In episode 48 of The One Fab Day Wedding Podcast, we're answering the question that all couples probably ask themselves at some point in wedding planning - “Should we just elope!?” We love elopements here at One Fab Day, particularly as couples get more creative with small weddings and alternative celebrations. But we firmly believe that there are right and wrong reasons to choose an elopement over a full-blown wedding, which we'll be exploring in this chat. We've also come up with a few compromises that fall half-way between the two formats, and have thrown in some helpful tips for eloping couples to boot! Enjoy!

Episode Breakdown: Should You Just Elope?

Wedding tip: Claire's tip this week is to get your guests mingling at dinner by sharing nuggets of trivia about them at the tables. You could even turn it into a fun guessing game, as suggested by our producer, Ian!

Main topic: This week, we're talking about elopements, specifically how to tell when it's the right move for you and your partner, as opposed to a rash decision made in a moment of weakness, when a full wedding celebration seems too daunting! Our aim with this episode is to answer the question, "Should we just elope?!" but we're also suggesting a few popular alternatives that fall somewhere in between an elopement and a wedding, and offering some helpful planning tips for eloping couples.

Wedding dilemma: A listener writes, “My dilemma is about what to buy for the bridal party and the groomsmen. We originally said we would pay for all their rooms as a gift, but that's eight rooms and it's now one of our biggest expenses. So what I'm wondering is, is it a prerequisite that the bride and groom pay for the rooms? If we don't, will we be seen as being cheap and ungrateful? What about a travel voucher? I'm really lost on this. I just want the presents to be useful and not generic." While it's not expected that the couple pay for the wedding party accommodation, at least not in Ireland and the UK, we think it's worth considering it if the venue is very expensive and no affordable is available, or you've specifically asked your pals to stay where you're staying. Alternatively, we're big fans of the travel voucher idea! In our book, a practical gift is always superior to a rushed, last-minute buy.

Something to do when you're not planning your wedding: In this episode, Claire's suggesting @CommentsByCelebs on Instagram!

Thanks for listening! Got something to add to the conversation? Shoot us a mail at hello@onefabday.com. We want the One Fab Day Wedding Podcast to make wedding planning easier and more enjoyable for you, our beloved listener, so if there's something you'd love to hear discussed on the show, or a question you'd like answered, please do drop us a line.

If you loved the episode, don't forget to rate and review the podcast on iTunes. You should also make sure you're subscribed to the podcast - that way you'll receive notifications every time a new episode is released! Oh, and if you know anyone who's engaged and planning a wedding, or a bridesmaid, groomsman, parent or wedding guest who needs a dilemma solved, be sure to tell them about the podcast and share a link.

FURTHER LISTENING:

Episode 7: "We Eloped to New York!"

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