What qualifies as an elopement?

In the UK, there is no official category called an elopement. Legally, you are simply getting married. What makes it an elopement is the scale and the intention. Most couples choose to have no guests at all, or only the two witnesses required by law. Others invite a small group, say up to ten people, for the ceremony and a meal afterwards.

The location can be anywhere that is legally permitted. In England and Wales, you can marry at a register office, an approved venue, or a registered religious building. Since 2022, approved venues can hold civil ceremonies outdoors within their grounds. In Scotland, you can marry almost anywhere the registrar or celebrant agrees to, indoors or outdoors. In Northern Ireland, the ceremony takes place at a venue approved by the registrar.

An elopement is not about running away secretly, although some couples do keep it private. It is about choosing a simpler, more personal wedding. You might still wear a wedding outfit, have a photographer, and exchange rings. The key difference is that you are not hosting a large event. You are prioritising the marriage itself over the party.