Is an elopement right for you?

The minute I hear the word elopement I think of a story where a couple is forbidden to fall in love so they run off and get married against their parent’s wishes. If that was the case in the past elopement certainly does not mean the same thing anymore. Nowadays elopements occur quite a bit more often and are not such a faux pas as they used to be.  Couples are choosing to elope for many legitimate reasons. Some of them are discussed below:

1. Decreased costs. The elopement is quick and easy with typically very few people involved. However, usually a couple that elopes does have a reception a few months after.
2. Decreased anxiety. If you are a bride that is extremely nervous about being the center of attention while walking down the aisle, going through an entire day of being stared at and taken pictures of this might be a good idea for you. Elopements are a more relaxed intimate experience with a lot less pressure.
3. Cultural differences: If you are combining two very strict cultures it can seem impossible to make everyone happy. There is a high possibility of having large family feuds over the wedding ceremony. Elopement removes all those uncomfortable and upsetting situations.
4. Intimate experience: Maybe you and your fiancé moved away together and lived your lives away from family. If this is the case it might be more meaningful for just the two of you to share the moment together.
5. No time: If you found the man/woman of your dreams and want to get married, but just don’t have the time for a wedding, elopement might be a good option. This problem can also occur when your vacation times never sync up.
6. Not a fan of weddings: Maybe you have witnessed one too many grand weddings that are followed a few years later by divorce. It is possible for an individual to still believe in marriage, but not believe in having a wedding.

Although there are many good reasons to elope always ensure it is what you want. You don’t want to wake up the next day and wish you had done the traditional wedding in the church instead.

Marital Bliss Hints: Can't Stop Fighting Over the Wedding

You bring up the cake or the seating arrangement or the budget and the fight begins! You are a happy couple whenever you are not talking about the wedding, but for some reason talking about the wedding always results in a fight. Maybe you have noticed this trend and have been pushing the planning to the side. Now you are noticing the date getting closer and closer and the stress is starting to build.

Weddings are a very important and emotional event, which makes each decision around the day significant. Weddings put any couples negotiating skills to the test. If you are a couple that have very different tastes and you both have strong opinions it can definitely make each decision a bit more complicated. Below are a few tips on how to discuss each other’s ideas and come to a compromise before the stress and anxiety kick in and the fight begins.

First: Set aside time to talk about the wedding. This way you both can insure you are in the right frame of mind to listen to what the other person has to say and express your opinion.

Second: Be respectful of what the other person is saying and be patient. Yes, your future wife really thinks it is reasonable to spend $2000 on a dress and yes, your groom wants his own cake in the shape of a beer can.

Third: Be organized. Writing down each other’s key points will help clarify the situation

Fourth: Don’t try to conquer too many decisions at once. For each conversation have about three main topics that you are going to discuss.

Fifth: Don’t panic if after the first conversation you do not have a decision made on the venue, cake and decorations. It is fine if the first time you both discuss a topic you don’t come to a conclusion right away. The decisions that are more important to you as a couple might take a few conversations until you find the perfect conclusion.

At all times, remember that at the end of the day the wedding is about celebrating your love and the future life you will be sharing together.

Marital Bliss Hint: When Your Families Hate Eachother!

It is true that opposites attract. That being said, although you love the differences in each other your families may not. The differences that can exist between families can be astronomical! Families may have different mannerisms, a different sense of humor, different likes and dislikes, hobbies, social standing, cultural background and even language. None of this makes bringing the two families together easy especially when you’re considering bringing them together to celebrate your wedding. One of the best ways to break the ice is to show your families something they have in common. Bring your families together to learn something fun and interactive together at a neutral location. For example, if there is going to be dancing at the reception have the closest family members attend a group dance lesson. In the process of learning a routine for your reception everyone will chat, learn a bit more about each other and need to work as a team. If on one’s into dancing try bowling, mini-golf or an activity both families have already expressed an interest in. Just be sure it is something interactive and easy-going! Splitting up the women and the men might also help as men and women bond in different ways. Most importantly, don’t let any discrepancies between family members stress you out. Remember that at your reception everyone will be happy and polite because both families will want to ensure you have the most perfect day!