How to Elope?

Question

My fiance and I live in Hunterdon NJ. we want to secretly elope in another county. How do we go about doing this?

Answer 1

You need to find out your state's requirements;   ID, prices, paperwork, waiting period for the license, waiting period after getting the license.

If you live here in Ohio, you buy the marriage license in the county where you live.  If you don't live here then you buy the license in the county where you're getting married.  There is no waiting to get the license & you can marry immediately.  Nor do you need witnesses.

In Kentucky, you can buy the license in any county & marry in any county, get the license the same day but they still require 2 witnesses.

If you are marrying at the courthouse you will need to make an appointment with the presiding judge.

If you are looking for someone else to perform the ceremony,

Type into your search engine this--your

city state wedding officiant

There will be ones in the area to come up. If you go to the bridal sites, visit the officiant's web site. Those bridal sites (wedplan, knot,) make vendors & officiants pay for your contact info & some just can't/won't do it.

Answer 2

My thought would be to search for a bed and breakfast inn that offers an elopement package.  Maybe something like this?

http://www.williamscottageinn.com/specia...

From site above:

"Romantic Elopement and Renewal of Vows Package.  Share your vows in our elegant gazebo, on our spectacular porch, the white-sand beach, or in front of the original terracotta fireplace in the foyer.  It is your day...

Total Package for Bride and Groom only Includes:

Nondenominational Minister,Stunning Rose Bridal Bouquet and Boutonniere, Keepsake Souvenir, 8" Wedding Cake, Ceremonial Music, Photographs & CD of photo selections, 2 witnesses, 2 Night Accommodations in a Luxury Room (Gourmet Breakfast included) with an elegant private bathroom

Starting from $1395

Taxes Not Included

Call for a last minute Renewal of Vows

Legal documents must be complete for a Tie-the-Knot Elopement

Elopement packages are priced to accommodate the Bride and Groom only.

Customized Elopement Packages & Room Upgrades & Add On's are Available for an Additional Cost. Restrictions apply.

The necessary legal documents required for marriage can be acquired here."

I would contact the bed and breakfast inn to make arrangements in advance.  Good luck with your planning.

Answer 3

check hotels websites, I live in Maine and a lot of hotels offer amazing elopement packages around here. You get a small ceremony they provide witnesses and the officiant, they also offer a photographer and usually a 3 night stay for around $1000. So check around your area you'd be surprised how many hotels offer this on their websites. I was.

Answer 4

fly. get a preacher over there. elope? i dont understand what is so confusing about this.

Answer 5

The easiest way would be to consult a travel agent. They can help you tremendously with locations, legalities, etc. They usually have contacts in other countries to assist you once you arrive.

Answer 6

Of course you can get married in another country - but many countries have difficult regulations.  You many also need witnesses.  Catholic countries (like Ireland) are often the most strict, and even the civil weddings have waiting periods.  Of course you can look up destination weddings, (I listed one website below that I trust, letsrunoff.com), and I've also posted marriage requirements and waiting periods in all US states below. of course Niagara Falls CANADA will allow you to apply for a marriage license and be married the same day, for instance, if you want to stay in North America.  

But if I might suggest something else -- from NJ, it's easy to get to New York City, get married at City Hall for $25 (1 day waiting period, info below) and then catch an international flight at JFK (or go back to Newark, of course) and go on a romantic honeymoon somewhere, already married.  You won't have any visa/ red tape problems, and your marriage license will be waiting when you get back.  You WILL need at least one witness for the legal wedding -- so take a friend with you to NYC, or hire an inexpensive photographer who can serve as a witness.  Of course you can also get married in NYC on the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, etc. -- or in NJ as well, in a park, a hotel suite, the beach at dawn -- just find a civil officiant you like, have a romantic elopement stateside, and go find your beach/ mountain, whatever you want for your honeymoon. Good luck!

Answer 7

Call around and find out what places have waiting periods for obtaining a marriage license. Some states have laws that prohibit you from getting married between the time the license was issued and a certain amount of days after that. You could also go to Vegas and do it. Some states don't have a waiting period. I think Utah is one that doesnt.