We decided to elope for a variety of reasons. We're sick of family drama, and we do not want our wedding day to have anything to do with it. Weddings are very expensive and neither of our family's are helping to pay for it. We want to be married. That's the end goal. We do not care about a fancy ceremony, we don't want to deal with people who get upset they were not invited, we don't want to rack up a bill. We just want OUR day to be about us and love. So, solution? Elopement. We live in a state that does not require a witness, so that helps too. I just want to see what kind of advice others have. Anyone who has eloped, what was good about it? Bad? What do we need to know ahead of time (other than legalities and planning.) Thank you! I would never ask anyone to help pay for the wedding.  I simply mentioned that because, it's really up to us since we're going to be paying for everything. I'm glad no one is helping pay.  Gives more room for us to do exactly what we want and not have to appease anyone else.  Also, we know we are going to deal with family drama.  It comes with the territory. But we deal with it through the holidays.  We want one thing to belong completely to us.  Our wedding day should absolutely belong to just us...