an open top bus tour.
8. Canoes and a campfire. Locally, the River Severn is a great option with various operators offering seasonal canoe hire and guided trips with overnight camping options.
9. Take a scenic train trip. Here in the Midlands, we have the Severn Valley Railway, a heritage railway, manned by volunteers and steeped in nostalgia with numerous picturesque stops along its 16 mile route. Even better, there are wedding packages!
Hire a camper van or a cool car and take a road trip. We have some amazing scenery in this region, including the Shropshire Hills and are centrally places so the Cotswold and Wales are also just a hop, skip and a jump away.
Recommended Celebrants:
I've had the pleasure of working with this pair on more than one occasion and can confirm that your story and celebration of your union would be in very safe hands.
I hope that this post has given you some inspiration. If you're busy making plans, I'd love to hear about them! Leave me a comment or drop me an email if you would like me to capture any part of your plans in the most natural way, unique to you.
x Claire
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