Last weekend I was the celebrant at an elopement. It was a perfect day, overlooking the sand and water at Buffalo Beach, Whitianga. The ceremony was short and simple but very heartfelt. My couple were so happy and excited to be making this commitment. It was every bit as special to me, and to them, as a big wedding with all the bells and whistles.

I see more and more couples who are electing to elope. Some will have a relaxed celebration with friends and family sometime after the event, and others will simply treasure the moment.

Brides, you can still have a beautiful dress, if that’s what you want. You can still choose a beautiful setting, and have a photographer record it all. The days of standing in a queue at the registry office are over (registry office weddings have now been outsourced to local celebrants, meaning they are much more personal and flexible).

So ... if you’re having a panic attack at the thought of a big fancy wedding ceremony ... If you’re stressed to the max about the cost of it all ... Hate being the centre of attention ... Have tricky family dynamics ... Are sweating over the guest list ... And/or worried that COVID-19 is going to ruin your best laid plans ... when all you want to do is Get Married! ...

... You can avoid most of the headaches and heartaches by simply eloping.

As a celebrant, I love elopements!

Whatever prompts a couple to get married in this way, it really is a very special way to celebrate your love, your twosome and your marriage.

Whether it’s the fact that a couple chooses to come by themselves (or with a handful of loved ones)... Or the fact that a couple have decided to focus on making the day just about them ... Or that they want to do one of life’s biggest moments in the smallest and most intimate way ... Or that they have made the brave decision to strip back their wedding day to its rawest essence ... there is something extra special about an elopement wedding.