Where to elope??? With or without family???
Apr 24th, 2012, 06:19 AM
#1
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Where to elope??? With or without family???
I have a serious dilemma on my hands. I am on a budget, and trying decide where to begin in this process is very daunting to me. I have a few additional "unique" things to consider while planning. We have beautiful twin boys that are almost 5 and i can't even imagine them not being a part of our special day. I want something simple on the beach perhaps (my dream actually). Ive thought of Outer Banks N.C.. Rent a beach house and have it right there. Then i feel so limited to dates b/c my sister is a teacher and off season, which is so much cheaper, is during her school year. We also need to think about having a family party when we get home for extended family.
My FI wants just the two of us to go away and elope in the Caribbean. St Martin/marteen, Turks and Caicos, or maybe Costa Rica. We have been engaged for 5 years! I feel like this will never happen. How can I be sure that I will have the simple wedding that we want, but still memorable and most importantly, not regretting my boys not being there? What do we do? I appreciate any help you can give.
My FI wants just the two of us to go away and elope in the Caribbean. St Martin/marteen, Turks and Caicos, or maybe Costa Rica. We have been engaged for 5 years! I feel like this will never happen. How can I be sure that I will have the simple wedding that we want, but still memorable and most importantly, not regretting my boys not being there? What do we do? I appreciate any help you can give.
Apr 24th, 2012, 06:34 AM
#2
Because of budget constraints, giving a figure really helps us help you. If not, we are just guessing what budget is.
Also in your budget, say how many days, if you want to include air in the budget, and possibly food and or the wedding.
Summer is cheaper in .Caribbean(during summer break) but airlines overall are costly.
Again, budget $ helps us help you, if not it's too subjective!
Also in your budget, say how many days, if you want to include air in the budget, and possibly food and or the wedding.
Summer is cheaper in .Caribbean(during summer break) but airlines overall are costly.
Again, budget $ helps us help you, if not it's too subjective!
Apr 24th, 2012, 09:18 AM
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You are so right and i apologize for the vagueness. This is the first time I sought help. I would say the budget i'd like to stay at would be about $8000 total for everything. I would say between 7 and 10 days if we do the caribbean thing. We would probably need to do all inclusive if we choose to do the elopement. Thank you
Apr 24th, 2012, 12:53 PM
#4
If this is going to be an actual official wedding (not just a ceremony) and you are US citizens, it will be a LOT easier to do it within the United States (including USVI and Puerto Rico).
Getting married in a foreign country gives you many more hoops to jump thru as far as legal requirements.
Getting married in a foreign country gives you many more hoops to jump thru as far as legal requirements.
Apr 24th, 2012, 01:20 PM
#5
Actually quite easy to marry in Caribbean, you just need to know the requirements.
Most islands require you spend 3 nights before the ceremony. They also require some paperwork, especially if theres been a previous marriage.
Many islands have mid range resorts that will offer wedding packages, for example Royal West Indies in Turks and Caicos offer 3 night packages including a small ceremony.
For all inclusives though, you need to look at typical AIs such as in Mexico and Dominican Republic, which would be in your price range and you can even take the twins.
Or compromise? Get married at the beach closer to home(don't know where you live) the honeymoon a long weekend.
Start by calling or email turksandcaicosreservations.tc. Give them your budget, tell them you want a wedding package with your budget, they may be able to put something together for you, including the wedding itself, and stay within your budget. They will even help with all the paper work, etc you may need. Tell them you heard of them from Fodors.
Ps, its the worlds most beautiful beach! ;-)
Most islands require you spend 3 nights before the ceremony. They also require some paperwork, especially if theres been a previous marriage.
Many islands have mid range resorts that will offer wedding packages, for example Royal West Indies in Turks and Caicos offer 3 night packages including a small ceremony.
For all inclusives though, you need to look at typical AIs such as in Mexico and Dominican Republic, which would be in your price range and you can even take the twins.
Or compromise? Get married at the beach closer to home(don't know where you live) the honeymoon a long weekend.
Start by calling or email turksandcaicosreservations.tc. Give them your budget, tell them you want a wedding package with your budget, they may be able to put something together for you, including the wedding itself, and stay within your budget. They will even help with all the paper work, etc you may need. Tell them you heard of them from Fodors.
