How to Announce Your Elopement
Eloping is becoming more and more common these days, and no longer involve a bride sneaking out of her bedroom window and running away to a chapel in Las Vegas. Now, couples just want a more private and intimate experience for their wedding and chose to get married in secret, or with only a few friends. Elopements are often still planned to some extent but they better reflect a bride and grooms personality. Then comes the hard part: letting everyone know that you've tied the knot! If you're not quite sure how to go about it, read on for some tips!
Face-to-Face In all fairness, a few key people should be informed of your marriage before everyone else. Even if the elopement is to remain a secret, as soon as you get back you should make an effort to sit your parents and families down to share the big news. The key to allowing this to run smoothly is to choose your words carefully. Clearly express why you chose to elope without casting any sweeping statements about your loved ones. Explain that you were not trying to leave anyone out or exclude anyone but that you wanted to maintain an intimate, close moment with your partner specifically.
Paper announcements It can be nice to take a more traditional route in this situation and send out nice marriage announcement through the mail to all your friends and family. This is a chance to include any photos you have from the elopement itself, and it allows you to express your new status in a slightly more personal way, while saving the dozens of conversations at family holidays. Online wedding invitation websites have plenty of options for this. Your announcement can include a photo from your elopement, or just of the two of you, the date on which it occurred, the location and potentially a brief description. This could be where you express your desire to elope, a bit about your feelings on the day and thanking each person for the role they play in your lives as a couple.
Social Media In order to forgo any drama or hurt feelings, it might be wise to hold off on updating any relationship statuses or even posting pictures until everyone has received the marriage announcements and been informed. However, this could be different for every couple because you may know that none of your family members will really be upset about your elopement. Or, you may have some really traditional extended family and simply avoiding a post on Facebook could keep your happy new marriage bubble intact!
Style Me Pretty Contributor - Goli Parvinian is a bridal enthusiast and masters student living in Melbourne, Australia. Over the past few years, she has worked for bridal brands in her hometown of Chicago, New Zealand and New York City. You can typically find her in a cafe, face-timing her nieces or out on a long run.
