Discussions

I wanted to know the difference between the two.  
My partner and I want to elope.  
We’ve chosen a official date, contact with a marriage commissioner.  
We do want to exchange wedding bands. Have proper clothing attire. No flowers. After the ceremony just have dinner somewhere. Simple.  
 
Basically what I’m asking is how can we elope and have quite a few friends/family involved without having to spend so much money that we don’t have?

elopement - you and your fiance and a couple of witnesses. Using a marriage commissioner. Wherever you want it to be.  
 
Wedding - inviting anyone - including friends and family. Going out for supper after - you pay for their supper as invited guests. You can still be married by a marriage commissioner, that you pay for, at a place you chose. Having friends and family - are you going to set up chairs for them to watch, have music, reserve a restaurant where you can go for supper?  
 
Adding anything will cost and be a wedding.  
 
as mentioned - I eloped, marriage commissioner at my house, two attendants and the four of us went for supper. Done and over. No one knew. So it cost us a marriage license, fee to the wedding commissioner and 4 for supper.  
 
If you don't have money - elopement should be your answer.  
 
Edited by Brenda, 2017-11-12 20:40:49

Eloping is what you do when you just want to get married-without all the fuss and expense of a regular wedding. Generally when you elope you don't have friends and family in attendance - or maybe just a couple friends or family members to serve as witnesses.  
 
You might get married-then later have a house party or BBQ or something to announce the marriage to family and friends.

The options are endless. Friends had a bbq and flew in lobster, so if you said you were coming you had to show up as they had ordered lobster. After supper they surprised everyone by getting married. My hubby and I just had our parents there which got a couple friends mad at us. Another friend had a pot luck wedding. The wedding is the first day of your marriage so don't let other people tell you how to do it.