Ps, its the worlds most beautiful beach! ;-)
Apr 30th, 2012, 10:10 PM
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Aren't elopements supposed to be spontaneous events? Or ones done in secrecy because of disapproving parents? That dynamic, like so many things, is changing rapidly in the economic downturn. In fact when we say elopement we think of it as budgeting or even controlling. Even Carey Provost, who eloped to Santa Barbara, Calif. last year, agrees with Schaeffer. The economic depression has been hard on the wedding sector, as it has on most sectors. While it has started turning back around, the sector is still not conjuring up the profits that it did just a couple years ago. Many would-be nuptials are searching for ways to have a luxurious wedding without breaking the bank. One way that is collecting steam is the guest-free staged elopement. Well, the idea of a planned elopement may leave many in confusion. Article source: https://personalmoneynetwork.com/mon...ed-elopements/
May 1st, 2012, 07:45 PM
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Welcome to Fodors! And congrats on getting to plan your wedding.
These are just my thoughts:
First, you and your DF need to come to an agreement on whether you're taking the twins. Strictly speaking budget-wise, that doubles your plane ticket costs right there.
Second, you two need to agree on whether you're including anyone else.
You need to consider what's best for you, DF and the twins. Everyone else comes after that.
Next, look at where you can get to from your home airport, looking at direct flights and types of accomodations available. AI in some places might not be the most budget-friendly option.
Then you need to consider marriage requirements for those locations. Some places make it easier than others to do a destination wedding.
(Bermuda, for example, is quite easy, and almost every hotel has someone who will handle the paperwork for you via mail and email, ahead of time. Roatan's requirements were involved enough to convince us to look elsewhere.)
Then, you can decide whether to do a destination wedding, or a JP ceremony at home, and a tropical honeymoon. I would add that having your heart and budget set on a particular place would help the wedding at home or away decision. But if you're not as concerned with WHERE you go, you can search for islands with more relaxed requirements.
Breathe. Keep it simple. Come back with more questions when you have them! Good luck!
These are just my thoughts:
First, you and your DF need to come to an agreement on whether you're taking the twins. Strictly speaking budget-wise, that doubles your plane ticket costs right there.
Second, you two need to agree on whether you're including anyone else.
You need to consider what's best for you, DF and the twins. Everyone else comes after that.
Next, look at where you can get to from your home airport, looking at direct flights and types of accomodations available. AI in some places might not be the most budget-friendly option.
Then you need to consider marriage requirements for those locations. Some places make it easier than others to do a destination wedding.
(Bermuda, for example, is quite easy, and almost every hotel has someone who will handle the paperwork for you via mail and email, ahead of time. Roatan's requirements were involved enough to convince us to look elsewhere.)
Then, you can decide whether to do a destination wedding, or a JP ceremony at home, and a tropical honeymoon. I would add that having your heart and budget set on a particular place would help the wedding at home or away decision. But if you're not as concerned with WHERE you go, you can search for islands with more relaxed requirements.
Breathe. Keep it simple. Come back with more questions when you have them! Good luck!
May 3rd, 2012, 05:42 PM
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Is there a family member who could look after the twins while you and your DF get away for a long weekend? You could have a big party when you return that of course includes your twins. This would greatly expand your budget without excluding the most important people in your life.
To make island suggestions for you, it would help to know where you're coming from. Especially if you're only going to be away for a few days. Some of the cheaper islands are Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Belize, and Costa Rica. I absolutely LOVE Turks, but it can be really expensive.
Anyway, post back and let us help some more!
To make island suggestions for you, it would help to know where you're coming from. Especially if you're only going to be away for a few days. Some of the cheaper islands are Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Belize, and Costa Rica. I absolutely LOVE Turks, but it can be really expensive.
Anyway, post back and let us help some more!
May 11th, 2012, 08:43 PM
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I have been dealing with a similar situation. We want to elope in the Caribbean as well but I have a 7 year old son from my first marriage. The cost of flying him and my father and for their hotel was too costly... I couldn't imagine him not being there though.
Here is my solution. My fiance and I are going to go alone and elope... have our private, intimate moment on the sand. When we return we are going to have a simple private ceremony for my son. My father will perform the ceremony "since we will already be married"... my son will walk me down the isle. This will give us and him the family unity and memory of the special event. It's personal and I think they will love that they get to play a bigger part. The money you save can go towards their suits, getting your hair and make up done again, flowers, a photographer and a nice family dinner after. Invite just the intimate family and do it somewhere free.
Here is my solution. My fiance and I are going to go alone and elope... have our private, intimate moment on the sand. When we return we are going to have a simple private ceremony for my son. My father will perform the ceremony "since we will already be married"... my son will walk me down the isle. This will give us and him the family unity and memory of the special event. It's personal and I think they will love that they get to play a bigger part. The money you save can go towards their suits, getting your hair and make up done again, flowers, a photographer and a nice family dinner after. Invite just the intimate family and do it somewhere free.
