Conference turris::womannotes-v3

    G'day,
    
     and be careful climbing down the ladder..... ;-)
    
    djw

    
    I've always thought of it as the most romantic way to tie the
    proverbial knot.
    
    You can always have a big party later for all your friends if you
    want...
    
    Good luck!  :-)
    
    D.

    A friend eloped because her mother-in-law to be was getting a bit...
    overbearing about the wedding plans.  When the couple returned, her
    mother-in-law threw a huge party.  Everyone got what they wanted in the
    end.
    
    So, if you want to elope, go for it!  If either parent wants to throw
    a party, have at it!  Do what *you* want to do to celebrate the
    occasion!
    
    
    Congratulations,
    Judi
    

    It's your life, your wedding, and your choice.
    
    The only thing I think I'd recommend is that your partner's son be
    allowed to attend the actual ceremony -- my daughter was 5 when
    Neil and I got married, and I think being a participant in the
    plans had a lot to do with her acceptance of Neil and her
    willingness to adapt to a new family.  
    
    Perhaps you could be married quietly in your own town, before you
    go, or the town where whoever will be taking care of the boy
    lives, with only him and the witnesses present.  
    
    Later you can have an announcement party if you want -- and if the
    religious approval mentioned in .1 (or was it .2?) matters to you,
    or comes to matter to you, most religious organizations are open
    to a ceremony of blessing or affirmation.
    
    --bonnie

    Good luck and creator love and bless you. My sister and her husband
    eloped. They have been together 22 years today. They took off for
    Maryland from N.H. on a motorcycle. After 2 days, they called and said
    send money and our birth certificates. They forgot them. However that
    is the only dumb thing I am aware of their doing over the last 22 years
    together. I realize I am prejudice in their favor. 
    
    Anyway, the point of this rambling is that it can work and to say good
    luck once again. 
    
    Phil
    
    P.S. They had an announcement party afterwards.

    
    
    	My husband and I didn't want a big wedding. We got married
    	by a JP in Worcester, having my mother, maternal grandparents,
    	and his best friend attend. These are about the only people
    	who knew ahead of time. For those who were hurt because they 
    	weren't invited, we said, `This was very special to us and
    	we wanted to share the moment in privacy'. That seemed to 
    	satisfy most people. My co-workers gave me a `post-bridal'
    	shower when I came back to work. This Christmas Eve will make
    	on year that we've been married, and I can look back and say 	
    	that I remember the ceremony, instead of how the food went,
    	was the band good, did my dress fit right, did everybody have
    	a good time, etc....
    
    	Sherry

Ohhhhh...this is romantic!

Just don't go and spoil it all with a bunch of preparations; that will make it
just as bad as a regular wedding.

E Grace

The best argument in favor of "elopement" (I'd have termed it "just getting
married without all the outside interference") is the other note about face
mashing with wedding cake. Getting married is for the benefit of the new spouses
(and the federal tax revenues), not for the amusement of family and friends.

I say go for it. Besides the fact that I hate weddings, the main reason we got
married by a JP was because it was *cheap*, which gave us more money for
the honeymoon. We didn't invite anyone so nobody got offended, or had to
worry about a gift or what to wear or any of that rot. I thought it was a
hassle that they didn't let us "mail it in" but the whole ceremony only
lasted about 30 seconds so it wasn't too bad :-).

Jenna

    Go for it! Use the money that would have been spent on a great
    honeymoon!!!!
    
    REK
    
    Got married on vacation.... In St. Lucia... I still wonder if Donna and
    I are legally married....

re:    <<< Note 489.11 by GOLF::KINGR "PREPARE to die earth scum!!!!!!!!!!!" >>>

REKless,    

>>				...I still wonder if Donna and
>>    I are legally married....

I should think it would be illegal for *you* to even get married :-).

Jenna

    Re:12 Jenna... I used a different name......
    
    REK

    OH!  I think it's *so* romantic!  Everyone (including my parents) in my
    family has eloped except my brother.  His wedding was real sweet but
    stressful and he came really close to bolting at the altar due to the
    stress involved!
    
    I told my SO that I'd love to elope in the Shenandoah Mountains at the
    Skyland Lodge overlooking the Luray, VA valley.  Oh!  The view is
    stunning ... at sunset with only my sister, her hubby and my best
    friend in attendance.  Saves money, too!  Since he's not religious and
    I'm Catholic, it saves tons of hassle getting married in the church,
    having to do the pre-cana stuff and engaged encounter weekends.  
    
    Needless, to say, it's going to happen for us in the Spring, and I wish
    both of you the best of luck!  Go for it!  Then you can have a mega
    party afterwards and there won't be any hard feelings family-wise.
    
    Tammi