How to Elope
Eloping is a great alternative to the hassle of a big wedding. Here’s what to do.
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You Will Need
- A partner
- A marriage license
- Witnesses
- An official to preside over the ceremony
- A place to get married
- Some money
- Airline tickets and hotel reservations
Steps
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Step 1
List the pros and cons
Eloping is a big decision, since you might disappoint some of your nearest and dearest. Then again, the money everyone will save on a big wedding might be appreciated. Make a list of pros and cons. If you still want to elope—go for it!
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Step 2
Decide where to elope
Decide where to elope. Is the purpose just to get a quickie marriage or to have a fun romantic escapade? Is it Vegas, City Hall, or Paris? An ordained Elvis or a justice of the peace?
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Step 3
Get a marriage license
How you get the marriage license will depend on where you’re eloping. Some places require a waiting period and/or a blood test. Towns like Las Vegas require neither. Consult the county clerk’s office—either online or over the phone—where you plan to marry.
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Eloping to Paris is not easy. It requires at least one person to reside in France for at least 40 days prior to marriage. It also requires piles of documents.
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Step 4
Get a witness or two
You’ll need to have one or two witnesses, depending on the local law. Certain wedding chapels in places like Vegas will provide their own.
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Know who can perform your ceremony. This can vary depending on the location, from a judge to a friend who has recently been ordained on the internet.
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Step 5
Just do it
You’ve got the license, the witnesses, the 35 to 55 bucks for the ceremony. Just do it! Elope!
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Step 6
Make the announcement
Now that you’re Mr. and Mrs., it’s time to let everyone know. Prepare cards announcing your elopement—and promising everyone a party when you hit 10 years. Invest the money you saved on a wedding, and in a decade the interest alone will pay for the party! Congrats!
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Each year 110,000 marriage licenses are issued in Las Vegas.
