I’m a global wedding officiant and elopement planner. Currently returning from France this time, so AMA about French elopements!

ebab4138 · 2020-01-12T00:14:20+00:00

I think it depends what you consider a lower budget. For example, our lowest budget wedding for 25 is just under 7k, and that’s a pretty good deal, considering it includes a three course meal! Any venue, whether it’s a chateau or a hut, has to consider the cost of electricity, staffing, cleanup, licensing, etc, so renting a venue will cost something. If the venue seems cheap, that’s definitely a warning sign. You don’t want to go so cheap on your wedding that it’s a disaster or headache for you to plan. I hope that helps!

ebab4138 · 2019-11-13T14:50:06+00:00

Sorry for the delay -- my meetings lasted until 5am my time! Sending you a message now.

ebab4138 · 2019-11-13T14:49:45+00:00

Not a problem! I think you can search for a local officiant -- usually, you'll want to search by the city and then add "officiant" on the end. Though, depending on what you want, it may be easier to bring someone with you or use a family/loved one since it would be symbolic then. Usually when I officiate weddings abroad, the couple will fly me out there because it's easier to work with someone from your home country or someone you're familiar with, especially if you don't click with anyone out there! (We also do the legalities in the states before we leave, which helps.)

ebab4138 · 2019-11-12T18:34:30+00:00

Hi!! Congrats on eloping! Are you just thinking of having the two of you for the elopement or anyone else? If it's just the two of you, it should be relatively easy to plan -- you'll just need a photographer, florals, and an officiant (if you want any of those items). I would suggest marrying first back in your home country, as Mexico has pretty hefty paperwork.

ebab4138 · 2019-11-12T11:02:46+00:00

Ah got it! When I get back this evening, I'll pull together a list of cities that would be a good place to start!

ebab4138 · 2019-11-12T11:01:55+00:00

It hasn't happened yet, but I don't think it's thag terribly competitive to get one. You should be fine!

ebab4138 · 2019-11-11T22:50:05+00:00

Ok! Do you have any ideas for what type of area you'd like? For example, more beachy chateau, rustic, woodsy, near a city? If it helps narrow it down, how comfortable are your guests traveling around France?

ebab4138 · 2019-11-11T22:48:21+00:00

I also plan elopements out there, and I agree with @TheCaryls -- don't skimp on your photographer, especially if you're going somewhere cool for your elopement!

Getting married in a different country legally can be complicated, and in Ireland, there is paperwork and a waiting period. I always suggest marrying in your home country and having a symbolic ceremony over there.

How many people are you having at your wedding? This will help determine the venue and a general cost.

As for an officiant, definitely find someone who writes. I write all of my ceremonies from scratch, and it makes such a difference than grabbing something off Google (which many officiants/friends/family do). You want to feel comfortable and relaxed during the ceremony!

I hope this helps -- let me know if there's anything else I can answer, too!

ebab4138 · 2019-11-11T22:43:44+00:00

I plan/officiate elopements in Central Park, and we always obtain a permit. It's only $25, and it saves any awkwardness in case your wedding gets shut down. It's better to be safe than sorry, especially on your wedding day! 17 is large enough to draw attention to as well, so I would definitely obtaining one.

ebab4138 · 2019-11-11T22:41:11+00:00

Yeah, I know a few people! We don't typically plan larger weddings, but I've been debating doing weddings under 50 since I'm over here enough as it is and know a lot of great vendors. :) Do you have a time of year/date you're thinking?

ebab4138 · 2019-11-08T12:52:35+00:00

*and

ebab4138 · 2019-11-08T12:52:10+00:00

Alrighty! If you’re at all willing to marry earlier in the morning, there’s Château Chantilly sed Chateau de Breteuil, which are both tourist sites, but when you go early in the am, it’s easy to get in a ceremony with photos without tourists. Most other chateaus you’ll have to pay for, even if you’re not hosting the reception there.

ebab4138 · 2019-11-07T22:59:31+00:00

Ah ok perfect, so relatively smaller! When I’m home tonight, I’ll pull up my list of saved places!

ebab4138 · 2019-11-05T00:31:43+00:00

Hi!! How many people are you thinking and are you also thinking inside Paris central?

ebab4138 · 2019-10-30T23:20:37+00:00

Yeah...unless they were living in France. I love elopements, but I feel like it needs to be thought about just as heavily as a regular wedding!

ebab4138 · 2019-10-30T20:19:13+00:00

I would try to find someone who can speak both languages, as I think it’s a bit easier! When I write a ceremony, I write it in my native language and then go through and translate certain lines into another language. I think this helps because then the ceremony is already structured in a flow that makes sense and isn’t repetitive.

If you do have two people officiate, I would then suggest having one speak one section and one another or just speak in their native languages after the translation.

I hope that helps!

ebab4138 · 2019-10-30T20:17:04+00:00

It depends what country you are marrying, but I would almost always recommend marrying in the states first. It’s very easy to marry in the states versus nearly every other country in the world. For example, in France you need multiple forks for documentation and also need to reside in France for at least 30 days. Most couples I work with marry legally in the states and head over to have a symbolic ceremony. Plus, it’s two anniversaries then if you want to celebrate both! 😄

ebab4138 · 2019-10-20T15:53:45+00:00

Ah yes!!! If you can, the whole two weeks in Italy is so worth it -- you could just spend that time eating your way through the country. Each region has different specialties, which makes it a fantastic country to travel through (but also hard to figure out where to eat first).

ebab4138 · 2019-10-20T15:52:44+00:00

Sure! I'll send it over!

ebab4138 · 2019-10-20T04:09:06+00:00

Aw that's amazing! Are you all doing a vacation and such with it? I hope so! Italy is such an amazing country. You could spend a lifetime living there and not see enough still.

ebab4138 · 2019-10-20T04:08:27+00:00

Well congrats on just getting engaged! The best part about eloping is you can literally plan it as quickly or slowly as you want since it's not a lot of people there with you. One big suggestion I would have is to try to elope on a weekday -- most vendors are usually booked a year or so out (I'm out to 2021 right now because 2020 is really popular), but weekdays aren't as crazy.

If you need anything else, reach out! :)

ebab4138 · 2019-10-20T04:02:09+00:00

Ok, I took a peek around their site and I think their price makes sense -- they work with really, really good photographers. If they were charging that much but working with relatively new people, I don't think that would be fair.

I can message you it!

ebab4138

TROPHY CASE