Has the thought of eloping gone through your head? Maybe you would rather put a down payment on a house or do some extensive traveling? (A wedding these days can run from $10,000 to $40,000) Eloping can be quick and painless- no walking down the isle. All you need is a blood test and marriage license.

Although there may be some who will disagree with your choice-usually family members, there are other things that you can do to make them happy. Have a party when you return from your honeymoon (the one you always wanted but would not be able to afford if you went with the “big wedding”.)

Your marriage is about making memories and sharing the union with those you love. Think outside of the box and make a list of what is most important to you and then share that list with your fiance. If the whole “white wedding” tops the list, then you may not be a candidate for an elopement. But if using a budget in a unique way that you will remember the rest of your marriage, start browsing the Internet and see how far you can go!