Jan 24, 2024

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Man in tuxedo and woman in white dress smiling and touching noses with ocean and setting sun in the background

Eloping can be a romantic adventure with a once-in-a-lifetime thrill. It could be an attractive alternative to complicated nuptial planning and wedding costs. Though it can be a spontaneous event, there will still be a variety of details to address. Depending on where you go and what you want to do, you may need to plan for costs before you hit the road with that special someone.

Some costs of destination eloping

Although eloping can save you money, there are still costs to plan for:

  • Travel to and from the destination
  • The venue (church, chapel, hotel, etc.)
  • Marriage license
  • Wedding attire (if this is important to you)
  • Honeymoon (including accommodations, food, entertainment, etc.)

Eloping questions to answer

If eloping sounds like a great idea, it’s time to take a step in the right direction. This means answering several important questions, all of which will help you decide what to do next.

1. Which destination is best for you and your fiancé?

You can elope to pretty much any destination in the world (within reason), but some are more popular than others. Some popular choices include:

  • Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Sonoma Valley, California
  • Nevis, West Indies
  • Provence, France
  • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
  • St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
  • Tamil Nadu, India

Some of these destinations, such as Las Vegas, are top choices thanks to the “ease of elopement.” Others are the perfect choice thanks to price, the beauty of the area, and/or available accommodations for your honeymoon.

2. Will you invite other people?

Eloping doesn’t necessarily mean that you leave everyone else out of the equation.

You have the right to sneak away with your fiancé and wed without any onlookers, but there’s nothing wrong with inviting others, such as close family and friends, to partake in the action.

3. What’s your budget?

One of the reasons for eloping is to save money. If this is your goal, make sure you set a budget and stick with it.

Without a budget in mind, you could potentially spend more than you would on a traditional wedding. This is particularly true if you choose an exotic destination.

4. How can I pay for the costs?

You can certainly use a credit card in the spur of the moment. But if you want to avoid higher-interest rates, you might consider a personal loan. It doesn’t take long to secure the funds so you can concentrate on planning your big day, even if you have an old-fashioned spontaneous elopement – with Discover® Personal Loans, for example, most people get a decision the same day.

Other benefits of a Discover personal loan include a fixed rate, knowing exactly what your monthly payment will be, and having a set payoff date. You can even check what your interest rate will be before applying for the loan without impacting your credit health.

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