| Elopement is an honored romantic tradition: running | | | | The Carolina coast is growing increasingly popular as a |
| away together to get married. Historically, people | | | | wedding destination, and that goes double for |
| eloped in order to avoid the objections of family to | | | | elopements. Convenient to a large percentage of |
| their marrying; today, people elope for a variety of | | | | America's population, you may find that driving out to |
| reasons. | | | | North or South Carolina and marrying on the beach of |
| Often, choosing to elope is as simple as wanting to | | | | one of the barrier islands, or in front of one of the |
| avoid the fuss surrounding a big wedding. If your | | | | antebellum homes in Charleston, is your ideal wedding. |
| wedding seems to be more for your family than for | | | | In addition, you'll find that prices are reasonable there, |
| you, it might be wiser to elope. If it's your second | | | | making for a very cost-effective yet romantic |
| wedding and family members are unhappy about it - | | | | honeymoon. |
| elope. It's easier than arguing with them. | | | | Key West, Florida, is as far south as you can get on |
| Elopement is also a way to spend all your wedding | | | | the U.S. mainland, and it is just beautiful. The Caribbean |
| money on yourselves, rather than on a big wedding, or | | | | influences here have led to a very laid-back population, |
| to get married much more cheaply while still having a | | | | and your options include getting married on a boat, and |
| really romantic wedding. You can run away to get | | | | then cruising around the keys for a while. |
| married in a romantic spot, and then just stay there for | | | | Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is anything but tropical, but |
| your honeymoon. | | | | it has a charm of its own. With sailing boats moving in |
| Most people who've heard of eloping think immediately | | | | and out, a choice of sandy or rocky beach, and |
| of Las Vegas or of running away to Tijuana, Mexico. | | | | convenient access to cities, historical locations, and |
| You can do that, but those are far from your only | | | | charming bed-and breakfasts, you'll find that this haven |
| options. If you plan well, you can elope to just about | | | | for the wealthy makes for a remarkable runaway |
| any destination. The key is preparation: make sure you | | | | wedding. |
| understand how to get a marriage license where | | | | Cabo, in Baja California, is a perfect elopement location |
| you're headed, and pre-arrange for an officiant to | | | | that is also close to the United States. You'll find |
| marry you in a place of your choosing. Otherwise, | | | | remarkable geography, great snorkeling and kayaking, |
| treat it like a very special vacation. | | | | and a friendly population who are used to working with |
| Hawaii is a fantastic destination. Don't go to Oahu if | | | | American tourists. If you elope to Cabo, you may want |
| you're getting married; instead, opt for Maui or Kauai, | | | | to get married on paper at your local courthouse and |
| both islands that are much more lightly populated and | | | | just have the ceremony in Mexico, for legal reasons. |
| enjoyable for newlyweds (Kauai in particular). There | | | | There are dozens of other great places to elope to: |
| are incredible beaches, wonderful waterfalls, and lush | | | | Niagara Falls, New Orleans, Vancouver, or overseas in |
| green jungle; you'll also find a large number of | | | | Tahiti, Ireland, or Greece - it's really up to your personal |
| bed-and-breakfasts, so you're assured a relaxing, | | | | preferences. What do the two of you love? Think |
| uncrowded honeymoon. | | | | about that before choosing where to elope to. |