Elope?

I love this idea, think it would be really lovely! Simple but equally an amazing day for the two of you, and I love the idea of the BBQ in the evening to announce! The only thing would be how your family would feel about missing your marriage and only finding out after at the evening BBQ? Ultimately it's your day so I'm all for as long as it's what the two of you want then go for it! The only reason I say how would they feel is because if they did react badly it could put a downer on the evening and the rest of your special day, if you see what I mean? Really depends on your families! I just wouldn't want anything to ruin your day. And also, consider what you would do if the weather is bad in terms of the picnic and the BBQ? But like I said, I think it all sounds so romantic and I think it'd be amazing

Thanks hun! I THINK we would tell our very closest, to ensure they don't feel ambushed. Don't know now. In the sunshine today in the garden it seemed genius but now I feel unsure again. Maybe I did get carried away?

We were eloping until my H2B's mum had a heart attack and he decided he wanted her there, so now we have eleven guests. Whilst I understand why he wanted to change the plans, part of me still wishes it was just gonna be us two. So I say go for it!

We wanted no fuss and at one stage thought of booking a registry office wedding and 'kidnapping' our two mums and just getting married. We were then going to have a party for all our friends and family which we would bill as an engagement party and then announce we had just got married.

Trouble was we had just got OH eldest daughter around to accepting me and we didn't want to upset that, thought we would have to tell her, if we told her we would have to tell his other two daughters, then we would have to tell my daughter and on it went ............................. until we said to hell with it just lets have a conventional wedding.

Love your idea though, hope it works out and enjoy!

I think if you're going to elope then you need to do it without this idea of announcing it at a family event on the same evening. I can only imagine your parents reaction... it's not going to go down well if you turn up saying "Surprise! We got married just around the corner earlier today but didn't invite any of you lot!"

If you want to elope then go further away, or book a holiday and announce it when you get back. It's not really fair on your parents to get them to host a party to celebrate a wedding they were not really included in.

The other alternative is to book a very small wedding, eg 20 people and have the party at your parents house. That way, all the people invited that evening will have attended the wedding.