Runaway Wedding Guide: How to Plan an Elopement Wedding Day in the UK

More couples are eloping these days, and it’s not hard to see why. Elopement weddings offer a relaxed and intimate experience that is perfect for couples who prefer to keep the focus on themselves and their new spouse. This trend towards intimate weddings is growing at pace, with more and more couples booking elopement packages for their small weddings.

If you are thinking of eloping, our guide to Runaway Weddings will help you plan the elopement wedding of your dreams right here in the UK.

What is an Elopement Wedding?

Most commonly, elopement refers to a couple’s secret plans to marry without inviting friends and family. But the term has changed its meaning over the years and is now also used to refer to a destination wedding, small scale wedding, micro wedding and even an intimate civil ceremony.

How to Elope UK?

An elopement is one of the fastest, easiest and cheapest ways to get married in the UK, but you’ll need to understand the legal requirements before you begin planning your day. These include not being underage, closely related, or already wed.

Plus you must be a British citizen (or have the correct rights to marry on British soil). After this, it’s simply a matter of deciding on a ceremony venue and applying for a license. Then all you’ll need to do is show up on the day!

Can you have a spur of the moment elopement wedding?

Unfortunately, elopements aren’t as spontaneous as they might seem. If you’re planning to get married or enter into a civil partnership in the UK, you won’t be able to have a spur of the moment wedding because an elopement is a legal ceremony with certain legal criteria. Before booking any elopement packages, you should also note that the laws governing elopements are different in Scotland and Northern Ireland to those in England and Wales.

How Old do You Have to Be to Elope?

You must be over 18 years of age (or 16 and over with a parent or guardian’s permission) to legally elope in the UK.

Do People Regret Eloping?

Elopement weddings can be exciting and romantic but some worry that starting married life without their close family and loved ones involved might lead to regret. This is why couples who choose an elopement wedding are increasingly including guests and a small wedding party in their plans.

How Old do You Have to Be to Elope?

You must be over 18 years of age (or 16 and over with a parent or guardian’s permission) to legally elope in the UK.

Do People Regret Eloping?

Elopement weddings can be exciting and romantic but some worry that starting married life without their close family and loved ones involved might lead to regret. This is why couples who choose an elopement wedding are increasingly including guests and a small wedding party in their plans.

Is an elopement wedding a Legal Marriage?

As long as you have a licence, licensed venue, registered officiant and at least two witnesses, your elopement wedding is as legally binding as a large scale, more traditional wedding.

How to Announce You Eloped?

It is commonplace to hold a drinks reception or party after an elopement wedding so that you can celebrate your day with loved ones even if you have a private ceremony.

Can You Elope and Then Have a Wedding?

It is fairly common for couples to first have an elopement which ensures the legal paperwork is done properly, followed by a separate romantic “wedding” ceremony, sometimes on the same day, to celebrate with all of their family and friends.

Many people choose this option so they can have their dream wedding – such as tying the knot in a quaint summer house or even against the beautiful backdrop of the beach – but also ensure that the nuptials are lawful.

What Do I Need to Elope?

Though it might sound romantic to get wed in a little summer house on the spur of the moment, the practicalities are a little more strict.

Before eloping, you’ll need to get a license. You’ll also need an officiant or celebrant for your wedding ceremony. And you’ll need to book a registered venue. You may also want to hire a photographer, book a wedding venue for the reception, as well as accommodation and transportation for your special day.

Can You Elope With Family?

When Love is in the air, and it’s time to say ‘I do’ but you want family members to be part of your big day, Arches elopement wedding packages are just the thing for you.

Designed to suit a range of elopements, from micro wedding ceremonies with only the necessary witnesses as guests and intimate parties including just your nearest and dearest, to big wedding with up to 120 guests who are looking for exclusive hire.

Why Do Couples Elope to Gretna Green?

The 1754 Marriage Act in England and Wales meant that under 21s were unable to be wed without parental permission, so runaway weddings became a popular choice. Gretna Green became one of the most popular spots because it was on the very border, allowing for quick and easy escapes.

Is It Selfish to Have an Elopement wedding?

To say an elopement wedding is selfish is far from the truth. Weddings are deeply personal and if you want yours to be a private affair it’s entirely up to you. The final choice on how many guests you have and the wedding venue you select is yours, and nobody should judge you for celebrating your love in the way you want to.

What Is the Difference Between Getting Married and Eloping?

Eloping originally meant a couple running away in secret to get wed without the couple’s families permission. In modern times, elopement doesn’t need to be secretive it just means that the couple travels somewhere to tie the knot, usually with only the necessary witnesses or a minimal number of guests.

Should You Have a Wedding or Elopement?

It’s really down to personal preference! Couples eloping might want to save money by not having a big party with a huge guest list, or they may want to avoid family politics.

Do You Need Witnesses for an Elopement wedding?

Whether it’s a runaway wedding in the beautiful North Devon countryside, a church elopement or a celebrant led ceremony, to be legally married you will need at least two witness signatures on the register.

Do You Need a Marriage License to Elope?

The short answer is yes. You will need a marriage license for your elopement. To get this you must give at least 28 days’ notice of your intention to marry at your local registry office.

What are the Most Popular Elopement Packages?

From flying to Las Vegas and saying your vows before Elvis, to an intimate wedding in a popular elopement destination located in the beautiful North Devon countryside, there are many types of elopement wedding packages, all at varying times and costs.

How Long does it Take to Plan an Elopement wedding?

Even with fewer guests, a DIY elopement takes a lot of organising because planning a wedding day is not a simple process even for the smallest elopement wedding. And whilst you might not need to look for a stately home to host your wedding ceremony, you will want to think about things, such as: what will you wear? will you need to hire a wedding photographer? will you choose a wedding venue in the UK or abroad?

What to Wear on your Elopement wedding day?

Part of the fun of an elopement is that you can wear whatever you want. From a quick casual outfit for a summer house themed wedding or a beach wedding attire, to wearing the traditional white dress for a more formal affair, you can wear whatever you desire to feel comfortable and unique on your wedding day.

Do I Need to Hire a Professional Wedding Photographer if I am Eloping?

Your wedding photography lasts a lifetime and it is a frequent regret of couples who have eloped that they don’t have enough photography of their wedding day.

We would always recommend that you hire a photographer that is professional to capture some shots of the ceremony, wedding venue and the happy couple. That way you can show loved ones what the day was really like even if they are not attending.

UK’s Best Places to Elope

For your perfect elopement wedding, we think you’d be hard pushed to find a more stunning location than famed beach wedding venue Arches by the beautiful beaches of North Devon.