The Rundown on Elopement Etiquette
Elopements are fast and romantic, often done at the spur of the moment and on a whim. However, that doesn't mean that there aren't rules about elopement etiquette. To make your wedding elopement as joyful as possible, follow these simple guidelines.
First of all, don't forget your family. Even though the point of eloping is to get away from the stress that family and formal weddings tend to bring, family is still family--and you're stuck with the consequences if you leave them out. While you don't have to invite them, you should let them know. Call parents and siblings on the way to the chapel or immediately after the ceremony. While you may want your wedding day to be all about the two of you, this rule of elopement etiquette ensures that those close to you don't feel purposely excluded and hurt.
Next, send out announcements. It's time to let people in on the happy news! There are no hard and fast elopement etiquette rules regarding a timeframe, but typically, the sooner the better. Less than two weeks is an ideal timeframe, and common courtesty dictates that you don't let over a month go by without mailing out wedding announcements.
Be sure to send out pictures to those close to you. (Well, in tandem, be sure that you actually take pictures.) After all, those close to you will want to have a memory--even just a 2D one--of this momentous occasion in your life. If you don't have a ton of money to spend (a common reason for an elopement), simply email digital pictures of the wedding. Or, go the extra mile and mail out actual copies. While sending out pictures isn't necessarily a formal etiquette guideline, it will go a long way toward helping your family embrace your newfound marital status.Finally, pay a post-elopement visit to parents and close family and friends. While it's easy to get caught up in the "we-we-we" exclusivity your freshly coined pairing confers, your parents deserve a personal visit so that they can officially see and greet you as a married couple. As with the elopement announcements, less than two weeks would be perfect, and try not to let a month go by without the personal visit.
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