Elope Frequently Asked

Questions

Please find below a list of frequently asked questions about Eloping with team E-lope in Kent England

Questions about

What’s included

Embarking on your elopement journey comes with its own set of queries, and we’re here to provide you with the answers you need to make informed decisions. From choosing the perfect destination to picking the ideal season, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions to guide you through the where and when of your intimate celebration.

At E-Lope we are passionate about helping you to have a stress-free wedding experience. So we offer a wedding planning service but this isn’t a regular wedding planning service, it’s an all-inclusive intimate wedding package created with you in mind.

We offer a range of different types of small-scale weddings depending on which venue you get married at.

1. An E-Lopement

An elopement just includes you and your partner, the Kent County Council Registars and we are delighted to be your witnesses but our elopement package includes two additional guests if you want to bring your own witnesses.

2. Mini-E-mony

A minimony is when you have less than ten people at your wedding which includes you two. Two of your guests will become your witnesses.

3. S-Equel Weddings

If you want the best of both worlds and want to opt for a tiny elopement followed by a fun party later, you can opt for a sequel wedding, we/ you just need to ask the venue for an additional quote.

To plan a beautiful elopement wedding, we believe you need:

An amazing photographer is an essential

Brilliant florist to create your beautiful floral arrangements, such as your bouquet or buttonhole

A mullti-award-winning cake designer for that perfect cake-cutting moment and to share with friends and family when you return home

A caterer who is simply the best as this is your wedding breakfast after all

A multi-award-winning elopement stylist & planner to create an Instagramable wedding and to help you with logistics, travel, tips on accommodation and, vendor communication, etc! Why not take a peek at the gallery

The bespoke elopement wedding package brings together some of the most talented suppliers to deliver the essential elements of your wedding.

Working together, we create a beautiful wedding without you having to stress about all the elements. To assure you, you are in great hands!

However, if you would like to know more please jump over to our About p age

Within the elopement wedding package, we also include Champagne to toast your extraordinary occasion privately.

The venue, Allington Castle, Bilsington Priory, The Castle Westenhanger, the Cave Hotel, The Lost Village of Dode The Island of Jersey and Wadhurst Castle, are offered exclusively and privately, or why not book an elopement to the island of Jersey?

A choice of menus from a Quintessential Afternoon Tea, Antipasto, etc

On the day of an elopement, we offer two options:

– Option One is to get married during the day

– Option Two is to get married in the evening

This enables us to marry two couples on a day at different times. We started offering two options a day during the pandemic when we realized that couples want something gorgeous, but short and sweet. These shareable wedding days have filled that void. However, if there are no other wedding booked on your day, then we can be more flexible about what time you get married, so please just ask.

We do not remember days.
We remember moments.

Cesare Pavase

Questions about

What’s Included & Guests

Your elopement ceremony and vows are the heart and soul of your intimate celebration. From ceremony length and unique ideas to writing heartfelt vows, I’m here to provide guidance and inspiration for creating a truly memorable and meaningful elopement experience.

There are a few items not included within your Elopement Wedding Package but don’t worry we will help you to take care of these items listed.

Your legal civil ceremony
Accommodation
Travel including ‘getaway vehicles’
Stationery
Your rings
Your attire
Your hair and makeup
A videographer
Wedding insurance – read our blog on the importance of taking out wedding insurance

However, please see our list of amazing A- Z of suppliers

If you are going to elope, our top recommendation, in addition to our package, is to include the following in this order:

1. A videographer to help capture the very essence of your day

2. A sign or something that says you have eloped, so your photographer and potential videographer can capture

3. If you have travelled from afar, you might want to consider having your beautiful destination elopement live-streamed, for your friends and family to watch back home x

An elopement is all about you two! However, if you want to invite your children, your parents or some very close friends then our elopement package allows for a maximum of ten people.

For venues in Kent, when we reserve your civil ceremony with Kent County Council, they will want to know how many people are attending your elopement, so you will need to know 30 days before your wedding. This information will also be passed on to the caterers.

Notice

In order to book your elopement, we need a minimum of 31 days. Thirty-one days enables us to reserve your civil ceremony with Kent County Council; however the more time, the better for all of us! However, we have recently ben informed if you are not a British National it could take up to 90 days.

