What actually happens at an elopement?

The practical steps are the same as any legal wedding. You give notice at your local register office, or in Scotland you submit a marriage notice to the registrar for the district where you will marry. On the day, you meet your registrar or celebrant, exchange vows and rings if you want, and sign the marriage schedule or document with two witnesses. In England and Wales, witnesses must be present; in Scotland they must be aged 16 or over.

After the ceremony, the day is yours. Some couples go for a long walk, have a picnic, book a nice meal, or take photographs in a favourite place. Others include a few close family members or friends, but the focus stays on the couple. You might also choose to have a small reception later, or a party for everyone else at another time.

Because there are fewer guests, you can spend more time with each other and really notice the moment. You can also choose a location that is meaningful to you, whether that is a beach, a forest, a city hall, or a loved one's garden. The legal requirements are the same as for a larger wedding, but the atmosphere is usually calmer and more intimate.