To Wed or not to Wed?

My now husband and I wanted to elope also, mainly to avoid family drama, but I made the mistake of telling my mother about it and she totally FREAKED OUT. She pretty much INSISTED that she be there to see me get married, no matter where it was or who was invited. So, if we were to give in to her (which we did), we would also have to invite my husband's side of the family, and my father's side of my family (my parents are divorced) in order to be fair to everyone.

It was miserable. Everyone wanted a say-so in everything, like when the wedding date would be, who would be invited, even what vows would be exchanged. Tons and tons of family drama, on both sides of our families. I had several breakdowns during the engagement period and almost called the whole thing off several times.

We ended up having a nice little wedding. When the ceremony and reception were over and my husband and I went back to our apartment to change clothes for the honeymoon, i broke down and cried my eyes out. I was so RELIEVED the damn thing was finally over and behind me.

In retrospect, the wedding itself was not worth the emotional strain that it put on not only me, but other family members as well. If I could back in time, my husband and I would have eloped in Vegas as was planned from the beginning, and I wouldn't have told anyone til it was over.

Hope this helps some. Do what you feel is the best thing for you and your man, F^ck everyone else, they'll get over it.

Set it up at the courthouse, send invites to both of your sets of parents only, have the ceremony, take your parents out for a nice meal afterwards, then go on a nice honeymoon. Done.

Do not elope and wait for a right time to announce. I believe if you elope you will destroy the series of happiness in your life. Kindly pray before God & ask for his blessings.

Don't elope if it will break your parents heart. Just have a small wedding with your families.

You could have a small intimate ceremony in the park with a justice of the peace and invite only closest family. It's short and sweet and not expensive.

It doesn't have to be a big event. I think the sweetest most beautiful wedding I have read about was Matt Le Blanc's (Joey from Friends). The way him and his wife got married was so simple. Beautiful.

The wedding itself is not the issue....you can do that however you please. Your family can like it or lump it. If they make a big fuss, tell them you will have the largest ceremony they like....if THEY plan it and pay for it.

What are the 'legal issues' you mention? After seven years....I'm not sure I feel that this is something you both really want...

I wouldn't want to get married without my parents there to see it. Just saying.

Do what makes you happy!! Your not here to live your for everyone else!!! If you did, YOU would never be happy.

Dont get married.