Since 2007 we have been hosting small and intimate elopements and weddings at The Holladay House. In fact, USA Today even named The Holladay House as one of the top 100 places to elope in the U.S. and we have also been named one of the top 5 in Virginia! We absolutely adore helping couples create the perfect day to start their new life together, but with over a decade of experience, we know weddings often bring unforeseen stress when not planned properly. Here are five of the biggest elopement mistakes and how we can help you avoid them.
Spontaneity – Sometimes, people decide to elope with very little time to prepare. While this is wonderful and exciting, spontaneity can also lead to slacking and being unprepared. Although eloping is appealing because it can come together quickly, it is still important to figure out your unique vibe and communicate your expectations about the day to those executing your vision. For those spontaneous couples, we are experts at putting your wedding together on short notice and have all the vendors you need on-call.
Family Disappointment – Elopements can often offend your friends and family, which can cause the couple to feel guilt, shame, or embarrassment about their decision. To avoid negative family reactions, prepare for sharing your news with loved ones. Brides.com recommends telling people in person (not on social media!) and thinking of ways to involve people post-nuptials like at a special dinner party. No matter how you share your news, telling people how much they mean to you is important for avoiding backlash and drama.
Cost-Cutting – Eloping is an attractive option for couples who are trying to cut down on the cost of a wedding. The national average cost of a wedding is $30,000 according to Business Insider, and elopements, in contrast, can cost as little as a few hundred. However, there are certain areas of the wedding where cost-cutting could cause long-term regrets such as not hiring a photographer or videographer. At The Holladay House, we have a curated list of photographers that specialize in small weddings and are priced accordingly. While skipping over-the-top floral arrangements, ice sculptures, an expensive gown, and a five-course meal for hundreds will save you thousands, paying for high-quality memories will provide priceless memories for years to come.
Downplaying – One of the biggest mistakes that couples who elope make is downplaying their new marriage. Although you may opt for a small and intimate ceremony, that’s no reason not to celebrate! With an elopement at The Holladay House, you can completely customize your ceremony and include lots of meaningful details such as your own vows or family/religious traditions like stomping glass. Also, It is perfectly acceptable and appropriate to send out marriage announcements after your elopement to share your special news with everyone you love. For family and friends of couples who eloped, there’s a one-year window for sending a gift according to Real Simple, so couples get to bask in their newlywed stage for a full 365 days.
Legality – Couples choose to elope for many reasons like saving time and money, intimacy, and privacy. But, eloping is still getting married, so it’s important to ensure that an elopement is legal. Even if you’re choosing to elope, you still need a marriage license, which is typically valid for 60 – 90 days before a ceremony. The Orange County Courthouse is just two blocks away from The Holladay House so it’s quick and easy to pick up a license. Also, while anyone can officiate the ceremony, there still needs to be someone who is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia present to pronounce you as husband and wife and complete the marriage license. At The Holladay House, we can provide a licensed officiant to marry the couple as needed.
Elopements at The Holladay House are all-inclusive and start at just $499. If you’re not sure about eloping but know you want a small and intimate wedding, we can do that too! Check out our website for more information about the wedding and elopement packages we offer and please let us know if you have any questions. We would love to help you plan your special day!