For East Sussex, you need to reserve the registers, and for Jersey, you must complete your application form at least 8 weeks before your elopement but no more than 12 months before.

The Legal Aspect

of your Elopement

Navigate the path to elopement perfection. Discover invaluable insights, expert tips, and common pitfalls to ensure your intimate celebration is flawless and full of cherished memories.

In order to book your elopement, we need a minimum of 31 days and if you are not a British National 90 days. Thirty one to 90 days days enables us to reserve your civil ceremony with Kent County Council, however the more time the better for all of us!

At E-Lope, we offer two types of weddings, one is legal, and the second is a blessing.

Option 1. If you choose a licenced venue such as The Castle Westenhanger, yes, after your elopement, you are legally married. Just like a traditional wedding, you need to choose a date Monday to Wednesday in the Summer and Monday to Thursday in the Winter, and then choose a time. We will then contact Kent County Council on your behalf and reserve the time and date. We will then give you a booking reference number. On receipt of the booking reference, it is then your responsibility to contact Kent County Council immediately and pay the non-refundable booking fee. However please note for East Sussex and Jersey, you will need to reserve your date and time with the council directly.

Option 2. You have the option to select a non-licensed venue, including your home, where a professional celebrant, a family member, or a friend can officiate. While we thoroughly enjoy organizing these ceremonies, it’s essential to note that they are not legally binding. Therefore, many couples opting for this option often choose to have a legal marriage at a registry office before or after the celebratory event.

If you have a short lead time, please make sure you contact your council as soon as you can.

After you submit your retainer and fill out the E-Lope online booking form, specify your preferred time for your wedding ceremony. We will secure your wedding slot with Kent County Council (KCC) and provide you with an exclusive booking reference. However, if you’re travelling from outside the county, you will need to contact your local council. After you settle the fees with the council, you will need to set up a meeting to visit your local ceremony office to move forward.

If you have a short lead time, please make sure you contact your council as soon as you can.

A civil ceremony requires you to have two witnesses. If there is just the two of you, then your Wedding Planner Sam, The Wedding Owl and the venue manager will be delighted to stand in and be your witnesses – but don’t forget to bring some tissues!

In Kent, we reserve your date and time for the legal ceremony however, in East Sussex and Jersey, you must instigate the reservation.

How soon in advance can I book an elopement?

Due to the nature of an elopement, none of the venues in Kent, East Sussex or Jersey typically accept bookings no more than 12 months in advance.

Your Elopement Bouquet

How do I preserve my elopement bouquet?

Preserving your bouquet is a question we get asked a lot. Obviously, it depends on what you want your bouquet to look like and contain. Here is a link for a bouquet which contains roses

Questions about

Eloping

The Dictionary describes eloping as the verb ‘to run away secretly with the intention of getting married usually without parental consent’. However, elopements are no longer about ‘running off’ to Gretna Green or ‘jumping’ on a flight to Las Vegas. An elopement is a modern way of booking an intimate wedding for two people or up to ten people in Kent, East Sussex England or Jersey.

An elopement has been defined as a wedding with a guest list of under ten people, including you the couple.

An elopement is a tiny, small or intimate and meaningful wedding that reflects you and your relationship at a beautifully romantic wedding venue.

E-loping is for anyone who loved an adventure, whether it’s your first wedding or perhaps your second.

Why not read our in-depth blog on why couples elope.

There are so many advantages to eloping? However, the major advantages are that:

– elopements can be organised quickly

– elopements offer an alternative to hosting a large wedding

– they are perfect for couples who don’t want too much fuss

– if you love styling, but don’t have the time or information we can create you a beautiful petitite wedding, why not read our blog

– they are simple to organise and the majority of the stress of organising a wedding is removed, (as the E-Lope team do the majority of the planning and organising, but most importantly they are beautifully romantic!

Post-elopement party

After eloping is it okay to have a big party?

Yes, couples often organise a large party post elopement, and where better place to hold it than at The Castle Westenhanger?

The Castle is the perfect place for a large party. With a large marquee, you can book a reception for up to 300 people!

Still got questions

get in touch

If you can’t find the answer to your elopement question, why not try the blog page, and don’t hesitate to contact team elope, we can’t wait to hear from you and add your question to the above x

Contact E-Lope